For crops to reach their full potential it is vital that they are managed correctly through their key stages of growth. Our strongly held view is that no-one would grow an arable crop without a full agronomy plan, so why should game cover or conservation crops be any different?
With trials and demonstration sites throughout the United Kingdom, our work ranges from formal trials to displays of crops in working farm situations. Our principal trials site at Haywold in East Yorkshire includes a wide range of crops which receive a range of management techniques. It is here that we evaluate new varieties, mixtures and seed treatments as well as showing visitors throughout the year the performance of proven and new entrant products.
Our trials and demonstration site in the south of England at Malshanger in Hampshire replicates much of the work done at Haywold. It continues to develop both in size and range of crops on display.
These sites are supported by a working demonstration based at Rectory Farm in Buckinghamshire where a range of game cover and stewardship crops have been established to meet the farm’s Environmental Stewardship requirements.
In addition to our specific work at these sites, Kings has a presence at 24 demonstration sites overseen by Frontier Agriculture. Each of these sites has a selection of green cover, game cover and stewardship crops planted alongside the conventional combinable crop displays. For details of the location of the nearest site to you and their next open day please visit www.frontierag.co.uk.
Click image to enlarge
In our opinion, without doubt the biggest innovation in game cover and conservation crops over recent years has come from their agronomic management. The days of planting a crop and hoping it will beat the weeds are long gone due to extensive and meticulous trials work. This investment has broadened the opportunity to establish and manage a wide range of crops successfully. With eight years of herbicide screening trials working with a wide range of herbicide manufacturers, we have a unique resource to draw upon. This applies to developing new seed products as well as advising customers on the best management strategies for their crops.
Kings' herbicide screening trials continue at Coldstream in the Scottish Borders. Ongoing replication of this work gives us an unrivalled depth of knowledge and understanding. Talk to your local Kings contact to learn more about our findings and how they could benefit your crops.
