Agriculture 2 Flashcards
(23 cards)
What factors can impact crop yield?
Soil type, water retention, temperature, levels of sunlight, severe weather events
What is the main limiting factor for growing maize, sunflower or soya in the UK?
Temperature is the key issue and also the poor weather when it comes to harvesting can increase difficulty harvesting. The temperature of the soil is often too cold for the crop to develop.
What are of Scotland receives the most sunlight?
East of Scotland receives best level of solar radiation
Why is Spring Barley a successful crop in Scotland?
Doesn’t have to survive through the winter, however, it is not as high yielding as Winter barley for example (risk low, but yield low)
Why can you not regularly grow Oil Seed Rape in the same field?
Cabbage Stem Flea Beetle and clubroot
Can you use noenicitinoids to kill Cabbage stem flea beetle?
No, it is now illegal as it can potentially cause harm to bees therefore CSFB is more difficult to control
What vegetable family is Oil Seed Rape considered?
It is in the cabbage/brassica family
what are legumes and give some examples?
Legumes are plants which are used for consumption, but fix Nitrogen into the soil (eg. Beans, Peas)
Give an example of a typical crop rotation in your area?
Winter barley, oil seed rape, winter wheat, spring barley, spring barley, spring barley, TGRS for 3-5 years
When do you plant and harvest Spring barley?
Plant: March/April
Harvest: August/Early September
When do you plant and harvest Winter Wheat?
Plant: Late September/October
Harvest: September
What is the standard process of cultivation? (7)
- Ploughing
- Cultivation
- Sowing (fertiliser at the same time into the seed hole)
- Top dressing of Fertiliser
- Spraying (herbicides, fungicides etc)
- Harvest
- Mucking
What are some of the typical farm machinery you would expect to find on an arable enterprise?
Plough, cultivator, seed drill (or direct driller), rollers, sprayer
What are the yields (per/acre) for Winter barley, Winter Wheat, and Spring Barley?
Winter barley - 4t/ac
Winter Wheat - 4t/ac
Spring Barley - 2.5-3t/ac
What diseases are potatoes susceptible to?
Potato blight
PCN (potato cyst nematode)
What is the purpose of the GAEC standards?
GAEC standards aim to ensure that farmers protect the three main elements of the farmed environment. These are:
-Soil and water
-Habitats and wildlife
-Landscape features
What is Green Manure and give some examples?
Legumes such as Vetch, Mustard, Clover, Peas, Beans
‘Manure’ refers to their being nitrogen fixing properties so can be a partial substitute for Fertiliser
Can you talk me through the typical CEREAL calendar in Scotland?
April: Spring crop sown
July/August: Cereal crop harvested (Spring wheat/barley)
September: Winter crops and OSR sown
September/October: Winter Crop harvested
What are the 4 Seasons in the UK and their months?
3 months per season
Spring: March - May
Summer: June - August
Autumn: September - November
Winter: December - February
Can you talk me through the typical Livestock calendar in Scotland?
March/April: Lambing season commences and/or Beef Calves
April: Livestock housed during winter moved to some pasture
May: First cut of Silage
July: Second cut of Silage & Livestock breeding & Sheep Shearing
November: Livestock housed and over-wintered
Talk me through the current Beef Market in Scotland?
In 2025, Beef prices are buoyant and are higher than years previous (other than 2024)
There is a general downward trend in Cattle numbers in Scotland. Assuming stable demand, it is likely the finished prices of beef will be higher.
What Grants or Schemes are available to Farmers in Scotland and where do you find them?
Rural Payments and Services (RPS)
- AECS
-LFASS
-Forestry Grant Scheme (FGS)
-Basic Payment Scheme (BPS)
-Scottish Sucker Beef Support Scheme (SSBSS)
