• Risk to crops despite dry weather • Green leaf retention remains key • How to protect harvest potential Growers who take action to protect cereal yields against unexpected increases in disease will reap the rewards at harvest. Risk-modelling shows an increased threat from septoria spores across much of... Read more

Popularity is increasing among growers after an influx of new varieties from breeders A breeding revival in both Group 3 and soft Group 4 sectors is helping soft wheats make a comeback on farms. Back in the day, nearly 50% of the UK wheat area was down to soft... Read more

• Resilience key to consistent yields • Focus on essential traits • New Domingos has huge potential A newly recommended oilseed rape is said to tick all the boxes by producing consistently high yields across a range of different growing conditions. Yield potential without the built-in traits needed to... Read more

Growers seeking to achieve protein specification in milling wheat are being reminded to optimise nitrogen without overstepping or compromising economic thresholds. Modern wheat varieties have huge yield potential – but growers must be realistic about whether these can be achieved on their own farms, say two advisers from agronomy... Read more

• Think about sulphur – not only nitrogen • Nutrient efficiency at heart of decisions • Consider decoupling for more flexibility Growers and agronomists are advised to think more broadly when devising their fertiliaer plans for next season. A wider view when it comes to organic and inorganic fertilise... Read more

• Lack of rain hits UK cereal crops • Wheat and barley under stress • Yield penalties on parched soil Growers face an earlier harvest with combines expected to roll into cereal crops later this month after the driest start to spring for more than 60 years. Reservoir levels... Read more

• How powerful pods improve harvestability • DSV continues investment in new breeding • Improved phoma and clubroot protection Growers are being encouraged to look again at oilseed rape and continue giving it a place in their rotations. While few farmers can shrug off the challenge fending off cabbage... Read more

Using biostimulants to encourage deeper roots could help crops fend off the threat of drought and heat stress, says an agronomist. Agronomist Mike Stoker, from biostimulant specialist Orion FT says “Plants that accumulate more silicon have been shown to grow longer roots. In periods of drought this gives silicon... Read more

Advice for potato store managers will be available at a special event in Lincolnshire this month. Strategic Potato Storage Day is an industry event dedicated to knowledge and innovation in potato storage. Organised by Potato Storage Insight, it will bring together potato growers, store managers, researchers and technology providers.... Read more

Environmental risks from pesticides must be reduced by 10% in the next five years, says the government. The UK National Action Plan on Pesticides says farmers must ensure pesticide use is sustainable –  protecting the environment and human health while boostig food production for the long-term future. The plan... Read more