Popularity is increasing among growers after an influx of new varieties from breeders A breeding revival in both Group 3 and soft Group 4 sectors is helping soft wheats make a comeback on farms. Back in the day, nearly 50% of the UK wheat area was down to soft... Read more
Earlier harvest set to follow dry spring
Arable 05/06/2025
• Lack of rain hits UK cereal crops • Wheat and barley under stress • Yield penalties on parched soil Growers face an earlier harvest with combines expected to roll into cereal crops later this month after the driest start to spring for more than 60 years. Reservoir levels... Read more
Farmers attending this year’s Arable Event will be able to see for themselves how crops perform under ‘real world’ conditions with a host of trial plots. Crops on show in the trial plots reflect the reality of modern farming dealing with changing climate and last autumn’s incredibly wet weather,... Read more
• Vulnerable farmers most at risk • Tax impact disputed and unclear • More time to seek proper advice MPs have called for a year-long delay to government plans to impose inheritance tax on farm assets worth more than £1 million from 2026. The cross-party Environment, Food and Rural... Read more
Time is right to finesse IHT plan
Opinion 04/06/2025
Good politicians know when to change their minds – and aren’t afraid to do so when the time is right. Especially when mounting evidence suggests that doggedly pursuing a policy will harm the very people it was designed to protect. This is the challenge facing the government after a... Read more
Growers seeking to achieve protein specification in milling wheat are being reminded to optimise nitrogen without overstepping or compromising economic thresholds. Modern wheat varieties have huge yield potential – but growers must be realistic about whether these can be achieved on their own farms, say two advisers from agronomy... Read more
Growers advised to think ahead on fusarium control at T3 following sunniest April on record
News 03/06/2025
Dual azole approach offers higher level of control than single azoles confirms Agrii agronomist Growers are being reminded about the importance of fusarium control at T3 to combat fusarium ear blight, a complex disease that can account for potential yield losses of up to 25% in winter... Read more
Farmers need to produce food
Opinion 01/05/2025
Politicians seem to think the countryside is for anything but food production, says Clodhopper. The Labour government’s attack on farmers is often assumed to be a class war being waged against wicked wealthy landowners – and I think I know why. This belief persists despite the fact most working... Read more
EXPERT VIEW Farming families still have time to act before new tax rules kick in, says Toby Tallon. Farming families should take action ahead of changes to agricultural and business property relief. Inheritance tax is now a key consideration before new rules come into effect in April 2026. When... Read more
• Goal to make farming more viable • Six months to find Defra answers • No ‘silver bullet’ to boost incomes Former NFU president Minette Batters has pledged to leave no stone unturned after being appointed to lead a Defra review of farm profitability. Announced last month, the six-month... Read more