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REGENERATIVE AGRICULTURE

Why trees in hedges improve arable farm landscapes

Trees in hedges help with habitat provision and carbon storage, bringing diversity and resilience to the farmed landscape, while providing continuity when hedges are being managed. For farmers and growers…

DISEASE MANAGEMENT

Yellow rust alert as unusual observations seen in AHDB trials

Wheat growers are being advised to monitor their crops more closely for yellow rust and not rely on Recommended List disease ratings this spring. The warning from the AHDB was…

NUTRITION AND FERTILISER

Can biologicals help milling wheat growers hit protein specs?

Over the past couple of seasons, milling wheat growers have struggled to achieve 13% proteins, with AHDB figures showing Group 1s averaged the lowest levels in a decade at 12.5%…

CROP MANAGEMENT

Early-drilling could see rise in spring barley net blotch

Early-drilled spring barley, particularly with untreated seed, may require an early fungicide spray to counter increased net blotch pressure. ProCam agronomist Alistair Gordon warns net blotch has rapidly become one…

FARMER FOCUS

Farmer Focus: A poor crop costs as much as a good one

Late winter here was as kind as early winter was cruel. Crops on the whole look decent, but I took the decision to terminate 14ha of wheat in two fields.…

DISEASE MANAGEMENT

Septoria-specific spray is key for Dorset wheat grower

Bob Rowe is very pleased with the performance of a new SDHI fungicide he used across all his 700ha of winter wheat in 2024, as it largely kept septoria out…

ARABLE

Glyphosate licence extended in GB until December 2026

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has announced an extension of glyphosate’s authorisation in Great Britain until 15 December 2026, providing a temporary reprieve for the widely used herbicide as…

CROP WATCH

Crop Watch: Wheat fungicide plans and maize drilling debate

The dry spell continues and in complete contrast to the past two springs, farmers are well on with their spring work. In fact, Scottish growers are five weeks ahead of…

FARMER FOCUS

Farmer Focus: First time in a while field work is in order

While the dark clouds of politics still linger over our industry, the settled weather over the past six weeks has certainly bolstered morale on the farm. For the first time…

SOILS

Why one farmer believes calcium is king of soil nutrients

Calcium forms the foundations of good crop nutrition, according to farmer and independent regenerative agriculture consultant Tim Parton. “Calcium is the juggernaut of elements, driving nutrition around the plant. Available…

PEST MANAGEMENT

Gout fly warning for spring cereals in high-pressure year

High numbers of gout flies are hitting cereal crops this spring, forcing farmers to reduce their yield expectations and in some extreme cases write off whole crops. And while it…

FARMER FOCUS

Farmer Focus: What I learned from US milling wheat growers

I recently returned from Michigan where I gave a talk to US farmers about winter wheat and my Yield Enhancement Network (YEN) win of 16.5t/ha in 2023. I went through…

WEED MANAGEMENT

Grower phases out herbicides in favour of mechanical weeding

As herbicide efficacy dwindles and fears of resistance build, East Yorkshire farmer Jonathan Hodgson turned to mechanical weeding as an additional weed control method. Recent dry spring conditions have provided…

Arable news

ARABLE

Bayer warns litigation costs threaten glyphosate

German agrochemicals giant Bayer has issued a stark warning to farmers about the future of glyphosate, its widely used herbicide. The company said ongoing legal battles in the US were…

OTHER CROPS

Alpro to source vegan drinks from 100% British oats

Plant-based drinks manufacturer Alpro has committed to source its oat-based drinks products from British farmers using 100% British oats. Alpro’s parent company, Danone, has invested £41m in a site in…

WEED MANAGEMENT

Government unveils first pesticide action plan in a decade

The UK government has unveiled its first National Action Plan (NAP) on pesticides in more than a decade, aiming to reduce environmental harm and enhance sustainable farming practices. The plan…

WHEAT

Wheat variety Vibe gains full Group 1 milling approval

UK Flour Millers has announced the winter wheat variety Vibe is confirmed as a full Group 1 variety following three years of baking assessments. Vibe joined the AHDB Recommended List…

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REGENERATIVE AGRICULTURE

Why trees in hedges improve arable farm landscapes

Trees in hedges help with habitat provision and carbon storage, bringing diversity and resilience to the farmed landscape, while providing continuity when hedges are being managed. For farmers and growers…

NUTRITION AND FERTILISER

Can biologicals help milling wheat growers hit protein specs?

Over the past couple of seasons, milling wheat growers have struggled to achieve 13% proteins, with AHDB figures showing Group 1s averaged the lowest levels in a decade at 12.5%…

DISEASE MANAGEMENT

Septoria-specific spray is key for Dorset wheat grower

Bob Rowe is very pleased with the performance of a new SDHI fungicide he used across all his 700ha of winter wheat in 2024, as it largely kept septoria out…

SOILS

Why one farmer believes calcium is king of soil nutrients

Calcium forms the foundations of good crop nutrition, according to farmer and independent regenerative agriculture consultant Tim Parton. “Calcium is the juggernaut of elements, driving nutrition around the plant. Available…

WEED MANAGEMENT

Grower phases out herbicides in favour of mechanical weeding

As herbicide efficacy dwindles and fears of resistance build, East Yorkshire farmer Jonathan Hodgson turned to mechanical weeding as an additional weed control method. Recent dry spring conditions have provided…

ROTATIONS

Long-term spring OSR grower reveals his approach

Graham Bell has grown spring oilseed rape for more than two-and-a-half decades, and, with the right approach, is achieving higher margins than the winter crop it replaced. While spring OSR…

DISEASE MANAGEMENT

Wheat grower goes for broad-spectrum disease control at T1

Suffolk wheat grower Richard Duchesne looks to select an early fungicide spray with a good broad-spectrum of disease control, and is pleased with his first use of the new SDHI…

SOILS

Norfolk grower aims to cut soil compaction in root crops

Mark Means’ aim this spring is to ensure that soils in his sugar beet and potato fields don’t exceed 1 megapascal (MPa) on the penetrometer during establishment. While he has…

SUGAR BEET

Tips on reducing herbicide resistance risk in sugar beet

Sugar beet growers are advised to take a proactive weed management approach to help manage the growing threat from acetolactate synthase (ALS) inhibitor herbicide resistant weeds when growing herbicide-tolerant varieties.…

ENVIRONMENTAL SCHEMES

Farmers share how bombshell SFI closure will affect them

Defra’s abrupt closure of the Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) for new applicants has rightfully left farmers across England feeling frustrated and betrayed. Why did the Labour party decide to close…

CROP MANAGEMENT

How tech trial is helping Lincs estate improve wheat inputs

Lessons learned from a technology trial are being rolled out across the rest of the cropping area on one Lincolnshire Estate, as part of an ongoing drive to improve nitrogen…

POTATOES

Wireworm in potatoes: Rising threat and how to control it

Wireworm damage is now an increasing risk in potato crops across the country, including eastern counties and up into the Scottish Borders.  This highlights the need to understand the reasons…

DRILLING

Strip-till cultivator brings big maize establishment savings

The use of a strip-till cultivator has halved the number of maize establishment passes and more than doubled work rate at a Hampshire arable farm – all while maintaining yields.…

ARABLE

What the latest fungicides bring to wheat disease strategies

Arriving at different stages of the season and in various guises and quantities, both Bayer’s Iblon and Syngenta’s Adepidyn were available for the first time in 2024. This brough two…

DISEASE MANAGEMENT

How the latest fungicides fit with barley ramularia control

Symptoms that are hard to identify, a lack of genetic resistance, and the loss of chlorothalonil have gained ramularia leaf spot a reputation as one of the most notorious diseases…

DISEASE MANAGEMENT

Colder winter reduces brown rust threat for 2025

A mild winter, stressed crops and delayed spray applications all played their part in the brown rust situation that developed in the 2024 growing season, with the disease uncharacteristically being…

Farmer Focus

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FARMER FOCUS

Farmer Focus: A poor crop costs as much as a good one

Late winter here was as kind as early winter was cruel. Crops on the whole look decent, but I took the decision to terminate 14ha of wheat in two fields.…

FARMER FOCUS

Farmer Focus: First time in a while field work is in order

While the dark clouds of politics still linger over our industry, the settled weather over the past six weeks has certainly bolstered morale on the farm. For the first time…

FARMER FOCUS

Farmer Focus: What I learned from US milling wheat growers

I recently returned from Michigan where I gave a talk to US farmers about winter wheat and my Yield Enhancement Network (YEN) win of 16.5t/ha in 2023. I went through…

FARMER FOCUS

Farmer Focus: Busy drilling, spreading digestate and rolling

What a fantastic three weeks of weather. It is a pity we cannot say the same about the politics of this country, or the rural economy.  It is nice to…

Markets

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CROPS MARKETS AND PRICES

Larger UK wheat crop forecast as prices remain pressured

UK wheat production has been projected at 13.1m tonnes for this year’s harvest, with favourable weather in recent months helping crops to progress in the ground. This is up by…

CROPS MARKETS AND PRICES

Feed beans flutter around £220/t as UK plantings progress

Optimal planting conditions could lead to a slight uptick on field beans this year, with spring drilling in full swing. Defra figures estimated the UK field beans area at 132,000ha…

CROPS MARKETS AND PRICES

Grain markets fall in anticipation of new Black Sea deal

Global grain markets have slipped further following news that Russia may look to restart the Black Sea Grain Initiative, which previously allowed the safe passage of Ukrainian grain through the…

CROPS MARKETS AND PRICES

Sugar markets start to firm as 2024-25 beet campaign ends

Global sugar prices have started to pick up since the start of 2025 due to increased demand and lower production forecasts across Asia, Brazil and Europe. Industry forecasts suggest the…

CROPS MARKETS AND PRICES

Lacklustre wheat markets leave margins tight for UK growers

UK feed wheat fell below £170/t ex-farm in mid-March, leaving little incentive for growers to sell and margins reasonably tight on farm. May 2025 feed wheat futures opened at £175/t…

CROPS MARKETS AND PRICES

Expanding market for UK sunflowers as growers chase £450/t

The UK currently imports roughly 60,000t of sunflower seeds each year, according to trade estimates, creating a significant opportunity for UK growers. Sunflowers have traditionally been a small crop in…

CROPS MARKETS AND PRICES

Digital passports group to ask Defra for £3.7m grant

The Digital Passport Leadership Group is scheduled to meet with Defra farming minister Daniel Zeichner later this month to discuss potential government funding to cover the implementation costs of digital…

CROPS MARKETS AND PRICES

Larger UK wheat production area forecast for 2025

UK wheat production is forecast to be about 12.5m tonnes this year, based on an estimated planted area of 1.6m hectares and an average yield of 7.8t/ha. This represents a…

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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PLOUGHS

Kuhn semi-mounted ploughs get traction bolt leg protection

A lower cost and lighter weight solution to protecting the legs and mouldboard assemblies of Kuhn Vari-Leader semi-mounted ploughs has been introduced in the form of a proven traction bolt…

COMBINES

Trelleborg develops harvester tracks and updates TM800 tyres

Farm tyre manufacturer Yokohama TWS has entered the market for harvester tracks with the new Trelleborg ART1000 traction belt, while also bringing its long-running TM800 reduced profile tyres up to…

CEREAL DRILLS

Kuhn revamps 4-8m Espro cultivator seed drills

A straight disc option for Kuhn Espro cultivator drills provides a moisture- and power-saving alternative to the 460mm scallop-edge concave discs fitted as standard. While the current fitment completes seedbed…

CULTIVATORS

Amazone unveils Venterra 1K crop hoe for 70hp tractors

Farms wanting to mechanically weed crops with a modest tractor of 60-70hp are catered for by Amazone’s new Venterra 1K hoe, which the manufacturer describes as a versatile “lightweight all-rounder”.…

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