More farmers are expected to grow spring oats as they seek to loosen up rotations and limit the build-up of disease. Oats for human consumption will continue to be grown predominantly in Scotland, say seed breeders. But growers much further south are realising the potential of the crop... Read more
A big increase in spring cropping is on the cards with wet weather and sodden fields leaving many growers unable to get drilled up last autumn. Growers who haven’t already done so are being advised to make spring cropping decisions and secure seed sooner rather than later – or... Read more
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