Three pulse roadshows to take place in January

Pulse growers are being invited to attend one of three roadshows organised by Syngenta and the Processors & Growers Research Organisation (PGRO) this month. 

Focusing on how to be ‘climate smart’, experts from PGRO and the crop protection company will visit York, Bury St Edmunds and Peterborough in January, covering technical topics and featuring forward-looking presentations on how the landscape may change for pea and bean growers.
 
The first meeting will take place on 22 January at the Parsonage Hotel in Escrick, York, with the team then moving onto the All Saints Hotel in Bury St Edmunds on 23 January, before hosting the final event at the Kingsgate Conference Centre in Peterborough on 25 January.
 
PGRO presentations will explore the latest updates on 2023 developments in the sector including new varieties, the Vining Pea Model progress, and trap cropping for pest management.
 
Syngenta will update growers on innovative solutions to boost margins and yield, including outstanding field trial results from its new nitrogen-fixing biological product Vixeran.

“We’re looking forward to talking to growers about how this product fits with current agronomy practices to kick-start the crops’ natural fertility cycle,” said Simon Jackson, Syngenta technical manager.
 
Other presentations will be delivered by Tom Allen-Stevens of the British On-Farm Innovation Network (BOFIN), who will be speaking about rewarding farm trials in pursuit of net zero, and the team from Farm Carbon Toolkit, who will be speaking about the economic and environmental benefits of legumes in rotations.
 
Registration and refreshments will begin at 3.30pm, with talks starting at 4pm. The free meeting will end with a pie and pea supper at 6.15pm.
 
“There are not a huge number of events which are tailored to pea and bean growers, offering them the opportunity to learn more about how to physically grow the crop while also hearing about the wider industry surrounding pulse production,” said PGRO chief executive Roger Vickers.
 
“The idea of being climate smart is very much in the spotlight, but it can mean a lot of different things. Through the expert speakers we have lined up we hope to be able to demonstrate how applied research and product innovation can contribute to a better future for pulse growers.”
 
BASIS and NRoSO points will be available at the meeting.