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BARLEY

New winter malting barley variety gets full brewing approval

High-yielding winter barley variety Buccaneer has gained full approval for brewing – a welcome addition to what was an otherwise limited approved malting variety list. Buccaneer now joins Craft, Electrum…

CROP WATCH

Crop Watch: Dry spell sees farmers catch up with drilling

The spell of dry but dull weather has allowed farmers to catch up with wheat drilling, with some November seed-beds looking better than those last month. This week, our agronomists…

PULSES

Genetic ‘off switch’ and zinc find could promote N fixation

A genetic “off switch” that shuts down nitrogen fixation when soil nitrate levels are high has been identified by a global group of scientists. The regulator gene was successfully removed,…

FARMER FOCUS

Farmer Focus: Budget taxes small businesses out of viability 

Over the weekend our farm shop and tearoom closed its doors. Several reasons led to the decision, but a big reason is we need to get a balance back to…

PULSES

Why Scottish regen farming business added beans to rotation

A contract farming business bringing regenerative agriculture techniques to farms in Scotland has introduced beans into its rotations to improve soil health. Chris Leslie and his business partner James Hopkinson founded…

CROP MANAGEMENT

Agronomist tips for managing late-drilled wheat

Be prepared to be flexible in your approach to managing later-drilled winter wheat crops after the planting delays caused by the wet start to autumn, a leading agronomist is urging.…

FARMER FOCUS

Farmer Focus: No-till SFI option is simply impossible

“Suboptimal” is the term I’d use to describe the state of most of the local autumn drilling this season. Obviously, we haven’t been immune from the challenges, having received 326mm…

Arable news

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…

CARBON

Arable farmers advised to baseline their emissions now

Arable farmers are advised to baseline their carbon emissions to start the process of meeting government net-zero targets, with experts estimating that so far less than 50% of producers have…

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PULSES

Genetic ‘off switch’ and zinc find could promote N fixation

A genetic “off switch” that shuts down nitrogen fixation when soil nitrate levels are high has been identified by a global group of scientists. The regulator gene was successfully removed,…

PULSES

Why Scottish regen farming business added beans to rotation

A contract farming business bringing regenerative agriculture techniques to farms in Scotland has introduced beans into its rotations to improve soil health. Chris Leslie and his business partner James Hopkinson founded…

CROP MANAGEMENT

Agronomist tips for managing late-drilled wheat

Be prepared to be flexible in your approach to managing later-drilled winter wheat crops after the planting delays caused by the wet start to autumn, a leading agronomist is urging.…

WHEAT

How to improve arable performance in challenging times

Reducing costs and emissions while maintaining food production was the focus of the recent Farm Carbon Toolkit's field day in Herefordshire. Having control over the use of fossil fuel-based inputs…

ARABLE

Tips on achieving healthy hedgerows on farm

Hedges are a defining feature of our countryside and one of the best habitats for wildlife on any farm.  Far more than being a boundary, they also support farm business…

MARKET OPPORTUNITIES

Cotswold flour mill sources grain direct with stacked premiums

An eighth-generation flour mill business is sourcing grain direct from over 150 farms to produce one of the UK’s top artisan flour brands, while enabling growers to stack regenerative farming…

DRILLING

7 steps for late drilling wheat success

Farmers with winter wheat still to drill this autumn need to be patient and do all they can to ensure crop establishment and soil health are not compromised following recent…

SOILS

How to make a comprehensive soil profile on-farm

Understanding the health and characteristics of soils by conducting a soil profile helps growers identify key issues, such as compaction, nutrient deficiencies, and drainage problems. It leads to informed decisions…

MARKET OPPORTUNITIES

How farmers can benefit from growing hemp market

Fast growing with break crop suitability, hemp can produce high-value fibres in a low-input system, with low nitrogen requirement, and minimal chemicals. But one of industrial hemp’s major downfalls is…

VARIETY SELECTION

New Group 4 spring wheat performs for flood-hit Lincs farmer

A newly recommended Group 4 spring wheat with a flexible drilling window has proved valuable for one flood-hit Lincolnshire farmer, delivering good yields in a challenging season from a late…

ARABLE

AI aims to predict key farm data from yields to pest threat

UK researchers are using artificial intelligence to digitally simulate farms and accurately predict parameters such as output, nutrient losses and pest attacks. Rothamsted Research is making significant advances with its…

WEED MANAGEMENT

How new herbicide will benefit growers in autumn 2025

A new co-formulated pre-emergence herbicide based on two new active ingredients is expected to be available in time for autumn 2025 cereal drillings, reports manufacturer FMC. With one of the…

ARABLE

How 3D crop mapping can future-proof potatoes

A world-leading potato research programme at Newcastle University is hoping to future-proof potatoes through a range of tools including 3D crop architecture mapping and early detection of pests and disease.…

ROTATIONS

How an organic Norfolk estate hits £1,000/ha gross margins

Farming soils with an 80% sand content is no easy task, but thanks to a rotation rejig and organic conversion, the Fring Estate in Norfolk is targeting £1,000/ha gross margins.…

ARABLE

How research is improving bioproduct performance

While the global biological crop protection industry continues to grow, with some analysts forecasting it will double in value to £21.6bn by 2028, adoption remains challenging on-farm due to a…

ARABLE

No-till provides zero cost way into support scheme

Kent grower Richard Day is set to use his adoption of direct drilling and precision fertiliser techniques under new environment schemes to gain more than 40% of his old direct…

Farmer Focus

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FARMER FOCUS

Farmer Focus: Budget taxes small businesses out of viability 

Over the weekend our farm shop and tearoom closed its doors. Several reasons led to the decision, but a big reason is we need to get a balance back to…

FARMER FOCUS

Farmer Focus: No-till SFI option is simply impossible

“Suboptimal” is the term I’d use to describe the state of most of the local autumn drilling this season. Obviously, we haven’t been immune from the challenges, having received 326mm…

FARMER FOCUS

Farmer Focus: Using the moon to predict weather and timings

Water, water everywhere. Is this the new norm – drought or deluge? I feel it probably is. I have followed the moon phases for many years to predict the weather…

FARMER FOCUS

Farmer Focus: This year's potato yields hit record low

Firstly, some positive news. As a rule I dislike spring beans, mostly because they’re always late to combine, always need drying, and if it’s a dry summer, the yield can…

Markets

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CROPS MARKETS AND PRICES

UK wheat imports highest in over a decade due to small crop

Wheat imports into the UK this year are forecast to be at the highest volumes since 2012, partially due to a smaller domestic wheat crop with lower proteins. The AHDB…

CROPS MARKETS AND PRICES

Field beans area falls by 37% as break crop replaced by SFI

Land use for field beans in England was at its lowest levels for 10 years during 2024 at 131,700ha, following a tough planting period and more competition from Sustainable Farming…

CROPS MARKETS AND PRICES

Feed wheat extends premium to £31/t over feed barley

Livestock finishing units looking for a cheaper feed alternative may be tempted to increase barley usage as part of the ration. Ex-farm prices collected by Farmers Weekly midweek put feed…

CROPS MARKETS AND PRICES

Poor UK harvest increases reliance on imported grains

UK wheat production plummeted to 11.1m tonnes in 2024, a drop of 2.9m tonnes on the previous year, according to provisional estimates. This figure represents a 21% fall on the…

CROPS MARKETS AND PRICES

UK wheat demand hit by limited access to EU biofuels market

Arable farmers supplying cereals to the biofuels sector could see curtailed demand as a result of trade limitations imposed by the EU. In order to have continued access to the…

CROPS MARKETS AND PRICES

UK wheat markets near £182/t as rainfall impacts plantings

Global wheat markets have remained fairly stationary throughout the summer months. However, trade has picked up in the past week as conflict escalates in the Middle East. November UK feed…

Shrinking OSR acreage will raise dependence on imports

A shrinking area of oilseed rape plantings this autumn is set to increase the UK’s dependence on imports of rapeseed oil, including from countries producing the crop using chemicals banned…

CROPS MARKETS AND PRICES

Wet weather and sanctions hit profits at major agronomy firm

Challenging growing conditions in the past year have affected not only farmers but the wider agricultural industry, including one of the UK’s major agronomy firms. Origin Enterprises, the parent company…

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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CEREAL DRILLS

Ultimate Guide to buying a direct tine drill 2025

New drills, and all-new drill ranges, are among the headlines for this year’s Ultimate Guide to direct drills sporting tine coulters. Bramleys Seed Establishment and Grange Machinery feature as seeder…

CEREAL DRILLS

Ultimate Guide to buying a direct disc drill 2025

The most noticeable absentee in this year’s Ultimate Guide to direct drills with disc coulters is surely the Cross Slot seeder, built in the UK in recent years using original…

CULTIVATORS

Lemken pushes Thulit flexi-tine harrow out to 12m

Lemken's high-spec Thulit flexible tine harrow for weeding in arable crops and grassland is now available in a 12.2m width to provide greater output than the current 9m and 6m…

CEREAL DRILLS

Lemken revamps Solitair MR piggy-back seed drill

The complexity of different cropping practices – such as undersowing, companion cropping, cover crops, and so on – is catered for by the latest version of Lemken’s Solitair MR piggy-back…

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