Serving the farming industry across East Anglia for over 40 years
Digital mapping is boost for potato productivity
A Cambridgeshire grower has soil mapped his farm to help future-proof the business against economic and environmental challenges. Farm director Jack Smith, of AG Wright and Son (Farms) Ltd, grows 250ha of potatoes across 1,850ha of varying soil types – from black fen peat around Haddenham, near Ely; to... Read more
More maize growers switch to earlier maturing varieties
A high-yielding early maize variety could help growers overcome the risk of late drilling and delayed harvests caused by wet spring and autumn weather. Bred by MAS Seeds and marketed by Elsoms Seeds, Mojito could tick all the boxes for farmers wanting to avoid a repeat of the weather-related... Read more
Spring cereals can create more options for grass weed control
A big increase in spring cropping this season is expected to give growers a welcome opportunity to boost grass weed control. More spring wheat, barley and oats are forecast to be drilled this year after the wet autumn and winter storms left fields unworkable and flooded. Many growers still... Read more
Breeder appoints commercial development agronomist
RAGT Seeds UK has appointed Camille Florin as commercial development agronomist to support the company’s forage, cover crop and amenity seed portfolios. Ms Florin will be responsible for delivering key variety-specific information to merchant customers to help their growers make better decisions when purchasing seeds. Well known as a... Read more
Cover crop benefits ‘depend on destruction method’
Nutritional benefits from over-winter cover crops are heavily influenced by destruction method, suggests new research. The advantages of over-winter covers are well-accepted – and include soil health, structure, fertility, weed suppression and reductions in nutrient losses. Other benefits include biodiversity – and some financial return if grazed by livestock.... Read more
Big farmland bird count gears up for 2024
Farmers are being encouraged to take part in this month’s Big Farmland Bird Count – and provide a vital snapshot of the health of Britain’s cherished farmland birds. The annual nationwide survey takes place from 2-18 February. It raises awareness of the role farmers play in the farmland bird... Read more
Speakers lined up for Suffolk conference
Top speakers are lined up for this month’s Suffolk Farming Conference, which is due to take place on 29 February at Trinity Park, Ipswich. Organised by the Suffolk Agricultural Association,  Fram Farmers and Scrutton Bland. experts from across the sector will share their thoughts on ways farmers and food... Read more
Defra considers options following winter floods
More farmers could be paid to store floodwater on their land – helping to protect communities from extreme weather. It follows a series of winter storms which has seen farmland flooded across the Midlands and East Anglia – with fields likely to remain submerged for weeks to come and... Read more
Securing your water rights is more important than ever
EXPERT VIEW Abstraction restrictions mean it’s time to take action on irrigation, says Melvyn Kay. Eastern region farmers who irrigate crops are facing 40-60% cuts to their abstraction licences, according to Water Resources East. The reductions are a stark illustration that demand for water for food production is under... Read more
Fram Farmers appoints new board members
Farming cooperative Fram Farmers has announced two new appointments to its board – arable grower Rob Raven (left) and dairy producer Tom Halton  (right). Based on the Norfolk-Suffolk border, Mr Raven started introducing more sustainable, regenerative methods to his farm in the early 2000s. He now incorporates livestock, cover... Read more