Serving the farming industry across East Anglia for over 40 years
Scheme to secure potato industry future
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
Carrot growers root for farming future
An elite group of six growers have dug into their own pockets to raise the profile of British carrots by launching a national celebration day. British Carrot Day 2025 will take place on Friday, 3 October. Six farm businesses have joined forces to fund the special day – including... Read more
Seed calculator helps shed light on sugar beet
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
‘Options available for profitable sugar beet’
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 of £30/t for up to 65% of the contract for 2026/27 sugar beet crop. This compares to a price of £33/t... Read more
How best to control blackgrass when land returns to cropping
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
Unofficial world record crop of oilseed rape
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
Huge yield variation in UK wheat harvest
Final estimates for this year’s wheat harvest remain unknown because of huge yield differences between farms, say analysts. “The wheat harvest has had arguably the greatest level of variation so far,” says the latest official harvest progress report – published on 22 August by the Agriculture and Horticulture Development... Read more
Kemi Badenoch hits out on inheritance tax
Tory leader Kemi Badenoch had a go harvesting wheat when she visited Essex farmer Sam Doddard at Hall Farm, Little Walden. The MP for North West Essex said the Conservatives would reverse government plans to impose inheritance tax on farmers “at the earliest opportunity” – although she acknowledged that... Read more
Police crush vehicle used in farm burglary
Police seized and crushed a Land Rover Discovery used in a farm burglary – following a successful collaboration between the NFU and Hertfordshire constabulary. Information from local farmers helped police track down the vehicle after it was driving to a farm near Bishop’s Stortford, where the would-be thieves tried... Read more
Industry pays tribute to David Richardson
Tributes are being paid to Norfolk farmer and veteran journalist David Richardson, who died age 87 last month after a short illness. Initially recruited by farmer and Anglia TV presenter Dick Joice for a series on rural affairs in 1960, Mr Richardson became one of the most influential voices... Read more