Identifying crop type in the field may be simple task, however it is important to maintain records of details such as varieties being grown, developmental stage, dates of seeding, details about cropping systems such as mixed cropping, single cropping, winter or spring cropping, etc. More specific information about fertiliser and manure application, presence or absence of irrigation systems is also important.
In the UK farming systems can be broadly classified in two groups: arable farming and pastoral farming.
pastoral farming system comprises of grass (and/or herbal) pastures grown for livestock grazing. Arable farming refers to land which is generally ploughed and commercial crops such as wheat, barley, maize are grown.
Agriculture and Horticulture Dairy Board has developed ‘Growth Guides’ for important crops grown in the UK:
Also information about potato crop can be found here.