Growers looking to order sugar beet for drilling in 2025 have six new varieties to consider on the British Beet Research Organisation recommended list. New varieties are Chyma, Josephina and Smart Uma – all from KWS UK; Magpie from SesVanderHave; and ST Tweed and ST Trent from Strube UK.... Read more

Fodder beet could offer livestock farmers a cost-effective energy source this year – but growing it will require careful management following an especially wet winter. “Fodder beet is a crop that requires investment and attention to detail,” says Ryhs Owen, of agronomy specialists ProCam. “However, done right, it can... Read more

Sugar beet growers should target a yield of at least 80t/ha to ensure the crop pulls its weight during the 2024/25 season, say experts. Prospects for sugar beet this season and recommendations for herbicide programmes were discussed by agronomists and other arable advisors during a webinar hosted by crop... Read more

Industry leaders and growers have paid tribute to sugar beet expert Simon Bowen, who died unexpectedly last month. Mr Bowen, 62, was head of knowledge exchange at the British Beet Research Organisation. He passed away following a suspected heart attack while walking his dog on 10 March. In a... Read more

Sugar beet growers face another high-pressure year for virus yellows with aphids flying into new crops as they emerge. Aphids will be flying two to three weeks earlier in England compared to the historical average, according to the Rothamsted Insect Survey aphid forecast for 2024, which was issued on... Read more