Spring barley Belter has received full approval for brewing from the Malting Barley Committee, says breeder Secobra UK. The UK-bred variety also secures a leading position on the 2026 AHDB Spring Barley Recommended List. It marks a significant step for growers across Norfolk, Suffolk and the wider east of... Read more

Spring linseed Nulin50 has been listed as a top performer by Premium Crops, the specialist supplier of alternative seed varieties. The latest assessment places Nulin50 at the top of the supplier’s 2026 Variety Assessment table for overall performance. It ranks highest when yield, oil content and alpha-linolenic acid content... Read more

A major potato pest has been eradicated from the UK, says the government, following a two-year investigation and ongoing surveillance work. It follows the discovery of Colorado beetle on a Kent farm in 2023. The beetle can completely strip the leaves from potato plants – devastating the crop if... Read more

Using tailored agronomy and precision farming to achieve crop potential will be a key message at LAMMA next month. With many combinable crops establishing well thanks to the kind autumn, there’s a lot of potential to play for this season, says Rob Adamson, head of technical development at agronomy... Read more

Farmers who haven’t yet done so are being urged to secure their fertiliser supplies sooner rather than later. Fertiliser manufacturer Yara says it is working hard during the winter months to ensure next spring’s deliveries reach farms on time – from planning vehicle fleets to managing driver rosters. This... Read more

Restrictions which effectively limited the use of a key fungicide to one application every two years have been eased. It means Bayer’s broad-spectrum product Iblon (isoflucypram) can now be applied to approved crops grown in the same field in successive seasons, with Iblon formulation Vimoy approved for use in... Read more

United Oilseeds has been vocal in highlighting the need to restore UK oilseed rape to sustainable production levels – not only for the benefit of farmers, but for the wider economy, biodiversity and national security in food and livestock feed. Over the past decade, the decline in cultivation of... Read more

Sales of oilseed rape seed have increased by 25% following a bumper season for the crop. The rise marks renewed confidence in oilseed rape – on the back of low cabbage stem flea beetle numbers, decent yields for many growers and better prices – particularly in comparison with other... Read more

Two arable sector stalwarts have been recognised for outstanding service to the crop production industry. Pam Chambers and Keith Norman were presented with the 2025 British Crop Production Council Award awards at this year’s BCPC Congress event, held last month in Harrogate. The BCPC Award is presented to individuals... Read more

Growers have planted a big increase in oilseed rape as the sector continues to bounce back from recent lows. Harvest 2026 is set to see a 30% rise in the oilseed rape area to 316,000ha from last year’s low level, according to provisional results from the Agriculture and Horticulture... Read more