Growers are reminded to avoid short gaps between spraying off and drilling, which can leave a green bridge for aphids to survive and spread barley yellow dwarf virus into new crops. Cereal volunteers and some weed species can host grain aphids and bird cherry-oat aphids – both of which... Read more
Late-drilled rape can still be profitable
Arable 06/10/2023
Growers unable to drill oilseed rape until last month due to the wet summer can rest assured that sowing the crop in September is not necessarily a bad thing. Later drilled oilseed rape can still produce a profitable crop – if it is a phoma-resistant hybrid variety variety with... Read more
Hedgerows must be protected, says farm group
News 06/10/2023
A farm conservation group is urging the government to encourage hedgerow creation and maintainance. Responding to a Defra consultation, the Nature Friendly Farming Network says the government should maintain hedgerow protection as an absolute minimum, arguing that hedges are crucial natural assets which require well-designed regulations. The government has... Read more
An Essex farming couple have grown Frankenstein-shaped pumpkins to give their customers an extra bit of fright this Halloween. Guy and Emily French, owners of Foxes Farm Produce, have perfected the art of the Frankenstein pumpkins over the last seven years. They were the first UK farmers to attempt... Read more
Twelve new forage maize varieties have been added to the British Society of Plant Breeder’s descriptive lists for 2024. The lists describe the performance of different maize varieties across a range of locations. Sites are classified according to different factors – including length of growing season and spring soil... Read more
An Essex farmer and contractor has just completed his first full season with an upgraded round baler to meet increased demand from customers. Trading as J Byford Agricultural Contracting, Jack Byford started offering his contract baling service in 2020 from his based near Clacton. He has built up a... Read more
A sharp rise in autumn rodent numbers is prompting reminders to protect grain stores as falling temperatures see rats seek solace on farms. “Farmers should take an integrated pest management approach and use a variety of baits to combat resistant rats and prevent infestations that can result in grain... Read more
A change in the law means farmers must now provide photo identification before they purchase ammonium nitrate fertiliser this autumn. The law change came into effect on 1 October. It affects sales of AN fertilisers with a nitrogen content of 16% or more and represents a widening of the Control... Read more
Defra faces criticism for SFI rollout
News 04/10/2023
The pledge follows NFU criticism that the government is forging ahead with the phase-out of the Basic Payment Scheme without giving farmers the opportunity to recoup at least some of the lost income because the SFI still isn’t fully up and running. NFU president Minette Batters says the loss... Read more
Controlling crop ventilation fans can be as simple as flipping a switch.
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