Borage Agronomy
Agronomy
Anywhere in the UK.
Borage prefers a soil pH: 6.0 – 8.0. Avoid very acidic soils.
Sowing can take place from March —Early May, once soils have reached above 10°C.
Early drilling can have negative impact on oil quality due to the harvest being earlier.
As for cereals.
Maximum depth of 2.5-4cm deep into a warm and moist seed-bed. Rolling is beneficial to improve seed-to-soil contact.
Premium Crops supplies 1ha bags, which works perfectly for a target plant population of 60 plants per m2.
There are a range of EAMUs in for weed control. See the EAMU box for product links.
Not required.
Rarely an issue, insecticides are approved on EAMU if needed. See the EAMU box for product links.
Not normally a problem. Borage is susceptible to sclerotinia and powdery mildew and there are fungicides on EAMU if required. See the EAMU box for product links.
Where P & K indices are at maintenance levels none is needed.
Up to 80kg/ha N is required to be applied pre-drilling or early post-em.
S, Mg & trace elements
Apply if deficiencies are known.
1.0 - 1.2 m.
2 hives per ha is essential for pollination. Premium Crops has access to a network of bee farmers nationwide. If you would like to grow but do not have access to the required hives, or the specialist harvesting equipment, please contact us so that we may assist.
Borage is usually harvested about 100 days after sowing e.g. a mid April sowing date will result in an early August harvest.
The crop must be swathed when seeds have started to drop onto the ground from the 2nd or 3rd most forward flower set then it is time to swath the crop. Cut as low to the ground as possible and keep a narrow swath to aid flow through the combine.
Leave the swathed crop at least 7-20 days before combining. Use a Draper Pick-up header and keep fan speed low. Seed size is similar to wheat. The seeds are held as clusters and need to be separated so a reasonable amount of threshing is needed. Keep drum speed high on a fairly tight setting. Check the tank contents for cracked seeds as this will cause yield losses. Lack the required equipment, but still wish to grow? Contact us so that we may assist.
Season dependant but can range from 200kg/ha – 600kg/ha.
Cool and dry seed as soon as possible after combining, preferably with unheated air. Borage absorbs moisture from the atmosphere so seed moisture levels rise over time.
Keep seed moisture below 9% for safe storage.
Detailed below are the products listed by the Health and Safety Executive as having an Extension of Authorisation for a Minor Use of a Plant Protection Product. (EAMU)
It is essential that anyone who needs to use a product in accordance with an Extension of Authorisation must read the text of the Extension of Authorisation before commencing any spraying operation. Links are provided below to the Authorisation document for each of the products.
All products below were Authorised at the time they were added to this list, while Premium Crops do regularly check the validity of the products and update the list accordingly, it remains the Grower's responsibility to make sure that the Authorisation remains valid at the time any product is used.
Agrovista Reggae (Thiacloprid) - Agrovista UK Limited
Butisan S (metazachlor) - BASF plc
Contest (alphcypermethrin) - BASF plc
Dow Sheild 400 (clopyralid) - Dow Agrosciences Limited
Force ST (tefluthrin) - Syngenta UK Ltd
Fusilade Max (fluazifop-P-butyl) - Syngenta UK Limited
Fusilade Max (fluazifop-P-butyl) - Nufarm UK Limited
Hallmark with Zeon Technology (lambda-cyhalothrin) - Syngenta UK Limited
Markate 50 (lambda-cyhalothrin) - Agrovista UK Ltd
Mavrik (tau-fluvalinate) - Makhteshim-Agan (UK) Ltd
SOLFA WG (sulphur) - Nufarm UK Ltd
Sultan 50 SC (metazochlor) - Adama Agricultural Solutions UK Ltd
Tebcur 250 (tebuconazole) - GLOBACHEM nv
Toledo (tebuconazole) - Rotam Europe Limited
The above is a list of all products listed on the HSE website and as such does not represent Premium Crops' endorsement or recommendation for use.
Please note an EAMU does not ensure a product is safe to use.