Good crop management will be key to maximising output and profitability from sugar beet and fodder beet crops this season. Both crops face several challenges – on top of a sugar beet price which is “not too exciting,” says Jim Nutting, technical manager for agronomy specialists ProCam. But agronomic... Read more
A nationwide competition to encourage primary school children to grow, harvest and menu plan with carrots has been launched. Working with seed company Elsoms Seeds, the British Carrot Growers’ Association said it wanted to increase youngsters’ knowledge of food from seed to plate and encourage healthy eating and creative... Read more
Potato growers are placing greater emphasis on ventilation systems as they seek to maintain quality over longer storage periods. The issue will feature prominently at PotatoEurope 2026, which takes place on 9-10 September in Springe, near Hannover. The event will focus on how storage systems can support consistent supply... Read more
A nationwide competition to encourage primary school children to grow, harvest and menu plan with carrots has been launched. Working with seed company Elsoms Seeds, the British Carrot Growers’ Association said it wanted to increase youngsters’ knowledge of food from seed to plate and encourage healthy eating and creative... Read more
A green pea variety first listed four years ago continues to attract interest thanks to high yields, strong agronomic characteristics and disease resistance. NPZ UK Carrington combines strong yields with a range of agronomic traits valued by growers – remaining a top-performing variety on the Processors and Growers Research... Read more
A new online tool aims to help farmers maximise nutrient efficiency, reduce input costs and improve crop performance. Launched by biologicals specialist Unium Bioscience, the suite of online nutrient decision-support tools, including Nitrogen Power and Potassium Power. It builds on the company’s existing Phosphate Power tool. Together, the tools... Read more
Fertiliser rules and regulations are set to be overhauled for the first time in two decades – making it easier for farmers to access a wider range of products. The reforms aim to modernise what government ministers say is an outdated regulatory system. They want to grant more access... Read more
Farmers seeking profitable alternatives to traditional break crops flocked to last month’s maize growers’ conference. Almost 190 farmers and maize specialists attended the two-day event on 4-5 February in Leicestershire. Organised by the Maize Growers’ Association, it marked the highest attendance in the conference’s recent history. Some 240,000 hectares... Read more
Crop ‘could benefit from biostimulants’
Arable 11/03/2026
Beet yields have improved in trials carried out on biostimulants – with better tolerance against key diseases too. Two plot trials during the 2024/25 growing season were carried out by Michael Rodger of Richard Austin Agriculture. Yields increased by 9% with improved disease tolerance against cercospora leaf spot, rust... Read more
New futures option for sugar beet growers
Arable 11/03/2026
Sugar beet growers have the opportunity to sell some of their 2027/28 crop forward – before annual price negotiations. The chance to trial a new index-linked contract option will enable growers to market sugar beet on a longer-term basis. It has been created by NFU Sugar, British Sugar and... Read more