A new winter wheat resistant to barley yellow dwarf virus is closing the yield gap with varieties without the trait, says Yielding 102.8% on the new Recommended List, RGT Guardsman is the first BYDV-resistant wheat to yield greater than 100% of the controls – a significant landmark in the... Read more

Seed breeder KWS has three new winter wheats on the 2026/27 Recommended List (RL) – including the new highest-yielding variety. KWS Aintree promises high, reliable yields while KWS Fowlmere stands out for its exceptionally early maturity. In addition, KWS Grebe offers the rare benefit of Orange Wheat Blossom Midge... Read more

A major potato pest has been eradicated from the UK, says the government, following a two-year investigation and ongoing surveillance work. It follows the discovery of Colorado beetle on a Kent farm in 2023. The beetle can completely strip the leaves from potato plants – devastating the crop if... Read more

When Warwickshire arable farmer Hugh Forsyth returned to the family business in 2005, he stepped into a legacy of farming and set about building a future-proof business. Before taking the reins, Mr Forsyth studied at the Royal Agricultural College, Cirencester. He also completed two-and-a-half years with Velcourt on their... Read more

Farmers who haven’t yet done so are being urged to secure their fertiliser supplies sooner rather than later. Fertiliser manufacturer Yara says it is working hard during the winter months to ensure next spring’s deliveries reach farms on time – from planning vehicle fleets to managing driver rosters. This... Read more

United Oilseeds has been vocal in highlighting the need to restore UK oilseed rape to sustainable production levels – not only for the benefit of farmers, but for the wider economy, biodiversity, and national food and feed security. Over the past decade, the decline in cultivation of the crop... Read more

Sales of oilseed rape seed have increased by 25% following a bumper season for the crop. The rise marks renewed confidence in oilseed rape – on the back of low cabbage stem flea beetle numbers, decent yields for many growers and better prices – particularly in comparison with other... Read more

A new regulatory regime for gene-edited crops heralds a pivotal moment for agricultural innovation – which could benefit growers, say experts. After five years and a change of government, the Genetic Technology (Precision Breeding) Act came into force on 13 November – a move research leaders say has far-reaching... Read more