EXPERT VIEW Getting the best from nitrogen will be especially important this season, says Natalie Wood. A wet autumn and a range of drilling dates mean nitrogen applications need careful consideration this spring. The first nitrogen application is particularly important in cereals because it affects yield potential. In wheat,... Read more

Farmers preparing to tidy up stubbles ahead of spring crops are advised to check the situation in the field before filling up the sprayer. Effective weed control from glyphosate depends on suitable application conditions – but growers reported were several cases of poor performance last spring due to prolonged... Read more

A Lincolnshire farmer  who grew a record-breaking crop of spring oats won gold at the 2025 Yield Enhancement Network (YEN) awards. Mark Popplewell credited his win to precise nutrition and an unusually wet spring. The crop of Merlin yielded 11.46 t/ha – more than double the national average –... Read more

• Industry agrees on way forward • Goal is a more efficient system • Next steps include funding talks Digital passports are another step closer for cereal crops after the NFU said its concerns had been addressed. Due to replicate the existing paper system, the digital passport will enable... Read more

Applications of silicon biostimulants can increase potato yields by almost 20% – and help the plant’s defence against  blight, claims a manufacturer. Orion Future Technologies says the yield of a Melody potato crop increased by 18% by adding two biostimulants – Sirius and Pluton – at a concentration of... Read more

EXPERT VIEW There’s lots to consider when deciding which varieties to grow this spring, says David Bouch. Key spring cropping varieties are likely to sell out this year – but the market will not be short of options. Spring barley is still the best option for the rotational control... Read more

EXPERT VIEW Simple steps can maximise the weed control benefits of spring barley, says Will Smith. Spring barley is increasingly popular because it provides an opportunity to control grass weeds in the rotation. But simply growing the crop does not guarantee a lower grassweed burden – especially in fields... Read more

• Crops including legumes more popular • Proper nutrition will maximise potential • Polysulphate ideal source of nutrients Good nutrition is helping growers maximise the benefits of legumes in arable rotations and forage-based systems. Many people focus on ways crops like clover can generate their own nitrogen – both... Read more

• Helps to make better farm decisions • Easier to generate additional income • More secure farm data management Giving growers more control over their farm data will make it easier for farmers to generate additional revenue, says an expert. The advice follows the development of a new data... Read more

• Pest more widespread than thought • Better field hygiene must be priority • Action needed to avoid yield losses Sugar beet growers are advised to ramp up soil testing to combat the increasing threat from beet cyst nematode. The pest is present in all four factory areas serving... Read more