Crop Monitoring Project

Learning Outcomes:

  • To explain where chemical control fits in and “Integrated Pest Control” strategy
  • To understand how fungi infect crops
  • To understand the different modes of action of fungicides.
Fungicide Chemistry
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How fungicides work

Fungicide Performance Data

The AHDB fungicide performance work provides high-quality, independent information on the relative efficacy of fungicides against key diseases in wheat, barley and oilseed rape.
Go to AHDB Website page

Crop Health & Protection – Chemical Control A Guide for Level 3 Apprentices

Introduction

Arable businesses are generally of large size, so this crop technician project aims to focus on a small section of the business, a field or block of one crop.

The project is designed to help apprentices:

  • Make the most of workplace learning.
  • Make links between the workplace and what they learn off the job.
  • Develop the knowledge skills and behaviours required by the Level 3 Crop Technician Apprenticeship.

The approach of the project

The project is intended to involve the apprentice in the planning execution and review of activities which already happen for the crop selected – such as planning fertiliser required, applying and recording actual application, explaining any deviation from the plan, due to weather perhaps, and then reflecting and reporting on the outcome – crop yield etc.

Initially this involvement may simply be as an observer, but should, as they develop their skills and knowledge increasingly involve them discussing and making suggestions for the plan. The project should help structure workplace learning and get the apprentices more involved in the arable business.

Instruction

This booklet is intended as a guide and way of making notes. The information in this booklet once collected will need to be to be entered into an electronic copy of each section in OneFile.

The work done during this project will need to be recorded as Learning Journal Entries in OneFile.

These will then me able to be grade against the required outcomes in the L3 Apprentice Specification.  

Background / History of Crop Monitoring.

Field Name 
Size (Ha) 
Soil Type 
Soil pH 
Soil Indices 
P 
K 
Mg 
Others of relevance 
Previous Cropping / Place in rotation 
Current Crop 
Intended Market for crop 
Variety 
Discussion about above information
 

For the field, block or crop chosen to monitor collect the following information.

Cultivations
Text Box: About the job Cultivating is one of the key seasonal tasks on an arable farm. You are likely to start cultivating during the busiest time of year while you're still finishing the harvest. Yet it's a vital job ­ getting a good tilth will help make sure that next year's crop will get off to a good start. Crop Technician Specifications - Cultivations K5 Maintenance/efficient use of machinery and equipment. K6 Preparation methods, timing of activities and aftercare requirements for the crops grown on site. S1 Promote and maintain health, safety and security. S4 Prepare seed bed for maximum growth potential.

Text Box: Key Points • The reasons for cultivation • The different cultivation methods available. Strengths and weaknesses of each and how they· effect the soil. • Soil's structure, pH \ how soil condition affects plant growth • The requirements of the crops to be planted • Reasons for monitoring the field before cultivating • The impact of previous treatments and ground conditions • How to prepare equipment for cultivating before you start: • How to use and maintain equipment • The effect of weather, climate and location • The reasons for using different nutrients • The problems that may be encountered Health, safety, security, environment • Working safely with equipment • Safe disposal of waste • Ensuring the safety of other people Use the “Key Points” box to guide your discussion and what you put in the box

Cultivations Planned for crop establishment
1.
2.
3.
4.
 
Aim of cultivations / type of seedbed
 
Date Cultivated
How cultivations went, any problems or change in plan
 
Discussion about Cultivations
 

Establishment

Text Box: About the job When drilling or planting a field you'll need to bear in mind previous work on the field, the soil type, ground conditions and weather. The job is vital because it will affect the crop that can be harvested and the income the farm will earn. Crop Technician Specifications - Establishment K5 Maintenance/efficient use of machinery and equipment. S1 Promote and maintain health, safety and security. S5 Carry out relevant establishment of crops for efficient growth.

Text Box: Key Points • How soil condition affects plant growth • Uses of different varieties • How drill ‘black box’ works? • Methods of preparing a seedbed • Methods of planting— knowing how much seed to use, how deep to plant it, how far apart, etc. • Methods for preparing, maintaining, using equipment • The 'impact of timing and weather on planting. • Problems that may be encountered Health, safety, security, environment • Using equipment safely • Any issues around chemicals, or dust • Environmental issues including waste- disposal Use the “Key Points” box to guide your discussion and what you put in the box

Crop Establishment Method
Explain machine used to sow or plant crop
 
Date Planted or sown
Seed Rate
Weather conditions
Date of emergence
How work went, any problems or change in plan
 
Discussion about Crop Establishment
 


Monitoring Crops

Text Box: About the job Monitoring crop growth, spotting damage or disease and taking action to tackle them are some of the most important skills of the experienced crop technician. It's something you need to do day-in, day-out, all year round. It's vital to producing a healthy and productive crop with the desired quality, yield and market value. Crop Technician Specifications - Establishment K8 Principles of plant growth and development and plant health K4 Importance of maintaining systems for record keeping and storage used within the organization K3 Environmental issues/legislation, codes of practice and company policies Also links to S7 Control of pests, weeds and diseases including safe use, application and storage of chemicals S8 Carry out plant nutrient application and/or irrigation tasks if applicable to aid growth of crop.

Use the “Key Points” box to guide your discussion and what you put in the box


A black and grey logo Description automatically generatedEach time you carry out a crop walk you Need to do a OneFile Learning Journal Entry for it – the table below is a guide for what you need to record and do each time.

Crop Monitoring
Plan for Crop Monitoring  
Discuss with employer and / or agronomist when and how often crop monitoring should be done
Date Monitored
Crop Growth Stage
Diseases, Pests or Weeds encountered.
Overall conclusion about crop. Include any worked planned – fertiliser applications, spraying needed.
Discussion about Crop Establishment
 

Crop Nutrition

Text Box: About the job Applying Fertiliser is one of the key routine tasks on an arable farm. Fertiliser may be applied before or after planting, and during growth. If fertiliser is not spread in time the crop may suffer, and this may reduce yield and income. Applying too much fertiliser wastes money and may damage the crop, the soil or the environment. Most arable farms produce a plan of Soil Nutrient Management for each field and crop. Crop Technician Specifications- Crop Nutrition S8 Carry out plant nutrient application and/or irrigation tasks if applicable to aid growth of crop.

Use the “Key Points” box to guide your discussion and what you put in the box


A black and grey logo Description automatically generatedYou don’t have to do the actual fertiliser application but you need to do a OneFile Learning Journal Entry for each fertiliser application – the table below is a guide for what you need to record and do each time.

Crop Nutrition
Plan for Crop Nutrition.
Discuss with employer and / or agronomist plan for crop nutrition
Date Fertiliser Applied
Crop Growth Stage
Details of Fertiliser Application. Type of fertiliser, rate applied, how applied,
Overall conclusion about fertiliser application. Did application match with planned, weather conditions.

Crop Protection

Text Box: About the job Crop health and protection is key to crop performance. This involves an integrated approach which starts before the crop is planted in deciding the crop rotation and then the variety. Then there are the physical, biological and chemical controls which can impact on crop health. Understanding this integrated approach to crop protection is key to a sustainable approach to crop production which is both economically successful does not damage the crop, soil or environment. Crop Technician Specifications - Crop Protection S7 Control of pests, weeds and diseases including safe use, application and storage of chemicals.

Use the “Key Points” box to guide your discussion and what you put in the box

A black and grey logo Description automatically generatedYou don’t have to do the actual spray application but you need to do a OneFile Learning Journal Entry for each application – the table below is a guide for what you need to record and do each time.

Crop Protection
Plan for Crop Protection.
Discuss with employer and / or agronomist plan for INTEGRATED crop protection. So this should include initial discussion on crop, variety, cultivations and crop monitoring and not just a spray program.
Date Sprays Applied
Crop Growth Stage
Details of Spray Application. Type of spray, rate applied, how applied,
Overall conclusion about Spray application. Did application match with planned, weather conditions.

Crop Harvest & Storage

Text Box: About the job Harvesting is the busiest time on an arable farm. It's also the time to find out the result of the work over the year. A successful harvest you will turn all this work into income and help guarantee the farm's success for another year. Crop Technician Specifications - Harvest & Storage S9 Carry out harvesting operations including assessment of timing and quality. S10 Appropriate harvesting techniques to match crop condition and quality requirements. S12 Store crops in suitable conditions to maintain quality

Text Box: Key Points • The production specification. • Signs that a crop is ready for harvesting. • Ways of minimizing damage to the field and the crop. • The effect of weather, climate and location. • The impact of changing conditions. • How to prepare equipment for harvesting. • How to use and maintain equipment. • Reasons why crop condition can vary. • Methods of storing harvested crop + pros & cons • Signs of pests and how to control them. • The records you need to keep. • Ways of inspecting and monitoring storage. • Problems that may arise and action to take. Health, safety, security, environment • Working safely with equipment and ensuring safety of other people • Safe disposal of waste. • Maintaining security during transport and storage • Working safely with storage chemicals and dust • Use the “Key Points” box to guide your discussion and what you put in the box

A black and grey logo Description automatically generatedYou don’t have to do the actual harvesting but you need to do a OneFile Learning Journal Entry for it’s harvest and subsequent storage – the table below is a guide for what you need to record and do each time.

Crop Harvest
Plan for Crop Harvest & Storage.
Discuss with employer and / or agronomist plan for crop harvest including were and how harvested crop will be managed and stored.
Date of harvest – include all dates if not done all on one day  
Crop Condition at harvest
Details Harvesting operation. How crop was harvested, how loads were treated, moisture content etc,


A black and grey logo Description automatically generatedYou don’t have to do the actual storage monitoring but you need to do a OneFile Learning Journal Entry for any storage monitoring that is done– the table below is a guide for what you need to record and do each time.

Crop Storage
Give details of what will happen to harvested crop. Will crop be sold immediately or put into storage for later sale.
Monitoring Harvested Crops Give details of how crop will be monitored if it is to be stored.

Crop Performance

Text Box: About the job The Arable Farm is a business, which to survive must make money or a profit. Crop Performance is one of the factors which affect profit. Yield, and quality of crop sold is part of this, but the inputs used to create this output are equally important. Crop Technician Specifications- Crop Performance K9 Input costs, cost of production, margins and impact on business profitability S2 Manage accurate records within the workplace

Text Box: Key Points • The importance of scheduling resources effectively • Problems that arise if resources are not available • Methods for storing resources • How resources can be damaged or contaminated • How to use lifting and transporting equipment • How to position, stack and secure loads • How to rotate stock • When and why. labelling is important Health, safety, security, environment • Labelling requirements for chemicals • Working safely with materials • The COSHH and Manual Handling regulations Safe lifting and carrying techniques Use the “Key Points” box to guide your discussion and what you put in the box

A black and grey logo Description automatically generatedYou don’t have to do the actual harvesting but you need to do a OneFile Learning Journal Entry for it’s harvest and subsequent storage – the table below is a guide for what you need to record and do each time.

Crop Performance
Crop Performance
Discuss with employer and / or agronomist how the crop performed both when harvested and if possible once crop has been sold and got actual sales figures.
Performance Figures for Crop
Produce some relevant performance results for the crop and then Discuss with employer and / or agronomist

Below is presentation which gives more details about “Crop Chemical Health & Protection?”

Now check your learning: Check Learning

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