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SOILS

Estate reveals award-winning approach to arable and nature

Frampton Court Estate in Gloucestershire won this year’s prestigious Silver Lapwing Award for delivering a diversity of habitats alongside an integrated farming system. Peter Clifford, who took over the business…

DISEASE MANAGEMENT

Scottish growers get new potato virus testing service

Scottish potato growers have a new option for checking seed stocks for viruses following the recent launch of a commercial testing service by SAC Consulting (part of SRUC). The service…

FARMER FOCUS

Farmer Focus: pH drops rapidly in wet winters

I feel bad saying this after what some people around the world go through, but the rain finally arrived and we’ve planted oilseed rape and cover crops. Previously, I had…

FARMER FOCUS

Farmer Focus: We became part of combine fire statistic

August 2026 has certainly been one to remember - although that is probably the upbeat way of putting it. We often read about machinery fires in the south of the…

DISEASE MANAGEMENT

BYDV: Lessons from 2026 on how to reduce risk

Last season proved to be a perfect storm where earlier drilling, higher aphid numbers, milder conditions and increased virus levels all combined in one of the worst seasons for barley…

DISEASE MANAGEMENT

Growers advised to protect against resistant blight strains

Potato growers are being advised to keep up fungicide programmes to protect against the spread of resistant late blight strains as rain returns. That is the advice from Agrii’s lead technical…

FARMER FOCUS

Farmer Focus: It's the end of the road for sugar beet

August can often be a wet month here, and 2026 hasn’t been an exception. We had 63mm of rain in the month, which is nearly as much as May, June and July combined.   Thankfully,…

FARMER FOCUS

Farmer Focus: It's the end of the road for sugar beet

August can often be a wet month here, and 2026 hasn’t been an exception. We had 63mm of rain in the month, which is nearly as much as May, June and July combined.   Thankfully,…

HARVEST

Easy harvest mostly disappointing for Arable Insights farmers

An early harvest in most parts of the country has brought mixed, but generally disappointing results for our Arable Insights farmer panel.  See also: No-till farm evolves to combat frequent…

PEST MANAGEMENT

OSR growers warned against slug complacency after dry spell

Oilseed rape growers are being urged not to let the prolonged dry summer create a false sense of security over slug risk. And those yet to drill are advised to…

NUTRITION AND FERTILISER

Post-heatwave nutrition advice for autumn crop success

Informed nutrition decisions this autumn will be critical to establishing crops and strengthening resilience across arable systems, following the summer heatwave. Maximising every kilogram of nitrogen applied will require strong…

OILSEED RAPE

OSR revival gathers pace as growers expand acreage

The oilseed rape acreage is expected to rise again this autumn, with growers showing renewed confidence in the crop after it delivered one of the more positive outcomes in a…

FARMER FOCUS

Farmer Focus: It's as if someone threw a tin of green paint

What a difference over 100mm of rain has made. We are no longer breaking shear bolts or wearing metal away on our cultivation equipment as quickly. We have been able…

SOILS

How nature-friendly practices built farm's climate resilience

Herbal leys, cover crops, contour cropping and 30m buffer areas are at the heart of Rob Atkin’s strategy to improve soil health, manage grassweeds and protect water quality on his…

Arable news

ARABLE

Join us at Arable Insights Live: Potatoes

Following the success of the inaugural Arable Insights Live event earlier this year, Farmers Weekly is bringing the event back with a new focus on potatoes. With potato growers facing…

SUGAR BEET

Drought threatens sugar beet harvest prospects

The financial resilience of sugar beet production is being further tested by drought, with the national harvest forecast to be as much as 25% below an average year. With the…

HARVEST

Rapeseed co-op forecasts UK yields to exceed 4t/ha

United Oilseeds is forecasting average UK oilseed rape yields to exceed 4t/ha for the first time this harvest, potentially setting a new record for the crop and reinforcing the growing…

HARVEST

Hope for later crops in Scotland as harvest nears completion

Yields are down by an average of 20% this year due to the hot, dry weather. However, cooler climates in the north of the UK have seen a benefit, with…

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Agronomy Edge: Still trying to stay on the pulse?

How to make SFI a success on your arable farm

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ARABLE

Five novel crops that could help counter climate change  

Arable growers looking to diversify their cropping could start by taking a look at novel and underused crops such as lentils, millet, lupins, hemp and sunflowers to give a good…

SOILS

Estate reveals award-winning approach to arable and nature

Frampton Court Estate in Gloucestershire won this year’s prestigious Silver Lapwing Award for delivering a diversity of habitats alongside an integrated farming system. Peter Clifford, who took over the business…

DISEASE MANAGEMENT

BYDV: Lessons from 2026 on how to reduce risk

Last season proved to be a perfect storm where earlier drilling, higher aphid numbers, milder conditions and increased virus levels all combined in one of the worst seasons for barley…

DISEASE MANAGEMENT

Growers advised to protect against resistant blight strains

Potato growers are being advised to keep up fungicide programmes to protect against the spread of resistant late blight strains as rain returns. That is the advice from Agrii’s lead technical…

HARVEST

Easy harvest mostly disappointing for Arable Insights farmers

An early harvest in most parts of the country has brought mixed, but generally disappointing results for our Arable Insights farmer panel.  See also: No-till farm evolves to combat frequent…

PEST MANAGEMENT

OSR growers warned against slug complacency after dry spell

Oilseed rape growers are being urged not to let the prolonged dry summer create a false sense of security over slug risk. And those yet to drill are advised to…

NUTRITION AND FERTILISER

Post-heatwave nutrition advice for autumn crop success

Informed nutrition decisions this autumn will be critical to establishing crops and strengthening resilience across arable systems, following the summer heatwave. Maximising every kilogram of nitrogen applied will require strong…

SOILS

How nature-friendly practices built farm's climate resilience

Herbal leys, cover crops, contour cropping and 30m buffer areas are at the heart of Rob Atkin’s strategy to improve soil health, manage grassweeds and protect water quality on his…

CROP MANAGEMENT

Grower trial aims to unlock food-grade millet production

A crop of millet stood like a green oasis in the middle of the parched Kent landscape in mid-August this year at Nonington Farms, seven miles outside Canterbury. Grower Emma…

SUGAR BEET

Beet growers advised to focus on pests as rain arrives

Sugar beet growers are being advised to remain vigilant for pests and diseases after the first rainfall for several months, in a year when light land yields are expected to…

ARABLE

FW Awards: Meet the 2026 Arable Adviser of the year finalists

This year’s finalists help clients farm sustainably and profitably through data-driven decisions, efficient inputs, and healthier soils and crops.  The finalists Joe Cluley, Indigro, Broadway, Worcestershire Steven Mears, Crop Management…

WEED MANAGEMENT

How new herbicide is helping tackle Italian ryegrass

Italian ryegrass is the key grassweed in parts of Kent and a new herbicide is helping farmers manage high levels and harvest crops which would otherwise be sprayed off. While…

POTATOES

GB Potatoes at four: What are the challenges and priorities?

Four years on since the establishment of GB Potatoes, the industry-led organisation is providing a voice for potato growers and ensuring the sector has representation at government level. “The demise…

PLOUGHING AND CULTIVATION

When should regenerative growers cultivate?

Minimal, or in many cases zero tillage, is a core, often non-negotiable tenet of regenerative farming practices. But growers shouldn’t be overly concerned about using occasional strategic cultivation, according to…

ARABLE

Five ways to get your farm ready for SFI window 2

With window 2 of the Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI26) opening in September 2026, farmers and land managers are advised to be ready for a competitive application period. With £180m allocated,…

ESTABLISHMENT

Later-drilled oilseed rape requires tailored agronomy

Oilseed rape growers opting for a later drill date following the dry summer may need to adjust agronomy to compensate for the shortened growing period ahead of winter. “If drilling…

Farmer Focus

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FARMER FOCUS

Farmer Focus: pH drops rapidly in wet winters

I feel bad saying this after what some people around the world go through, but the rain finally arrived and we’ve planted oilseed rape and cover crops. Previously, I had…

FARMER FOCUS

Farmer Focus: We became part of combine fire statistic

August 2026 has certainly been one to remember - although that is probably the upbeat way of putting it. We often read about machinery fires in the south of the…

FARMER FOCUS

Farmer Focus: It's the end of the road for sugar beet

August can often be a wet month here, and 2026 hasn’t been an exception. We had 63mm of rain in the month, which is nearly as much as May, June and July combined.   Thankfully,…

FARMER FOCUS

Farmer Focus: It's as if someone threw a tin of green paint

What a difference over 100mm of rain has made. We are no longer breaking shear bolts or wearing metal away on our cultivation equipment as quickly. We have been able…

Markets

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CROPS MARKETS AND PRICES

Political turmoil sends rapeseed prices up again

Oilseed rape prices have soared to a six-week high, having jumped by 7% since 24 August. Paris November rapeseed futures rose from €521/t (£446/t) to €558/t (£478/t) on Tuesday 1…

CROPS MARKETS AND PRICES

Wheat rallies as Black Sea exports stall

Grain markets have continued to strengthen, driven by adverse weather and ongoing disruption to Russian and Ukrainian exports. London wheat futures reached a contract high of £208/t for November delivery…

CROPS MARKETS AND PRICES

UK farmers face double blow on grain supplies and yields

Dire domestic cereal yields combined with ongoing disruption to grain supply from major exporting nations is set to deliver a double blow to UK farmers and cast further doubt on…

ARABLE

Frontier apologises for £8.19/t drying charge during drought

Frontier Agriculture has apologised to a farmer after an £8.19/t drying charge was mistakenly applied to his Group 1 wheat during an exceptionally dry harvest. Tom Clarke, who farms near…

CROPS MARKETS AND PRICES

Wheat prices stable despite supply challenges

Wheat and barley prices remain volatile, driven by political developments in the Middle East and profit-taking in futures markets – but fundamental tightness remains. Ex-farm feed wheat ended the week…

CROPS MARKETS AND PRICES

Farmers urged to do due diligence when trading grain

Farmers are being encouraged to take great care and show due diligence when trading their grain, as analysis of company accounts shows a recent deterioration in the financial performance of…

CROPS MARKETS AND PRICES

Potatoes show signs of stress as drought strikes

With the Environment Agency confirming this week that more than half of England is now officially in drought, potato crops are showing increasing signs of stress. “There’s no doubt that…

CROPS MARKETS AND PRICES

Oilseed and pulse prices remain firm

Uncertainty in Europe and the Middle East continue to buoy oilseed rape prices, while pulse values remain steady. But with dry weather impacting yields and planning, prospects remain uncertain.  With…

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

Driver's view: JCB Fastrac owner rates his pair of 6300s

Hauling heavyweight tankers, spreaders and trailers across England’s northernmost counties requires a tractor that’s as adept at clocking up hours on tarmac as it is in the field. That is…

CEREAL DRILLS

Gloucs farm commissions custom 6m Weaving combi drill

Seven years ago, Cotswold growers Alex and Andrew Bullock embarked on an organic conversion that would call for a complete overhaul of their establishment system. Losing the ability to clobber…

CEREAL DRILLS

Sky Agri creates dry-soil seeder from precision cultivator

Sky Agriculture has created a new tine seeder for sowing into stony and very dry soils by equipping its Methys PCS cultivator with a seed distribution system and new slimline…

CEREAL DRILLS

Fabricator assembles Avadex applicator for Horsch Avatar

After years of honing his workshop skills at a machinery dealership and agricultural engineering firm, Stuart Gallop branched out on his own. The Gloucestershire native now tackles a broad range…

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