Britain’s growers have embraced changes to sugar beet seed purchasing arrangements, says global sugar beet breeder SESVanderHave. Since 2024, farmers can purchase sugar beet seed direct from plant breeders, as well as from British Sugar. “We launched our campaign to supply growers direct for the 2026 sowing at the... Read more
Emissions from wheat ‘can be halved’
Arable 07/08/2025
Carbon emissions from wheat production can be halved, suggest trials by a growers’ group supplying grain to Weetabix. The Lower Carbon Wheat Project was conducted on behalf of the Weetabix Grower’s Group, a collective of over 120 local farmers who grow 75,000 tonnes of wheat annually within 50 miles... Read more
• Blackgrass now emerging later • Implications for cultural control • Spray sequences are important The later and more protracted emergence of blackgrass is prompting a shift in control strategies. Continued use of successful management strategies for blackgrass control developed by agronomy company Hutchinsons is starting to lead to... Read more
• Good effectiveness in UK crops • Timing and technique important • Remember to abide by guidance Most grassweeds are largely susceptible to a key herbicide for oilseed rape and sugar beet – although resistance is present in some UK populations, according to the latest testing of samples collected... Read more
• Valuable revenue this season • Consider agronomic benefits • But remember downsides too Arable growers should think carefully when considering whether to bale and remove straw from fields this summer. High prices for wheat and barley straw mean baling could make financial sense for arable farmers with easy... Read more
UK cereal harvest is ‘variable at best’
Arable 05/08/2025
Huge differences reported in yields Early yields this harvest are better than expected on some farms – but other crops coming off the field are disappointing. After a rollercoaster growing season marked by prolonged drought followed by sudden downpours, combine harvesters rolled into barley crops in late June –... Read more
Variety selection is critical Unpredictable harvest weather means pod shatter resistance is increasing important when selecting oilseed rape varieties. “By the time oilseed rape reaches maturity, virtually all production costs have been incurred,” explains Florentina Petrescu, UK oilseed rape product manager for Limagrain. “Protecting yield right through to the... Read more
• Important not to go too early • Avoid disrupting seed filling • Maximise the yield potential Growers are being reminding of the need for accurate desiccation timing to maximise oilseed rape yields and minimise the risk of harvest rejections. Desiccating with glyphosate is generally the preferred approach for... Read more
A major crop disease may become harder to control because fungal pathogens are less susceptible to widely used fungicides. Genetic changes in fungal pathogen populations are reducing the effectiveness of azole fungicides – used by farmers for decades when tackling phoma stem canker, say scientists at Rothamsted Research. Research... Read more
• Traits help growers fight back • Good overall disease package • Think differently for success A new hybrid oilseed rape variety with resilience to cabbage stem flea beetle promises a big step forward in helping growers successfully grow the crop. LG Avenger is the culmination of almost a... Read more
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