Pro-active pest management is helping a Lincolnshire nursery produce consistently healthy vegetable plants which yield uniform crops for customers. Based at Fishtoft, near Boston, Lion Plants was established by John and Ann Woods, in the mid-1960s. Managed today by their son John, it produces about 100 million brassica transplant... Read more

Farmers with an eye for innovation are invited to attend an Inspiration Day to explore trial results and farmer-led innovation. Organised by the British On-Farm Innovation Network (BOFIN), the one-day event will focus on ways of boosting productivity with discussions on soil health and its role in resilient crop... Read more

Oilseed rape growers are being asked to take part in a nationwide effort to better understand light leaf spot. The farmer-led initiative, known as the ‘Spore Scout’ study, is seeking leaf samples from crops showing disease symptoms. The aim is to build a clearer picture of how light leaf... Read more

Growers are being urged to pay particular attention to get the most from sulphur applications this spring – following one of the wettest starts to any year on record for many UK regions. Solubility, duration of nutrient release and accuracy of rates are of particular importance with many applications... Read more

A new online tool aims to help farmers maximise nutrient efficiency, reduce input costs and improve crop performance. Launched by biologicals specialist Unium Bioscience, the suite of online nutrient decision-support tools, including Nitrogen Power and Potassium Power. It builds on the company’s existing Phosphate Power tool. Together, the tools... Read more

The Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB) has appointed Anthony Hopkins as its new cereals and oilseeds director. Mr Hopkins will join AHDB on 29 June, replacing Sarah Woolford, who is leaving the organisation. He has extensive experience in agriculture, policy and levy-funded organisations. Raised on a mixed beef,... Read more

Fertiliser rules and regulations are set to be overhauled for the first time in two decades – making it easier for farmers to access a wider range of products. The reforms aim to modernise what government ministers say is an outdated regulatory system. They want to grant more access... Read more

The LLS-Erased project offers a well-timed opportunity to focus on improving the control of light leaf spot, and the field-based guidance available. “Farmer collaboration and knowledge is essential to build effective disease management tools and IPM testing protocols that are practical and cost-effective,” says Faye Ritchie, technical director at... Read more

A £2.5m project will see the first precision-bred oilseed rape grown on UK commercial farms – marking a major step towards the largescale growing of the crop. The project is being led by the British On-Farm Innovation Network (BOFIN). It is being funded through Defra’s Farming Innovation Programme, which... Read more

A forecast 30% rise in the UK oilseed rape area is looking good in the field, with well-established crops thriving as spring approaches. After several difficult seasons, growers returning to the crop report reduced pigeon damage and lower pressure from cabbage stem flea beetle across many key arable regions.... Read more