Know How / Land preparation Case studiesSee all SOILSTrials farm suffers massive financial hit from wet weatherA grower hosting AHDB trials estimates this season’s wet weather could cost him £80,000 in lost income, due to reduced yields, no spring cropping and less contracting work. David Blacker,… COVER CROPSCover crop trial reveals impact of grazing on nitratesSince winning the title of Farmers Weekly Environmental Farmers of the Year, Emma and James Loder-Symonds have been busy trialling the impact of grazing cover crops. The cover crop trial… FARM MAINTENANCEWhy Cambs farm invested in its own tractor-mounted trencherWhen a portion of their land began identifying more as lake than field during winter months, Stephen and Richard Mead were forced to invest in some drainage. Quotes were sourced… CARBONHow Arable Insights farmers approach carbon opportunitiesFrom selling carbon credits to receiving premiums for commodities grown in a climate-friendly way, the potential upside to farming carbon is becoming clearer. But only one of Farmers Weekly’s Arable… MARKET OPPORTUNITIESWhy a Scottish estate harvests crops every month of the yearCrops are harvested 12 months of the year at Stracathro Estate on the east coast of Scotland to fuel a 2MW anaerobic digestion plant, which requires the equivalent feedstock of… NUTRITION AND FERTILISERHow fulvic acid can cut glyphosate rates and help foliar NFulvic and humic acid could be beneficial additions to spray tank mixes, enabling growers to increase efficacy and successfully cut back glyphosate and fertiliser rates by one-third. Both fulvic and… Practical adviceSee all ARABLEHow to plan crop and soil management after a washout seasonSoils, rotations and cashflows were all impacted by the 2023-24 growing season washout, meaning there are important decisions to be made ahead of the new cropping year. The smallest wheat… SOILSGrowers advised to test soils immediately post harvestAs combines begin to roll across the UK, growers are advised to carry out soil tests immediately post-harvest to calculate optimum fertiliser requirements ahead of planting this autumn. Soil health… CROP MANAGEMENTSFI 2023: The support options for arable growersArable growers are being encouraged to enter the new 2023 Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) for England as it is simpler and more flexible than previous financial support packages. The new… DRILLINGOats come out top in heavy land direct drilling trialOats gave a higher yield and profit margin when direct drilled compared with minimum tillage in an eight-year trial, due largely to the cereal crop showing a very vigorous growth… POTATOESShallower potato cultivation depths recommended in wet seasonPotato growers are advised to reduce cultivation depths this season to improve soil condition and work rates, as persistent rain stops play. With the optimum planting window narrowing, independent potato… COVER CROPSA guide to catch cropping before autumn cerealsWhile many farmers are growing cover crops over winter before spring crops, there is also the possibility of establishing a catch crop between harvest and an autumn-drilled crop. The key… InsightsSee all ARABLETrial reveals cost of unnecessary soil cultivationsRunning low disturbance legs through areas of fields that don’t need it could be costing farmers in reduced crop yields, as well as the extra diesel to carry out the… NUTRITION AND FERTILISERHow managing crop nutrition can avoid insect and diseaseInsect and disease attacks do not occur at random. Instead, they show up in specific places in response to specific environmental cues, according to US regen expert John Kempf. Farmers… COVER CROPSHow to get the most from SAM2 overwinter cover cropsMany growers will have experimented with overwintered cover crops in recent seasons, with, it’s fair to say, varying levels of success. In terms of area, overwintered cover crops is the… SOILSGetting arable soils back on track after a washout seasonSoils have been one of the biggest casualties of the wet season, with many fields requiring some remedial action before cropping again. Issues vary from surface capping, slumping, compaction, and… SOILSHow healthy soils and glyphosate use can work togetherThe use of glyphosate in a sensible and well-planned way can be positive for soil health and structure, research suggests. It’s a question that often gets asked – is it… LAND PREPARATIONWhy regenerative farming needs to start with the soilFarmers adopting a regenerative farming system should focus on improving the functionality of the soil and accept that it will take time to see results, says a leading consultant. By… PEST MANAGEMENTHow harvest cultivations can help beat flea beetle in OSRShallow cultivations carried out shortly after the combine can help reduce adult flea beetle populations, but more research is needed to refine advice to growers. Speaking at a recent Limagrain… PULSESSoil conditioner trial lifts vining pea yields by nearly 40%Applying a phosphate enhancer to vining pea seed-beds led to an average yield increase of nearly 40% in Agrii trials carried out in conjunction with a Yorkshire vining pea co-op.… SOILSSussex soil project aims to increase organic matterThe impact of soil type and land use on the ability of farms to improve soil organic matter levels is being investigated in a five-year project funded by Southern Water,… SOILSHow FYM can increase soil oxygen and nitrogen use efficiencyIncreasing soil organic matter levels through applications of farmyard manure can significantly increase soil oxygen levels, which in turn improves nitrogen use efficiency. The flow of organic carbon through soil… SOILSStudies show earthworms can increase crop yields by 25%Earthworms are fundamental to the delivery of a range of soil ecosystem services such as nutrient cycling and water management, which in turn affects crop development and yield. In fact,… ARABLEWhy cover crops and reduced tillage is key to soil healthCover crops can help reduce deep cultivations to improve soil structure and cut expensive machinery costs while tapping into new environmental payments. These overwintered multispecies cover crops encourage earthworm numbers… Online resources from AHDB Field drainage guide Download No-till fact sheet Download Soil assessment fact sheet Download Slug control fact sheet Download
