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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…

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…

SOILS

Herefordshire seed grower crowned Soil Farmer of the Year

Herefordshire farmer Jonathan Joseph is this year’s Soil Farmer of the Year, in recognition of how he has reshaped soil management on his farm. This has been achieved through a…

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…

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…

FARMER FOCUS

Farmer Focus: We can learn much from French attitude to food

We recently returned from a week in France over half-term. The weather was fantastic, as was the food, beer and wine. At the same time, a farmer who many of…

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…

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…

FARMER FOCUS

Farmer Focus: We can learn much from French attitude to food

We recently returned from a week in France over half-term. The weather was fantastic, as was the food, beer and wine. At the same time, a farmer who many of…

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…

FARMER FOCUS

Farmer Focus: Harvest prospects and next year's wheats

It is that time of year again – for attending crop variety trial meetings. Well, it is for Dad, anyway. Yellow rust has definitely been the talk of the town,…

WEED MANAGEMENT

Residual herbicide now approved for pre-em use in wheat

Changes to the label for residual herbicide Xerton (ethofumesate) to include pre-emergence use in winter wheat promises to unlock additional activity against blackgrass. Previously, the label restricted its use in…

Arable news

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…

CROP MANAGEMENT

Cereals 2025: Digital agronomy service offers SFI update

A leading digital agronomy service has announced updated software tools to support users with Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) compliance. Precision agriculture service Rhiza is now offering SFI-compliant integrated pest management…

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How to make SFI a success on your arable farm

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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…

COVER CROPS

How Arable Insights farmers are using cover crops in rotation

Whether it is to increase soil organic matter, provide grazing for sheep, prevent nutrients from leaching, or deliver extra income within the rotation, cover cropping has become a key part…

VARIETY SELECTION

Cereals 2025: Two new wheat varieties to make the top six

Two new winter wheat varieties Vibe and Scope are set to break into the top six best-selling varieties, helped by their high yields and grain quality. The two varieties have…

VARIETY SELECTION

Cereals 2025: Royalty collection fee for Group 4 winter wheat

New winter wheat Hexton is the first mainstream cereal variety set for an alternative royalty collection rate, which aims to “level the playing field” for farm-saved and certified seed fees.…

PEST MANAGEMENT

Cereals 2025: Top 10 strategies to tackle flea beetle

A list of the top 10 strategies to tackle the critical cabbage stem flea beetle (CSFB) pest in oilseed rape crops has been released to help reverse the fortunes of…

BLACKGRASS

Trial leads to shift in blackgrass strategy on Oxon farm

Rotational ploughing and maximising autumn flushes are part of the new strategy at Tusmore estate near Bicester, as its farm manager looks to get blackgrass back under control. The grassweed…

Farmer Focus

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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…

FARMER FOCUS

Farmer Focus: We can learn much from French attitude to food

We recently returned from a week in France over half-term. The weather was fantastic, as was the food, beer and wine. At the same time, a farmer who many of…

FARMER FOCUS

Farmer Focus: Harvest prospects and next year's wheats

It is that time of year again – for attending crop variety trial meetings. Well, it is for Dad, anyway. Yellow rust has definitely been the talk of the town,…

Markets

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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…

CROPS MARKETS AND PRICES

UK biofuels sector in jeopardy as US trade deal stings

Domestic wheat growers could be set to lose a vital market if Associated British Foods decides to shut down Vivergo Fuels, its bioethanol plant near Hull, East Yorkshire. The company…

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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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…

CULTIVATORS

Ullmanna AI-enhanced in-row weeder learns as it works

A hoe that tackles weeds across a wide range of sizes both between and within rows uses rapid image analysis to detect and target the offending plants. It uses air-activated…

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