Serving the Farming Industry across the Midlands for 35 Years
Global grain trader pays farmers to adopt regenerative methods
Farmers who enroll in ADM’s regenerative agriculture programme will receive incentive payments for conservation tillage, cover crops and companion cropping, says the global commodity trader and processor. The programme is designed to work alongside government support schemes to ensure growers receive the support needed to undertake regenerative farming practices... Read more
How to protect your stored grain and preserve profits
Growers and grain store managers can reduce the risk of rejected loads and contract shortfalls thanks to a new Grain Protectant Handbook. More than 90% of farm grain stores harbour at least one species of insect – and last year’s challenging harvest makes it important to minimise potential losses... Read more
Hi-tech facility adds value to grain
A future-proof grain processing facility is helping a Bedfordshire estate meet its drying and storage requirements. Farm manager William Haupt worked closely with BDC Systems and Thurlow Nunn Standen (TNS) to design and install the processing plant at Woburn Farms, part of the Bedford Estates, near junction 13 of... Read more
Traders report rising demand for UK spring malting barley
 European buyers are showing increased interest in UK malting barley, say grain traders – with export potential looking good ahead of an expected increase in spring plantings. A surge in planting is forecast after the wet autumn halted winter wheat drillings, export potential could be particularly handy this season,... Read more
More maize growers switch to earlier maturing varieties
A high-yielding early maize variety could help growers overcome the risk of late drilling and delayed harvests caused by wet spring and autumn weather. Bred by MAS Seeds and marketed by Elsoms Seeds, Mojito could tick all the boxes for farmers wanting to avoid a repeat of the weather-related... Read more
Discovery raises hopes of more temperature tolerant wheat
Gene-editing techniques have  uncovered a temperature tolerance trait that could protect wheat from the increasingly unpredictable challenges of climate change. Researchers say UK growers could benefit from the discovery – made at the Norwich-based John Innes Centre during experiments examining wheat fertility in plants exposed to high and low... Read more
Cover crop benefits ‘depend on destruction method’
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
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
Defra considers options following winter floods
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
New spreader range set for LAMMA launch
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