All Groundswell articlesSee all GROUNDSWELLBadenoch signals more nature-focused Tory farm policyConservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch has signalled a more nature-focused approach to farming policy after making her first visit to Groundswell, saying future environmental measures should be shaped by farmers… PEST MANAGEMENTNew biopesticide could control flea beetles in OSRA new biopesticide that could be used to control cabbage stem flea beetles in oilseed rape is set to be tested in the field in the next two years, which… SOILSLancs veg grower scoops Soil Farmer of the Year AwardTwo to three years of herbal leys gives enough fertility to Chris Molyneux’s south Lancashire soils to grow a string of vegetable crops without nitrogen, helping him to win the… MARKET OPPORTUNITIESGroundswell 2025: Oxfordshire regen farm works with bakery chainA loaf of sourdough on sale in Gail’s bakery, and named after the Oxfordshire farm the flour was sourced from, is described by the bakery chain as a celebration of… ARABLEGroundswell 25: Farmers reveal what makes a good grower groupSuccessful grower groups are those with good farmer engagement, flexible funding arrangements and an unwavering focus on two-way knowledge exchange, rather than knowledge transfer. A Groundswell session bringing together participants… CROP MANAGEMENTGroundswell 25: Why regen agronomy is a specialist skillAgronomy for a regenerative farming system often needs greater attention to detail and extra time, so farmers must be prepared to pay for it, visitors to Groundswell were told. Whether… WEED MANAGEMENTExpert tips for chemical-free thistle and dock controlMechanical 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… PEST MANAGEMENTFera launches wireworm DNA barcode testFera 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… WEED MANAGEMENTElectric weeding system makes debut at GroundswellControlling 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… SOILSHerefordshire seed grower crowned Soil Farmer of the YearHerefordshire 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… CROP MANAGEMENTWhy new tools could help unlock biostimulant secretsGreater specificity is needed when talking about biostimulants to help growers understand their likely effects and avoid disappointment, while new tools should help unlock greater understanding of how they work,… SOILSHow root systems are damaged by surface compactionCompaction is the hidden killer of root systems, and that can have a profound effect on soil health as well as crop performance, an audience at Groundswell heard. Surface compaction… More articles
