Oilseed rape: Building back stronger
Oilseed Rape 07/07/2026
Confidence is returning to oilseed rape with the crop set to be on of the star performers this year – both in terms of yields and margins. After several difficult years, there is a noticeably different feeling around the crop. Across much of the country, more rape is back... Read more
Light leaf spot is prompting renewed calls for growers to prioritise varietal resistance when sowing oilseed rape this coming season. Scientists have been examining leaf samples submitted through the Spore Scout campaign. They found evidence of the disease across the country, with many crops showing significant levels of infection.... Read more
A candidate oilseed rape variety is being tipped as a potential market leader as growers assess autumn drilling plans. With a gross output of 108%, 2% higher than its nearest rival, AHDB Recommended List candidate variety RGT Eros is one to watch, says Kirsty Richards, national technical manager for... Read more
Oilseed rape: Building back stronger
Oilseed Rape 03/07/2026
Confidence is returning to oilseed rape with the crop set to be on of the star performers this year – both in terms of yields and margins. After several difficult years, there is a noticeably different feeling around the crop. Across much of the country, more rape is back... Read more
Oilseed rape is continuing to increase in popularity, with more growers expected to return to the crop this coming season. Decent returns, good yields and acceptable levels of cabbage stem flea beetle management have seen the a revival in fortunes, helping growers manage risk, reduce input costs and spread... Read more
Arable growers can improve resilience and manage risk more effectively by making greater use of crop and variety choice, says plant breeder KWS. Advances in plant breeding are giving farmers access to stronger genetics and a broader range of cropping options at a time when tight margins and volatile... Read more
Growers prepare to leave crops undrilled
Arable 02/07/2026
Tight margins and high input costs are set to see some growers leaving winter crops undrilled this autumn. Fertiliser prices remain stubbornly high – making growing some crops unprofitable. It comes amid NFU calls for the government to implement a Fertiliser Resilience Plan to help protect domestic food production... Read more
Supplementary feeding boosts bird numbers
News 02/07/2026
Farms providing supplementary feeding are supporting higher numbers of many important farmland bird species. Run by the Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust (GWCT) and sponsored by the NFU, the annual Big Farmland Bird Count encourages farmers and land managers to record the bird species and numbers on their farms... Read more
Check records before applying for SFI 2026
News 02/07/2026
Vital checks should be undertaken in good time before before applying to join the relaunched Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI), say advisers. Launched last month, SFI 2026 is now open to farmers without an existing Environmental Land Management agreement and those with less than 50ha. Other eligible farmers will be... Read more
Police have pledged a tougher crackdown on hare coursing gangs after mounting pressure from farmers facing repeated attacks and intimidation. A package of measures announced by the force includes faster emergency responses, specialist officer training, drone deployment and plans to seize all dogs used in hare coursing incidents. It... Read more