• Lack of rain hits UK cereal crops • Wheat and barley under stress • Yield penalties on parched soil Growers face an earlier harvest with combines expected to roll into cereal crops later this month after the driest start to spring for more than 60 years. Reservoir levels... Read more

• How powerful pods improve harvestability • DSV continues investment in new breeding • Improved phoma and clubroot protection Growers are being encouraged to look again at oilseed rape and continue giving it a place in their rotations. While few farmers can shrug off the challenge fending off cabbage... Read more

Using biostimulants to encourage deeper roots could help crops fend off the threat of drought and heat stress, says an agronomist. Agronomist Mike Stoker, from biostimulant specialist Orion FT says “Plants that accumulate more silicon have been shown to grow longer roots. In periods of drought this gives silicon... Read more

Advice for potato store managers will be available at a special event in Lincolnshire this month. Strategic Potato Storage Day is an industry event dedicated to knowledge and innovation in potato storage. Organised by Potato Storage Insight, it will bring together potato growers, store managers, researchers and technology providers.... Read more

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