• Good mix of yield and oil content • In-built traits include resistance • Early drilling and winter hardiness Newly recommended oilseed rape varieties from Limagrain once again prove the value of genetic traits, says the breeder. Limagrain’s Field Seeds breeding programme is delivering varieties with high yields and... Read more
• Pest reported in eastern region crops • Monitor rape carefully, growers told • Mild weather can prolong problems Oilseed rape growers are being urged to watch out for signs of rape winter stem weevil – after several reports of the pest appearing in eastern region crops. Despite having... Read more
Huge rewards are possible for growers who embrace the full potential of nutrient planning – rather than adopting a simple compliance mindset. A basic plan may meet legal requirements, but higher profits, greater productivity and long-term sustainability can be achieved by a more in-depth approach, says Allison Arden of... Read more
Autumn applications ‘bring dividends’ Farmers are being encouraged to consider alternative products – including biostimulants – to boost crops and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Autumn-applied biostimulants could be a solution alongside other factors, such as vigorous varieties and changes to establishment systems, says Tom Wheelhouse, technical specialist at UPL.... Read more
• Adapt management plan into winter • Patience will be key – don’t rush in • Consider nutrition strategy carefully A flexible approach to managing later-drilled winter wheat crops is needed after delayed drilling caused by the wet start to autumn, says an agronomist. Winter wheat drilling has varied... Read more
Wheat area rises but still below average
Arable 27/01/2025
• Mixed prospects for UK cereals area • Wheat area recovery remains way off • Growers shun flagship green scheme More wheat has been drilled this autumn – but the projected area for 2025 still lags behind the five-year average, suggest the latest figures. A 5.4% increase takes the... Read more
New genetics offer greater flexibility New genetics, advanced seed and herbicide technologies are making sugar beet an increasingly beneficial addition to arable rotations. “It’s a superb break crop,” says KWS UK AgroService sugar beet manager Martin Brown. “Pest, disease and weed problems that may have built up in cereal-based... Read more
Good progress is being made in the quest to grow potatoes sustainably – benefiting farm businesses and the environment, say researchers. The Transformative Reduced Input Potatoes (TRIP) project brings together researchers from Dyson Farming and Bangor University with a host of other partners – including commercial companies. Funded by... Read more
• Confusion over sugar beet supplies • Growers can purchase seed direct • British Sugar will release more soon Sugar beet breeders say they have plenty of seed available for the coming season – despite British Sugar describing some varieties as “currently sold out”. Confusion over seed availability follows... Read more
Six new varieties added to 2025 list Growers looking to order sugar beet for drilling in 2025 have six new varieties to consider on the British Beet Research Organisation recommended list. New varieties are Chyma, Josephina and Smart Uma – all from KWS UK; Magpie from SesVanderHave; and ST... Read more


















