Tighter controls on sewage sludge spreading will improve water quality and reduce river pollution, says the government. Some 41% of England’s rivers, lakes and streams are currently affected by agricultural pollution, says the government. If approved, the new rules will increase oversight on sewage sludge spreading on farmland. Options... Read more

Growing miscanthus could help lock more carbon into the soil, improving yields while helping to tackle climate change, say scientists. Well-suited to poorer land, miscanthus is typically grown as an energy crop. The woody stems are also used for green manufacturing and chemicals production, as a construction material and... Read more

A race against time is developing as agronomists and seed breeders adapt to increasingly frequent extreme weather. Wetter winters and warmer summers are forcing a rethink in UK agronomy. Crop performance is shifting. So too are pest and disease risks. The challenge now is adapting management and variety choice... Read more

Declining soil health is emerging as a business risk for UK farms, with experts urging growers to monitor fields. In many instances, organic matter and carbon levels – despite a renewed interest in healthy soils. Input costs are increasing as growers try to compensate for rising compaction, with crops... Read more

A wet winter which saw double the usual rainfall in January has helped to replenish aquifers and reduce fears of a repeat drought this summer. Drought-hit areas suffering following lack of rain began to recover following a wet November which received 149% of long-term average rainfall. This helped kick-start... Read more

Waterlogged fields will need special attention to salvage yields this season following one of the wettest starts to the year, say experts. The wettest January for almost 120 years means root stress could lead to failed crops. High rainfall during the last two months following a huge dump of... Read more

More than 10,000 visitors attended last month’s Groundswell 2025 event, held on 1-3 July at Lannock Farm, near Hitchin, Hertfordshire. The sell-out regenerative agriculture festival included over 400 speakers from around the world – among them Prince William and the American “godfather of regenerative agriculture” Gabe Brown.    Visitors... Read more

A Cambridgeshire farmer has scooped a prestigious award for integrating arable production and nature to create a profitable business. David Felce received the 2025 Rawcliffe Bridge Award for Sustainability at a special ceremony last month. The award was organised by BASF, in partnership with the Andersons Centre, Country Trust... Read more

Winner announced at Groundswell Three farmers championing soil health and regenerative practices were recognised in the 2025 Soil Farmer of the Year competition. Jointly run by the Farm Carbon Toolkit and Innovation for Agriculture, the keenly contested award celebrates farmers across the UK who are leading the way in... Read more

• Assess soil acidity in every field • Measure for nutrient availability • Remember: test for sulphur too Growers are being reminded to test soil ahead of next season to ensure crops can meet their full potential. Testing for acidity and nutrient availability could help offset a potential rise... Read more