'Wheat not first, but it must yield its money'

"In terms of balance, it is a closing item. But the importance of wheat is greater than just the balance." With these words, Freerk van der Schaar in Oudebildtzijl (Friesland) indicates the status of winter wheat in his crop plan. 

With a share of 40% (less this year due to circumstances), he keeps his soil healthy and the construction plan future-proof. Nevertheless, he also wants to 'just thresh the maximum yield'. No concessions are therefore made to weed and disease control.

Freerk van der Schaar is steadfast when it comes to the implementation of his building plan. "I am not easily tempted to grow more seed onions or to sow some extra spring wheat because prices are high at the moment," he says during a conversation at the kitchen table, where the current developments in arable farming pass the review. "Ultimately, the seed potatoes are leading here, because that's what our sandwich is made with. The other crops fit in well in the current proportions – both in terms of labor and storage options. And with an average of 40% wheat, we keep the cropping plan and the soil healthy and future-proof", says the Bildt farmer.

For the first time in many years, that 40% wheat is not being achieved this season. Due to a reparcelling, half of the normal wheat acreage of approximately 24 hectares has been replaced by grass seed. "With that you get the soil in order just a little better than with wheat", he explains his choice.

Striving for maximum yield
Although winter wheat is not the best in terms of balance, Van der Schaar does everything it can to achieve the maximum yield. On average, this is just under 10 tons per hectare – although the yield last season was just above 9 tons. Over the years, however, the arable farmer has seen a slight upward trend in wheat yields. He does not have a precise explanation for this, although he does think that the 'increasing experience as a farmer' plays a role in this. Van der Schaar says that he worked for an installation company until he was forty and only then fully entered the parental company. "I am still a young farmer for my age and I am getting better at my profession every year. Maybe this will bring just that little bit of extra," he laughs.

Sharp at sowing time
An important moment for winter wheat is the sowing time. Van der Schaar says that he is very keen on the sowing conditions – in particular because of the risk of waterlogging, especially on the lighter parts of the parcel against the dike. "I will keep an eye on the situation from the end of September. When the soil is sufficiently dry, I no longer wait and start sowing. If you miss such an opportunity, you will almost always be punished in the yield." such is his experience. For example, last autumn the plan was to sow the wheat without plowing, so that the potato storage remained on top and could freeze. But because the ground was not dry enough at the beginning of October, he decided to plow anyway. "In retrospect, this was a good decision. The wheat is now growing well and after such a mild winter I would rather have the potatoes left behind at the bottom of the furrow than on top of the field."

Variety selection & weed control
When choosing varieties, Van der Schaar has a clear preference for robust and proven varieties. This year those are Talent and Ecstasy. Also important here is the advice of his regular supplier, George Pars Graanhandel BV. "They know best which varieties perform well in this area and which have proven themselves in recent years."

As for the weeds, speedwell and chamomile are the two most important nuisances. In addition, there is still some darkness in a few places; according to Van der Schaar, this is a legacy of years of cultivation of tall fescue under wheat. "We have now moved away from that for a number of years and we have regained good control of dusk. As a result, we can now manage the weeds just fine with just a spring spray," he sums up the situation.

Fixed strategy in disease control
In disease control, the arable farmer prefers to opt for a fixed strategy with products that have proven themselves in practice. Last season it was Elatus® Era on T1 and Ascra Xpro at T2. Van der Schaar acknowledges that supplier Pars has an important voice in the eventual choice of means, but that does not alter the fact that he also immerses himself in the means and that he must have a good feeling about them. "Certainty and continuity are very important to me. That is why I opt for proven products rather than new ones – which may be slightly better on paper, but have shown even less of their worth in practice," he says. Furthermore, the arable farmer mainly wants to be busy with his seed potatoes during the growing season. "If I still have my head in the wheat every day, then I am doing something wrong. One rejection of seed potatoes can be equated to at least five wheat balances," he clarifies once again.

Luxury of two field sprayers
Van der Schaar has two field sprayers available for spraying: an older mounted sprayer - which is specifically reserved for onion cultivation - and a trailed version with a Wingssprayer on it. "It may be a somewhat luxurious situation, but it is also very easy. As soon as the weather is good, I can immediately go out on the land. That makes me quite decisive on my own," says the arable farmer. Although the Wingssprayer was purchased not only for its high drift reduction, but also to be able to save some resources, he is cautious about this for the time being. "At the moment it mainly remains with rounding down dosages. And in dry years I also dare to take 10% to 15% off. But I have also learned to stick to proven strategies: experimenting with dosages can also cause a lot of damage and cost a lot of kilos. Then I prefer to work with small steps at the same time," he concludes.

^{Elatus® Era is a registered trademark of Syngenta}

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