News Sugar beets
UK neonics waiver in beets wavers
The Netherlands seemed to be alone in Europe with its ban on neonicotinoids, after the United Kingdom introduced an exemption for sugar beet cultivation in early January. Yet this derogation is faltering in the UK. Researchers do not expect such a high virus pressure, which means that the exemption will be revoked. A drama for those who have already ordered seed.
on January 8 announced UK Department of Agriculture DEFRA to allow the neonics seed coating Cruiser SB in sugar beet again. Just like in the Netherlands, France and Germany, there is also a lot of yield loss on the British island due to the beet yellowing virus. In addition to restrictions in cultivation measures (no flowering crops such as rapeseed after beets), another rule now throws a spanner in the works. British farmers are angry.
Threshold not exceeded
The British Beet Research Organization (BBRO), say the British colleague of the IRS, released Monday (February 16) know that the cold weather has an impact on the exemption. In order to allow a derogation for neonicotinoids, a threshold value must be exceeded. BBR uses a model for this. If this model indicates that more than 9% of the British acreage of beet crops is damaged by the yellowing virus at the end of August, a derogation is allowed.
The so-called 'Rothamsted virus model' uses a combination of winter temperatures and lice populations to calculate the damage threshold. Last season it was calculated that 70% to 90% of the crops were affected at the end of August. This eventually came true. The exact sowing time and the beet acreage are variables that are not yet known. Based on current data, the BBRO estimates that the probability of reaching the damage threshold this season is 16%.
First lice flight 8 weeks later
Scientific research has shown that the temperature in winter clearly correlates with the lice population. At a temperature of -6 to -7 degrees Celsius, 50% of the lice population dies. When the temperature fluctuates, the population drops even more. Especially the weather in January and February has a major effect on the lice population. The daily average is relatively low during this period (below 3 degrees). Based on historical data, BBRO assumes a low lice population that comes into action later in the season.
A late first flight of aphids ensures that crops, with an average sowing date, are further developed and have less chance of sustaining damage. In 2020, when the average winter temperature was 6,5 degrees, BBRO found the first lice at the end of March. After the cold winter of 2017/18, the first flight did not come until the end of May. A similar trend is expected for 2021 as in 2018. Even as the second half of February is warmer than usual, the British do not expect a major effect on the lice population. Seed treated with Cruiser SB is effective 10 weeks after sowing date.
Additional requirements
Many beet growers have now ordered their seed to be treated with Cruiser SB. It is not known whether this seed can still be exchanged for untreated seed writes journalist Mike Abram on Twitter. Even when an exchange is possible, it will cause delays that may prevent sowing in time.
France has been hardest hit by the yellowing virus in Europe. The beet yields in 2020 are on average a quarter lower. This country also received an exemption, without a threshold. This gives arable farmers more confidence in cultivation. According to the Ministry of Agriculture, the acreage will therefore only decrease by 5%, where a decrease of 25% had previously been assumed.
It is difficult, however, that - just like in the UK - rapeseed may not be sown 2 years after the beets. Because many grain companies grow wheat after beets and then rapeseed, this is unworkable. Corn, potatoes and field beans should also not be sown. Their flowers attract bees and other pollinators. Partly because of these kinds of rules, the derogation is only used on a limited scale in Belgium.
Niels van der Boom
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