New futures option for sugar beet growers
Arable 11/03/2026
Sugar beet growers have the opportunity to sell some of their 2027/28 crop forward – before annual price negotiations. The chance to trial a new index-linked contract option will enable growers to market sugar beet on a longer-term basis. It has been created by NFU Sugar, British Sugar and... Read more
Opportunity to control light leaf spot
Arable 11/03/2026
The LLS-Erased project offers a well-timed opportunity to focus on improving the control of light leaf spot, and the field-based guidance available. “Farmer collaboration and knowledge is essential to build effective disease management tools and IPM testing protocols that are practical and cost-effective,” says Faye Ritchie (right), technical director... Read more
A £2.5m project will see the first precision-bred oilseed rape grown on UK commercial farms – marking a major step towards the largescale growing of the crop. The project is being led by the British On-Farm Innovation Network (BOFIN). It is being funded through Defra’s Farming Innovation Programme, which... Read more
A forecast 30% rise in the UK oilseed rape area is looking good in the field, with well-established crops thriving as spring approaches. After several difficult seasons, growers returning to the crop report reduced pigeon damage and lower pressure from cabbage stem flea beetle across many key arable regions.... Read more
Two companies behind a new crop nutrition programme say it is delivering strong results for growers across a range of arable enterprises. Cope Nutrition was launched by Lincolnshire-based seed and grain specialist Cope in partnership with crop nutrition specialists BioNature. It aims to help growers achieve higher, more resilient... Read more
Spring-emerging grassweeds and those that survived winter will need special management in the coming weeks despite generally strong autumn weed control, Most residual herbicides have performed well, says Hutchinsons technical manager Dick Neale. In the main, weaker results have been limited to early-drilled crops or where dry conditions restricted... Read more
Revolution, restoration, resilience
Profiles 11/03/2026
An award-winning grower says reconsidering his crop nutrition choices has helped improve his farm business – and soil health. Herefordshire farmer John Joseph, of Trecorras Farm, near Ross-on-Wye, says better nutrient management on his 100ha holding was key to being crowned Farm Carbon Toolkit Soil Farmer of the Year... Read more
New law on dog attacks comes into effect
News 11/03/2026
Farmers facing a dog attack on livestock are advised to ask someone to film or photograph what is happening while they try to deal with the incident. A new law coming into effect this month gives police more powers to combat the attacks – allowing them to take DNA... Read more
A crackdown on fly-tipping aims to target criminals illegally dumping waste – but industry leaders say farmers are often still left picking up the clean-up bill. The NFU said it welcomed renewed efforts from the Environment Agency to target fly-tipping. It will see drones carrying laser mapping technology to... Read more
A revamped Sustainable Farming Incentive will include reduced payments for three key options when it launches this summer. Lower payments will be made for the three most popular actions – herbal leys, winter bird food and legume fallow, Defra secretary Emma Reynolds told last month’s NFU annual conference in... Read more