AgriGate Hub gaining momentum
Agri-TechE 
Keen to support the work of the Eastern AgriGate Research Hub, at Hasse Fen near Soham, Agri-Tech now has a base at the hub – which places us firmly in the heartland of our members activities.
AgriGate supports commercial scale research aimed at increasing the productivity and reduce crop wastage before produce reaches the processor and retailer. It also provides space, equipment and support for early stage businesses such as Entomics, who we have helped get established.
Director Belinda Clarke believes that the move will offer benefits for all: “We are planning to hold events at AgriGate, including working with Niab to help bring research and industry leaders to the hub for thought leadership sessions and discussions which will lead to new collaborations and ideation for technical developments.
“We are looking forward to working with the other tenants to help exchange and disseminate ideas and new thinking for the industry.”
Hasse Fen was selected as the location for the hub as it has a unique combination of Fenland soils.
The Hub will improve the research capabilities of the region’s agri-businesses and it has been built with £600,000 of growth initiative funding from the Greater Cambridge Greater Peterborough Enterprise Partnership, through the Eastern Agri-TechE Growth Initiative.
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An increase in deadly “cereal killers” – rust fungi that are affecting resistant wheat strains – is a growing concern. Wheat, one of the most profitable crops in the UK, is grown on more land area than any other commercial food, and the global wheat trade exceeds that of any other crop. In order to protect crops from diseases that are becoming increasingly diverse, growers and industry should look towards the Recommended List, an in-depth list that assists the industry in making informed decisions on variety choice.
The RL disease ratings are underpinned by work done on the United Kingdom Cereal Pathogen Virulence Survey (UKCPVS). This AHDB and APHA funded project, led by Niab, has been monitoring cereal rusts and mildews in the UK for more than 40 years, detecting and identifying new races of disease that can emerge on previously resistant varieties. The new approach of field pathogenomics, led by TGAC and in collaboration with UKCPVS, has the potential to assist the RL with rapidly assessing the threat that each new race may pose to commercial varieties.
Field pathogenomics, which uses genetics alongside traditional disease assessment to identify different races or groups of fungi, is giving new insights into rust fungi, a disease that affects cereal and wheat crops in unpredictable ways. This is enabling researchers to provide more informed recommendations to growers and industry.
In our summer cauliflower range, Bejo’s new variety Liria has performed very well, particularly in the dry stressful conditions throughout July and August. Liria has good protection for a summer cauliflower and opens up just before full maturity. The ability of this variety to be a classic two cut cauliflower which is easier to harvest, makes it an ideal variety for the UK market place.
The past season saw some interesting results from onion varieties. A wet/cold August saw a delay to harvesting and some staining issues going into store. A cooler dry spring caused some crops to be in the smaller fraction. As earlies go Hybing, Hybound, and Hypark continue to perform outstandingly.
The Bejo breeders continue to work in the UK on improved quality, foliage health and the possibility of extending the early part of the production season as well as later varieties with storage suitability. Improved disease resistance, particularly cavity spot for the UK is a high priority, and newer varieties with higher resistance are now being used commercially with good results.
Breeding reliable and robust new varieties is key. High yields,packout and quality are required in new varieties along with flexibility.
