Environmental risks from pesticides must be reduced by 10% in the next five years, says the government. The UK National Action Plan on Pesticides says farmers must ensure pesticide use is sustainable –  protecting the environment and human health while boostig food production for the long-term future. The plan... Read more

• One of driest starts to Spring since 1836 • Pay extra attention to crop management  • More rain needed for yield potential         Norfolk grower Michael Wilton started irrigating cereals to protect yield potential following a dry March with only 13mm of rain. Mr Wilton... Read more

• High performing premium sector wheat • Group 1 variety has excellent agronomics • Superb combination of yield and protein A high protein wheat is catching the interest of growers and millers alike, with a yield of 98% of controls on the latest Recommended List. With a milling specification... Read more

• Signs of disease at an early stage • Growers advised to keep eye out • Send samples away to be tested Growers should remain vigilant after signs of yellow rust in winter wheat varieties classed as resistant to the disease. Unusual early observations of yellow rust on several... Read more

• Study gives hope for oilseed rape • Yield potential despite flea beetle • New spray reduces crop lodging New research suggests oilseed rape can still be profitable – despite the challenge of lodging and cabbage stem flea beetle. Growers can reduce the lodging risk even when flea beetle... Read more

Scientists have mapped the genome sequence of a wild wheat relative –shedding light on its genetic diversity and potential use in breeding programmes. Published in Scientific Data, the research contributes to a growing body of research aimed at safeguarding global wheat production in the face of climate change and... Read more

Expert view Dick Neale gives his advice on how to manage cover crop desiccation in a wet season. Excessively wet soils this year are more likely to be dried by the presence of cover crops than kept wetter. But sun and wind must be allowed to reach the soil... Read more

• Good option to boost farm revenue • Few inputs for gross margin success • Marketing pool offers decent returns Sunflowers could make an attractive spring crop for growers looking to make good use of their rotation to increase revenue this year. Grainseed is offering growers the opportunity to... Read more

• Early use delivers biggest benefits • Integration with regular agronomy • Clear health and resilience benefits Including biosolutions in conventional crop management programmes is helping to boost plant health and resilience. “There’s clear evidence emerging from our trials that using biosolutions early in a fungicide programme is where... Read more

Output and gross margin are priorities for breeder Cereal genetics that maximise productivity are becoming increasingly important for plant breeders keen to help growers boost profitability. Recent years have seen enhanced functionality added to crop options but high yields are also a priority – and the latest KWS varieties... Read more