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CROP WATCH

Crop Watch: Pre-em sprays struggle in dry East

It’s been a postcode lottery for rain with the South West having had a good wetting while other areas like the East are still dry.  For weed control, it means…

FARMER FOCUS

Farmer Focus: First SFI inspection completed

It’s a bit dry, isn’t it? We have had 15mm of rain since the end of February. We were due a good rain event over the Easter weekend, so we…

POTATOES

Potato growers urged to share data to avoid losing stores

British potato growers are being urged to share data for the second season running to secure the long-term future of stores where a key sprout suppressant was used. CIPC (chlorpropham)…

FARMER FOCUS

Farmer Focus: Early drilled wheats have gout fly

What a contrast from last spring. Of course, ironically we are now getting desperate for rain, after one of our wettest winters on record. It’s a fact the weather is…

CROP MANAGEMENT

How 14 family business partners run a 1,600ha mixed farm

Whyte Bros Farm, north of Dublin, operates a unique farming system, with 14 family business partners running the 1,600ha farm. The collaborative journey began in the 1950s when seven brothers…

FARMER FOCUS

Farmer Focus: Doomsayers overshadowed by splendid work

The farm at Shimpling has rarely looked better than it has this April. After all the shenanigans this government has put us through since taking power last year, the sight…

CROP WATCH

Crop Watch: Maize drilling and OSR flowering sprays

The kind conditions have seen a start to maize drilling in Northern Ireland and in the South West, with rain bringing welcome moisture for the pre-emergence herbicides. However, the rain…

DISEASE MANAGEMENT

Signature seed dressing helps grow fungicide-free crops

Irish farmer Tom Tierney has been no-till farming for a decade and is using a specialist seed dressing to kick-start crops into action and grow them without fungicides. The signature…

FARMER FOCUS

Farmer Focus: May the weather be with you

I very rarely mention the weather in my articles, but it seems hard not to this time. Last April, we had more than 100mm of rain. Currently, at the time…

PULSES

5 key factors for maximising pea yields

A multi-noded, tall-stemmed plant with deep roots is the key to farmers raising pea yields, according to a new pea growth guide. Researchers estimate that peas could yield 7-8t/ha on…

POTATOES

Updated guidance for virus-free potatoes released

A document designed to help the seed potato industry tackle damaging viruses has been updated this spring, making it easier for growers to understand and implement critical control measures. Aphid-borne…

FARMER FOCUS

Farmer Focus: Surprised by low sulphur in wheat tissue tests

What a contrast we have from 12 months ago. But I’m quite happy with it, as the past six weeks have been very productive and good for the soul. It…

COVER CROPS

How a lucerne living mulch is working in Denmark

A living mulch based on the perennial crop lucerne is allowing Danish farmer and agronomist Frederik Larsen to harvest more sunlight and produce two crops each year, while reducing costs…

Arable news

ARABLE

AHDB opens 2025 planting survey to assess UK crop areas

The AHDB has launched its 2025 Planting Survey, aiming to estimate the area of cereals and oilseed rape intended for harvest in the UK. The survey, which is open until…

PEST MANAGEMENT

Cameras reveal unexpected predators of two major OSR pests

In-field cameras have uncovered unexpected predators of two major oilseed rape pests, which could help aiding control strategies. The camera study was conducted by Rothamsted Research over two years in…

ARABLE

Bayer warns litigation costs threaten glyphosate

German agrochemicals giant Bayer has issued a stark warning to farmers about the future of glyphosate, its widely used herbicide. The company said ongoing legal battles in the US were…

OTHER CROPS

Alpro to source vegan drinks from 100% British oats

Plant-based drinks manufacturer Alpro has committed to source its oat-based drinks products from British farmers using 100% British oats. Alpro’s parent company, Danone, has invested £41m in a site in…

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ARABLE

Velcourt trials reveal distinct benefit of fungicide at T2

Independent trials carried out by farming company Velcourt have revealed a distinct benefit from including the fungicide RevyPro at the T2 timing in winter wheat. Initial trial work in 2023…

CROP MANAGEMENT

How 14 family business partners run a 1,600ha mixed farm

Whyte Bros Farm, north of Dublin, operates a unique farming system, with 14 family business partners running the 1,600ha farm. The collaborative journey began in the 1950s when seven brothers…

DISEASE MANAGEMENT

Signature seed dressing helps grow fungicide-free crops

Irish farmer Tom Tierney has been no-till farming for a decade and is using a specialist seed dressing to kick-start crops into action and grow them without fungicides. The signature…

PULSES

5 key factors for maximising pea yields

A multi-noded, tall-stemmed plant with deep roots is the key to farmers raising pea yields, according to a new pea growth guide. Researchers estimate that peas could yield 7-8t/ha on…

COVER CROPS

How a lucerne living mulch is working in Denmark

A living mulch based on the perennial crop lucerne is allowing Danish farmer and agronomist Frederik Larsen to harvest more sunlight and produce two crops each year, while reducing costs…

POTATOES

What new blight strain means for fungcide strategies in 2025

It was at the tail end of last season that monitoring by Fight Against Blight (FAB) confirmed the EU46 strain had been found in Wales and eastern Scotland, marking the…

POTATOES

Research reveals critical two-month period for potato yields

Setting up potato crops during the period between planting and the onset of tuber bulking to achieve optimum bulking rates is crucial for maximising potato yields.   This is according…

PEST MANAGEMENT

What first OSR to mitigate flea beetle means for growers

A hybrid oilseed rape that has been bred with resilience against cabbage stem flea beetle could make the difference between crop success and failure when deployed as part of an…

DISEASE MANAGEMENT

How sheep, varieties and nutrition can help manage disease

Fungicides remain a central pillar in controlling disease on our Arable Insights farmer panel’s farms, despite most wishing to reduce chemical inputs as much as possible. However, managing nitrogen and…

DISEASE MANAGEMENT

Why dry conditions are complicating barley disease control

Winter barley crops are approaching the critical T1 fungicide timing and growers are being advised to assess disease risk carefully, as the prolonged dry conditions could complicate treatment decisions. Overall…

DISEASE MANAGEMENT

April showers could change wheat disease outlook

Winter wheat growers are being urged to be wary of septoria and yellow rust if the weather turns wet leading up to key T1 fungicide spray timings at the end…

WEED MANAGEMENT

How a new test helps tackle herbicide-resistant weeds

Growers will soon be able to make more informed broad-leaved weed herbicide choices with a new rapid-resistance testing method nearing commercial launch. Much emphasis has been placed on improving knowledge…

CROP MANAGEMENT

'Mosaic' cropping system helps cut winter barley costs

Cranborne Farms in east Dorset grew a malting winter barley crop for just £65.36/t variable costs last season, some £10.85/t lower than the UK average (Yagro UK). Farm manager Dan…

SOILS

Why organic farmer cut back sheep to improve wheat yields

Sheep numbers are set to be considerably cut back to promote arable yields at organic farmer John Pawsey’s farm in Suffolk. A decade of yield data revealed a 0.5t/ha winter…

REGENERATIVE AGRICULTURE

Why trees in hedges improve arable farm landscapes

Trees in hedges help with habitat provision and carbon storage, bringing diversity and resilience to the farmed landscape, while providing continuity when hedges are being managed. For farmers and growers…

NUTRITION AND FERTILISER

Can biologicals help milling wheat growers hit protein specs?

Over the past couple of seasons, milling wheat growers have struggled to achieve 13% proteins, with AHDB figures showing Group 1s averaged the lowest levels in a decade at 12.5%…

Farmer Focus

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FARMER FOCUS

Farmer Focus: First SFI inspection completed

It’s a bit dry, isn’t it? We have had 15mm of rain since the end of February. We were due a good rain event over the Easter weekend, so we…

FARMER FOCUS

Farmer Focus: Early drilled wheats have gout fly

What a contrast from last spring. Of course, ironically we are now getting desperate for rain, after one of our wettest winters on record. It’s a fact the weather is…

FARMER FOCUS

Farmer Focus: Doomsayers overshadowed by splendid work

The farm at Shimpling has rarely looked better than it has this April. After all the shenanigans this government has put us through since taking power last year, the sight…

FARMER FOCUS

Farmer Focus: May the weather be with you

I very rarely mention the weather in my articles, but it seems hard not to this time. Last April, we had more than 100mm of rain. Currently, at the time…

Markets

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CROPS MARKETS AND PRICES

UK oilseeds fluctuate at £450/t due to currency movements

A stronger pound against the US dollar has reduced the relative cost of imports coming into the UK, with most commodities traded globally in dollars. Sterling has rallied against the…

CROPS MARKETS AND PRICES

Low yields leave sugar beet growers near breakeven

Reduced sugar beet yields and no neonicotinoid seed treatment in England for the coming year has left the sector in a state of uncertainty. UK sugar beet yields dropped to…

CROPS MARKETS AND PRICES

Historic wheat prices struggle to keep up with rising costs

Analysis carried out by farm business analytics company Yagro show how, after accounting for inflation, ex-farm prices for wheat have fallen in recent decades. Industry figures show 1t of wheat…

CROPS MARKETS AND PRICES

Larger UK wheat crop forecast as prices remain pressured

UK wheat production has been projected at 13.1m tonnes for this year’s harvest, with favourable weather in recent months helping crops to progress in the ground. This is up by…

CROPS MARKETS AND PRICES

Feed beans flutter around £220/t as UK plantings progress

Optimal planting conditions could lead to a slight uptick on field beans this year, with spring drilling in full swing. Defra figures estimated the UK field beans area at 132,000ha…

CROPS MARKETS AND PRICES

Grain markets fall in anticipation of new Black Sea deal

Global grain markets have slipped further following news that Russia may look to restart the Black Sea Grain Initiative, which previously allowed the safe passage of Ukrainian grain through the…

CROPS MARKETS AND PRICES

Sugar markets start to firm as 2024-25 beet campaign ends

Global sugar prices have started to pick up since the start of 2025 due to increased demand and lower production forecasts across Asia, Brazil and Europe. Industry forecasts suggest the…

CROPS MARKETS AND PRICES

Lacklustre wheat markets leave margins tight for UK growers

UK feed wheat fell below £170/t ex-farm in mid-March, leaving little incentive for growers to sell and margins reasonably tight on farm. May 2025 feed wheat futures opened at £175/t…

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

Amazone unveils moisture-conserving TopCut cutting roller

A new implement for moisture-conserving ultra-shallow tillage has been added to the Amazone equipment range. The TopCut is designed to work at up to 20kph no more than 2cm deep.…

CEREAL DRILLS

KRM debuts Sola GS300 direct disc drill for grass

Machinery distributor KRM and its seed-drill supplier, Spanish manufacturer Sola, have entered the market for disc coulter direct drills. The KRM Sola GS300 air drill is aimed primarily at sowing…

CULTIVATORS

Amazone goes large with 25-row Venterra VR 4 weeder

Amazone has gone large with the latest addition to its precision-hoe range – the Venterra VR 4 is available in working widths from 7.2-12.8m. The newcomer is clearly designed for…

TRACTORS

Zetor launches 131-171hp four-cylinder Series 6 tractors

Zetor may have drifted off the UK farming radar, but the Czech firm intends to bounce back – starting with a new 131-171hp Series 6 range. It encompasses three four-cylinder…

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