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
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
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
Wet winter eases drought concerns
Soil Health 05/03/2026
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
Opportunity to control light leaf spot
Arable 05/03/2026
The LLS-Erased project offers a well-timed opportunity to focus on improving the control of light leaf spot, and the field-based guidance available. “Farmer collaboration and knowledge is essential to build effective disease management tools and IPM testing protocols that are practical and cost-effective,” says Faye Ritchie, technical director at... Read more
A £2.5m project will see the first precision-bred oilseed rape grown on UK commercial farms – marking a major step towards the largescale growing of the crop. The project is being led by the British On-Farm Innovation Network (BOFIN). It is being funded through Defra’s Farming Innovation Programme, which... Read more
A forecast 30% rise in the UK oilseed rape area is looking good in the field, with well-established crops thriving as spring approaches. After several difficult seasons, growers returning to the crop report reduced pigeon damage and lower pressure from cabbage stem flea beetle across many key arable regions.... Read more
Farmers seeking profitable alternatives to traditional break crops flocked to last month’s maize growers’ conference. Almost 190 farmers and maize specialists attended the two-day event on 4-5 February in Leicestershire. Organised by the Maize Growers’ Association, it marked the highest attendance in the conference’s recent history. Some 240,000 hectares... Read more
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