New trials focus on blackgrass control
Arable 08/07/2025
Drilling options evaluated Delayed drilling to give the best options for blackgrass control or simply because of challenging autumn conditions could be having a bigger effect on crop establishment and subsequent plant health than many growers realise. Fieldscale trials are exploring the benefits of a ploughing reset in direct... Read more
‘Get farming message across this harvest’
Arable 08/07/2025
Growers are being urged to highlight the role farmers play as food producers – by harnessing the power of social media and inviting MPs onto farms this harvest. Huge challenges have been imposed by the Labour government which came to power one year ago this month, says the NFU... Read more
• Auto-drying with remote alert • Quieter, cleaner and efficient • Easier to use and to maintain A Bedfordshire grower is reaping the rewards after replacing an ageing PTO-driven grain dryer with a state-of-the-art mobile machine. Sandy Wade-Gery, who farms with son Will at Bushmead Farm at Colmworth, near... Read more
Grain cooperative Camgrain says it remains well-placed to remove ergot from cereal crops this summer – after winning praise for the way it helped growers deal with the problem last year. The farmer-owned storage and processing facility invested some £500,000 in colour-sorting machines after ergot made an aggressive comeback... Read more
EXPERT VIEW Is game changing wheat Bamford still changing the game? Four experts give their verdicts. Now in its second year on the Recommended List, Group 3 soft wheat Bamford came through a challenging first full commercial season in 2024. Bred by Elsoms Seeds, the first year was dominated... Read more
Poor trailer safety is being highlighted as a key contributor to farm fatalities during the busy harvest period. Farmers and harvest workers are being urged to undertake daily checks and ensure tractors and tailers are well-maintained. Trailers should also be serviced and in good condition well before what is... Read more
• Think about sulphur – not only nitrogen • Nutrient efficiency at heart of decisions • Consider decoupling for more flexibility Growers and agronomists are advised to think more broadly when devising their fertiliaer plans for next season. A wider view when it comes to organic and inorganic fertilise... Read more
Popularity is increasing among growers after an influx of new varieties from breeders A breeding revival in both Group 3 and soft Group 4 sectors is helping soft wheats make a comeback on farms. Back in the day, nearly 50% of the UK wheat area was down to soft... Read more
Earlier harvest set to follow dry spring
Arable 05/06/2025
• Lack of rain hits UK cereal crops • Wheat and barley under stress • Yield penalties on parched soil Growers face an earlier harvest with combines expected to roll into cereal crops later this month after the driest start to spring for more than 60 years. Reservoir levels... Read more
Growers seeking to achieve protein specification in milling wheat are being reminded to optimise nitrogen without overstepping or compromising economic thresholds. Modern wheat varieties have huge yield potential – but growers must be realistic about whether these can be achieved on their own farms, say two advisers from agronomy... Read more