For crop production specialist Hutchinsons, it’s business as usual during the Covid-19 pandemic.
“Farming is not standing still because of the coronavirus and neither are we,” the company’s head of technology and innovation, Stuart Hill, said. “We understand the importance of trials results on both a national and regional level to help our agronomists to make the right decisions for their farmer clients.
“This means that we’ll continue investing in our national and regional trials sites this year as we do every season. Our unique national Helix project will continue to look at innovative and relevant technologies and techniques that can make positive impacts on farm sustainability and profitability.
“We also recognise that no two farms or fields are the same, and what works well for one won’t necessarily work for another,” Mr Hill added. “Therefore, the work that we do at out regional technology centres throughout the country on a range of soil types, crops and inputs will continue unabated throughout the season.”
The only difference will be the way in which the company shares its results.
“Not able to rely on growers coming to us for open days to discuss trials results – we’re bringing open days to the grower – this is Fieldwise Live,” Mr Hill said. “Our aim is to bring live in-season regular updates on what is happening in crops throughout the season to your screens; with seven regional technical centres, the Helix project, and our maize, brassica and potato trial sites, we’re well placed to be able to deliver this.”
There will be a series of live videos from all of Hutchinsons’ trials sites at regular intervals during the season, and these will be hosted on the company’s new website. By logging onto the bespoke Fieldwise Live section, it will be possible to access these videos to see in real-time the latest on how crops are progressing through the season and listen to the best advice on how to manage them from technical experts and agronomists.
“We recognise that it’s not the same as the real thing – we enjoy and value the face-to-face interaction with growers coming to our open days as much as we hope they do – but we just have to recognise that this isn’t going to be possible for this summer,” Mr Hill said. “However, we hope that by bringing live trials reports and updates from our national trials sites we can continue to support farmers as much as possible in these challenging times.”
For more information visit: www.hlhltd.co.uk.
