Reducing soil acidity by increasing its pH before drilling winter crops will improve nutrient availability – and boost yields. More than half of all arable fields are below the target pH 6.7 recommended in AHDB’s Nutrient Management Guide (RB209), suggest results from NRM laboratories which analysed more than 50,000... Read more
Growers are advised to test soils soon after harvest and start putting right damage caused by months of wet weather. Record-breaking rainfall has washed away nitrogen, phosphorus and other essential nutrients, leaving soil health in tatters. Some soils are also likely to contain worrying levels of contaminants like aluminium... Read more
Adjusting drilling dates and planting companion crops can help combat cabbage stem flea beetle in oilseed rape. Drilling rape in the traditional mid- to late-August slot can exacerbate flea beetle problems – increasing the chance of crop failure, says ProCam technical manager Nigel Scott. Different thinking is needed to... Read more
Higher blackgrass pressure in early drilled crops this autumn will require a strong stack and sequence of herbicides. “The best practice and most robust advice when it comes to tackling difficult weeds such as blackgrass, ryegrass and brome is still to delay drilling until well into October,” says Bill... Read more
Changing emergence patterns are prompting advise for farmers to review and revise blackgrass control strategies. Stale seedbeds and delayed drilling have helped reduced blackgrass emergence during September and early October. But the weed is adapting to the control strategy, says Dick Neale, technical manager for agronomy firm Hutchinsons. “We... Read more
Tips for best quality farm-saved seed
Arable 01/08/2024
Growers are being advised to optimise the use of farm-saved seed this autumn – with tight supplies of some certified varieties. Farmers looking to secure certified seed for autumn drilling should let their supplier know as soon as possible – if they haven’t already done so, says Stephanie Spiers,... Read more
Sugar Beet remains the only UK crop that has continued to deliver a year-on-year yield increase for farmers. This is down to two things: professional growers and heavy investment in research and development by plant breeders. After several reviews, NFU Sugar and British Sugar have both recognised the need... Read more
Risk management key in challenging season
Arable 01/08/2024
Genetically diverse varieties can help spread risk when growing milling wheat in a challenging season, say experts. For many cereal growers, 2024 will be remembered for all the wrong reasons: persistent wet weather, a poor spring, lack of sunshine, huge disease pressure and a huge battle against brown and... Read more
Crop science organisation NIAB has appointed Mark Fletcher as its head of agronomy services – a new role within the company. Dr Fletcher will lead NIAB’s team of 20 agronomists and consultants who deliver technical and consultancy services across the country. He previously led Agovista’s northern agronomy team for... Read more
Growers wanted for paid trials
Arable 31/07/2024
The search is on for forward-thinking farmers to take part in trials exploring soil health, the potential of pulses and sustainable slug control. The British On-Farm Innovation Network (BOFIN) is inviting farmers to host and run trials on their individual farms. Participants will receive full back-up and support from... Read more