October sees the launch of NIAB's month-long assessment of OSR establishment and the impact of cabbage stem flea beetle (CSFB). The 'Crowd Sourced Farmer Assessment' asks farmers to complete a short survey and upload photos of ground cover.
As part of this project, the month-long survey looks to collect information on how crops are responding to this year's establishment conditions and CSFB and is just as interested in failures as successes. This year, for the first time, NIAB are also asking for photos of current ground cover. An interim report will be produced in January to summarise the data by crop type, region and establishment techniques.
Take the survey here
There are clear instructions on how to take the survey and upload images, alongside questions on farm type and this year's OSR establishment.
There is also further information on the project and how to become involved in hosting and designing on-farm trials and monitoring. For example, NIAB would like to investigate how crops have fared into stem extension in the spring.