Arable top stories

FARMER FOCUS

Farmer Focus: Scottish Parliament meeting causes alarm

For the past year I have been involved in the Biodiversity & Profitability programme, a peer-to-peer knowledge exchange scheme funded by the Scottish government. It involves 20 farmers within the…

DISEASE MANAGEMENT

Phoma resistance to azole fungicides found in Western Europe

UK scientists have for the first time detected azole resistance in western European species of a fungus that causes one of the most important diseases in oilseed rape, sparking concerns…

DRILLING

Spring drilling: 3 farmers battle to get crops established

Wet weather is causing havoc with spring drilling. Some farmers have nearly finished while others are yet to begin, as yield potential falls with each delayed day. Farmers Weekly‘s deputy…

CROP WATCH

Crop Watch: Rising disease pressure and hungry crops

Days are getting longer, but there is no let-up in the forecast, with rain set to frustrate farmers as April approaches. Some limited field work is being carried out on…

FARMER FOCUS

Farmer Focus: Why I'm now eating porridge each morning

I’ve only gone and done some bloody farming. Literally today. Who knows what I’ll be doing when you are reading this, but at present we are worrying some soil in…

Arable news

POTATOES

Scientists plan to use gene-editing tech to transform potato sec...

Scientists are set to use controversial gene-editing technology within the UK potato sector as latest government legislation permits the commercial development of gene-edited crops in England. A new research project…

CEREALS

Cereals 2024: New site and direct drilling event

The Cereals Event 2024 will welcome visitors to a new site, at Bygrave Woods, Newnham Farm in Hertfordshire, on 11-12 June, alongside its new co-hosted event DirectDriller@Cereals. Hosted by Alex…

ARABLE

Bristol start-up tests human urine as natural fertiliser

 A project is under way to develop a novel fertiliser made from human urine to help farmers move towards a sustainable future, NPK Recovery, a Bristol-based start-up, is developing a…

CROP MANAGEMENT

Free IPM tool adds crop types and review feature

A group of organisations has launched an updated version of its free integrated pest management (IPM) planning tool, which features more crop types and the ability to review and reproduce…

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ARABLE

How to succeed with the AHL2 winter bird food option in SFI

Filling the hungry gap for smaller farmland birds from late autumn through to late winter by providing a supply of small seeds on arable and horticultural land is the relatively…

DRILLING

Spring drilling: 3 farmers battle to get crops established

Wet weather is causing havoc with spring drilling. Some farmers have nearly finished while others are yet to begin, as yield potential falls with each delayed day. Farmers Weekly‘s deputy…

CROP MANAGEMENT

How two farmers are cutting back on fungicides this spring

Two arable farmers are planning to dramatically cut back their fungicide spend this spring, helping to overcome rising chemical costs. Wiltshire grower George Hosier aims to spend the absolute minimum,…

SOILS

Studies show earthworms can increase crop yields by 25%

Earthworms are fundamental to the delivery of a range of soil ecosystem services such as nutrient cycling and water management, which in turn affects crop development and yield. In fact,…

ARABLE

Why cover crops and reduced tillage is key to soil health

Cover crops can help reduce deep cultivations to improve soil structure and cut expensive machinery costs while tapping into new environmental payments. These overwintered multispecies cover crops encourage earthworm numbers…

MARKET OPPORTUNITIES

Could sunflowers fill the cropping gap this spring?

The first UK marketing pool for sunflowers gives farmers an alternative spring option to make up some of their winter cropping shortfall. Latest AHDB figures show that the wheat area…

MAIZE

Why grain maize could be a profitable spring cropping option

Grain maize could be a profitable spring option for growers this season, with expected net margins of £914/ha, thanks to growing market demand. After the winter washout wreaked havoc on…

COVER CROPS

International expert's tips on ramping up soil carbon levels

Soil carbon levels can be moved in the right direction by applying a set of five soil health principles and recognising that every green plant is a carbon inlet, according…

SUGAR BEET

Why early foliar nutrition is key to sugar beet establishment

Early foliar nutrition could be key to helping this year’s sugar beet crops establish following the winter washout, and help crops grow past the vulnerable 12-leaf stage. Continuous rain has…

CROP MANAGEMENT

Why leaf layer emergence is key to accurate fungicide use

Growers will require “laser focus” to accurately monitor leaf layer emergence and hit critical fungicide timings in what has been an extremely variable cropping season so far. What’s more, cereal…

CROP MANAGEMENT

How to tackle hefty spring arable workloads after wet winter

Spring workloads are mounting on most arable farms, so sorting fieldwork priorities to ensure optimum return on investment where crops are variable and harvest profitability remains uncertain is a tricky…

DISEASE MANAGEMENT

Extra wheat yield prompts fungicide shift on Notts farm

Richard Cross trialled a new SDHI fungicide on his winter wheat last year and gained an extra 0.4t/ha in yield over his farm standard, prompting him to make this latest…

BARLEY

How to get spring barley off to a good start

Whether it’s an option to replace missed or failed winter drillings, or a profitable mainstay in the rotations of committed malting growers, spring barley is expected to increase its area…

ROTATIONS

SFI 2023: Tips on making it work on your farm

One in eight eligible farmers have now submitted a Sustainable Farming Incentive application, with more than 11,000 applications to the scheme and more than 100 farmers applying every day, according…

SOILS

Zero-till v plough: Differences in soil structure and carbon

A study across the East Midlands comparing the effects of zero-till and ploughing on soil structure has revealed how porosity and carbon accumulation evolves differently according to cultivation management. The…

ESTABLISHMENT

Drill change improves cereal crop resilience

Spring barley was the last crop to be fully drilled with the 3m Mzuri Pro-till drill and despite the tricky spring, it yielded nearly 8t/ha last summer.  Neil White believes…

FARMER FOCUS

Farmer Focus: Scottish Parliament meeting causes alarm

For the past year I have been involved in the Biodiversity & Profitability programme, a peer-to-peer knowledge exchange scheme funded by the Scottish government. It involves 20 farmers within the…

FARMER FOCUS

Farmer Focus: Why I'm now eating porridge each morning

I’ve only gone and done some bloody farming. Literally today. Who knows what I’ll be doing when you are reading this, but at present we are worrying some soil in…

FARMER FOCUS

Farmer Focus: Grain market does not bring many smiles

It has been a long winter, since the rain started in early October. Our February rainfall was only just above average at 75mm, but like many months in the last…

FARMER FOCUS

Farmer Focus: Struggling crops and no cereal grazing

Wet, wet, wet. Not a huge amount of excitement out there at this stage in the year. Fields are saturated and crops are struggling. Our wheat and barley have faired…

Markets

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CROPS MARKETS AND PRICES

EU set to impose 50% grain tariffs on Russia and Belarus

A major EU tariff is due to be imposed on imports of cereals and oilseeds from Russia and Belarus if a new EU Commission proposal is adopted. A duty of…

CROPS MARKETS AND PRICES

UK wheat futures rebound to ÂŁ170/t after hitting floor

Global and domestic grain markets have recovered slightly from last month’s lows, with a small uplift this week as a result of heightened tensions in the Black Sea region and…

CROPS MARKETS AND PRICES

Huge cuts to wheat and rapeseed plantings for harvest 2024

Delayed spring plantings due to the rain and extensive damage to winter crops which did make it into the ground suggest the UK is facing the smallest wheat area in…

CROPS MARKETS AND PRICES

UK oilseeds prices driven up by global soya bean markets

UK oilseeds have had a £14/t uplift in the past week as markets follow the wider global soya bean trend, which has been supported by a shift in supply-and-demand dynamics.…

CROPS MARKETS AND PRICES

Plantings hit by rain helps extend new-crop wheat premium

Heavy rain has continued to disrupt spring plantings and affect crop conditions across the UK, with England experiencing its fourth-wettest February on record. The Met Office reported many parts of…

CROPS MARKETS AND PRICES

Wheat values turn a corner with uplift for futures contracts

UK wheat prices have finally started to bounce back after having dropped by close to £40/t since the start of the year, though the outlook still remains bearish. Feed wheat…

CROPS MARKETS AND PRICES

Grain trade blamed for holding up digital passports

A new timeline for the implementation of a combinable crops passport has been unveiled following an industry-wide consultation. Digital passports remain a topic of contention within the industry, and earlier…

CROPS MARKETS AND PRICES

Rising demand for feed beans, but poor yields put off growers

An uplift in demand for faba beans due to good export opportunities and increased use in animal feed in the UK are firming up domestic prices. However, growers at the…

Commodities

Futures markets and commodity risk management online course

Learn all you need to know about the futures markets and how you can benefit from them:

  • Risk management strategies for a more predictable financial performance
  • Educated conversations when collaborating with your advisors
  • Negotiate better prices with your grain merchants

Find out more

 
 
Spot and forward prices (ÂŁ/t ex-farm)
Each set of prices comes from a single merchant, co-op or broker, and are the latest prices being paid to farmers. Ranges of prices, within one category relate to the distance of the farm from the buyer. Oilseed rape prices are latest spot and forward prices, not contract prices. Ex farm prices vary with the distance from Hull, Liverpool and Erith, crushing factories.

Arable machinery

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TELEHANDLERS

First impressions: Kubota's diddy debut KTH telehandler

Twelve years on from its multimillion-pound acquisition of Kverneland that yielded new mower, baler and fertiliser spreader ranges, Kubota has now nosed in on the world of materials handling –…

CULTIVATION AND DRILLING

Opico replaces Maschio kit with Ovlac and Alpego machinery

Leading independent farm machinery importer Opico has made up for the loss of Maschio-Gaspardo from among its suppliers by securing the distribution rights to Ovlac and Alpego equipment. Spanish manufacturer…

TRACTORS

John Deere revamps 75-135hp 5M-series tractors

With more power and two new easy-shifting transmission options, the latest upgrades to John Deere’s 5M-series tractors aim to further lift performance and operation ease. Weighing in at 4.4t with…

TRACTORS

Better visibility promised with new Claas FL front loaders

A clutch of new-generation loaders are now available for the Claas Axos and Arion tractor series. The six models, from the FL 40 C to the FL 140, offer lift…