HGCA happy to show how far your money goes.

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The true breadth of the current research programme will be shown by a range of plots and poster displays, around six themes. The aim is to help growers improve production efficiency and maximise profitability, in a sustainable and environmentally friendly manner.

1. Effective management of nitrogen applications. Here's how to optimise fertiliser nitrogen for cereals, with the focus on managing N for Group 1 and 2 wheats, plus a look at a new infra-red based technique to help growers manage late N for milling requirements. The innovative "GREENgrain" project, which aims to develop nitrogen-efficient varieties of wheat for bioethanol production, will also be on display.
2. Sowing the foundation for profitable production. Messages from this year's sow2succeed research initiative will be shown in sequentially sown plots highlighting the effects of drilling date.
3. Habitat management for biodiversity. Two plots profiling the Sustainable Arable Farming for an Improved Environment (SAFFIE) project consider herbicide applications and beneficial weeds. Margin management and undrilled patches are also explained.
4. Pest and disease control. Plots will show methods of controlling ergot, wheat blossom midge and slugs, with spore traps, pheromone traps and a novel ATV-mounted slug bait dispenser all featured.
5. Oilseed rape -- from breeding to market. How can you improve OSR's contribution on your farm? Plots and advice will investigate husbandry factors, harvesting method, oilseed rape breeding and end-use prospects.
6. Legislation and food safety. Are mycotoxins a worry? Plots will show how improved resistance and fungicides can cut fusarium ear blight and reduce the mycotoxin risk in UK wheat.

In the HGCA marquee growers will get the chance to see and test the latest decision support tools, including:

• The new Appropriate Fungicide Dose website.

• GrainPlan version 2, a computer-based grain store management tool enhanced by grower feedback. It now has improved graphics with revised store images and an in-built warning system with automatic alerts suggesting necessary actions based on temperature and moisture readings. GrainPlan2 complies with assurance schemes and provides users with on screen and primed reports, together with records for rodent bait stations, equipment and store cleaning, trapping and treatment.

• In the RL Marquee growers can find the interactive varieties program, RL Plus.

• In the marketing area sign up to sector-specific online e-clubs, test the new interactive, web-based Income Model and use the Interactive Cereal map.

Variety plots will demonstrate the strengths and weaknesses of this year's recommended winter wheat, winter barley, spring barley, and oilseed rape competitors.

Tours of the wheat plots will be available, with HGCA variety specialists and nabim on hand. Representatives from the millers (nabim) and the maltsters (magb) associations will be able to discuss requirements in more detail.

Separating pricing from marketing is vital in today's volatile market.

Pricing -- understand your costs New at Cereals, the web-based Income Model aims to help growers assess the impact of changing cost structures and the relationship of moving market prices to farm profitability.

Marketing -- identify your markets The Interactive Cereal map aims to help growers identify the key markets in each area of the UK, and highlight key market development work.

The export market could be the local market for many growers, so it is important they are aware of its market requirements. Plots have been sown to demonstrate wheat and barley varieties suitable for export and information will be available on the specifications for wheat exports to both the EU and non-EU countries, including the export brands ukp and uks. New markets in Morocco, Tunisia and Egypt will be profiled.

Here's the latest information on projects supporting the development of the biofuel sector, together with samples of the award winning products.

Initial results from HGCA involvement in a Carbon Accreditation scheme for bio-ethanol will be on show at Cereals. It aims to provide an important step in justifying the carbon reduction claims for using bio-ethanol and confirming the environmental acceptability of the product.

The Environmental Footprint summary will be available, showing the environmental impact of growing cereals and oilseeds, and the likely impact of using UK-grown crops for biofuels.

Growers can get involved with Crop-Bench, a web-based tool produced by the Cereals Industry Forum to assist with farm planning. It will allow farmers to compare crop enterprises to other similar operations.

fwarable@rbi.co.uk

* Software solutions

* Recommended variety plots

* Marketing advice

* Market developments

* N management

* Drilling success

* Habitat management

* Pest and disease control

* Oilseed rape

* Food safety

MAP: HGCA

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