Farmers and industry stakeholders will come together to discuss the future of crop protection at a key conference this autumn. The need to balance food production while protecting the environment will top the agenda at the 2024 British Crop Production Council (BCPC) Congress – held on 26-27 November at... Read more

• Drilling date has bigger role to play • Milder winters affecting rape yields • Growth regulator can reduce losses Applying a plant growth regulator (PGR) to early drilled oilseed rape could hold the key to better yields, say experts. Genetic improvements are giving higher yields in trials. But... Read more

• Helps reduce pest feeding damage • Affordable and effective option • More sustainable than insecticides Growers could combat cabbage stem flea beetle on winter oilseed rape by applying silicon to the crop, say independent agronomists. Plants use silicon – the primary constituent of glass – as a physical... Read more

The first meeting of a cross-industry initiative to secure a sustainable future for oilseed rape has attracted dozens of participants. The OSR Reboot campaign – launched by farmer-owned cooperative United Oilseeds earlier this year – brought together 57 professionals from 41 different companies and organisations from all facets of... Read more

Early signs from both commercial and trial crops suggest that early lifted sugar beet is performing well – despite late drilling and above average rainfall. Rain washed away the threat of virus yellows this season, while good summer temperatures in recent weeks have helped the crop to pile on... Read more

• Virus threat expected to be high • No-insecticide crops pay £45/ha • Think before abandoning sprays Growers face a tough decision when it comes to tackling barley yellow dwarf virus in autumn cereal crops. With high aphid pressure forecast, the virus risk is expected to be high. Yet... Read more

New winter wheat variety SY Cheer has been awarded full Group 1 milling status by UK Flour Millers in time for autumn drilling. SY Cheer is the newest of only five Group 1 varieties on the winter wheat Recommended List for 2024/25. Plant breeder Syngenta it could hold strong... Read more

Winter wheat growers are being urged to take steps to avoid the potential downsides of drilling early this autumn. While the temptation to establish crops early is understandable following washout conditions last autumn and winter, being prepared for the added risks is crucial, says ProCam regional technical manager Paul... Read more