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SOILS

Groundswell 2025: Regen farming learnings from Gabe Brown

Sunlight is the most powerful resource on farm, but is also underused, suggests world-renowned US regenerative farmer Gabe Brown. “This is where our income as farmers comes from,” he said…

ARABLE

Groundswell 25: Farmers reveal what makes a good grower group

Successful grower groups are those with good farmer engagement, flexible funding arrangements and an unwavering focus on two-way knowledge exchange, rather than knowledge transfer. A Groundswell session bringing together participants…

HARVEST

Harvest 2025: Winter barley harvest finished in record time

Winter barley harvest was finished in record time for Cambridgeshire farmers Charles and Anna Leadbetter, with yields of 9t/ha, despite just 22mm of rain falling since the start of March.…

CROP MANAGEMENT

Groundswell 25: Why regen agronomy is a specialist skill

Agronomy for a regenerative farming system often needs greater attention to detail and extra time, so farmers must be prepared to pay for it, visitors to Groundswell were told. Whether…

OTHER CROPS

How Cornish mixed farm gains from regen stacking

Cornish farmer David Oates is set to see more money coming in from stacking regenerative actions on his mixed family farm than from the old Basic Payment Scheme subsidy. He…

WEED MANAGEMENT

Electric weeding system makes debut at Groundswell

Controlling weeds in arable crops using electricity is a step closer with the first commercial tractor-mounted units destined for specialist crop growers in the UK. Better known for its precision-guided…

CROP MANAGEMENT

Groundswell 25: Why regen agronomy is a specialist skill

Agronomy for a regenerative farming system often needs greater attention to detail and extra time, so farmers must be prepared to pay for it, visitors to Groundswell were told. Whether…

OTHER CROPS

How Cornish mixed farm gains from regen stacking

Cornish farmer David Oates is set to see more money coming in from stacking regenerative actions on his mixed family farm than from the old Basic Payment Scheme subsidy. He…

WEED MANAGEMENT

Expert tips for chemical-free thistle and dock control

Mechanical topping just before flowering is one of the best non-chemical methods of controlling major troublesome perennial weeds such as creeping thistles and broad-leaved docks. This pre-flowering period is when…

PEST MANAGEMENT

Fera launches wireworm DNA barcode test

Fera Science has launched a wireworm DNA barcoding test, aimed to help farmers use integrated pest management approaches to manage the pest. Wireworm is estimated to cost the potato industry…

FARMER FOCUS

Farmer Focus: Crops look good, but profitability a concern

I farm in the north of County Dublin and surrounding areas on a large family farm with seven brothers and their seven sons all working together in one shared business.…

CROP MANAGEMENT

How Wilts estate's 'practical regen' approach supports yields

Covering 1,800ha within the Cranbourne Chase National Landscape, a family-owned estate is aiming to increase biodiversity without compromising yields or profits. The productive chalk downland farm is home to various…

WEED MANAGEMENT

Electric weeding system makes debut at Groundswell

Controlling weeds in arable crops using electricity is a step closer with the first commercial tractor-mounted units destined for specialist crop growers in the UK. Better known for its precision-guided…

Arable news

MARKET OPPORTUNITIES

Wildfarmed expands into oats and barley markets

Regenerative supply chain brand Wildfarmed has become a formidable force in the UK, with 150 farmers supplying more than 1,000 retail customers, ranging from micro-bakeries to large food businesses. While…

PEST MANAGEMENT

Fera launches wireworm DNA barcode test

Fera Science has launched a wireworm DNA barcoding test, aimed to help farmers use integrated pest management approaches to manage the pest. Wireworm is estimated to cost the potato industry…

CROP MANAGEMENT

Cereals 2025: NZ farming app expands into UK markets

A farming app developed by a group of New Zealand farmers is looking to expand into UK markets, offering software which simply records, stores and shares farm data. The Resolution…

WEED MANAGEMENT

Cereals 2025: Water hardness check key to glyphosate efficacy

Farmers could be losing up to 30% efficacy of glyphosate in hard water areas, thereby increasing the risk of grassweed resistance by delivering a sub-optimal kill. The discovery of glyphosate-resistant…

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SOILS

Groundswell 2025: Regen farming learnings from Gabe Brown

Sunlight is the most powerful resource on farm, but is also underused, suggests world-renowned US regenerative farmer Gabe Brown. “This is where our income as farmers comes from,” he said…

ARABLE

Groundswell 25: Farmers reveal what makes a good grower group

Successful grower groups are those with good farmer engagement, flexible funding arrangements and an unwavering focus on two-way knowledge exchange, rather than knowledge transfer. A Groundswell session bringing together participants…

HARVEST

Harvest 2025: OSR yields down and wheat soon to cut in Herts

The oilseed rape harvest is done and dusted for Hertfordshire arable farmer Eveey Hunter, but with yields down on usual. Crops looked well throughout the season at JS Hunter &…

CROP MANAGEMENT

Groundswell 25: Why regen agronomy is a specialist skill

Agronomy for a regenerative farming system often needs greater attention to detail and extra time, so farmers must be prepared to pay for it, visitors to Groundswell were told. Whether…

OTHER CROPS

How Cornish mixed farm gains from regen stacking

Cornish farmer David Oates is set to see more money coming in from stacking regenerative actions on his mixed family farm than from the old Basic Payment Scheme subsidy. He…

WEED MANAGEMENT

Expert tips for chemical-free thistle and dock control

Mechanical topping just before flowering is one of the best non-chemical methods of controlling major troublesome perennial weeds such as creeping thistles and broad-leaved docks. This pre-flowering period is when…

CROP MANAGEMENT

How Wilts estate's 'practical regen' approach supports yields

Covering 1,800ha within the Cranbourne Chase National Landscape, a family-owned estate is aiming to increase biodiversity without compromising yields or profits. The productive chalk downland farm is home to various…

VARIETY SELECTION

Bedford grower assesses new varieties to replace Extase

Matt Fuller is set to switch to two new milling wheat varieties this autumn to replace much of his Extase area if the Group 2 millers fulfil their promise on…

VARIETY SELECTION

'Game-changer' Group 3 wheat offers high yields and premium

Now in its second year on the AHDB Recommended List, winter wheat variety Bamford has breathed new life into what was previously a dwindling Group 3 biscuit wheat sector. For…

VARIETY SELECTION

Yellow rust risk narrows winter wheat choice for 2025-26

Plenty of winter wheat varieties were added to the AHDB Recommended List at the end of last year,  but their yellow rust resistance ratings may have suffered already, following an…

MARKET OPPORTUNITIES

Three premium-earning crops for farmers next season

As the season draws to a close, farmers are looking at options for next season and three break crops offer some money-earning opportunities. Premium Crops is offering attractive premiums for…

VARIETY SELECTION

Round-up of the 14 newly recommended winter barleys

Winter barley variety choice has expanded considerably ahead of this autumn, with 14 newly recommended varieties vying for some share of a smaller market. The number of regional recommendations on…

WEED MANAGEMENT

Why propyzamide use in OSR and beans remains in the balance

Delivering best practice for successful weed control with propyzamide while preventing it from entering water courses and reservoirs remains a difficult balance. What’s good for weed control frequently increases the…

SOILS

Why understanding soil biology is key to crop health

Soils are not just the ground we walk on or a medium to plant into – they are dynamic, living energy systems with a host of inputs and outputs. “If…

DISEASE MANAGEMENT

Cereals 2025: Growers given alert for yellow rust next season

Winter wheat growers are being urged to be vigilant about yellow rust next season and be prepared to use an early spring fungicide after a new race of the disease…

VARIETY SELECTION

Cereals 2025: Elsoms has high hopes for new wheat varieties

British-based plant breeder Elsoms has high expectations for two of its new feed winter wheat varieties coming up for recommendation later this year due to their high yields, good septoria…

Farmer Focus

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FARMER FOCUS

Farmer Focus: Aerial imagery reveals catastrophic view

We ended up doing most of our combining in the second half of September in 2024. But, as we’re all aware, no two years are the same. As things stand,…

FARMER FOCUS

Farmer Focus: A tribute to a helpful, humble friend

I’d like to open this column with a short tribute to a friend and farming neighbour who for me has been one of life’s constants. George was quiet, humble, helpful…

FARMER FOCUS

Farmer Focus: Crops look good, but profitability a concern

I farm in the north of County Dublin and surrounding areas on a large family farm with seven brothers and their seven sons all working together in one shared business.…

FARMER FOCUS

Farmer Focus: Maize set to be 'neck-high by 4 July'

We have been lucky with rain in June, receiving 52mm. This was a little too late for the early maturing wheats, as they have gone downhill fast. The spring wheat…

Markets

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CROPS MARKETS AND PRICES

Wheat slips to £160/t as harvest approaches

Domestic wheat markets remain under pressure, with a bearish global outlook and exchange rates making imports even more competitive versus UK grain. The spot price for ex-farm feed wheat collected…

CROPS MARKETS AND PRICES

Standing straw auctions kick off season on a high

Auctioneers have reported exceptional demand for standing straw ahead of harvest, although there seems to be a great deal of variation between locations. A “tremendous” trade was observed by auctioneering…

MARKETS AND TRENDS

Ag markets react sharply to conflict in Middle East

Fuel, fertiliser and oilseeds markets have experienced considerable volatility in recent days, driven by escalating geopolitical tensions in the Middle East. Initial reports of conflict caused markets to rally last…

CROPS MARKETS AND PRICES

Ex-farm spot wheat outperforms futures prices

A hefty premium has emerged in the last year between ex-farm spot prices and UK feed wheat futures contracts, according to analysis by grain trading platform Hectare. Ex-farm prices for…

CROPS MARKETS AND PRICES

New crop wheat at £176/t sparks concern for growers

Sentiment among arable farmers has been downbeat for much of the past year, with farmgate prices in descent and persistent weather challenges weighing on the sector. A strong pound has…

BUSINESS

Farmers to get fairer deals for combinable crops

Arable farmers could soon benefit from new legislation that aims to tackle unfair practices in the combinable crops supply chain. Defra said the review – which launched on Thursday 5…

CROPS MARKETS AND PRICES

Malting barley premium erodes with prices under pressure

Margins for malting barley have dwindled in recent years and are now roughly £15/t above feed barley prices. This marks a sharp decline from previous seasons, where premiums exceeded £60/t…

CROPS MARKETS AND PRICES

Dry weather across Europe adds support to UK oilseeds markets

Paris rapeseed futures approached €500/t (£419/t) for the November contract on 27 May, the highest level in nearly three months. In the UK, oilseed rape prices stood at £452/t for…

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

Nokian extends Soil King VF tyres for 100-200hp tractors

Two sizes suited to 100-200hp tractors have been added to the Nokian Soil King VF radial tractor tyre range, bringing the benefits of this particular design – and the VF…

COMBINES

Case IH launches high-spec 6.1-12.5m G500V VariCut headers

As the UK grain harvest gets under way, Case IH has revealed a refreshed cutting table with variable knife position and features said to improve combine performance and make the…

ROLLS

Bednar's 12.3m Galaxy roller gets front paddle tine option

Greater output from an arable roller that also has soil-working capability is promised for the Bednar Galaxy GE 12300. This five-section implement covering 12.3m joins the current three-section models with…

CULTIVATORS

Pottinger debuts Tinecare V 12050 flexible tine harrow

Pottinger is building its mechanical weed control product range with the company’s first flexible tine harrow. The Tinecare V 12050 Master kicks off the introduction with a number of novel…

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