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OTHER CROPS

East Sussex farm preserves Britain’s hop-growing heritage

Hops have been grown on Tibbs Farm by LE Wheeler & Sons since 1956, but the farm’s heritage in crop growing stretches back to 1690. Today, brothers Phil and Simon…

WHEAT

Research on old wheat varieties may protect future yields

Scientists at the John Innes Centre (JIC) are uncovering hidden traits in wheat that could help farmers safeguard yields against climate change and disease. The JIC holds the AE Watkins…

MARKET OPPORTUNITIES

High-fibre milling wheat set to offer growers new market

Commercial crops of premium-earning, high-fibre milling wheats are a step closer after bread made using wheat lines naturally high in soluble dietary fibre passed the taste test. Scientists at Rothamsted…

FARMER FOCUS

Farmer focus: Long-standing questions on variety trials

Last year’s winter wheat drilling was a stressful affair, full of uncertainty about whether to start or hold off, and then a period wondering whether anything would come up at…

FARMER FOCUS

Farmer Focus: Good progress in a surprisingly smooth autumn

This autumn has been one of the easiest I can remember. I began drilling on 7 October, about three weeks earlier than usual. It would have been even earlier, but…

SOILS

7 organically approved soil amendments to boost cropping

Healthy soil is the foundation of a thriving cropping system. Below, are a variety of organically approved soil amendments that can help farmers enhance soil health and productivity. “The ultimate…

POTATOES

How UK potato harvest has fared in a challenging 2025 season

One of the driest potato growing seasons in living memory has proved challenging for growers across the UK. We spoke to four farmers to find out how their crops performed.…

POTATOES

How UK potato harvest has fared in a challenging 2025 season

One of the driest potato growing seasons in living memory has proved challenging for growers across the UK. We spoke to four farmers to find out how their crops performed.…

PULSES

Why spring bean seed test can avoid disease risks

Growers using home-saved spring beans are advised to test seed ahead of planting, to avoid poor germination and crop health issues. The cost of testing is modest compared with the…

DISEASE MANAGEMENT

Wheat fungicide is first co-formulation of two top actives

Cereal growers are set to benefit from a new fungicide next spring, the first approved co-formulation of Bayer’s latest SDHI and Corteva’s Inatreq active. Bayer has received regulatory authorisation for…

CROP WATCH

Crop Watch: Bean drilling and weed control challenge

The continued mild autumn is bringing challenges such as managing excessive growth in cover crops and a rising pest and disease threat. Blackgrass is also starting to emerge in earlier-drilled…

FARMER FOCUS

Farmer Focus: Harry adds to the positive outlook

What an October it has been. With all the current financial and political gloom surrounding British agriculture, I thought readers might welcome a little positivity. The weather this autumn in…

PLOUGHING AND CULTIVATION

How a farmer grows cereals without plough or herbicides

Organic farmer Peter Cheek is successfully growing a range of cereal crops in a min-till system without the use of the plough or herbicides. Instead, a series of strategic cultivations…

CROP MANAGEMENT

New microbial technology aims to reduce pesticide use

Farmers may soon be able to reprogramme their crops to withstand pests, diseases and climate stress using a microbial treatment designed to reduce pesticide use. Azotic Technologies has secured £500,000…

Arable news

POTATOES

UK potato tech firm acquires sprout control specialist

Yorkshire based potato company Produce Investments has announced the acquisition of Biofresh Safestore, an established leader in sprout suppression. Expanding a growing technology portfolio, Produce Investments hopes the acquisition will…

HARVEST

Scottish growers record bumper crop for 2025 harvest

Total cereals production surpassed 3.2m tonnes in Scotland this year, according to provisional figures published by the Scottish government. This represents an increase of 8% year on year and puts…

HARVEST

Grain markets unmoved by Defra's dismal harvest data

Grain markets remain muted, despite latest data from Defra pointing to a smaller crop in England than the AHDB and most traders were expecting. According to the Defra report, England…

VARIETY SELECTION

Trial to explore potential of milling wheat variety blends

An initiative funded by the AHDB is testing whether growing a blend of milling wheat varieties can deliver better yields and crop quality. The four-year project, costing just over £260,000,…

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OTHER CROPS

East Sussex farm preserves Britain’s hop-growing heritage

Hops have been grown on Tibbs Farm by LE Wheeler & Sons since 1956, but the farm’s heritage in crop growing stretches back to 1690. Today, brothers Phil and Simon…

MARKET OPPORTUNITIES

High-fibre milling wheat set to offer growers new market

Commercial crops of premium-earning, high-fibre milling wheats are a step closer after bread made using wheat lines naturally high in soluble dietary fibre passed the taste test. Scientists at Rothamsted…

SOILS

7 organically approved soil amendments to boost cropping

Healthy soil is the foundation of a thriving cropping system. Below, are a variety of organically approved soil amendments that can help farmers enhance soil health and productivity. “The ultimate…

POTATOES

How UK potato harvest has fared in a challenging 2025 season

One of the driest potato growing seasons in living memory has proved challenging for growers across the UK. We spoke to four farmers to find out how their crops performed.…

PULSES

Why spring bean seed test can avoid disease risks

Growers using home-saved spring beans are advised to test seed ahead of planting, to avoid poor germination and crop health issues. The cost of testing is modest compared with the…

PLOUGHING AND CULTIVATION

How a farmer grows cereals without plough or herbicides

Organic farmer Peter Cheek is successfully growing a range of cereal crops in a min-till system without the use of the plough or herbicides. Instead, a series of strategic cultivations…

PLOUGHING AND CULTIVATION

Trial shows best break crops and cultivation for wheat profit

Discussion around which cultivation approach is best has been a central theme of many a pub debate or magazine article in recent years. But 20 years of the long-term Sustainability…

PEST MANAGEMENT

Wetter weather could see slug rise in newly drilled wheat

With more unsettled weather forecast across the UK following recent rain, slug activity is expected to rise, posing a threat to newly planted wheat crops. The hot and dry summer…

PEST MANAGEMENT

High insect activity increases BYDV risk in mild autumn

A combination of earlier drilling and mild conditions has seen a heightened risk of insect activity, prompting concerns of barley yellow dwarf virus (BYDV) in cereal crops. Continued mild weather…

MARKET OPPORTUNITIES

Why biscuit brand is rewarding farmers for regen wheat

Payments for wheat growers moving to more sustainable farming practices are on offer from biscuit and snack maker Pladis, the owner of McVitie’s, as it expands its Back to Farm…

ARABLE

Why vegetables are making a return to Kent arable farm

After more than 20 years, vegetable production is making a comeback at Quex Park in Kent – this time with a focus on sustainability, local markets and community engagement. Following…

CROP MANAGEMENT

Meet the new Arable Insights farmer panel for 2025-26

The Arable Insights farmer panel, our barometer on arable issues, is back for the 2025-26 cropping season with six new farmers from across the country. Here is an introduction to…

CROP MANAGEMENT

Integrating sheep into arable rotations - how to get started

The return of the “golden hoof” to arable rotations has gained momentum as more farmers embrace livestock integration as one of the key principles in a “regenerative” system. Potential benefits…

ARABLE

Herts farmer shows how production and biodiversity combine

A Hertfordshire arable farmer has won the prestigious Silver Lapwing Award for his long-standing commitment to species and habitat conservation. Andrew Bott of Finches Farm, Benington, was recognised by the…

CROP MANAGEMENT

How growers returned environmental schemes back to cropping

Land in environmental stewardship schemes returning to the arable rotation must be managed carefully to avoid unintended weed burdens. We talk to two growers about how they have managed the…

ARABLE

Micro pub adds income stream to Kent arable farm business

Diversification has been an important part of O&P Gower’s business for the past 15 years to provide a supplementary income stream, due to unstable markets, climate change and lower prices…

Farmer Focus

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FARMER FOCUS

Farmer focus: Long-standing questions on variety trials

Last year’s winter wheat drilling was a stressful affair, full of uncertainty about whether to start or hold off, and then a period wondering whether anything would come up at…

FARMER FOCUS

Farmer Focus: Good progress in a surprisingly smooth autumn

This autumn has been one of the easiest I can remember. I began drilling on 7 October, about three weeks earlier than usual. It would have been even earlier, but…

FARMER FOCUS

Farmer Focus: Harry adds to the positive outlook

What an October it has been. With all the current financial and political gloom surrounding British agriculture, I thought readers might welcome a little positivity. The weather this autumn in…

FARMER FOCUS

Farmer Focus: It’s tempting to not plant, but we’re farmers

We’re a month ahead of last year. That felt good to write. We are drilled up, just had 15mm of rain after a dry spell, and have 12ha of potatoes…

Markets

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CROPS MARKETS AND PRICES

UK wheat strengthens to £165/t as US-China talks lift markets

Flickers of optimism have returned to grain markets this week, with UK wheat futures rebounding to near £165/t for November after hitting a contract low of £159/t last week. The…

CROPS MARKETS AND PRICES

Hay shortage leads to exceptional prices and French imports

Fodder shortages following an extremely dry summer have led to an increased interest in hay at auction. Gloucestershire auctioneering firm Tayler and Fletcher held its first hay and straw sale…

CROPS MARKETS AND PRICES

Wheat markets remain lacklustre despite small UK crop

Domestic wheat markets have shown little momentum during October, with prices still bearish despite both Defra and the AHDB estimating a smaller than expected crop. UK wheat futures opened at…

HARVEST

Scottish growers record bumper crop for 2025 harvest

Total cereals production surpassed 3.2m tonnes in Scotland this year, according to provisional figures published by the Scottish government. This represents an increase of 8% year on year and puts…

CROPS MARKETS AND PRICES

Milling wheat premiums slide as global quality increases

Milling wheat premiums have felt the squeeze in recent weeks, reflecting this year’s better quality harvest and improved availability. Based on a Farmers Weekly ex-farm price of £177/t for milling…

CROPS MARKETS AND PRICES

Heavy US stocks put pressure on subdued wheat market

Wheat markets continue to bumble along with ex-farm values stuck in the low £160s and farmers desperately looking for any sell opportunities. Global supplies remain abundant, with the latest stock…

CROPS MARKETS AND PRICES

Growers squeezed as EU sugar markets come under pressure

Lower global sugar prices could lead to smaller margins for sugar beet growers on index-linked contracts. EU white sugar futures stood at $460/t (£340/t) on 23 September for the December…

INPUT MARKETS AND PRICES

Feed and forage supplies set to tighten into 2026

Livestock farmers are being urged to plan ahead for feed requirements well into spring 2026, with UK supplies already tight. A combination of geopolitical events, a challenging UK harvest, and…

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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CULTIVATORS

Grange develops first trailed 6m Low Disturbance Loosener

Grange Machinery has extended its range of Low Disturbance Looseners (LDL) with a first trailed derivative. As with many of its other implements, the Yorkshire-based firm leant on the real-world…

CULTIVATORS

Folding 4-6m models extend NRH Tremor subsoiler line-up

NRH Engineering has responded to demands for wider, folding versions of its Tremor subsoiler by delivering just that. The new additions to the York-based maker’s fledgling range, first introduced at…

MAIZE DRILLS

Telescopic frame for 12-row Horsch Maestro precision drill

Horsch has broadened its precision planting offering with the new Maestro 12 TX single-grain drill for maize and other row crops. The trailed machine, which joins existing six- and seven-row…

CULTIVATORS

Heavy-duty Onyx subsoilers join Lemken tillage range

Lemken has launched a pair of rigid-frame Onyx subsoilers capable of busting compaction to a maximum depth of 60cm. Both the seven-leg MR/300 (3m) and nine-leg MR/400 (4m) can achieve…

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