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VARIETY SELECTION

New OSR varieties offer regional differences

Eight new winter oilseed rape varieties come into the mix this year, after five hybrids and one conventional variety joined the AHDB Recommended List 2025-26, along with two clubroot-resistant types.…

CROP WATCH

Crop Watch: Dry weather prompts T2 fungicide queries

The T2 flag leaf fungicide spray is now the focus for winter wheat crops. Dry conditions over the last month have kept disease pressure low, so much so that product…

FARMER FOCUS

Farmer Focus: A pleasure to see yellow OSR fields again

My yellow block of oilseed rape is now fading, but it was a pleasure to see it again. This is helped no doubt by the low numbers of cabbage stem…

OILSEED RAPE

Oilseed rape grower sees helping hand from SFI

Hampshire oilseed rape grower Dick Hall is earning £369/ha from environmental payments, allowing the crop to rival winter wheat for profitability and making rapeseed the best break crop he can…

DISEASE MANAGEMENT

New wheat fungicide to offer growers unique mode of action

Wheat growers are to benefit from a new fungicide for cereal crops, after confirmation that Adama’s latest active undergoing Chemicals Regulation Division approval has a unique mode of action. This…

DISEASE MANAGEMENT

Wheat rusts an added threat at Crop Doctor site for T2 spray

Yellow and brown rust control is set to become more important for winter wheat growers at the key flag leaf fungicide spray timing later this month as septoria is largely…

CROP WATCH

Crop Watch: Broad-leaved weed flush and T2s in wheat

With the T2 flag leaf spray timing approaching in wheat, there is scope in the South to ease rates a little with the low disease pressure and a dry forecast.…

FARMER FOCUS

Farmer Focus: Don’t treat symptoms, look at cause of problem

We have finally had some rain, but nowhere near as much as other parts of the country and nowhere near enough. Still, things will move fast now with temperatures predicted…

DISEASE MANAGEMENT

Why growers need flexible T2 plans as dry spell continues

As the T2 spray timing approaches, keeping enough flexibility in spray programmes as the dry spell continues is occupying the minds of growers and agronomists alike. With T1 sprays completed…

OILSEED RAPE

Lower flea beetle numbers found in monitoring project

Results from a nationwide cabbage stem flea beetle monitoring project suggest farmers can approach the growing season with renewed confidence. Assessments of stem larvae levels in the spring of 2025…

ARABLE

How cultivated margins help rare plants and biodiversity

Cultivated margins, or areas of fields that are cultivated annually, but not drilled, are one of the best ways of encouraging rare arable plants and the wildlife that depends on…

FARMER FOCUS

Farmer Focus: We'll be growing the smallest area of cereals

The livestock trade is absolutely flying at the moment. As a result, cropping plans for our home farm are looking quite different for next year. At present, it looks like…

WEED MANAGEMENT

Tips on weed control in farmyards and near arable buildings

Tasks such as weed control around farm buildings, grain dryers and other infrastructure can feel like an inconvenience when farm staff are stretched by core spring activities. But there is…

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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VARIETY SELECTION

New OSR varieties offer regional differences

Eight new winter oilseed rape varieties come into the mix this year, after five hybrids and one conventional variety joined the AHDB Recommended List 2025-26, along with two clubroot-resistant types.…

OILSEED RAPE

Oilseed rape grower sees helping hand from SFI

Hampshire oilseed rape grower Dick Hall is earning £369/ha from environmental payments, allowing the crop to rival winter wheat for profitability and making rapeseed the best break crop he can…

DISEASE MANAGEMENT

Wheat rusts an added threat at Crop Doctor site for T2 spray

Yellow and brown rust control is set to become more important for winter wheat growers at the key flag leaf fungicide spray timing later this month as septoria is largely…

ARABLE

Arable Insights farmers weigh up a future without subsidy

This month, our Arable Insights farmers are considering all the options as they ponder the future of farming. With government support for both food production and nature recovery paused in…

DISEASE MANAGEMENT

Why growers need flexible T2 plans as dry spell continues

As the T2 spray timing approaches, keeping enough flexibility in spray programmes as the dry spell continues is occupying the minds of growers and agronomists alike. With T1 sprays completed…

ARABLE

How cultivated margins help rare plants and biodiversity

Cultivated margins, or areas of fields that are cultivated annually, but not drilled, are one of the best ways of encouraging rare arable plants and the wildlife that depends on…

WEED MANAGEMENT

Tips on weed control in farmyards and near arable buildings

Tasks such as weed control around farm buildings, grain dryers and other infrastructure can feel like an inconvenience when farm staff are stretched by core spring activities. But there is…

WEED MANAGEMENT

Why parasitic weeds are a rising arable threat

Farmers are advised to be aware of the presence of parasitic weeds, especially if more diverse rotations are in place and legumes have been included in stewardship mixes or as…

CROP MANAGEMENT

How integrating livestock in rotations cuts crop inputs

As sustainable farming practices become increasingly important, some agronomists and farmers are exploring how integrating livestock into arable systems can bring both environmental and economic benefits. By combining rotational grazing…

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…

Farmer Focus

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FARMER FOCUS

Farmer Focus: A pleasure to see yellow OSR fields again

My yellow block of oilseed rape is now fading, but it was a pleasure to see it again. This is helped no doubt by the low numbers of cabbage stem…

FARMER FOCUS

Farmer Focus: Don’t treat symptoms, look at cause of problem

We have finally had some rain, but nowhere near as much as other parts of the country and nowhere near enough. Still, things will move fast now with temperatures predicted…

FARMER FOCUS

Farmer Focus: We'll be growing the smallest area of cereals

The livestock trade is absolutely flying at the moment. As a result, cropping plans for our home farm are looking quite different for next year. At present, it looks like…

FARMER FOCUS

Farmer Focus: Wheat suffering with severe drought stress

Norfolk is living up to its name as the driest county in the UK. Recent rainfall has amounted to just 12mm on 15 April, with nothing since. To make matters…

Markets

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MARKETS AND TRENDS

Grain market outlook dampened by economic uncertainty

Wheat prices have been in freefall throughout spring and global markets continue to look bearish in the short term. UK feed wheat futures have fallen £20/t this spring, to just…

CROPS MARKETS AND PRICES

UK bioethanol firms ‘under threat’ from US trade deal

The UK biofuels industry has warned that domestic bioethanol production could be at risk if tariffs are removed on imports as part of the US-UK trade deal. Vivergo and Ensus,…

CROPS MARKETS AND PRICES

Cefetra grain pool outperforms market at over £200/t in 2024

Glasgow-based grain merchant Cefetra says its marketing pool outperformed the wider UK market by £15/t during 2024. Cefetra says its grain-buying team was able to achieve “market beating” results by…

CROPS MARKETS AND PRICES

Milling wheat at £182/t as drought concerns heighten

UK wheat prices remain at the mercy of the global market, having struggled to get much traction at all so far in 2025, but they appear to be turning a…

CROPS MARKETS AND PRICES

UK potato plantings progressing well as prices ease back

Dry weather this spring has allowed growers to push on with field work, plant earlier than usual and get potatoes in the ground. However, drought conditions in some areas are…

CROPS MARKETS AND PRICES

Wheat prices hit by weather and currency factors

Wheat prices have come under further pressure this week, with futures markets on both sides of the Atlantic hitting new contract lows. London May wheat futures were trading at just…

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…

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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CEREAL DRILLS

How Limavady farmer built versatile drill on the cheap

Tired of Limavady’s persistent rainfall hampering the use of his trailed disc drill, Alistair Craig hatched a plan to build a less weather-dependent alternative. Key criteria were that it should…

CEREAL DRILLS

Horizon adds 3m and 4m rigid-frame DSX direct drills

Grain and oilseeds growers – as well as contractors – operating in smaller fields and across fewer hectares are being catered for by 3m and 4m rigid-frame additions to Horizon…

CULTIVATORS

Einbock develops cross-ridge tool for row crops on slopes

A simple device to discourage loss of soil, organic matter and nutrients from row crops grown on sloping ground has been developed by Einbock for its precision hoes. The so-called…

POWER HARROWS

Horsch pulls wraps off heavier-duty Kredo HD power harrow

Horsch has bolstered the cultivating performance of its piggy-back and seed cart drills by introducing a heavier-duty power harrow, the Kredo HD. This implement, which can be had on its…

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