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Know How / Wheat / Crop management

Every season throws up its challenges when it comes to managing wheat crops for optimum performance, from seasonal factors influencing diseases, such as septoria, and pest pressures to weed control and the ever-present challenge of blackgrass. Stay up-to-date with the latest thinking on wheat crop agronomy and how new technologies are being applied to solve complex issues.

Case studies

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WEED MANAGEMENT

How two farmers integrate strategic glyphosate in rotations

Use of glyphosate – the most widely applied herbicide in the UK – has surged over the past three decades. In recent years that increase has been driven by the…

SOILS

Herts grower shares experience with Johnson-Su bioreactor

A source of protozoa and nematodes, the extract from a US-invented composter is part of one Hertfordshire grower’s five-year plan to improve soil biology and cut costs. Richard Blair, with…

ARABLE

Hants arable farm extends regen approach to two vineyards

The decision to stop pedalling faster without gain and instead change the farming system to one based on regenerative principles was taken more than 20 years ago on a Hampshire…

COVER CROPS

How Arable Insights farmers are using cover crops in rotation

Whether it is to increase soil organic matter, provide grazing for sheep, prevent nutrients from leaching, or deliver extra income within the rotation, cover cropping has become a key part…

CROP MANAGEMENT

How integrating livestock in rotations cuts crop inputs

As sustainable farming practices become increasingly important, some agronomists and farmers are exploring how integrating livestock into arable systems can bring both environmental and economic benefits. By combining rotational grazing…

DISEASE MANAGEMENT

Signature seed dressing helps grow fungicide-free crops

Irish farmer Tom Tierney has been no-till farming for a decade and is using a specialist seed dressing to kick-start crops into action and grow them without fungicides. The signature…

Practical advice

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PEST MANAGEMENT

Wetter weather could see slug rise in newly drilled wheat

With more unsettled weather forecast across the UK following recent rain, slug activity is expected to rise, posing a threat to newly planted wheat crops. The hot and dry summer…

PEST MANAGEMENT

High insect activity increases BYDV risk in mild autumn

A combination of earlier drilling and mild conditions has seen a heightened risk of insect activity, prompting concerns of barley yellow dwarf virus (BYDV) in cereal crops. Continued mild weather…

PEST MANAGEMENT

Tips to get ahead of the autumn slug threat

After a hot, dry summer, slugs might not be the first threat to crop establishment that comes to mind, but don’t be lulled into a false sense of security. Even…

WEED MANAGEMENT

New advice to maximise brome control in cereals

Cereal growers can simplify brome weed management post-harvest by responding to environmental conditions, regardless of the brome species present, says John Cussans, principle weed science consultant with Adas. Instead of…

HARVEST AND CROP STORAGE

What's in your grain store? Tackling pests before harvest

It is estimated that 90% of grain stores harbour at least one insect species known to infest grain, underlining the critical importance of good store hygiene in the run-up to…

NUTRITION AND FERTILISER

3 key factors to help hit milling wheat protein specs

Optimising nitrogen use to meet milling wheat protein specifications without overstepping economic thresholds is a key factor to balance this season, particularly as grain prices remain feeble. Winter wheat crops…

Insights

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MARKET OPPORTUNITIES

Why biscuit brand is rewarding farmers for regen wheat

Payments for wheat growers moving to more sustainable farming practices are on offer from biscuit and snack maker Pladis, the owner of McVitie’s, as it expands its Back to Farm…

NUTRITION AND FERTILISER

Farmers reveal results of biological inputs trial

Two arable farmers were tasked with replacing 25% of their synthetic crop inputs with biological alternatives as part of a sustainable cropping project. We catch up with them to find…

NUTRITION AND FERTILISER

Benefits of adding manganese to seed-beds after dry summer

Farmers are advised to apply manganese in the seed-bed this autumn, as the dry summer may have left soils depleted of the micronutrient. Origin Soil Nutrition agronomist Toby Ward warns…

CROP MANAGEMENT

Tips on cutting through the marketing hype for biostimulants

After a season when crops gave up in the summer drought, farmers may be tempted to try a biostimulant to help crops cope better next time. Some products can deliver…

DISEASE MANAGEMENT

Wheat growers warned of new 'high input' group of varieties

Latest Agrii trials have shown marked drops in yellow rust resistance scores for some of the UK’s most popular winter wheats, rendering some popular varieties as high input wheats. The…

DISEASE MANAGEMENT

Growers advised to plan integrated yellow rust approach

Wheat growers are being advised to plan integrated yellow rust management strategies following the significant reductions in resistance ratings for some popular varieties. These reductions mean extra focus should be…

WEED MANAGEMENT

Pre-em weed control in wheat - what to consider this season

Consider the target weed spectrum, the weather forecast and the likely cost before finalising pre-emergence herbicide programmes for winter cereals, growers are being advised. There are now 13 active ingredients…

WEED MANAGEMENT

How to maximise the benefits of stale seed-beds

Effective weed control between harvest and drilling is crucial to control yield-sapping grassweeds such as blackgrass, ryegrass and bromes. Stale seed-beds are one of the main techniques used ahead of…

DISEASE MANAGEMENT

An in-depth look at stem- and soil-borne diseases in cereals

While foliar diseases often dominate discussions, stem base and root pathogens in cereals require increasing attention as farming systems evolve. Here, we examine the changing dynamics of these diseases. Managing…

BLACKGRASS

Grassweed control - sequencing and timing key

Grassweed control programmes for this autumn need to take account of warmer winters, changing blackgrass behaviour and the increasing threat from brome, say experts. Where wheat drilling is planned for…

DISEASE MANAGEMENT

Wheat yellow rust ratings set to fall for next season

Winter wheat growers are being warned that disease resistance ratings for yellow rust are set to fall this summer for many leading feed wheat varieties, after a new race of…

DISEASE MANAGEMENT

4 key steps to reduce the risk of ergot in grain

Researchers have identified four key areas where farmers can reduce ergot disease pressure, limit crop infection and keep clean grain clean. Adas experts have carried out an AHDB-funded review which…

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