HGCA news release 14/029
The mild, wet winter has raised concerns that yellow rust may be a problem in 2014 and the disease is not just a concern in this country. UK scientists are part of a global effort to research the pathogen and reduce the damage it causes.
The National Institute of Agricultural Botany’s ‘superwheat’ research has been short-listed for the BBSRC’s 2014 Innovator of the Year award.
Congratulations to Easton and Otley College's Simon Harwood, Anna Murray and George Gay who were finally awarded the Countrywide NIAB Agronomy Cup yesterday (Thursday 30th Jan).
Countrywide's Paul Selby and Alistair Folly, and NIAB's Bill Clark, handed over the Cup and a £400 cheque, which the team have kindly donated to Epilepsy Action, in front of delegates at our Network Results Conference in Norfolk. The team, unfortunately missing James Cunningham on the day, were joined by their lecturer James Trounce.
Wheat growers are advised to check crops for yellow rust, following widespread reports of infection in crops, but be aware that many crops could still develop adult plant resistance.
The HGCA-funded UK Cereal Pathogen Virulence Survey has received many samples of very active wheat yellow rust over the winter. Varieties being tested include Gallant, Horatio, JB Diego, KWS Kielder, KWS Santiago and Solstice.
The National Institute of Agricultural Botany’s new visitor centre in Cambridge has been short-listed for an international ‘green’ construction award.
With a roof covered by living plants and photo-voltaic cells, rainwater harvesting, automatic ventilation, biomass boiler and a zero carbon construction, the Sophi Taylor Building has some of the most outstanding green building credentials in the UK.
Four UK crop science students have each been awarded a £3,000 bursary by NIAB for outstanding achievement in their studies.
Laura Bishop, Charles Garrard, Lauren Hladun and Tom Pope are winners of this year’s ASSET (Agricultural Science Student Education Training) prize, a joint initiative between NIAB and four leading crop science universities; Reading, Harper Adams, Newcastle and Nottingham.
NIAB has appointed Hamish Mulcock as its Technical Manager for Certification within the Agricultural Crop
Characterisation team.
A potato modelling system, which forecasts yield and tuber size, has won the Oxford Farming Conference (OFC) and Royal Agricultural Society of England (RASE) Practice with Science Award. Developed by NIAB CUF, the tool can supply valuable data to the entire potato supply chain, to aid both in-field and processing practices as well as reporting.
Four students studying for a BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma in Agriculture at Easton and Otley College have won the 2013 Countrywide NIAB Agronomy Cup competition.
