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CROP MANAGEMENT

3 adoption steps for AI to transform arable farming

Technologies using artificial intelligence (AI) are primed to progressively change the way we farm, ultimately leading to a fundamental shift in the way farmers grow crops. That’s the prediction of…

CROP MANAGEMENT

How pesticide labels will be made fit for the future

Increasing uptake of digital technology on farms means plant protection product (PPP) approval criteria and product labels could soon better reflect how they are used in the real world and…

PEST MANAGEMENT

Defra moves to impose total ban on neonicotinoids

 The Labour government has taken a significant step toward banning neonicotinoid pesticides completely, a move likely to provoke strong reactions from the farming industry. The government has set out its…

FARMER FOCUS

Farmer Focus: Much to learn from farmer overseas

As 2024 comes to a close, it’s fair to say it’s been a difficult year and a lot of change has taken place. 2025 is a new year and we…

POTATOES

Estate grows low input potato crop with no yield loss

Holkham Estate in north Norfolk successfully grew a 10ha field of salad potatoes with zero synthetic fungicide, fertiliser or insecticide applications, without any loss in marketable yield. Harry Barnett, potato…

OTHER CROPS

Cider start-up helps future-proof traditional orchards

First-generation cider-maker Polly Hilton is working with Devon farmers to breathe life back into traditional orchards and transform what would otherwise be wasted apples into quality cider. Polly aims to…

WEED MANAGEMENT

UK wheat growers gain new herbicide option for 2025

UK wheat growers will have a new post-emergence herbicide at their disposal next spring to tackle a wide range of problem grassweeds and broad-leaved weeds, including meadowgrass. Broadway Ultra from…

Arable news

CROPS MARKETS AND PRICES

Scottish arable farming faces pressure from cost-price squeeze

Scotland’s arable farming sector faces increasing financial pressure due to low crop prices, rising costs, and competition from imported wheat, putting growers' profitability at risk. NFU Scotland (NFUS) has raised…

ARABLE

Scottish farmers fear being left behind on gene-edited crops

The Scottish agriculture industry is calling for the adoption of precision breeding technology, highlighting its potential to strengthen food security and address climate challenges. Key organisations, such as the Agricultural…

ARABLE

Researchers granted £2.2m to trial gene-edited wheat

Researchers in the UK have been awarded £2.2m to trial a precision-bred wheat variety which could lead to the development of more sustainable farming systems. The funding awarded to researchers…

ARABLE

Government pledges to roll out gene-edited crops in England

The UK government has announced plans to advance precision breeding technology under new laws, aiming to boost food production, cut farmers’ costs and promote the development of drought and disease-resistant…

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CROP MANAGEMENT

3 adoption steps for AI to transform arable farming

Technologies using artificial intelligence (AI) are primed to progressively change the way we farm, ultimately leading to a fundamental shift in the way farmers grow crops. That’s the prediction of…

CROP MANAGEMENT

How pesticide labels will be made fit for the future

Increasing uptake of digital technology on farms means plant protection product (PPP) approval criteria and product labels could soon better reflect how they are used in the real world and…

POTATOES

Estate grows low input potato crop with no yield loss

Holkham Estate in north Norfolk successfully grew a 10ha field of salad potatoes with zero synthetic fungicide, fertiliser or insecticide applications, without any loss in marketable yield. Harry Barnett, potato…

MARKET OPPORTUNITIES

Why blueberries are working well for Northants arable farm

The search for a diversification project that could make use of an existing irrigation abstraction licence, along with a desire to support the next generation, led to the Mee family…

OTHER CROPS

Cider start-up helps future-proof traditional orchards

First-generation cider-maker Polly Hilton is working with Devon farmers to breathe life back into traditional orchards and transform what would otherwise be wasted apples into quality cider. Polly aims to…

CROP MANAGEMENT

Pesticide rules: NI arable farmers losing out under Brexit

Politicians from all sides are being urged to fix the mess surrounding plant protection products (PPPs) and seed trade between Great Britain and Northern Ireland to prevent irreparable harm to…

DISEASE MANAGEMENT

Improved BYDV tool to give cereal growers better control

Winter cereal growers are set to see a more accurate warning system next season for a key aphid-spread disease. The AHDB’s new Acrobat tool will give a more precise forecast…

ARABLE

Expert sets out six steps to better spring barley yields

Spring barley was a get-out-of-jail card for some growers last season after wet weather prevented autumn drilling, yet many crops went on to deliver above-average yields. Why they performed so…

ROTATIONS

AHDB analysis: The merits of SFI break crop alternatives

Finding a reliable break crop in the arable rotation is an ongoing challenge. Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) actions, such as herbal leys or legume fallows could be an alternative, especially…

VARIETY SELECTION

Variety list shake-up with 24 new winter wheats and barleys

Ten new winter wheat varieties and 14 new winter barley varieties have been added to the AHDB’s Recommended List for cereals and oilseeds 2025/26.  Many more new wheat and barley…

VARIETY SELECTION

Spring barley list sees four additions and net blotch scores

The new AHDB spring barley 2025-26 Recommended List has four new varieties and, for the first time this year, includes disease resistance ratings for net blotch. The four additions are under…

VARIETY SELECTION

Round-up of 14 new peas and beans on 2025 PGRO list

Pulse growers will have more choice next year, with 14 new pea and bean varieties making their debut on the updated variety lists, offering higher yields and better disease resistance.…

OILSEED RAPE

Data reveals cost of oilseed rape failures

Having an effective plan B is vital when growing oilseed rape, as making the wrong decision when redrilling a failed crop can cost farmers up to £674/ha in lost margins,…

ARABLE

How SFI actions closely align with Herefordshire mixed farm

Chris Greenaway, farm manager at Garnstone Farms in Herefordshire is advising farmers to make the most of the Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI), given the accelerated reduction in Basic Payment Scheme…

OILSEED RAPE

Drilling regime and companion crop achieve high OSR yields

Farm manager David Northway’s oilseed rape harvest hit a top yield of 5t/ha in the summer, his highest for nearly 50 years. This was achieved on the farm between Fordingbridge…

ARABLE

Soil health solutions key to reducing fertiliser emissions

Incorporating soil conditioners and biostimulants into farm agronomy programmes could play a role in helping cut on-farm emissions. Soil enhancing solutions can support soil health and nutrient efficiency and in…

Farmer Focus

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FARMER FOCUS

Farmer Focus: Much to learn from farmer overseas

As 2024 comes to a close, it’s fair to say it’s been a difficult year and a lot of change has taken place. 2025 is a new year and we…

FARMER FOCUS

Farmer Focus: To really learn we must realise our ignorance

Fifteen years ago I read a book which seemed to join up the swarm of random dots in my head called Thinking in Systems by Donella Meadows. At its simplest,…

FARMER FOCUS

Farmer Focus: Will we still be buying nitrogen in the future?

To buy or not to buy, that is the question. The air that we breathe is 78% nitrogen. Why would we want to buy it, when we can just fix…

FARMER FOCUS

Farmer Focus: Good health comes from good food

November came to the rescue, at least as far as the weather is concerned, and in contrast to last year, we’re drilled up. Bar a bit of spraying, we’re ready…

Markets

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CROPS MARKETS AND PRICES

Mixed outlook for UK wheat in 2025 driven by global markets

UK wheat markets in 2025 will remain at the discretion of major global influences, with supplies out of the Black Sea and US geopolitics likely to dictate any immediate price…

CROPS MARKETS AND PRICES

Mixed fortunes for potato growers as higher costs hit sector

The UK potato sector bounced back slightly in 2024, following challenging weather conditions during the previous year. However, production costs have soared in recent years with higher energy, labour, machinery…

CROPS MARKETS AND PRICES

UK wheat markets likely to return above £200/t in early 2025

A bullish outlook for wheat in the first half of 2025 could drive up grain markets, with some industry forecasts predicting UK prices may hit £210/t next spring. Tighter global…

CROPS MARKETS AND PRICES

Scottish arable farming faces pressure from cost-price squeeze

Scotland’s arable farming sector faces increasing financial pressure due to low crop prices, rising costs, and competition from imported wheat, putting growers' profitability at risk. NFU Scotland (NFUS) has raised…

CROPS MARKETS AND PRICES

Lacklustre wheat markets discourage farmer selling

Very little grain is being sold off farm at present as uninspiring wheat prices encourage arable enterprises to hold on in hope of better returns in the new year. Ex-farm…

CROPS MARKETS AND PRICES

Sharp fall for oilseeds as investment funds look to sell

Global oilseeds markets have plummeted in the last fortnight driven by a combination of geopolitics and repositioning by investment funds. Paris rapeseed futures for the February 2025 contract opened at…

CROPS MARKETS AND PRICES

UK wheat market still tight in 2025 despite larger area

The UK wheat area is expected to reach 1.6m hectares in 2025, according to the AHDB’s Early Bird Survey, following an improved planting window this autumn compared with the previous…

CROPS MARKETS AND PRICES

Wheat area rebounds for 2025, as barley and OSR set to slide

Wheat plantings this autumn look to have recaptured some of the ground lost last season, though the UK barley and oilseed rape areas for harvest 2025 are set to take…

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 (£/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

Driver's View: Harry Whiteman's Claas Scorpion 741 Gen 2

As the name suggests, the Scorpion 741 Generation 2 is the second iteration of Claas’ Liebherr-built 7m/4t telehandler. The standout upgrade from the original is a power hike from 136hp…

CULTIVATORS

Amazone sells its first Tigges press to Sussex farm

Titch Hill Farm in Worthing, Sussex, has taken delivery of the first Amazone Tigges press in the UK, where it is being paired with a 3m Centaya Special power harrow…

TELEHANDLERS

Driver's view: Adam Symonds' Bobcat TL38.70 HF

Bobcat might be the first name in skid-steers, but it’s yet to find the same success on the telehandler scene. That’s gradually changing, with the Czech-based manufacturer focused on growing…

TELEHANDLERS

Driver's view: Steve Miller's Manitou MLT 741-130 PS+

There’s no shortage of choice as far as Manitou’s telehandler range is concerned, with most shapes, sizes and specs accounted for in a line-up that runs from 35hp and 1.25t/4.3m…

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