Adopting variable rate nitrogen application could help growers offset the cost of the UK’s new carbon border tax without sacrificing yield. Variable rate applications can trim unnecessary spend by targeting fertiliser where crops are most likely to respond, rather than applying a flat rate across every field, say advocates.... Read more

Cereal management will be increasingly important this season amid rising costs, volatile markets and unpredictable weather. That was a key message at last month’s annual technical agronomy conference, held by the Association of Independent Crop Consultants at Whittlebury Hall, Towcester, in Northamptonshire. Arable farming faces a perfect storm of... Read more

Three new pea and spring bean varieties from NPZ UK have been added to the 2026 PGRO Descriptive List. The three varieties are Maderas LVC spring bean, Bullet Green pea and Yoshi Marrowfat pea. They are described as delivering high, reliable yields with strong vigour, disease resistance, and agronomic... Read more

Eight oilseed rape varieties from NPZ UK are included in the 2026/7 Recommended List – providing a range of options for growers. NPZ UK’s mainstream varieties are Karat, Maverick, Murray and Vegas. These are complemented by clubroot resistant varieties Crusoe and Crome; and High Erucic Acid Rapeseed (HEAR) varieties... Read more

A two-row dual-purpose spring malting barley with good malting traits has made its debut on the Recommended List. Shona promises to be a strong future choice for both maltsters and growers in the east of England, says George Hebdon, barley breeder for Elsoms Ackermann, the company behind the variety.... Read more

A new winter wheat resistant to barley yellow dwarf virus is closing the yield gap with varieties without the trait, says Yielding 102.8% on the new Recommended List, RGT Guardsman is the first BYDV-resistant wheat to yield greater than 100% of the controls – a significant landmark in the... Read more

Five newly recommended varieties from plant breeder Senova promise stronger yields, better disease resistance and reliable grain quality. Covering barley, oats, wheat and triticale, the five varieties aim to expand growers’ choices – offering gains in each of these areas as growers plan arable rotations for 2026 and beyond.... Read more

New provisional Group 1 wheat Arlington has joined the 2026/27 Recommended List – with a promising mix of yield and grain quality. The variety offers significant potential for growers and millers alike, says DSV UK wheat breeder Matt Kerton. “Arlington is a variety that perfectly balances strong yield, top-tier... Read more

Seed breeder KWS has three new winter wheats on the 2026/27 Recommended List (RL) – including the new highest-yielding variety. KWS Aintree promises high, reliable yields while KWS Fowlmere stands out for its exceptionally early maturity. In addition, KWS Grebe offers the rare benefit of Orange Wheat Blossom Midge... Read more

Farmers will find a leaner but more finely tuned set of combinable crop varieties choices in the newly released recommended list for 2026/27. Updated AHDB guidance for cereals and oilseeds places emphasis on clearer differentiation, stronger yields and a tightening focus on disease resistance after a turbulent year for... Read more