Course Structure
Sugar Beet Online Learning
Start Date: 1 October 2019
Location: Online
This unit can be studied as part of the AFTP's "Advanced Sugar Beet Production and Management" course.
The online learning will be available to participants three weeks before the start of the course. This will introduce the fundamental concepts of sugar beet growth and development and how this underpins yield formation. The content of the online course will be reviewed during the 'Foundation in sugar beet' unit.
Areas covered will include:
- Sugar beet agronomy and physiology
- Sugar beet nutrition
- Crop protection (virus yellows)
- Access to a sugar beet growth model
Foundation in Sugar Beet
Start Date: 30-31 October 2019
Location: University of Nottingham
This unit can be studied as part of the AFTP's "Advanced Sugar Beet Production and Management" course.
Areas covered will include:
- Structure of the global sugar market and UK sugar beet industry.
- Physiology of the sugar beet crop. Crop nutrition. Water use by the crop including current research in this area.
- Profitability of sugar beet within the rotation.
- Soils and soil management. seedbed preparation and plant establishment.
Crop Protection (Sugar Beet)
Start Date: 20-21 November 2019
Location: BBRO (Norwich)
This unit can be studied as part of the AFTP's "Advanced Sugar Beet Production and Management" course.
Areas covered will include the major weeds, pests and diseases of sugar beet in the UK including existing control measures and current research into new approaches. Sessions will comprise a mixture of seminars and practical laboratory classes.
Harvesting, Storage and Processing (Sugar Beet)
Start Date: 11 December 2019
Location: Wissington Factory (Norfolk)
This unit can be studied as part of the AFTP's "Advanced Sugar Beet Production and Management" course. The day will include a tour of Wissington Sugar Factory.
Areas covered will include:
- Understanding the processor's requirements
- Harvest, management and topping
- Quality storage
- Transport and delivery
- Breeding for disease resistance
Varieties and Seed Technology (Sugar Beet)
Start Date: 10 December 2019
Location: BBRO (Norwich)
This unit can be studied as part of the AFTP's "Advanced Sugar Beet Production and Management" course.
Areas covered will include:
- The history of plant breeding and seed production
- Seed selection and ordering
- Breeding for disease resistance
- Introduction to seed technology at Germains, including a tour of the factory
Irrigation and Water Management (Optional Sugar Beet Unit)
Start Date: 12-13 November 2019
Location: Cranfield University
This unit can be studied as part of the AFTP "Advanced Sugar Beet Production and Management" course. It will cover the scientific basis for efficient irrigation and water management in the UK. Please note there is an additional fee of £750 to attend this unit.
There is an increasing need for efficient and effective irrigation and water management to maximise crop yield and quality whilst making best use of the water available. This is important for meeting the standards required by retailers and consumers; for demonstrating best practice (for example when considering licence renewal); and to minimise costs of production.
