Nutritional benefits from over-winter cover crops are heavily influenced by destruction method, suggests new research. The advantages of over-winter covers are well-accepted – and include soil health, structure, fertility, weed suppression and reductions in nutrient losses. Other benefits include biodiversity – and some financial return if grazed by livestock.... Read more
Big farmland bird count gears up for 2024
News 31/01/2024
Farmers are being encouraged to take part in this month’s Big Farmland Bird Count – and provide a vital snapshot of the health of Britain’s cherished farmland birds. The annual nationwide survey takes place from 2-18 February. It raises awareness of the role farmers play in the farmland bird... Read more
More farmers could be paid to store floodwater on their land – helping to protect communities from extreme weather. It follows a series of winter storms which has seen farmland flooded across the Midlands and East Anglia – with fields likely to remain submerged for weeks to come and... Read more
Muck-spreading specialists GT Bunning & Sons will launch a new range of machines at this month’s LAMMA event – held on 17-18 January at the Birmingham NEC. The new 120 Compact Narrow HBD spreader will be on the stand and is part of Bunning’s new Lowlander Narrow range. It... Read more
A new inoculant can help farmers improve slurry management – reducing the need for bought-in fertilisers. Researchers shortlisted almost 30 different strains of bugs and fungi to see whether they could reduce crust formation on slurry stores. To identify the best one, they then tested five of the most... Read more
Farmers looking to upgrade slurry management systems are invited to apply for a further £74m in grant funding, The second round of the Slurry Infrastructure Grant is the latest tranche of £200m being invested by Defra to tackle agricultural pollution from livestock waste as the government seeks to secure... Read more
Planning for the new lambing season should begin early – even if you normally lamb your flock in late spring. But whenever you start lambing, a practical seven-point plan will set your enterprise up nicely for the peak lambing period early in the New Year. Focus on pregnant ewe... Read more
Livestock producers are urged to remain vigilant following the discovery of bluetongue in cattle on a Norfolk farm last month. A 10km temporary control zone was declared around the premises near Cantley, Broadland. Two infected animals were culled and livestock movement restrictions imposed to minimise the risk of onward... Read more
Fewer new cereal and oilseed varieties appear on the latest Recommended List – but a number of improvements make it easer to decide which are most suitable for differentsituations and markets. The 2024/25 list is shorter for most major crops. But it features several eye-catching additions, including the first... Read more
Wet autumn weather means more growers are likely to include spring barley in their cropping plans this season. A good range of varieties means there are lots to choose from – offering attractive yields, lower growing costs than those typically associated with winter-sown crops, and premium potential where malting... Read more