Growers wanted for paid trials
Arable 01/08/2024
The search is on for foward-thinking farmers to take part in trials exploring soil health, the potential of pulses and sustainable slug control. The British On-Farm Innovation Network (BOFIN) is inviting farmers to host and run trials on their individual farms. Participants will receive full back-up and support from... Read more
Stalwart oilseeds trader to retire
Oilseed Rape 03/07/2024
Commodity trading manager Owen Cligg is to retire after 15 years at farmer-owned cooperative United Oilseeds During his time with the company, Mr Cligg has overseen the trading of some 7.5m tonnes of combinable crops – including peas, beans, linseed, oats and rye – as well as oilseed rape.... Read more
Off-patent herbicide now for linseed
Oilseed Rape 03/07/2024
A new herbicide has been approved for post-emergence broadleaf weed control in linseed. Laya which contains 200g/kg metsulfuron-methyl is a sulfonyl urea herbicide by off-patent manufacturers Life Scientific. It is a reverse engineered formulation of Ally SX. Life Scientific specialises in bringing off-patent crop protection products to market with... Read more
A new disease rating on the latest recommended list for oilseed rape aims to help growers choose varieties resistant to verticillium. This year is the first time verticillium resistance ratings have been included in the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board list. Top conventional oilseed rape variety Pinnacle is rated... Read more
An innovative digital support tool means growers can now remotely monitor the migration of key oilseed rape pests. Launched at Cereals 2024, MagicTrap from Bayer is a fully automated, nex- generation digital yellow water trap. It provides farmers and agronomists with continuously updated information on pest pressure. The trap... Read more
Benchmarking performance and keeping an eye on input costs will be key for profitable oilseed rape production during the coming season. Big swings in rape prices, increasing input costs and variable yields mean net margins for oilseed rape have fluctuated considerably over the last five years, says the Agriculture... Read more
Genes from a historic collection of wheat seed could help farmers use less fertiliser – saving money and reducing greenhouse gas emissions, say scientists. It follows a decade-long study of the A.E. Watkins Landrace Collection of local wheat varieties dating back to the 1920s and stored within the Germplasm... Read more
Better wheat yields could achieved by using biostimulants to reduce reliance on fertiliser and agrochemicals, suggests a trial. Carried out by plant breeder KWS and biostimulants specialist Orion Future Technologies, researchers who treated wheat with silicon found that the crop was better at taking up essential nutrients. These included... Read more
Sugar beet growers will have more flexibility in the seed varieties they choose following a ground-breaking deal with British Sugar. Reforms announced by NFU Sugar and British Sugar mean growers no longer have to purchase seed via the official UK Seed Account. It means growers will have access to... Read more
In-store sprout control for potatoes has become much more complicated and costly since the loss of chlorpropham (CIPC). But a cost-effective option is now available, so long as it is managed correctly: maleic hydrazide – marketed as Fazor by UPL. Field trials and an extensive literature review by potato... Read more
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