Banning livestock from upland areas could threaten the long-term storage of stable soil carbon, say scientists. Grasslands hold around one third of the world’s terrestrial carbon. Responsible grazing has an important role to play in sustainable land management, according to the study by researchers at Manchester University. Environmental groups... Read more
Seed suppliers report increased interest in fodder beet this spring following a difficult forage season last year. Fodder beet is appealing to farmers looking to ensure adequate supplies in the event of a repeat summer drought. Once fodder beet gets its roots down, it can be quite drought tolerant,... Read more
Tighter controls on sewage sludge spreading will improve water quality and reduce river pollution, says the government. Some 41% of England’s rivers, lakes and streams are currently affected by agricultural pollution, says the government. If approved, the new rules will increase oversight on sewage sludge spreading on farmland. Options... Read more
Growing miscanthus could help lock more carbon into the soil, improving yields while helping to tackle climate change, say scientists. Well-suited to poorer land, miscanthus is typically grown as an energy crop. The woody stems are also used for green manufacturing and chemicals production, as a construction material and... Read more
A race against time is developing as agronomists and seed breeders adapt to increasingly frequent extreme weather. Wetter winters and warmer summers are forcing a rethink in UK agronomy. Crop performance is shifting. So too are pest and disease risks. The challenge now is adapting management and variety choice... Read more
Declining soil health is emerging as a business risk for UK farms, with experts urging growers to monitor fields. In many instances, organic matter and carbon levels – despite a renewed interest in healthy soils. Input costs are increasing as growers try to compensate for rising compaction, with crops... Read more
Wet winter eases drought fears
Soil Health 11/03/2026
A wet winter which saw double the usual rainfall in January has helped to replenish aquifers and reduce fears of a repeat drought this summer. Drought-hit areas suffering following lack of rain began to recover following a wet November which received 149% of long-term average rainfall. This helped kick-start... Read more
Waterlogged fields will need special attention to salvage yields this season following one of the wettest starts to the year, say experts. The wettest January for almost 120 years means root stress could lead to failed crops. High rainfall during the last two months following a huge dump of... Read more
Farmers seeking profitable alternatives to traditional break crops flocked to last month’s maize growers’ conference. Almost 190 farmers and maize specialists attended the two-day event on 4-5 February in Leicestershire. Organised by the Maize Growers’ Association, it marked the highest attendance in the conference’s recent history. Some 240,000 hectares... Read more
Crop ‘could benefit from biostimulants’
Arable 11/03/2026
Beet yields have improved in trials carried out on biostimulants – with better tolerance against key diseases too. Two plot trials during the 2024/25 growing season were carried out by Michael Rodger of Richard Austin Agriculture. Yields increased by 9% with improved disease tolerance against cercospora leaf spot, rust... Read more