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ROTATIONS

Why beans may have a place in Scottish rotations

With many growers looking for alternative break crops to extend rotations, nitrogen-fixing beans could be the answer for some this season. Through careful variety choice, establishment methods and inputs, Scottish…

FARMER FOCUS

Farmer Focus: Selling wheat at a poor price of £173/t

Harvest is all over in record time this year, making it the easiest harvest in history and completed in record time. I don't think I have ever before had two…

PLOUGHING AND CULTIVATION

Long-term direct driller reveals yield impact of ploughing

A wheat crop established under the plough yielded 1.7t/ha more than the long-term direct drilled part of the field, more than paying for the extra costs associated with ploughing. But…

FARMER FOCUS

Farmer Focus: Farming pulls together through the fire

What a month it has been, the largest swath of moor to burn in my lifetime has caused much worry to many and still smoulders in the peat today, two…

SUGAR BEET

Why the sugar beet deal could see a reduced 2026 crop area

At £30/t, the sugar beet price for next year is enough to keep the crop in the rotation, but most growers will scale back a bit, reduce the area grown…

DISEASE MANAGEMENT

Wheat growers warned of new 'high input' group of varieties

Latest Agrii trials have shown marked drops in yellow rust resistance scores for some of the UK’s most popular winter wheats, rendering some popular varieties as high input wheats. The…

HARVEST

'Average at best' harvest for most Arable Insights farmers

After a tricky growing season, has harvest surprised or confirmed worst fears for our Arable Insights’ farmer panel? Farmers Weekly finds out. See also: Why Herts farming family are moving…

DISEASE MANAGEMENT

Growers advised to plan integrated yellow rust approach

Wheat growers are being advised to plan integrated yellow rust management strategies following the significant reductions in resistance ratings for some popular varieties. These reductions mean extra focus should be…

FARMER FOCUS

Farmer Focus: A good harvest with a poor market

The harvest was very fast this year, all wrapped in five weeks from start to finish. It was a remarkably quick timeframe, with week after week of good weather -…

ARABLE

How environmental schemes are affecting UK arable area

The balance between food production and environmental schemes continues to be a major discussion, particularly as just over half of farms in England reduced cropping for harvest 2025 to take…

ARABLE

Hants arable farm extends regen approach to two vineyards

The decision to stop pedalling faster without gain and instead change the farming system to one based on regenerative principles was taken more than 20 years ago on a Hampshire…

FARMER FOCUS

Farmer Focus: Rain arrives and autumn prep begins

It has finally rained. We’ve had 30mm in the past week, with the same forecast for this week. Hopefully, this gets the weeds and cover crops chitting. We finished combining…

WEED MANAGEMENT

How new herbicide aids sustainable weed control in barley

More so than in winter wheat, control of problem weeds in winter barley, such as blackgrass and Italian ryegrass, has been reliant on a narrow group of actives. So, the…

Arable news

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,…

HARVEST

Early maize harvest signals tough year for UK farmers

UK maize harvests began three weeks early in parts of the South amid severe drought and record heat, with farmers now facing reduced yields, rising costs, and increased crop disease…

ARABLE

Smallest barley area in 11 years as wheat rises, says Defra

Harvest 2025 saw the smallest barley area in England for 11 years and the first increase in wheat since 2022, according to Defra’s latest statistics. There was also a sharp…

SUGAR BEET

Sugar beet campaign start dates announced for 2025-26

British Sugar has announced the start dates for the 2025-26 sugar beet harvest campaign for each of its four factories, starting on 15 September. See also: How Birds Eye hopes to…

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ROTATIONS

Why beans may have a place in Scottish rotations

With many growers looking for alternative break crops to extend rotations, nitrogen-fixing beans could be the answer for some this season. Through careful variety choice, establishment methods and inputs, Scottish…

PLOUGHING AND CULTIVATION

Long-term direct driller reveals yield impact of ploughing

A wheat crop established under the plough yielded 1.7t/ha more than the long-term direct drilled part of the field, more than paying for the extra costs associated with ploughing. But…

SUGAR BEET

Why the sugar beet deal could see a reduced 2026 crop area

At £30/t, the sugar beet price for next year is enough to keep the crop in the rotation, but most growers will scale back a bit, reduce the area grown…

DISEASE MANAGEMENT

Wheat growers warned of new 'high input' group of varieties

Latest Agrii trials have shown marked drops in yellow rust resistance scores for some of the UK’s most popular winter wheats, rendering some popular varieties as high input wheats. The…

HARVEST

'Average at best' harvest for most Arable Insights farmers

After a tricky growing season, has harvest surprised or confirmed worst fears for our Arable Insights’ farmer panel? Farmers Weekly finds out. See also: Why Herts farming family are moving…

DISEASE MANAGEMENT

Growers advised to plan integrated yellow rust approach

Wheat growers are being advised to plan integrated yellow rust management strategies following the significant reductions in resistance ratings for some popular varieties. These reductions mean extra focus should be…

ARABLE

How environmental schemes are affecting UK arable area

The balance between food production and environmental schemes continues to be a major discussion, particularly as just over half of farms in England reduced cropping for harvest 2025 to take…

ARABLE

Hants arable farm extends regen approach to two vineyards

The decision to stop pedalling faster without gain and instead change the farming system to one based on regenerative principles was taken more than 20 years ago on a Hampshire…

WEED MANAGEMENT

How new herbicide aids sustainable weed control in barley

More so than in winter wheat, control of problem weeds in winter barley, such as blackgrass and Italian ryegrass, has been reliant on a narrow group of actives. So, the…

ESTABLISHMENT

How late is too late to drill oilseed rape this autumn?

While many oilseed rape growers have already drilled their crops, some have been holding back, having noted that later drilling into September has its advantages. Growers may well be wondering…

ARABLE

How financial support helps make nature-friendly farming pay

Comprehensive four-year trials across 17 arable farms in southern England have revealed that nature-friendly farming methods can significantly boost biodiversity, beneficial insects and crop yields. But, perhaps as importantly, the…

ESTABLISHMENT

Why good straw management is key to crop establishment

For regenerative farmers, straw provides a valuable source of organic matter for improving soil health, but it can also bring crop establishment problems if not managed correctly. Straw holds important…

PEST MANAGEMENT

Tips to get ahead of the autumn slug threat

After a hot, dry summer, slugs might not be the first threat to crop establishment that comes to mind, but don’t be lulled into a false sense of security. Even…

ARABLE

Can arable farms operate without fossil fuels?

While completing his Nuffield Scholarship, Stuart Oates founded the Fossil Free Farm project, born of his belief that removing fossil fuels from farming is essential for future sustainability. Based at…

BARLEY

Growers explain appeal of new winter malting barley variety

Winter malting barley growers are opting for a newer variety, which promises higher yields and good disease resistance. Joining the AHDB Recommended List in late 2022, Buccaneer from Elsoms is…

ESTABLISHMENT

Farmer aims to cut wheat inputs with home-brewed inoculant

Microbial inoculants will be part of the autumn drilling campaign on a Cambridgeshire farm this autumn, as Tom Pearson takes the next steps in reducing reliance on artificial inputs. See…

Farmer Focus

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FARMER FOCUS

Farmer Focus: Selling wheat at a poor price of £173/t

Harvest is all over in record time this year, making it the easiest harvest in history and completed in record time. I don't think I have ever before had two…

FARMER FOCUS

Farmer Focus: Farming pulls together through the fire

What a month it has been, the largest swath of moor to burn in my lifetime has caused much worry to many and still smoulders in the peat today, two…

FARMER FOCUS

Farmer Focus: A season of trialling new ideas

Considering how optimistic we were early in the spring, when crops went into promising seed-beds, it seems that mother nature has again given us another testing year. The trial I…

FARMER FOCUS

Farmer Focus: A good harvest with a poor market

The harvest was very fast this year, all wrapped in five weeks from start to finish. It was a remarkably quick timeframe, with week after week of good weather -…

Markets

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CROPS MARKETS AND PRICES

Oilseeds markets rebound back above £400/t

Improved harvest yields and steady prices for oilseed rape are leaving a modest margin for UK growers this year. Delivered oilseed rape prices stood at £414/t on 16 September, following…

CROPS MARKETS AND PRICES

Global grain surplus to limit export prospects for UK wheat

A glut of grain globally is weighing on markets and could continue to restrict UK wheat exports and prices in the coming months, according to industry outlooks. The International Grain…

POTATOES

Potato growers squeezed with ex-farm prices under pressure

Free-buy potato prices have slipped sharply in recent months, with plentiful supplies across mainland Europe depressing the market. The UK planted area is estimated to have remained broadly in line…

CROPS MARKETS AND PRICES

Oilseed rape falls to £400/t but margins remain for growers

UK oilseed rape prices came under pressure during July and August before settling at roughly £400/t in early September. The domestic trade continues to track wider global oilseed markets, with…

CROPS MARKETS AND PRICES

Scottish growers stung by high screenings in malting barley

Scottish growers have voiced their dismay as large volumes of barley fall short of the strict standards imposed by maltsters, leaving much of the crop destined for animal feed. Harvest…

MARKETS AND TRENDS

Grain merchants stockpile record levels of imported wheat

More than 300,000t of imported wheat stocks were held by UK merchants, ports and co-operatives in June, the highest level for this time of year since records began almost 20…

CROPS MARKETS AND PRICES

Grain merchants show mixed fortunes in company accounts

Financial accounts for the major UK grain merchants indicate that margins have tightened in recent years, with profits generally trending slightly down. Frontier Agriculture continued to dominate in terms of…

CROPS MARKETS AND PRICES

Fears Ensus may follow Vivergo into shutdown

One of Britain’s biggest producers of bioethanol and carbon dioxide, Ensus, is in urgent talks with the government in a last-ditch effort to avoid collapse, just as rival Vivergo prepares…

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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TRACTORS

Base spec 105-115hp Valtra A5 tractors get slicker transmission

A number of updates for Valtra’s 105hp A105 and 115hp A115 tractors see the GL base versions with a 12x12 or 24x24 creep manual transmission dropped in favour of the…

TRACTORS

New Holland’s 180-225hp T7 tractors get long-awaited upgrade

The drawn-out overhaul of New Holland’s sprawling T7 tractor range has concluded with launch of four fresh “standard wheelbase” models. Running from 180-225hp, these Basildon-built all-rounders are the last to…

CEREAL DRILLS

Horsch Pronto 9 DC gets bigger hopper, better seed placement

Horsch has given its Pronto 9 DC disc cultivator drill a makeover, which includes the addition of a significantly bigger hopper to reduce downtime. Previously, the 9m iteration of the…

TRACTORS

Case IH ups Steiger Quadtrac power again – now 853hp

The tractor power “arms race” cranked up a notch at the Farm Progress Show in the US, where Case IH unveiled its latest addition to the Steiger Quadtrac line-up. Building…

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