Farmers and environmental campaigners have clashed over the future of pre-harvest glyphosate – and whether it should be used on crops for human consumption Commonly used as pre-harvest desiccant on cereals and oilseed rape crops, glyphosate has been found to be safe by multiple regulatory reports. But some scientific... Read more
New test helps assess onion disease risk
Arable 04/06/2026
A new DNA-based soil test designed to detect fusarium basal rot before planting has been launched commercially for UK onion growers. Developed by the University of Warwick’s Crop Centre in partnership with ADAS, the test identifies the soil-borne pathogen which causes the fusarium – offering a potential tool to... Read more
Hybrid rye ‘stacks up for season ahead’
Arable 03/06/2026
Switching to hybrid rye as an alternative to wheat this autumn could improve cropping security, says a plant breeder. Decent margins and market demand from anaerobic digestion plants has sparked renewed interest in hybrid rye for the coming season, says KWS seed specialist and product manager Rory Hannam. Once... Read more
Top soft wheat tightens grip on UK market
Arable 03/06/2026
Bamford has become Britain’s best-selling winter wheat – less than three years after joining the AHDB Recommended List. The achievement marks the first time since Robigus in 2005 that a Group 3 soft wheat has taken the top spot. Bamford accounted for more than 14 per cent of commercial... Read more
Two new winter wheat varieties give growers more opportunities to achieve higher yields amid an increasingly unpredictable climate and market conditions LG Defiance and LG Challenger are both Group 4 hard wheats from Limagrain Field Seeds. The breeder says they have shown consistently high yield potential across different regions,... Read more
Moving to a reduced or no-tillage system on a farm with varying soil types is a challenge familiar to many farmers. What works in one field could be an abject failure in another. Similarly, what drill system do you go for? A tine drill will give greater flexibility in... Read more
More than 350 exhibitors and hundreds of speakers will attend Groundswell next month – as the two-day festival hosts its most expansive programme yet. Farmers, scientists, food businesses and environmental campaigners will gather at Lannock Farm near Hitchin to debate regenerative agriculture, soil health and sustainable food production. Groundswell... Read more
What to expect at Groundswell 2026
News 03/06/2026
Groundswell 2026 will take place on 1-2 July at Lannock Farm, near Hitchen, Hertfordshire, about an hour north of London. The event opens from 7am until midnight on both days, with camping available from the evening of 30 June. Organisers provide shuttle buses from Stevenage station and expect thousands... Read more
Harvest traffic sparks rural road warning
News 03/06/2026
Road safety campaigners are warning of a “perfect storm” this summer with accidents involving agricultural vehicles expected to rise sharply. NFU Mutual data shows collisions between agricultural vehicles and third parties are 56 per cent more likely between May and September than during the rest of the year. The... Read more
Management training provider MDS has launched a new agri-food apprenticeship programme for college and sixth form leavers aged 18 and over. The Fresh Futures Programme offers a direct route into the agriculture and food industry and a practical alternative to university. It follows 40 years of developing industry talent... Read more