Scheme to secure potato industry future
Arable 01/09/2025
A new initiative to secure the future of the UK potato sector is giving participants a better understanding of the industry. Launched by GB Potatoes in association with the British Potato Trade Association (BPTA), the special programme will support the skills and knowledge development of future growers, leaders and... Read more
A sugar beet seed calculator aims to help growers optimise crop yields and profitability by comparing seed treatments. It’s the latest move in an increasingly competitive UK sugar beet market following a decision allowing growers to purchase seed direct from plant breeders rather than having to purchase through British... Read more
Challenging market conditions mean growers face lower sugar beet prices following last month’s contract agreement. NFU Sugar and British Sugar have agreed a headline one-year fixed price contract at £30/t, for up to 65% of the contract for 2026/27 sugar beet crop. It compares to a price of £33/t... Read more
Farms bringing land back into production after the Sustainable Farming Incentive could see an unintended increase in blackgrass. Cover crops could be a good option to manage any increase in blackgrass populations that occur within SFI options when land returns to cropping, says Alice Cannon, technical manager for the... Read more
Lincolnshire grower Tim Lamyman has defied the exceptionally dry season to bring in a record-breaking oilseed rape crop. Known for growing big crops, Mr Lamyman achieved an impressive 7.52t/ha in an 8ha field of September-sown LG Avenger at Worlaby Farm, near Louth – breaking the previous unofficial world record... Read more
• Valuable revenue this season • Consider agronomic benefits • But remember downsides too Arable growers should think carefully when considering whether to bale and remove straw from fields this summer. High prices for wheat and barley straw mean baling could make financial sense for arable farmers with easy... Read more
Yellow water traps are helping growers win the battle against cabbage stem flea beetle in oilseed rape. Flea beetle was not much in evidence in MagicTraps deployed last autumn by farm manager Jake Freestone. Trap counts were low in what was generally a low pressure season for the oilseed... Read more
• Good choice for cleaning crops • Robust performance in the field • Comparable yields are possible Oilseed rape growers moving on from HEAR varieties are being encouraged to consider growing a Clearfield variety instead. Volunteers rape plants left from HEAR varieties could see high levels of erucic acid... Read more
Precision guidance takes hoe to next level
Arable 06/08/2025
Advanced crop guidance has transformed inter-row hoeing on an arable farm operating the latest Fendt tractors with VarioGuide RTK. Accurate to +/-2cm, the system on the 942 Vario is used to direct drill cereal crops in bands with a 6m Claydon Evolution, while that on the 724 Vario guides... Read more
Britain’s growers have embraced changes to sugar beet seed purchasing arrangements, says global sugar beet breeder SESVanderHave. Since 2024, farmers can purchase sugar beet seed direct from plant breeders, as well as from British Sugar. “We launched our campaign to supply growers direct for the 2026 sowing at the... Read more