Direct drilling has helped transform an all-organic farm in Norfolk – improving crop establishment, reducing labour requirements and saving energy. Inter-row hoeing has further improved timeliness. Three full-time staff are now employed instead of five, with two tractors doing the work previously done by four. Diesel use has plummeted... Read more
Efficient and profitable cereal production will top the agenda during a special panel discussion on the Seed to Shelf stage at this year’s Cereals event. With plateaued yields and volatility around crop inputs and outputs, it’s seldom been more essential for farmers to operate efficiently, says Edwin van Leeuwen,... Read more
Tracing the arable supply chain – from seed in the field to products on the shelf – is the theme of a new seminar stage at this year’s Cereals event. Sponsored by KWS, the Seed to Shelf stage will host two full days of informative seminars from plant breeders, agronomists,... Read more
Cover crops can help to reduce nitrate leaching into watercourses by up to 90%, suggests a study, with destruction by chemicals proving most effective for optimising nitrogen availability to the following crop – and for reducing weed burdens. ADAS scientists evaluated the impact of cover crops and different destruction... Read more
Two of the most recognisable names in UK agricultural drainage are celebrating 23 years of working together. The relationship began when DMJ Drainage managing director Darren Howell bought his first Mastenbroek agricultural drainage trencher in 2001. The company has since grown into a multi-million-pound business employing 150 people. Today,... Read more
Radio waves could be used to measure soil moisture – helping farmers manage flood risk and make important decisions about irrigation. A two-year project using drones carrying synthetic aperture radar equipment to make a high-resolution map of the earth’s surface is being undertaken by experts at Cranfield University. Led... Read more
New E-series reel irrigators from Bauer have several improved features to make them easier to operate and maintain. The company has invested heavily over recent years to equip its Rainstar E-series with new digital technologies – including the Smart Rain remote monitoring and control app, says Adrian Tindall, Bauer... Read more
The Environment Agency says it supports farmers who want payment for flood water on their land – but not if the area is a natural floodplain. Speaking at last month’s NFU annual conference in Birmingham, Environment Agency chairman Alan Lovell said using land for water storage was a big... Read more
Encouraging farmers to invest in water management will help combat climate change, the government has been told. Better on-farm infrastructure and investment in technology is vital to mitigate the impact of increasingly unpredictable weather, said the Central Association of Agricultural Valuers in a submission to the Treasury ahead of... Read more
Including a feed enzyme in pig diets has good potential for substantial reductions in costs while maintaining pig performance, suggests a trial. The research spanning from January to July 2023, independently led by Harper Adams University, revealed how the enzyme is capable of consistently supporting pig performance in both... Read more