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DISEASE MANAGEMENT

Cereal growers gain new azole fungicide mix this spring

Wheat and barley growers have an extra option for their fungicide programmes this spring, with the approval of a two-azole mix. RevyPro contains the newest azole (mefentrifluconazole) partnered with prothioconazole,…

FARMER FOCUS

Farmer Focus: A pleasant respite from squelching in mud

Nowadays, any prolonged period of frost feels like a bit of a novelty. The recent cold snap we’ve had has been most welcome, although some of the braver daffodils that…

ARABLE

Wheat growers urged to remain vigilant for yellow and brown rust

No major breakdowns in varietal resistance to yellow or brown rust occurred last year, but the dynamic nature of pathogen populations means that growers and agronomists must remain vigilant and…

ARABLE

Defra denies request for neonics use on sugar beet

An emergency application for the use of a neonicotinoid pesticide on sugar beet in England has been denied by the UK government, in another crushing blow to farmers from the…

PLOUGHING AND CULTIVATION

Why a long-term no-tiller is ploughing again on heavy soils

For more than 20 years, a bare brown field has not been seen on Motts Farm on the Dengie peninsula in Essex, with crops established using zero tillage. But that…

FARMER FOCUS

Farmer Focus: Drainage board decisions are grossly unfair

A few years ago, when our local drainage board was amalgamated “for efficiency”, they decided they had too many ditches on their books, so simply crossed a few off their…

ARABLE

How growers can build resilience on arable farms

Growers must be prepared to adjust their farming operations and management to make businesses more resilient in the event of adverse weather and volatile market conditions. That’s the message for…

Arable news

ARABLE

Farm sustainability award focuses on resilience

Entries are now open for a farm sustainability award that rewards farmers for their essential role in food production while recognising their commitment to environmental stewardship. The 2025 Rawcliffe Bridge…

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…

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ARABLE

Wheat growers urged to remain vigilant for yellow and brown rust

No major breakdowns in varietal resistance to yellow or brown rust occurred last year, but the dynamic nature of pathogen populations means that growers and agronomists must remain vigilant and…

PLOUGHING AND CULTIVATION

Why a long-term no-tiller is ploughing again on heavy soils

For more than 20 years, a bare brown field has not been seen on Motts Farm on the Dengie peninsula in Essex, with crops established using zero tillage. But that…

ARABLE

How growers can build resilience on arable farms

Growers must be prepared to adjust their farming operations and management to make businesses more resilient in the event of adverse weather and volatile market conditions. That’s the message for…

DISEASE MANAGEMENT

Why ergot contamination of grain is higher than expected

Grower guidelines for managing ergot are to be updated by the AHDB, following a steep rise in the incidence of the pathogen over the past three years and confirmation that…

ARABLE

How Fera is tackling the wireworm and flea beetle problems

Wireworm in potatoes and cabbage stem flea beetle in oilseed rape are two of the arable industry’s biggest pest challenges. They can result in catastrophic yields for farmers and disrupt…

PEST MANAGEMENT

Where is the crop industry with nematode biocontrols?

The dwindling availability of insecticide seed treatment and nematicides has paved the way for pest control using entomopathogenic nematodes. Following successful trial work in key high-value crops, farmer uptake looks…

NUTRITION AND FERTILISER

High-tech system measures crop nitrogen from space

An innovative system that uses cutting-edge satellite imaging to precisely measure crop nitrogen could be a game changer for fertiliser planning on farms after promising results in 2024 trials. The…

SOILS

How composting is helping organic transition on Norfolk farm

Making and using compost to improve soil health has become a central part of the route Ken Hill Farm & Estate is taking to transition to an organic farm. Farm…

CROP MANAGEMENT

Why one Essex arable farm faces difficult decisions in 2025

Essex farmer Tom Streeter admits that he and his brother Will have some difficult decisions to make about the future of the family farming business, having looked at the details…

DISEASE MANAGEMENT

What the latest in-field pest and disease tech can offer

The development of “smart” spore-trapping systems that combine on-site analysis and real-time reporting to track the spread of diseases mean that the same-day detection of more than one pathogen will…

VARIETY SELECTION

Seed expert outlines 2025 spring crop variety options

As thoughts turn to spring cropping, there are a host of new varieties available for drilling this spring offering better yields and disease resistance. However, for some markets, the old…

SOILS

Soils improve for Northants grower after a switch to regen

Peter Mee has cut his growing costs while holding his arable yields steady after four years of regenerative farming having improved the structure of his soils close to the flood-prone…

OTHER CROPS

Why East Yorks grower added flax to the rotation

Jonathan Hodgson isn’t averse to growing niche crops at Great Newsome Farm in East Yorkshire, and for the past three years his cropping mix has included a fibre crop that…

CROP MANAGEMENT

How low-input spring cereals SFI action may fit this spring

Low-input harvested spring cereal crops supported by the Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) action AHW10 could be a good option for growers in 2025, given the payment rate of £354/ha. Use…

DISEASE MANAGEMENT

AHDB fungicide data reveal how new products performed

The AHDB’s fungicide performance trials confirm that the new SHDI fungicide from Syngenta is a valuable addition for septoria control. Approved in April 2024, Miravis Plus also offers a step…

ARABLE

How trees helped Notts farmer broaden arable business

Diversifications such as agroforestry could prove to be a lifesaver for some arable businesses facing a sharp reduction in Basic Payment Scheme income. Here, a Nottinghamshire farmer outlines his decade…

Farmer Focus

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FARMER FOCUS

Farmer Focus: A pleasant respite from squelching in mud

Nowadays, any prolonged period of frost feels like a bit of a novelty. The recent cold snap we’ve had has been most welcome, although some of the braver daffodils that…

FARMER FOCUS

Farmer Focus: Drainage board decisions are grossly unfair

A few years ago, when our local drainage board was amalgamated “for efficiency”, they decided they had too many ditches on their books, so simply crossed a few off their…

FARMER FOCUS

Farmer Focus: A cold start to the year, but not cold enough

The start to the year has been positive, with some lovely cold weather. Sadly, it wasn’t cold enough to give us free concrete. The attempt at mole ploughing and ploughing…

FARMER FOCUS

Farmer Focus: Finances post-BPS dictate my stress levels

I will start my first article of 2025 by reviewing our previous year. Last year started with wet weather impeding field work. Poor cashflow caused me stress, and we had…

Markets

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CROPS MARKETS AND PRICES

UK wheat imports hit highest volumes for 30 years

UK wheat imports have been at the highest volumes since records began almost 30 years ago, so far for the 2024-25 crop year. Wheat imports totalled 1.45m tonnes during the…

CROPS MARKETS AND PRICES

Growing UK market for grain maize as trade tops £200/t

Lucrative contracts from several UK merchants have encouraged a number of arable farmers to grow grain maize in the UK, with returns reportedly surpassing several traditional crops. The UK is…

CROPS MARKETS AND PRICES

Ex-farm barley subdued at £156/t despite fewer plantings

UK barley markets have struggled to get much traction in recent months, with large stocks weighing on the market. Feed barley ranged from £155/t ex-farm in the east of England…

CROPS MARKETS AND PRICES

Weather woes provide short-term support for UK wheat

UK wheat prices firmed into the new year with short-term support in global markets as a result of weather concerns across some of the key producing regions such as Russia…

BUSINESS

Outlook 2025: Sugar beet prices depressed but break even

When the 2024-25 campaign contract offer was finally announced in December 2023, many growers felt the headline price of £40/t did not reflect the futures market, which suggested a value…

CROPS MARKETS AND PRICES

Outlook 2025: Pressure on for higher potato contract prices

Potato prices began to rise following the poor 2022 harvest, says Andersons director Nick Blake. This was compounded by the wet conditions that hampered the 2023 campaign, producing just 4.8m…

CROPS MARKETS AND PRICES

Outlook 2025: Complex picture for combinable cropping

Combinable crop production might appear relatively straightforward when compared with more intensive farm enterprises, but the level of complexity depends on the grower's perspective and the demands placed on them.…

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…

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

Lamma 2025: More power for Weidemann’s compact T6025 handler

Competition is ramping up in the compact telehandler market, with Weidemann the latest to unveil a machine that will slot through a 2m-square alley. The new 6m/2.5t T6025 supersedes the…

TELEHANDLERS

Lamma 2025: Quicke unveils stripped back N-series loader

Stock farmers fancying the lift capacity of Quicke's premium Q-series loaders but without the expensive frills can now buy exactly that. The new N-series is a stripped-back, utility-spec model that…

TELEHANDLERS

Lamma 2025: MX develops GDT conveyor bucket for grass silage

French maker MX has launched a feeding bucket specifically designed to handle long-chop clamped grass. While its existing auger-based setup works effectively for maize-based rations, getting a smooth discharge with…

CULTIVATORS

Lamma 2025: NRH returns with new low-disturbance subsoiler

Yorkshire outfit NRH Engineering, maker of presses, packers, Cambridge rolls and piggyback drill cultivators, returned to Lamma with a new low-disturbance subsoiler. The Tremor is a slimmed-down alternative to the…

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