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ARABLE

3 regen farmers to share expertise at Cereals event

Farmers will be sharing their knowledge and expertise on Base-UK’s regenerative agriculture stage at this year’s Cereals Event, as they discuss ways that rural businesses can grow without government support.…

FARMER FOCUS

Farmer Focus: Rain welcome but dry spell needed for silage

The last time I wrote, there was the possibility of another drought. Thankfully since then we’ve had nearly the perfect amount of rain for the time of year. Crops and…

CROP WATCH

Crop Watch: Variable spring barleys and weeds in potatoes

This week, our agronomists discuss the variability of spring barley crops, with some having patchy emergence and are struggling. And in Scotland, potato planting is nearing completion and the focus…

MAIZE

Biostimulants show potential for UK maize growers

Oxfordshire farmer Mark Viner has seen promising results from using biostimulants to support maize crops under challenging growing conditions. Smokedown Farm, near Faringdon, moved from dairying into a large-scale calf-rearing…

FARMER FOCUS

Farmer Focus: Winter oats are best-looking crop on farm

We have finished planting the potatoes, and the main fertiliser applications are now complete. Our focus shifts to preparing for the harvest season. It is a busy time with spraying,…

CROP MANAGEMENT

What one system means for everyday farm management at Velcourt

Farm management company Velcourt has successfully adopted a single digital system for managing field records, financials and precision inputs across 120 client farms and 46 managers. Since making the move,…

VARIETY SELECTION

New wheat variety shows resilience over a testing season

The new winter wheat feed variety Challenger is set to be in high demand for this autumn’s drilling season due to its resilient qualities and good agronomics seen on farm.…

CROP MANAGEMENT

Adama to unveil new mode of action fungicide and slug pellet

Cereals visitors will learn more about a new mode-of action fungicide which is expected to be available for the 2027 season, plus a new slug pellet active for this autumn.…

FARMER FOCUS

Farmer Focus: We need to adapt to changing rainfall patterns

It rained today. Twice. I feel very fortunate as I hadn’t long finished rolling in the SFI plots and everything needs a drink. Three weeks ago the oats had the…

CROP MANAGEMENT

Cereals host farm fights market volatility with local focus

Most of the changes introduced at Jeremy Clarkson’s Diddly Squat Farm, where this year’s Cereals event is taking place, will be familiar to farmers intent on developing a sustainable farming…

CROP WATCH

Crop Watch: BYDV strategy needs rethink and wheat T2 sprays

Barley yellow dwarf virus is becoming evident in cereals crops, resulting from the high aphid pressure being seen this spring.  Also this week, our agronomists discuss T2 fungicide options in…

FARMER FOCUS

Farmer Focus: Cattle return and major cropping changes

Times are a-changing here, and we have cattle back at Valetta for the first time since the mid-1990s. When we first moved to this farm, we ran some cattle alongside…

OILSEED RAPE

UK OSR crop: Why there's growing optimism in 2026-27

There is growing optimisim in the UK oilseed rape crop this coming harvest due to greater knowledge on managing cabbage stem flea beetle, ideal establishment conditions along with an industry…

Arable news

ARABLE

Glyphosate curbs could threaten regen farming, report warns

A new report launched in Parliament has warned that restricting glyphosate use could increase production costs, reduce yields and undermine environmental gains made through conservation and regenerative agriculture. The report…

NUTRITION AND FERTILISER

Late N fertiliser still pays for milling wheat, says expert

Late season foliar nitrogen applications to help maintain milling wheat yields and ensure protein specifications are met could still produce a return on investment (ROI) of about 2:1 for growers…

PLANNING PERMISSION

New 'mega' glasshouse facility in Essex gets green light

Essex County Council has granted planning permission for a major new glasshouse facility, which the developers say will make a significant contribution to food security while reducing the sector’s carbon…

ARABLE

Gene editing gains momentum with field trials and new approval

Field trials of a gene-edited barley crop designed to improve livestock feed efficiency and cut methane emissions are now under way on farms in England. Developed by scientists at Rothamsted…

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MAIZE

Biostimulants show potential for UK maize growers

Oxfordshire farmer Mark Viner has seen promising results from using biostimulants to support maize crops under challenging growing conditions. Smokedown Farm, near Faringdon, moved from dairying into a large-scale calf-rearing…

CROP MANAGEMENT

What one system means for everyday farm management at Velcourt

Farm management company Velcourt has successfully adopted a single digital system for managing field records, financials and precision inputs across 120 client farms and 46 managers. Since making the move,…

VARIETY SELECTION

New wheat variety shows resilience over a testing season

The new winter wheat feed variety Challenger is set to be in high demand for this autumn’s drilling season due to its resilient qualities and good agronomics seen on farm.…

CROP MANAGEMENT

Cereals host farm fights market volatility with local focus

Most of the changes introduced at Jeremy Clarkson’s Diddly Squat Farm, where this year’s Cereals event is taking place, will be familiar to farmers intent on developing a sustainable farming…

OILSEED RAPE

UK OSR crop: Why there's growing optimism in 2026-27

There is growing optimisim in the UK oilseed rape crop this coming harvest due to greater knowledge on managing cabbage stem flea beetle, ideal establishment conditions along with an industry…

VARIETY SELECTION

Guide to which OSR varieties to drill in summer 2026

A good selection of new and existing winter oilseed rape varieties is being matched by renewed enthusiasm for growing the crop, with better yields, reduced pest pressure and stronger prices…

OILSEED RAPE

Why Devon farmer is growing oilseed rape again

Oilseed rape crops across parts of the UK started flowering a month ahead of usual, following favourable autumn weather and mild winter conditions. For Devon farmer Joe Mawle and his…

POTATOES

Elicitors offer fresh thinking amid blight control complexity

Late blight control in potatoes is becoming an increasingly complex balancing act, as growers face a shrinking fungicide armoury and an evolving, aggressive pathogen that leaves little margin for error.…

DISEASE MANAGEMENT

What farmers can do to minimise rising alternaria threat

A combination of factors is thought to be behind the rise in alternaria in the key potato-growing region, covering Shropshire, Cheshire and into Lancashire, over the past three to four…

DISEASE MANAGEMENT

Fungicide advice as wheat disease pressure remains high

Disease pressure is high in winter wheat crops despite a dry April, and growers are being urged to protect the flag leaf at the critical T2 spray timing, especially as…

SOILS

3 technologies to measure soil health and function

While traditional soil testing has focused on chemistry, a growing range of tools are now available to help farmers assess the biological and structural function of soils. Soil health relies…

CROP MANAGEMENT

Machines, technology and software farmers find invaluable

Every farmer has a favourite piece of kit or technology on the farm. What is making a difference on the Arable Insights farmer panel’s farms? See also: Arable Insights farmers’…

MARKET OPPORTUNITIES

Why demand for hybrid rye and maize is set to rise

The expansion of biomethane injection plants and on‑farm anaerobic digestion capacity is creating  long‑term demand for home‑grown feedstocks, offering growers new low‑risk routes to improve profitability and resilience. With 130…

CROP SELECTION

How polycrop is paving way to premium feed market

No field is planted to just one type of crop at Paul Baker’s mixed farm in Devon – instead fields are planted to either polycrops, variety blends or companions. A…

MARKET OPPORTUNITIES

Why Scottish growers are turning to winter linseed

What started out as a trial to test the winter hardiness of new winter linseed varieties has ended up being a springboard for the crop’s introduction on Scottish arable farms.…

SOILS

How project is helping French growers adapt to climate change

Like arable farmers in the UK, growers in central France are counting the high cost of climate change with reduced yields and the greater risk of crop failures. For members…

Farmer Focus

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FARMER FOCUS

Farmer Focus: Rain welcome but dry spell needed for silage

The last time I wrote, there was the possibility of another drought. Thankfully since then we’ve had nearly the perfect amount of rain for the time of year. Crops and…

FARMER FOCUS

Farmer Focus: Winter oats are best-looking crop on farm

We have finished planting the potatoes, and the main fertiliser applications are now complete. Our focus shifts to preparing for the harvest season. It is a busy time with spraying,…

FARMER FOCUS

Farmer Focus: We need to adapt to changing rainfall patterns

It rained today. Twice. I feel very fortunate as I hadn’t long finished rolling in the SFI plots and everything needs a drink. Three weeks ago the oats had the…

FARMER FOCUS

Farmer Focus: Cattle return and major cropping changes

Times are a-changing here, and we have cattle back at Valetta for the first time since the mid-1990s. When we first moved to this farm, we ran some cattle alongside…

Markets

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CROPS MARKETS AND PRICES

Wheat markets hold firm with global crop prospects uncertain

Global grain markets remain supported following reports last week of tighter wheat supplies heading into the 2026-27 crop marketing year. UK feed wheat futures for the November contract lifted to…

CROPS MARKETS AND PRICES

Government questioned on grain imports to Ensus plant

Procurement of wheat and maize for the Ensus UK bioethanol plant in Teesside has come under scrutiny, after reports that some of the grain was being imported from France. Questions…

CROPS MARKETS AND PRICES

Bullish wheat markets push new crop above £190/t

Arable farmers were presented with a potential selling opportunity this week, as wheat markets rallied in response to the latest US Department of Agriculture (USDA) global crop estimates. UK feed…

BUSINESS

Tight stocks keep straw and forage prices elevated

A shortage of fodder has kept straw prices high throughout the past year and the prospect of tight supplies again this autumn is keeping markets supported. Straw prices are already…

CROPS MARKETS AND PRICES

Barley crops faring well but demand from maltsters muted

Crop prospects for winter barley remain positive, with UK plantings progressing well and showing a considerable improvement on last year. Rising input costs as a result of the conflict in…

CROPS MARKETS AND PRICES

Growers face tough negotiations after losses at ABF sugar

Sugar beet growers face difficult contract negotiations this spring after Associated British Foods (ABF) reported sustained losses in its sugar division, driven by lower selling prices in Europe and higher…

CROPS MARKETS AND PRICES

Potato markets under strain as supply outweighs demand

Both domestic and European potato markets appear under increasing pressure, as subdued demand and ample supplies weigh on prices. European potato futures have fallen sharply again, with prices slipping from…

INPUT MARKETS AND PRICES

Growers squeezed as input costs soar while grain prices lag

Arable farmers are facing tightening margins as rising input costs continue to outpace gains in grain prices, with the conflict in the Middle East having a significant impact on costs…

Spot and forward prices (£/t ex-farm)
Each set of prices comes from a single merchant, co-op or broker, and are the latest prices being paid to farmers. Ranges of prices, within one category relate to the distance of the farm from the buyer. Oilseed rape prices are latest spot and forward prices, not contract prices. Ex farm prices vary with the distance from Hull, Liverpool and Erith, crushing factories.

Arable machinery

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COMBINES

Mitas offers lug choice with new HC3000 harvester tyre

It’s fairly commonplace for trailer, tanker and spreader tyres to be available with different tread designs, and Mitas now offers similar choice for its latest harvester tyre, the VF category…

TRACTORS

Challenger gets reverse drive conversion for tree pruning

After decades of hauling heavy cultivation kit, a 1990s twin-track crawler has found an unlikely second career in the cider orchards of Herefordshire and Worcestershire. The Caterpillar Challenger 55 is…

CULTIVATION AND DRILLING

Stocks Ag gives 'Jet' broadcasters a big capacity boost

A bigger hopper boost for Stocks Ag’s Turbo Jet and Maxi Jet seeders and granule broadcasters comes with a new design offering increased outputs from fewer refill stops. The new…

CULTIVATORS

New Sumo T-Press combines shallow cultivation and pressing

A combination cultivator that brings together spring tines, clod-smashing paddles and seed-bed consolidating discs or rings is Sumo’s latest tillage implement. The Yorkshire-based manufacturer says the T-Press is designed as…

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