The inaugural ‘John Birkenshaw Most Innovative Product Award’ has been bestowed upon Reflect - the exciting new carrot fungicide from Syngenta.
The Award, granted by the British Carrot Growers Association, had been renamed in honour of John Birkenshaw, who made such a massive contribution to furthering the agronomic progress of UK carrot growers during his illustrious career with ADAS and in organising BCGA events, but who sadly died in 2014.
Receiving the Award, Syngenta Field Technical Manager, Pete Saunders said: “Knowing John personally for over 20 years through his work, he was always a great champion of innovation and utilised his expertise and experience to ensure growers remained at the forefront of profitable production. It is extremely poignant that Reflect should be recognised with this Most Innovative Product Award that bears such an esteemed name.”
Reflect is proven to enhance green leaf tops, provide exceptional disease control and deliver higher yields. It utilises a new active ingredient for carrot growers, isopyrazam, that combines a dual action of enhancing plant green leaf health and controlling a broad spectrum of diseases.
Pete Saunders highlighted that retaining stronger green leaves and upright foliage ensured prolonged photosynthetic activity that could lead to greater yield with improved packout percentage, along with in-field physical benefits for growers.
He reported that Reflect delivered excellent control of Alternaria and Powdery Mildew, which ensured a clean and healthy crop. The strong healthy foliage would significantly reduce the crop’s susceptibility to Sclerotinia.
Reflect is the first solo-active of the exciting new SDHI group chemistry for carrots, providing growers and agronomists with greater flexibility to create highly effective fungicide programmes, incorporating a robust fungicide resistance strategy.
John Birkenshaw was appointed Technical Secretary and Treasurer of the British Carrot Growers Association, positions he held for over 25 years. Throughout that time he remained a great enthusiast for the crop and supportive of work to benefit its growers.
He was also the main organiser for the BCGA’s hugely popular and extremely valuable carrot industry Open Day. In memory and recognition of John’s work, the BCGA decided to re-name the Open Day Awards for ‘Most Innovative Product or Service’ and ‘Best Variety in Show’ in his name.
The successful nomination of Reflect for the ‘John Birkenshaw Most Innovative Product Award’ had been decided by the BGCA R&D Committee. The Committee were reported to be very impressed with the product, and with Syngenta’s continued commitment to the carrot industry.
For more information
Syngenta
Pete Saunders
Tel: 07776 991156