Integrated Pest Management (IPM) is no stranger to most growers. But it should not be seen as just a tick-box exercise, warns Caroline Corsie, agronomist and senior land adviser for Worcestershire Wildlife Trust. Through the Defra-led Countryside Stewardship Facilitation Fund, Ms Corsie has been supporting a network of growers... Read more

The government says it will intervene unless British Sugar and beet growers resolve their increasingly bitter price dispute – but only as a last resort. It follows deadlocked price talks for the 2024 beet crop which saw the processing giant bypass formal negotiations with NFU Sugar representatives and issue... Read more

Urgent steps are needed to safeguard the future of the UK’s horticulture sector, says a hard-hitting House of Lords report. The £5 billion industry – focusing on fruit, vegetables and ornamental plants – is at a crossroads, says the study. It is under-prioritised and unappreciated by policymakers – threatening... Read more

Exceptionally wet weather this autumn means time is running out for growers still unable to drill winter-sown cereals. Winter wheat can be drilled until January. But leaving it too late  can result in reduced germination and plant populations. This is due to lack of warmth and suboptimal moisture levels... Read more

Drilling high-vigour winter wheat varieties in the New Year could be a viable option for producers battling to get blackgrass problems under control this autumn. With 2023 being a particularly bad year for the weed, drilling until as late as February could allow for cultural and chemical weed controls... Read more

A stacked and sequenced spray programme applied accurately in favourable conditions can help combat resistant ryegrass, says an agronomist. Rob Adamson of Procam says a careful balance of cultural controls, herbicide choice and adequate soil moisture will help growers get on top of the troublesome weed – despite increasing... Read more

Challenging conditions for oilseed rape are making it increasingly important to maintain the momentum of established crops this autumn. Crop nutrition expert say growers should pay special attention to foliar nutrition – and in particular boron – to ensure oilseed rape is sufficiently robust ahead of winter months and... Read more

A two-pass strategy is giving early drilled oilseed rape the best opportunity to grow away from pests on a Staffordshire farm. The approach is saving time, fuel and labour – and improving soil health, says Staffordshire farmer David Roberts, of DS Roberts and Son. It follows the purchase of... Read more

• Look at what you’re already doing • Be clear what you want to achieve • Don’t choose options for payment Arable growers are being encouraged to make sure they choose the right options available under the new Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI). More than 150 growers attending a recent... Read more

Wheat seed enhanced with silicon means plants are stronger and more resisilient to slugs, suggests a study. Trials by i2L show that applying the biostimulant Sirius boosts the natural level of silicon in wheat seed and strengthens the plant. Seedlings from this silicon-enhanced seed are stronger and more resilient... Read more