A firm favourite in the agricultural calendar the Croft Arable Event, hosted by Croft Farms, in partnership with NIAB and Argrain, returns this month.

At this open day on June 29, NIAB will conduct Recommended List trials on the Croft Farms and champion the role of independent variety and agronomic research. On display will be the full range of their services to farmers from research to agronomy advice membership.

Euan Fraser, farm manager at Croft Farms explains why agronomy is so important to the farm’s success and what growers can expect at the event.

Croft Farms comprises 1,000ha of fertile medium clay loams. Three quarters of the land is in a combinable crops rotation of wheat, barley, oilseed, oats and beans. Croft Farms also manage land nearby, on a number of contract or share farming agreements, bringing economies of scale that benefit all of the businesses involved.

Euan says: “Aiming for maximum crop performance and efficiency, we strive to be at the forefront of agronomy through our partnership with NIAB.

"Hosting their recommended List Trials and demonstration plots provides us with valuable locality specific information on variety choice, disease management and weed control.

Fraser, farm manager at Croft Farms

Fraser, farm manager at Croft Farms

“We can utilise this information along with our well-equipped and highly-skilled workforce to produce top crops for ourselves and partner farms.”

Two New Holland CR9.90 combines ensure that Croft Farms have the capacity to make best use of any opportunities provided by the weather. “At Grange Farm, we have 20,000 tonnes of TASCC assured grain storage with a 50 t/hour grain dryer. Managed in conjunction with a local grain merchant we intake grain from a number of local farmers who make use of our fast tip and long opening hours during harvest,” says Euan.

Euan attended the event last year shortly before joining Croft Farms and continues: “I was impressed with the professional way that the event was organised and presented, there was so much information to take in that I actually missed out on the free hog roast!”

As well as the NIAB trials, the Croft Arable Event also features variety demonstrations from international seed houses KWS, Limagrain, Syngenta, Senova and DSV, where their plant breeders will be on hand to discuss which cultivars are best suited to this part of the world.

In the farmyard, a range of agricultural businesses including local machinery dealerships, business advice providers, farm commodity suppliers and Argrain will be on show displaying their latest services and innovations.

To register, see www.niab.com/croft-north-open-day-29-june-23 (www.niab.com) or you can simply turn up on day at Croft Farms, Grange Farm, Jolby Lane, Croft on Tees, North Yorkshire (DL2 2TF).