TAG Training Courses
	Correct Cultivation Criteria		To book a course, please print, fill in and and return our: Course Booking Form Back to: TAG Training   For course booking enquiries, please contact Sara Telling on 01285 652184 Thinking of joining TAG? Click here for full details: Benefits of Membership
	The soil is a farms primary resource and appropriate management of soil and selection of 'Correct Cultivation Criteria' form some of the most fundamental and important decisions both in any given season and over the longer term. Over the last few years we have experienced some very different autumn conditions, ranging from the very wet to the very dry. One important question is how should such variation influence our soil management strategies? Also in light of current changes and drivers are we looking at changes to crop rotation patterns and in turn how should this influence both the way we manage our soil resource and the establishment methods we may wish to consider for primary use. Soil management and cultivation techniques also influence other important criteria; this could include environmental concerns such as pollution risk or the management of resistant weeds. This course will address the area of 'Correct Cultivation Criteria' in terms of suitable soil management and crop establishment technique for a given season and soil type and also explore the some of the likely associated agronomic implications.
	Managing Insect Risks
	Insect pests in crops can result in both yield losses and reductions in quality. In recent seasons many farmers have become more acutely aware of both the problems and a need for information. This course will explore the economic and responsible management of insect populations in crops and will cover areas including: The management insect populations in a crop; the beneficials and the pests Environmental impacts; including the benefits of varietal/cultural control methods and the use of 'Environmental Information Sheets' and the selection of appropriate thresholds when utilising chemical control methods Orange Blossom Midge; the problem and the risks and an evaluation of the cultural and chemical management options Gout-fly; this pest has been a problem in many early sown crops in recent seasons; risk assessments and management strategies will be explored Other common insects; including beetles eg ground beetles, flea beetles, pollen beetles, aphids eg grain aphid and flies eg wheat bulb fly
	Optimising Fungicide Programmes
	Pathogen resistance is increasingly compromising the contribution of chemical control measures. This course looks at how much we can still get from the fungicides available to us, and how we can take a broader view and integrate chemical with cultural methods, in order to maximise disease control in cereals in 2005. The course will include: Characteristics and modes of action of the main fungicide groups How these groups might fit into a fungicide programme Latest results on fungicide performance Fungicide resistance - mechanisms and practical implications Cultural control measures - variety, sowing date, seed rate etc Integrating chemical and cultural control measures into a disease control strategy
	Sugar Beet Agronomy
	The discussions will cover the following topics: Beet nutrition - NPK and micronutrients Soil cultivation - to plough or minimum tillage? Beet establishment and seed dressing choice · Cost-effective weed control and the role of pre-emergence herbicides Optimal use of adjuvants Dealing with weed beet Fungicide choice for your planned lifting date · Harvesting and clamp design Use of the TAG beet costs model Biodiversity and the beet crop - fuel for pub debates! There will also be an opportunity to discuss the changes to the beet regime that are due to come into force in July 2006 and how they may affect your cropping. If there are any areas not covered in the above programme there will be an opportunity for general debate at the end of the course.
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	Farm Operators Agronomy
	It is often said that farm staff 'are the only people who see every field!'. Your farm staff are a vital part of the success of your farming enterprise and this Course has been specifically designed for their needs. Course contents include: Influence of new nozzle types on spray application. Guidelines on spray applications most suitable for different canopy targets Importance of LERAPS and other field margin regulations General explanation of canopy management and its importance on farm, what activities influence crop canopies Update on the new agrochemicals used on farm - explanation of why application timing remains so important New seed treatments and how they may influence the rotations practised on farm What signs should farm operators be aware of in terms of grassweed resistance "New" establishment techniques being practised in response to the financial climate This course assumes that delegates attending have not had a formal training in agronomy and is designed to be suitable for farm staff (Farm foreman, Spray operators, Tractor drivers) with a broad range of experience. The feedback from this course, with respect to improved understanding of farming activities by farm staff, has been excellent and this can only be of benefit to the whole farming enterprise. This is a very popular course.
	Managing Fertiliser Requirements
	This wide ranging Course will cover aspects of Nitrogen, Potassium, Potash, Sulphur and trace element management. Using the latest TAG information and data from other sources the Course will focus on the correct management of inputs to maximise returns, whilst being environmentally acceptable. Topics covered will include: Nitrogen - the value of predictive systems of N usage including the latest technique PLANET Quality Wheats - nitrogen and sulphur strategies for yield and quality Malting Barley - the latest findings on malting barley production Sulphur - a 2004 results update plus comments on the value of predictive deficiency tests Trace Elements - is the majority of our spend wasted? Alternative Sources what is the value of some of the less common sources of nutrients? The Course will provide the very latest results and thinking on this important agronomic area. Crop nutrients can account for up to 40% of the variable costs of growing a wheat crop so it is vital to understand the cost benefit of each input decision.
	Spray Application Technology
	Optimising application technique is important in order to maximise pesticide performance, however it is also necessary to balance this with the necessity to address other issues such as reducing drift to protect the environment. This course will discuss the principles of spray application and the importance of factors such as nozzle design and selection, forward speed and water volume will be explained. The distribution of droplets and pesticides within canopies will be explored and factors affecting this discussed. Growers will be well informed of the benefits and problems surrounding different application techniques and how to minimise the influence of external factors upon sprayer performance.
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	Maximising Machinery Efficiency
	This is actually two half day Courses run consecutively as it is a very interactive Course. It commences with discussion on machinery planning, labour horse power requirements etc and includes an exercise for each delegate to cost a machine and operations of their choice. Replacement policy is then discussed with particular reference to each delegate producing a five year plan. After lunch the Course specifically addresses cultivation systems and economies. It explains fitting cultivation systems to different farm types, balancing cropping with machinery and finishes with an overview of the relationship between machinery and crop establishment and agronomy.
	Potato Training Workshops
	A very comprehensive Course looking at all aspects of potato agronomy. The latest information and advice on key aspects of agronomy will be presented: Disease Control - the use of new products and the advantages (or otherwise) of different application technologies Crop Nutrition - will particularly highlight the usefulness of nitrogen analyses of petioles to predict the need for top dressing. Seed Treatment - how it effects crop quality and focussing on the importance of seed borne inoculm Desiccation - the way forward in the light of less access to sulphuric acid Nematicides - an overview, with particular reference to changes in legislation concerning Temik.		For course booking enquiries, please contact Sara Telling on 01285 652184
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