There is a well known saying, 'no pain, no gain' and that will be ringing true in the minds of Milk Link’s 1,600 producers, who are on the brink of reaping just reward for 12 years of loyalty and investment.Farmers Guardian
Teresa Rush Editorial
I’m Farmers Guardian’s arable editor. I’ve been reporting on the arable sector for 21 years, following completion of a National Diploma in Agriculture at the Derbyshire College of Agriculture and a degree in Agricultural Marketing at UCW Aberystwyth. I work from home in a small village in south Suffolk, surrounded by rolling arable fields and am married to a farm sprayer operator, so arable farming is a big part of my life. I continue to be fascinated by the diversity and dynamism of the arable sector and feel privileged to be bringing arable news to farmers. In my spare time I walk (a good way of looking a other people’s crops), compete in the odd triathlon, read, and speak French (badly).
-
Focus on keeping flag leaf clean in high disease season
18 May 2012
WITH T2 fungicide sprays under way in some regions, growers are being urged to treat septoria with respect in a season in which disease pressure is proving to be the highest seen for several years.
-
Shortage of fungicide products a real concern
16 May 2012
CONCERNS are mounting in the combinable crops sector over the prospect of shortages of key fungicide products as the season progresses.
-
Scottish potatoes remain free from dickeya
12 May 2012
THE 2011/12 post harvest tuber survey for potato pathogen dickeya has been completed and all samples tested were found free of infection, Science and Advice for Scottish Agriculture (SASA) has announced.
-
Blight special: 'Fight against blight' campaign highlights outgrade pile links
May 11, 2012
AS part of the Potato Council’s ‘Fight against blight’ campaign, the mapping of late blight outbreaks has demonstrated outgrade piles remain a significant source of blight in potato crops.
-
In search of better cereal crops
1 May 2012
NEW funding has recently been announced for nine separate research projects which are all aimed at delivering improvements in the main UK combinable crops.
-
£4m project to give UK cereals a boost
25 April 2012
A £4M project aimed at improving cereals has been announced by the Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC).
-
LEAF expands its centre of excellence network
25 April 2012
SUFFOLK arable farmers E.J. Barker and Sons are the latest entrants to LEAF’s (Linking Environment And Farming) network of demonstration farms.
-
European Ombudsman opens neonicotinoids investigation
20 April 2012
THE European Ombudsman has opened an investigation into whether the European Commission has taken appropriate measures to combat increased bee mortality in the EU, which is potentially linked to certain insecticides.
-
Saddle gall midge alert
19 April 2012
SADDLE gall midge larvae have been detected at monitoring sites and pupation is under way, according to the latest Pestwatch report.
-
Yellow rust threat to triticale
19 April 2012
YELLOW rust has been the focus of much attention in the UK this season but in Denmark, triticale growers are already facing the prospect of significant crop losses as a result of the disease.
-
Disease control in limiting drought stress in winter wheat
11 April 2012
IF and at what point fungicide programmes for winter wheat should be adjusted in a dry season are the subjects of ongoing debate, but experts say some programmes may help crops cope.
-
Evidence of aphid activity during mild winter as signs of BYDV appear
9 April 2012
LATE migrations and continued development of aphids during the mild, early winter months has led to high levels of barley yellow dwarf virus (BYDV) in cereal crops this spring.
-
New technology solution for OSR weed control
6 April 2012
?Herbicide-tolerant oilseed rape varieties available commercially for the first time for drilling this autumn will be a welcome addition to the agronomy toolbox for growers struggling to cope with difficult-to-control weeds, believes one Kent farmer. Teresa Rush finds out more.
-
Precision management in the farming environment
March 30, 2012
PRECISION farming can deliver environmental and economic benefits, a team of RSPB researchers and advisers heard at a workshop at the RSPB’s Hope Farm in Cambridgeshire.
-
Task force meets to tackle plant health fees increases
March 30, 2012
THE inaugural meeting of a new Plant Health Task Force takes place next month.
-
Hybrids topping the list for 2012 drilling
22 March 2012
“A number of key influences have seen hybrids selling more quickly this year,” says Beckii Gibbs, seed manager at United Oilseeds.
-
England and Wales plantings up as Scottish area falls
14 March 2012
GOOD autumn planting conditions and relatively strong forward prices have resulted in a 5 per cent increase in the area of winter cereals and oilseed rape planted in England and Wales this season compared with last, according to the latest estimate from HGCA.
-
Plant breeding to take centre stage as pesticides enter ‘twilight era’?
8 March 2012
PLANT breeding constraints imposed through the cereal variety testing system and the end of the ‘pesticides era’ were among the topics touched on by leading academics at the RASE President’s Seminar.
-
Laying solid disease control foundations with T0 fungicide is key to reducing risk
25 February 2012
?For many growers T0 is a routine component of a disease control programme in wheat, but for some T1 remains the starting point. As the spring disease control season approaches Teresa Rush asks what are the key considerations at T0, at a roundtable discussion hosted by Bayer CropScience.
-
Spray nozzle choice for fungicide applications
24 February 2012
A small droplet air induction nozzle remains the nozzle of choice for fungicide applications from growth stage 24 (GS24) onwards, HGCA-funded work has concluded.
-
Dry weather weed control challenge
2 February 2012
SEVERAL herbicide active ingredients applied at reduced intervals were required to overcome the weed control challenges in sugar beet, brought about by last spring’s dry and warm weather.
-
Wheat bulb fly egg hatch progressing rapidly in Suffolk
1 February 2012
WHEAT bulb fly egg hatch is progressing in East Anglia and particularly rapidly in Suffolk, according to the latest Dow AgroSciences Pestwatch report prepared by ADAS.
-
Are multi-site fungicides now essential, not optional?
26 January 2012
MULTI-SITE fungicides may not have the same level of activity against key wheat disease septoria tritici as triazole and SDHI actives, but disease experts gathered at a resistance meeting last week took the view that now was the time to assign them equal importance within a fungicide programme.
-
Funding secured for NIAB Innovation Farm
19 January 2012
PLANT research organisation NIAB has secured EU funding to improve the transfer of plant science from research laboratories through to commercial markets.
-
Discovery of 'nourishing gene' brings hope for increased yield
18 January 2012
SCIENTISTS from the University of Warwick scientists have discovered a ‘nourishing gene’ that controls the transfer of nutrients from plant to seed.
-
Wheat bulb fly egg hatch under way
18 January 2012
WHEAT bulb fly egg hatch has started in Suffolk, Cambridgeshire and Lincolnshire, soil sampling carried out for the Dow AgroSciences and ADAS Pestwatch service has revealed.
-
BASF moves GM development away from Europe
17 January 2012
LACK of acceptance of GM technology in Europe has led plant science business BASF to move its plant biotechnology activities to what it describes as the ‘main markets’ in North and South America.
-
Earlies planting gets underway
11 January 2012
TOKEN plantings of early potatoes have got underway in Cornwall, says the Potato Council.
-
Potato supply increases on the previous season
11 January 2012
ON farm, producer-owned potato stocks, as of the end of November 2011, stood at 3.28 million tonnes, according to AHDB/Potato Council.
-
Roaring distilling demand creates grain opportunities
10 January 2012
WITH the whisky boom looking unstoppable, Scottish farmers have an opportunity to ride the wave, provided their grain is top quality and firmly within technical specifications.
-
Case study: Ambassador for the South, Nick Baird
January 6, 2012
SOUTHERN-based ambassador Nick Baird played host to ‘Delia Online’ last year to raise awareness for Potato Week (October 1-7).
-
Time to spread the word on potatoes
January 6, 2012
IN 2009, potato growers were recruited as ‘Potato Ambassadors’ to promote British potatoes and forge links between producers and consumers. Such has been the project’s success, recruitment of a second phase of ambassadors begins shortly.
-
Stewardship guidelines offer last chance for chlorpyrifos
December 16, 2011
NEW guidelines for the application of insecticide chlorpyrifos have been issued by a consortium of approval holders of the chemical in a bid to safeguard future use of products containing the active ingredient in the UK.
-
Agronomist must manage disease in integrated way
December 16, 2011
MAKE use of the information available to manage disease in an integrated way, was the message to agronomists from Dr Simon Oxley, HGCA senior research and knowledge transfer manager.
-
SDHI fungicides stand out in trials
December 16, 2011
EACH of the three latest SDHI fungicides added good protectant activity to triazole partners for septoria tritici control in HGCA 2011 fungicide performance trials conducted by ADAS.
-
SMN of no value in ‘normal’ situations
8 December 2011
THE current standard approach to predicting soil nitrogen supply by soil mineral nitrogen (SMN) testing is unlikely to be cost-effective and could be misleading when used in ‘normal’ arable situations, HGCA-funded research has revealed.
-
Newcomers on the Pulse RL revealed
1 December 2011
POTENTIALLY significant improvements in downy mildew resistance, yield advances in some categories and the return of one winter bean variety from Outclassed to Fully Recommended are among the developments seen on the latest Pulse Recommended List.
-
Research to identify cause of light leaf spot resistance
November 25, 2011
NEW research into crop protection was a key theme on the first day of this year’s CropWorld conference. Teresa Rush reports.
-
Conventional feed barley closes yield gap on hybrids
23 November 2011
IMPROVEMENTS in quality and disease resistance are evident among the 18 new cereal and oilseed rape varieties joining the HGCA Recommended List for 2012/2013. Teresa Rush reports.
-
New bread wheat addition offers greater disease resistance benefits
23 November 2011
IMPROVEMENTS in quality and disease resistance are evident among the 18 new cereal and oilseed rape varieties joining the HGCA Recommended List for 2012/2013. Teresa Rush reports.
-
OSR newcomers bring improved resistance to key disease threats
23 November 2011
IMPROVEMENTS in quality and disease resistance are evident among the 18 new cereal and oilseed rape varieties joining the HGCA Recommended List for 2012/2013. Teresa Rush reports.
-
LERAP changes introduce 20m spray buffer zone
23 November 2011
CHANGES to the Local Environmental Risk Assessments for Pesticides (LERAP) scheme mean that spray buffer zones against watercourses of up to 20m may be required for certain products.
-
HGCA Recommended Lists for 2012/13 announced
17 November 2011
IMPROVEMENTS in quality and disease resistance are evident among the 18 new cereal and oilseed rape varieties joining the HGCA Recommended List for 2012/13.
-
Facing up to the cost of production challenge
16 November 2011
FOR any potato grower, knowing their costs of production underpins their ability to take a profit from their crop. Yet there is a feeling within the sector too many growers do not know their true costs. Teresa Rush met up with a leading potato producer to find out what that means in practice.
-
Ozone threat to crop yields
15 November 2011
CURRENT levels of ambient ozone concentrations are reducing crop yields across the world and with ozone concentrations expected to increase, further yield losses are expected in the future.
-
Wealth of data on hand to aid variety selection decisions
October 28, 2011
KNOW your market. Match varieties to your farm situation and fine-tune variety decisions with HGCA and local data.
-
Survey reveals reduced threat from wheat bulb fly
20 October 2011
Results from HGCA’s autumn wheat bulb fly survey show infestation levels are lower than the high levels seen in 2010.
-
Scottish potatoes remain free from dickeya
13 September 2011
NONE of the Scottish seed and ware potato crops sampled for presence of the blackleg pathogen dickeya this growing season have tested positive, said SASA.
-
EU set to abolish sugar quotas?
6 September 2011
THE European Union is set to propose the abolition of sugar production quotas and guaranteed minimum prices from 2016, according to a Reuters news agency report.
-
Agrovista and Openfield join forces
6 September 2011
CROP protection and agronomy business Agrovista UK and farmer owned grain marketing and arable inputs business Openfield have announced a strategic alliance to serve all parts of the UK market.
-
Alternative herbicide in battle against black-grass
August 19, 2011
Positive feedback from growers, together with good results in distributor trials has prompted Dow AgroSciences to reposition its pyroxsulam+pendimethalin herbicide, Broadway Sunrise, for the coming season.
-
Improving consistency of black-grass control in OSR
August 19, 2011
A sequence or mixture based on herbicide active ingredients carbetamide and propyzamide, can improve the consistency of black-grass control in oilseed rape it is claimed.
-
BSPB warns growers not to farm-save hybrid varieties
8 August 2011
THE British Society of Plant Breeders (BSPB) is reminding growers of the legal obligations and agronomic and economic risks of farm-saving seed of F1 hybrid varieties.
-
New brown rust strain identified
1 August 2011
CEREAL disease experts are warning of the emergence of one or more new races of brown rust following an apparent breakdown of some winter wheat varieties with a high rating for resistance to the disease.
-
Seed shortage concerns are driving early orders
27 July 2011
SEED sales are reported to be well ahead of normal as growers respond to concerns over shortages of some varieties following this spring’s drought.
-
Rust confirmed in beet – get ready to spray
12 July 2011
SUGAR beet growers are being advised to get ready to apply fungicide treatments to their crops following confirmation of the presence of active brown rust in sugar beet at Broom’s Barn research centre in Suffolk.
-
Cereals 2011: Wheat breeding research taps into global gene pool
15 June 2011
RESEARCH projects seeking to identify new wheat genetic material for plant breeders were among the projects demonstrated on the Velcourt stand at Cereals.
-
Cereals 2011: New milling wheat contracts for harvest 2012
15 June 2011
A leading baker has taken the unusual step of offering contracts for a bread making wheat variety ahead of the decision on its approval for addition to the HGCA Recommended List.
-
Cereals 2011: Plant breeding can deliver on sustainability challenges
15 June 2011
PLANT breeding is well-placed to deliver the genetic innovation required to meet the combined global challenges of food security, climate change and environmental protection.
-
Cereals 2011: Crop Improvement Research Club projects
15 June 2011
THE first of two tranches of research projects funded by the £7 million Crop Improvement Research Club (CIRC) has been announced this morning (Wednesday, June 15) at Cereals 2011 by the BBSRC.
-
Genetic advance may reduce septoria threat
June 10, 2011
SCIENTISTS have cracked the genetic code of septoria tritici - the most important foliar disease of wheat in the UK - and in doing so have gained an insight into how the disease is able to evade wheat’s natural defences.
-
Cereals 2011: Boosting drill capacity could deliver black-grass control benefits
2 June 2011
A bigger drill could prove to be as important a weapon against black-grass as a herbicide during the next few years.
-
Bruchid beetle warning
31 May 2011
BRUCHID beetle are on the move and, with rising temperatures bringing at least two consecutive hot days forecast this week also coinciding with first pod set in many winter bean crops, the risks of damaging egg laying activity has increased significantly.
-
Hybrid wheat returns to the UK
17 May 2011
HYBRID wheat is once again in the ground in the UK, almost a decade after the seed industry’s last foray into the technology.
-
Two genes better than one in the quest for rhizo resistance
28 April 2011
NEW sugar beet varieties under consideration for addition to the BBRO sugar beet variety list for 2012 sowing offer the potential for a higher level of rhizomania resistance as a more aggressive disease strain is spreading across English beet growing areas.
-
Yellow rust disease levels are increasing
21 April 2011
THE yellow rust threat has significantly increased with disease now starting to show in more moderately susceptible varieties, growers are being advised.
-
GM potatoes could boost environment
20 April 2011
THE potato starch manufacturer AVEBE and chemical company BASF have confirmed they will jointly develop genetically enhanced amylopectin starch potatoes. .
-
Variable OSR crops pose management challenge
April 15, 2011
WINTER oilseed rape survival and development is highly variable on many farms this season despite the most favourable autumn for establishment in three or four years.
-
Pesticides disposal scheme funding ends
7 April 2011
LARGE numbers of farmers hoping to dispose of unapproved pesticides under a Government-backed scheme look set to be disappointed after funding was withdrawn.
-
Inspect crops before deciding on N strategy
6 April 2011
GROWERS and agronomists are being advised to consider how much nitrogen might be contained in autumn-sown crops at the start of spring growth before finalising N decisions this season.
-
Precision approach to OSR establishment
24 March 2011
OILSEED rape establishment trials last season gave one company giving crop production advice an insight into the opportunities available to growers to move away from traditional plough-based establishment techniques.
-
Alternatives key to avoiding high fertiliser price
February 25, 2011
WITH fertiliser prices double those of five years ago and increasing, advice from Adas and Defra for the coming season is to make best use of all other sources of nutrients, especially those in soil and manure.
-
NFU11: Unharvested beet is not waste
16 February 2011
SUGAR beet crops left unharvested in the ground will not be classified as waste and so will not require an exemption for disposal under farm waste regulations, the NFU has confirmed.
-
IZM approved for use in wheat
15 February 2011
Syngenta Crop Protection UK has gained UK approval for its new, next generation fungicide based on IZM (isopyrazam) for use in winter wheat, as well as in winter and spring barley, rye and triticale.
-
Newark beet factory announces closing date
11 February 2011
THE Newark sugar beet factory will close for beet intake on Friday February 18 British Sugar announced today (Friday February 11).
-
Aggressive rhizomania strain found in Norfolk
7 February 2011
THE presence of the highly aggressive AYPR rhizomania strain has been confirmed for the first time in crops of sugar beet in Norfolk this season.
-
Sow-thistle threat to OSR crops
January 28, 2011
SEVERAL species of difficult and competitive broad-leaved weeds are present in oilseed rape crops and, as soon as the weather warms up, they will be ready and waiting to romp away and cause yield and harvesting problems.
-
New crop protection options for 2011
19 January 2011
THE first half of January 2011 has seen a number of significant product launches in the agrochemical sector, giving growers new fungicide and herbicide options for the coming season.
-
Fresh setback for beet as factories struggle
18 January 2011
THIS season’s beleaguered sugar beet campaign has suffered a further blow after the weekend’s unseasonably mild weather caused previously frozen beet crops to break down, leading to processing problems at British Sugar’s factories.
-
British Sugar advises on dealing with frozen beet
4 January 2011
SUGAR beet processor British Sugar has issued guidance to growers on dealing with frost-affected crops.
-
Group 1 spring wheat – first in a decade
December 10, 2010
?Two new spring wheat varieties have made it on to the Recommended List, including the first Group 1 since Paragon in 1999.
-
Quality makes up for average 2010 pea yields
December 10, 2010
?Winners of the British Edible Pulse Association annual pulse competition were presented with their prizes for the highest performing pulse crops from the 2010 harvest at the BEPA annual dinner.
-
Scientists claiming a breakthrough
December 10, 2010
?Scientists at an environmental biotechnology company claim to have developed a biological product that could potentially be used to reduce the amount of nitrogen and other fertilisers used by arable farmers.
-
Scottish seed potato sector faces challenges
December 10, 2010
?Some of the challenges faced by Scottish seed potato growers and exporters were discussed during a visit by Scottish Government Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs and the Environment, Richard Lochhead, to Perth-based seed potato business Caithness Potatoes.
-
Growers urged to protect beet in big freeze
December 3, 2010
Sugar beet growers are being advised to keep a close watch on their local weather forecast and be prepared to act to protect beet should temperatures fall to -3degC or colder.
-
Wider rotational benefits of spring barley
December 3, 2010
As well as improved market prospects for spring malting barley, experiences of its wider benefits in the rotation are also making it look a better option than winter feed barley on one Wiltshire farm.
-
AHDB proposes hike in levy rates
19 November 2010
THE Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB) is recommending levy increases ranging from 3 to 18 per cent across the cereals and oilseeds, potato and beef and lamb sectors.
-
Dickeya prevention policies working for moment
November 19, 2010
New Potato Council-funded research assessing the threat to UK seed crops from the new and aggressive blackleg pathogen dickeya solani, suggests current prevention policies are working – at least for now.
-
Restricted OSR yields down to lack of sulphur?
November 19, 2010
?Sulphur deficiencies are creeping back in to oilseed rape crops, according to Openfield.
-
UK bioethanol production set to rise
10 November 2010
WHEAT use for UK bioethanol production is expected to increase in 2010/11 relative to 2009/10, according to the latest Defra supply and demand estimates for cereals.
-
Advice on keeping watercourses pesticides free
November 5, 2010
?While the farming industry has made good progress in keeping pesticides out of water, there remains room for improvement, says the Voluntary Initiative’s Water sub-group H2OK? in its latest newsletter.
-
New varieties provide OSR growers with ample choices
November 5, 2010
?Oilseed rape plantings have increased by between 5 and 7 per cent this autumn on the back of positive margins and the crop has strengthened its position as a key break crop going forward.
-
Notts event focuses on CFE ideas
November 5, 2010
?Practical steps to support farm wildlife, protect resources and avoid mandatory set-aside from 2012, will be the focus of a Nottinghamshire Campaign for the Farmed Environment (CFE) meeting being held in Newark on November 18.
-
Trophy honour after ‘outstanding’ research
November 5, 2010
?Dr John Bradshaw, honorary fellow of the Scottish Crop Research Institute (SCRI), has been awarded the 2010 British Potato Industry Award in recognition of his outstanding contribution to potato research and knowledge transfer.
-
CropWorld 2010: New insecticide shows potential against resistant aphids
4 November 2010
A new insecticide active ingredient presented at CropWorld could one day provide a much-needed addition to the agrochemical toolkit available for control of myzus persicae aphids.
-
CropWorld 2010: New fungicide chemistry offers benefits
4 November 2010
NEW fungicide chemistry coming on to the market will offer significant benefits in terms of disease control, yield benefits and resistance management. But whether or not growers exploit these benefits will depend on the price of new fungicides in the market.
-
CropWorld 2010: 2012 target for new SDHI fungicide
4 November 2010
CEREAL crops are likely to be the first to benefit from new SDHI fungicide chemistry that agrochemical manufacturer BASF is hoping to introduce to the market in 2012.
-
Co-operative Farms renew ELS for five more years
3 November 2010
The Co-operative Farms has signed up to the ELS scheme with Natural England for a further five years and increased the amount of land in the environmental agreement on farms it manages to over 6,500 hectares (16,000 acres).
-
‘Stack’ non-chemical methods to boost black-grass control
October 29, 2010
The focus was on weed management at a joint HGCA/Rothamsted Research Association workshop. Teresa Rush reports.
-
Controlling weeds in OSR
October 29, 2010
The focus was on weed management at a joint HGCA/Rothamsted Research Association workshop. Teresa Rush reports.
-
Machine vision approach captures grass-weed images
October 29, 2010
A project led by the University of Reading has developed a machine vision approach to automated identification and mapping of black-grass in the field.
-
Resistance to herbicide continues to spread
October 29, 2010
RESISTANCE to the grass-weed herbicide Atlantis (mesosulfuron+iodosulfuron) continues to spread, with Dorset and Warwickshire added by the end of 2009 to the list of counties with fields affected by resistant black-grass populations, Richard Hull of Rothamsted Research told the workshop.
-
Early infection raises TuYV levels
October 22, 2010
THE analysis of turnip yellows virus levels in HGCA Recommended List winter oilseed rape varieties in trials in Suffolk has revealed that some varieties appear to be affected by the virus to a greater extent than others.
-
Resistance-breaking rhizomania strain outbreaks continue to spread
October 22, 2010
THE resistance-breaking strain of rhizomania, first identified in rhizomania-resistant sugar beet varieties following an outbreak in a single field 2007, is continuing to spread.
-
More action on dickeya by Scottish Government
15 October 2010
THE Scottish Government has outlined further measures it is taking to prevent the spread of the highly aggressive potato bacterial pathogen dickeya solani.
-
Dearth of opportunities set to hold back plantings
October 8, 2010
WINTER barley plantings are expected to remain static or decline this autumn in the absence of any significant contract opportunities.
-
Harvest 2010 produces enough good quality wheat
October 8, 2010
Harvest 2010 has produced enough quality wheat across all grades to meet the demands of the domestic market, with more than 90 per cent of group 1 and 2 samples exceeding the 200 hagberg falling number threshold
-
New marketing for potato seed fungicide
October 8, 2010
Crop protection business Certis has taken over the marketing of the potato fungicide Fungazil 100SL.
-
Regional shifts as bioethanol demand takes effect
October 8, 2010
Farmer-owned arable marketing and inputs business, Openfield, shared its thoughts on markets, plantings and varieties at its review and outlook meeting. TERESA RUSH reports.
-
Southern growers return to barley
October 8, 2010
Growers in the South have returned to barley after a season of disappointing second wheat performances.
-
CropMonitor’s mycotoxin analysis shows ‘low’ toxins
October 1, 2010
?Mycotoxin analysis of the first 60 grain samples received from the CropMonitor wheat disease survey indicate toxin levels in 2010 are very low.
-
European corn borer damage identified in maize
October 1, 2010
?Damage caused by the European corn borer (ECB), along with active larvae, have been found for the first time in maize crops. Evidence of the pest was found in two crops in the south-west of England.
-
Greengrain project variety set for early C1 launch
October 1, 2010
?A new winter wheat variety showing promise for bioethanol production, as well as for the drinks distilling market and animal feed, is being launched for C1 seed production this autumn.
-
Monitoring reveals record second wheat yield gap
October 1, 2010
?The gap between first and second wheat yields reached a high this harvest in spite of noticeably lower take-all levels.
-
Staying ahead of slugs following return of rain
October 1, 2010
?Slugs will pose a real risk to establishing winter crops following a return of wet weather.
-
Herbicide shortage could hit black-grass control plans
September 24, 2010
AUTUMN herbicide plans could be thrown into disarray after supplies to the UK of a mainstay pre-em herbicide were cut back just as the spraying season begins.
-
Research aims for more crop per drop
16 September 2010
THE concept of precision farming is being extended to irrigation in a new Defra-funded research project which got underway this spring.
-
Winter wheat yield falls in final results
16 September 2010
IT has been a season of variable performance in Recommended List winter wheat trials this autumn, with large variations in yield, better than expected quality and some clear trends in rotational position and soil type influences.
-
Scottish seed potatoes free of dickeya infection
7 September 2010
SCOTTISH seed potatoes remain free from dickeya infection, a survey for the presence of the highly damaging potato disease has shown.
-
BASF applies for approval of second GM starch potato
7 September 2010
CHEMICAL business BASF has applied for approval of its second genetically modified starch potato. The European Commission approved the company’s first GM potato - the Amflora potato - for commercial production of industrial starch in May this year.
-
Great year for beer as hops flourish
6 September 2010
MASTER brewers at Shepherd Neame are hoping for more sunshine and showers to ensure a high-quality hop harvest for 2010.
-
Storms continue to disrupt harvest across the country
3 September 2010
SHOWERS and storms have continued to disrupt harvest up and down the country, although there were hopes that a return to more settled weather conditions this week would allow cutting to resume in earnest.
-
New carboxamide fungicides available next spring
1 September 2010
NEW carboxamide fungicide technology will be widely available for the spring 2011 spraying season, Bayer CropScience has announced.
-
Industry campaign alerts growers to counterfeit threat
August 27, 2010
With the trade in counterfeit pesticides on the increase across Europe, several UK industry organisations have joined force to alert farmers to the risks associated with fake agrochemical products.
-
Innovative ‘whisky’ biofuel could power cars
August 27, 2010
Topping up at the petrol pump is about to take an intriguing twist thanks to a new super biofuel made from whisky by-products.
-
Crop protection business appoints technical manager
August 27, 2010
Crop protection business Certis has appointed Dr Tudor Dawkins to the position of technical manager.
-
Dawn Porter takes on potato challenge
August 27, 2010
Celebrity TV presenter and journalist Dawn Porter is following a ‘time-saving, healthy eating plan’ from the Potato Council
-
Later lifted beet set to benefit from T2 sprays
August 27, 2010
Sugar beet crops to be lifted from late November onwards should benefit from a second (T2) fungicide spray applied in the first half of September.
-
Leaving stubble over the winter helps birds survive
August 27, 2010
With harvest under way farmers are being urged to give a helping hand to birds by leaving stubble over the winter.
-
Mixed harvest results as rain delays continue
August 27, 2010
?Poor weather this harvest has combined with difficult conditions earlier in the season to create the ‘perfect storm’ for the 2010 wheat crop.
-
New winter wheat well suited to late drilling
August 27, 2010
A new winter wheat variety launched to growers for this autumn could be a strong contender for later drilling, says its breeder.
-
Season of no progress for OSR
August 27, 2010
The gross output progress of winter oilseed rape varieties in HGCA Recommended List East and West region trials has ground to a halt this season after a number of seasons of increases.
-
Sprouting reported as wet weather continues
August 27, 2010
The first cases of pre-harvest sprouting in winter wheat have been reported, according to independent agronomy advice business NIAB TAG.
-
Varied plus points for pulses: a Canadian working perspective
August 20, 2010
Some years ago, Canadian John Bennett packed in a career as a teacher to become an arable farmer – a pulse grower with a passion, writes PAUL GANDER.
-
Don’t be fooled – rust threat will carry forward
August 20, 2010
The extended dry spell may have stopped aggressive yellow rust in its tracks, but only for the time being, warns Broom’s Barn director, Bill Clark.
-
Fair start to pulse harvest but spring beans concern
August 20, 2010
First indications from the UK pulse crop harvest suggest peas are yielding normally and that winter beans too will be satisfactory – despite the drought.
-
Looking at ways to get even
August 20, 2010
This year more than ever variability has hampered efforts to get consistent wheat yield and quality. But Northants grower Stephen Evans finds drilling variable seed rates is helping him get an even crop.
-
Metaldehyde: Autumn focus has to include cutting rates
August 20, 2010
Farmers have the opportunity to make some “quick wins” this autumn in the battle to ensure slug control active metaldehyde continues to play a crucial role in their pest control armoury in future years.
-
‘Considerably reduced’ maincrop may limit supply
August 13, 2010
?WITH irregular weather patterns across Europe raising questions over the yield and quality of this season’s potato crop and the EU 5 total ware potato area remaining uncertain, some experts think supplies during August may become limited, says the Potato Council in its latest Euro-Potato report.
-
Ear disease risk after rain
August 13, 2010
?Sooty moulds are likely to develop in mature cereal crops if the current showery conditions continue, says ADAS.
-
Early season rust control treatment
August 13, 2010
?Trials conducted at a site at Stoughton in Leicestershire, for the fourth consecutive year, have demonstrated the contribution to early season rust control offered by fluquinconazole+prochloraz seed treatment Jockey, says Agrovista.
-
Fertiliser processed from plasterboard
August 13, 2010
Gypsum from recycled plasterboard and other redundant building materials is to be processed as a calcium and sulphur fertiliser for farmers in a joint venture between Perth-based CSC Crop Protection and Musselburgh-based Hamilton Recycling.
-
Metaldehyde: tiny reduction can make difference
August 13, 2010
?The NFU is calling on farmers and advisers to adhere to newly- introduced application rate guidelines for metaldehyde-based slug pellets, or risk losing metaldehyde products altogether.
-
New leaflet outlines CAIP campaign
August 13, 2010
THE Campaign against Accidental or Illegal Poisoning (CAIP) is alerting countryside users to look out for illegally poisoned wildlife and is also providing advice on legally-used traps.
-
OSR yields slightly down in East and West trials
August 13, 2010
?Oilseed rape varieties in East and West region HGCA Recommended List trials have produced variable yields so far this harvest, with the season mean yield to date coming in slightly down on the long-term average.
-
Symptoms of disease in beet crops
August 13, 2010
Symptoms of rust and powdery mildew can now be found in sugar beet crops and disease is being reported in crops from all factory areas, says the British Beet Research Organisation.
-
Yield rewards of pod shatter tolerant OSR
August 13, 2010
Oilseed rape with genetic tolerance to pod shatter has delivered a significant yield advantages over varieties not exhibiting the characteristic in trials conducted over two different seasons, says rapeseed breeder, Dekalb
-
Defra completes winter wheat assessments
August 6, 2010
All 300 samples from the Defra winter wheat survey have now been assessed for diseases.
-
CFE calculator launched
August 6, 2010
The Campaign for the Farmed Environment has launched a new electronic tool which enables advisers and agronomists to calculate how adoption of CFE measures compares in economic terms with the regulatory alternative.
-
Fight to solve challenges of sclerotinia
August 6, 2010
?A new research project involving the Potato Council and several industry partners is looking at the impact of the fungal disease sclerotinia and options for chemical control and rotational management.
-
First winter barley results reveal variable performances
August 6, 2010
INITIAL results from HGCA Recommended List winter barley trials indicate a slight overall increase in yield compared with last season. However variety performance has been mixed, with a number of varieties producing yields below their long-term average.
-
Ups and downs of early maincrop tubers
August 6, 2010
?Early indications from the potato harvest are that maincrop tuber numbers are higher than last year, by up to 75 per cent in some cases.
-
Test seed to avoid ‘forgotten’ diseases
July 23, 2010
The so-called ‘forgotten’ seed-borne diseases are safe and well and lurking in a field near you, waiting for an opportunity to infect a crop.
-
Arable product news in brief
July 2, 2010
THIS week’s look at new product news.
-
Check crop canopy for blight signs
July 2, 2010
?Potato blight development has followed last year’s pattern so far this season, with few Smith periods and only one confirmed incident.
-
Fears over rise of resistant septoria
21 June 2010
CONCERNS over the development of resistance to triazole fungicides in septoria populations have surfaced again after more resistant strains of the disease were discovered during NIAB TAG monitoring.
-
HGCA Oakley plots – timely warning
June 18, 2010
While this season has been one of generally low disease pressure, yellow rust had put in an appearance on untreated plots of Oakley winter wheat in the
-
Insight into IZM fungicide in wheat
June 18, 2010
Though there was no ‘silver bullet’ crop protection product launches at this year’s event, there was news of a broad-spectrum herbicide, plus new information on imminent SDHI fungicides.
-
New broad spectrum herbicide launch
June 18, 2010
A new autumn herbicide launched at Cereals targets the widest-ever range of grass and broad-leaved weeds in winter wheat, claims its manufacturer.
-
Pre-emergence treatments key to black-grass control
June 18, 2010
The poor levels of black-grass control achieved in many situations this season were a key talking point at Cereals.
-
Quality and high yields in winter malting varieties
June 18, 2010
AMONG new varieties launched at Cereals were two winter malting barleys from Syngenta Seeds.
-
TuYV in rape can cost 30pc yield
June 18, 2010
Most farmers don’t recognise the symptoms of turnip yellows virus (TuYV) in their oilseed rape but the message to growers is that it can cost up to 30 per cent in yield, said Bayer’s seed treatment campaign manager, Adrian Cottey.
-
'Very aggressive' yellow rust strains
June 18, 2010
New aggressive strains of yellow rust found in Denmark and Sweden, could spread to the UK.
-
High levels of TuYV in oilseed rape crops
June 11, 2010
Initial results from this year’s survey of oilseed rape crops indicate winter crops could again be at high risk of turnip yellows virus (TuYV) infection.
-
Cereals 2010: Plant breeders call for new approach to R&D funding
9 June 2010
NEW sources of investment and improved collaboration between public and private sector research is needed if crop yields are to meet food security goals into the future, the British Society of Plant Breeders warned ahead of Cereals 2010.
-
Blight warning for Yorkshire potato growers
8 June 2010
POTATO growers in Yorkshire face an unprecedented forecast of five continuous days of full smith period blight risk infection this week.
-
Have-a-say invite to all levy payers
May 28, 2010
Levy payers will have the opportunity to have their say on the future of HGCA research and vote on its delivery on the HGCA stand at Cereals 2010.
-
CPA launches new guide to bee safety
May 14, 2010
Protecting the health and welfare of bees given their importance as pollinators, is central to a new guide from the Crop Protection Association (CPA).
-
Scotland introduces strict new measures to counter dickeya
May 14, 2010
Strict new measures in Scotland to keep seed potatoes free of the aggressive blackleg pathogen dickeya solani are now up and running, says the Potato Council.
-
Telephone update on early potato crops
May 14, 2010
The Potato Council’s early crop regional telephone message lines are being replaced by one Early Crop Information line this season.
-
Yellow cereal fly infections on the rise
May 14, 2010
There have been a number of cases across the country of dead-hearts in cereal crops caused by yellow cereal fly (Opomyza), says ADAS.
-
BASF to develop new OD formulations
21 April 2010
A new oil dispersion formulation of boscalid will offer enhanced uptake and activity over existing formulations, according to manufacturer BASF.
-
New director for Potato Council
8 April 2010
DR Rob Clayton has been appointed Director of the Potato Council, a division of the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB), following a two month spell acting as the Council’s interim director.
-
Return to pea crop turns out to be most profitable
24 March 2010
Cambridgeshire-based arable farmer Edward Davison, had an interesting 2009 season. A return to growing peas after a 12-year break produced higher than expected yields of over four tonnes per hectare and combined with the contract premium, the crop turned out to be one of the farm’s most profitable.
-
NFU and British Sugar to unveil efficiency study findings
March 19, 2010
.
-
CFE must attract more agronomists
10 March 2010
MORE than half the number of agronomists and advisers targeted by the Campaign for the Farmed Environment have attended training and awareness days to date. But there’s more to be done say the campaign partners.
-
In-furrow treatment targets early aphid activity
9 March 2010
NEW approval for in-furrow application of thiomethoxam insecticide Actara at planting could give seed potato growers over five weeks post-emergence aphid control, says Syngenta.
-
T0 fungicide key in yellow rust battle
9 March 2010
YELLOW rust may not be visible on susceptible wheat varieties but a T0 fungicide remains a key spray this season experts are advising.
-
New tank mix to combat yellow rust
9 March 2010
A new fungicide tank mix option is aimed at providing winter wheat growers with a cost-effective way to boost fungicide activity and target this year’s heightened yellow rust threat.
-
Time for action against wheat bulb fly
9 March 2010
WHEAT bulb fly egg hatch is now fully underway in Cambridgeshire and Suffolk, with some plant invasion taking place. Egg-hatch has also been detected in East Yorkshire.
-
Aphid pressure could hit OSR yields
2 March 2010
APHID pressure in key areas last autumn looks set to suppress yields this season in some oilseed rape crops. Pre-Christmas tests for turnip yellows virus (TuYV) confirm levels were very high in a number of crops.
-
Yellow rust returns despite cold snap
2 March 2010
SYMPTOMS of yellow rust infection are reported to be re-emerging in wheat crops following the cold spell.
-
Cibus granted patent for glyphosate-tolerant plants
2 March 2010
CROP trait development business Cibus Global has been granted a patent from the European Patent Office for use of its Rapid Trait Development System in the production of non-transgenic, glyphosate-tolerant plants destined for the European market.
-
Arable Focus: Campaign for the Farmed Environment needs YOU
February 26, 2010
?It is a cold and grey February afternoon at Westhorpe Lodge Farm in Suffolk. I’m being shown around by David Barker, his son Patrick and nephew Brian. It’s the sort of day when the damp seems to seep into my bones and springtime feels like it’s a long way off.
-
Arable Focus: How you can contact LLG co-ordinators
February 26, 2010
Find out who your Local Liaison Group (LLG) co-ordinators for the Campaign for the Farmed Environment – which will be formally launched in Suffolk in March – click the link for the full list.
-
Arable focus: Plant population key focus for new beet drilling season
February 26, 2010
Trials show ideal plant populations for UK sugar beet crops.
-
Arable Focus: What is the Campaign for the Farmed Environment?
February 26, 2010
Answering your queries on the Campaign for the Farmed Environment which will be formally launched in Suffolk in March.
-
Trials reveal astounding differences in OSR yields
February 12, 2010
Hybrid and conventional oilseed rape varieties showed surprising differences in yield responses to spring sulphur applications in Frontier Agriculture trials last season.
-
Cumbrian farmers urged to back CFE
February 12, 2010
Arable farmers in Cumbria will be asked to help with the Campaign for the Farmed Environment at a meeting being held today (Feb 12) in Penrith.
-
Experts advise on triazole use in 2010
February 12, 2010
FOUR of the UK’s leading experts on fungicide resistance management are advising the use of fungicide mixtures and higher doses this season for the control of septoria tritici.
-
Fermentable sugar stores could boost biofuels industry
February 12, 2010
SCIENTISTS have found a way to increase fermentable sugar stores in plants which could lead to more economic and sustainable methods of biofuel production, says the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC).
-
Jack Wright Memorial Trust scholarship applications open
February 12, 2010
THE trustees of the Jack Wright Memorial Trust are inviting applications for the Trust’s 2010 travel awards.
-
Agronomists join forces to launch new consultancy
11 February 2010
Eight former TAG Consulting agronomists have set up a new consultancy serving the East Midlands and North East regions.
-
British Sugar switches beet variety
8 February 2010
SUGAR beet growers are to have access to only one beet cyst nematode-tolerant variety through the industry seed account for the 2010 season.
-
Spring spraying: Adjust fungicide budgets to accommodate rust threat?
February 5, 2010
?Changing the way fungicide budgets are apportioned may be justified this year in response to the yellow rust threat, believes Prime Agriculture’s Peter Riley, whose clients typically have 45 per cent of their winter wheat acreage down to Oakley.
-
Spring spraying: Growers better equipped to take the initiative now
February 5, 2010
Rust epidemics are nothing new but last season’s yellow rust outbreak together with the threat it has set up for this season’s crop differs from past outbreaks.
-
Spring spraying: Planning care so essential to control rust
February 5, 2010
Devise a rust control control plan and stick to it. It can be simple and still be effective. And it doesn’t have to add a great deal of cost to the season’s fungicide bill.
-
Spring spraying: Responding to epidemic
February 5, 2010
Would you be able to get around your wheat acreage quickly enough with the sprayer in the event of a rust epidemic?
-
New OSR and pulse marketing agreement
January 29, 2010
OILSEED rape and pulse varieties from LS Plant Breeding will be brought to the market by John Ebbage Seeds under a new marketing agreement announced by the two companies.
-
BASF team up with breeders to develop new sugar variety
25 January 2010
PLANT science business BASF and plant breeders KWS have announced they are to work together on biotechnology projects to develop high yielding sugar beet varieties for the global market.
-
Three-week optimum for fungicide spray intervals
21 January 2010
T0 fungicides will be a vital component of winter wheat fungicide programmes this season where yellow rust infection is a risk.
-
Yellow rust continues to pose a threat
21 January 2010
Yellow rust continues to pose a threat to winter wheat crops in spite of the prolonged spell of cold weather.
-
PGRO’s latest guide to pulses
21 January 2010
THE latest edition of the PGRO Pulse Agronomy Guide covers all aspects of pulse production, from variety choice, through to harvest, drying and storage.
-
Drought stress problem mistaken for tan spot
21 January 2010
A leading crop protection expert has questioned official disease figures indicating tan spot was the third most prevalent disease in winter wheat last season.
-
Parsnips are harvested from under 2ft of snow
19 January 2010
STAFFORDSHIRE parsnip growers R&RW Bartlett found themselves stars of television and radio as BBC reporters braved the freezing conditions to find out how vegetables are harvested from under 2ft of snow and in temperatures of –10degsC.
-
Increased tan spot threat to winter wheat
January 15, 2010
THE incidence of tan spot last season appears to have caught agronomists by surprise.
-
Breeding crops for the next decade
28 December 2009
PLANT breeder Bill Angus talks to Teresa Rush about his hopes for the next decade in terms of wheat breeding and how breeders will meet the challenges.
-
HGCA announce 2010/11 Recommended Lists
4 December 2009
THIS season’s crop of newcomers to the HGCA Recommended Lists for 2010/11, published today (Friday December 4), bring no big advances in yield.
-
‘£11m wasted’ by inefficient store set-ups
December 4, 2009
?The most efficient potato stores out-perform the worst by as much as four times on average in terms of energy efficiency. But most growers have no idea how well their store performs or how much money they could save.
-
Health status is big selling point
December 4, 2009
?The high health status of British potato seed is a huge selling point, growers attending British Potato 2009 were told and the Safe Haven Certification Scheme is at the heart of this high health status.
-
Higgins honoured with potato industry award
December 4, 2009
?Michael (Mike) Higgins, founder and chairman of The Higgins Group has been awarded the 2009 British Potato Industry Award in recognition of his outstanding contribution to the potato industry, particularly in the processing sector.
-
Improved skin, size and quality claimed
December 4, 2009
?Application and incorporation of Amistar (azoxystrobin) into potato beds prior to planting could deliver improved skin finish and more consistent tuber size and quality, says Syngenta.
-
No time for complacency over dickeya threat
December 4, 2009
?There was advice at British Potato 2009 on how to cope with the increasing threat to GB potato production from dickeya solani.
-
Report unearths the facts behind foodservice sector
December 4, 2009
?THE findings of new Potato Council-funded research into the foodservice market were unveiled at British Potato 2009.
-
Trials flag up damage FLN causes to crops
December 4, 2009
?Potato yields and fry colour could be improved with targeted control of free living nematodes (FLN) and soil-borne diseases, according to Syngenta.
-
New varieties join PGRO list for 2010
2 December 2009
A new winter bean, two spring beans and four pea varieties join the PGRO 2010 Pulse Recommended List.
-
Broader range of chemistry required for autumn weed control challenges
November 27, 2009
The withdrawal of trifluralin and IPU, combined with an exceptionally dry autumn, has provided a challenging combination for growers this season in terms of weed control options and herbicide performance.
-
OSR yields: Advanced plants needs TLC
November 27, 2009
Despite exceptionally dry autumn conditions, many winter rape crops across the Midlands and south of England look too far advanced for this time of year and have grown too quickly.
-
TAG maintains ASSET student investment
November 27, 2009
FOUR more students from the country’s leading agricultural universities have benefited from a unique scheme designed to support and encourage arable farming’s next generation.
-
Rudis fungicide gets brussels sprouts approval
24 November 2009
FIELD vegetable fungicide Rudis (prothioconazole) has gained approval for brussels sprouts use.
-
Scientists unveil GM crops alternative
18 November 2009
NOVEL crops developed using a new technique of genetic modification could be available in Europe within the next few years and, according to the technique’s developers, they should not be classified as GMOs.
-
BP2009: Harrogate November 25/26 – Seminar programme
November 13, 2009
TECHNICAL seminars running on the Potato Council stand will address key industry issues.
-
Key event for potato growers
November 13, 2009
The potato industry is focusing on the Yorkshire Event Centre, Harrogate, on November 25 and 26. Here’s what’s on.
-
'Level playing field’ required for crop protection risk assessment
13 November 2009
THE risks associated with non-chemical pest, disease and weed control measures prioritised under new European plant protection legislation are often unknown, unmeasured and unmitigated, Paul Leonard of BASF told the BCPC Congress.
-
New pesticides regulation means uncertainty for crop protection products
13 November 2009
THE revision of Directive 91/414 is set to bring uncertainty to the market for crop protection products and quite possibly create gaps in the weed, pest and disease control armoury available to farmers.
-
US wheat growers target 20 per cent yield increase
13 November 2009
US wheat growers have set themselves a target of a 20 per cent increase in average national wheat yields by 2018 in a bid to boost the sector and help meeting growing demand for food.
-
BCPC 2009: 'Level playing field’ required for crop protection risk assessment
10 November 2009
THE risks associated with non-chemical pest, disease and weed control measures prioritised under new European plant protection legislation are often unknown, unmeasured and unmitigated, Paul Leonard of BASF told the BCPC Congress.
-
BCPC 2009: US wheat growers target 20 per cent yield increase
10 November 2009
US wheat growers have set themselves a target of a 20 per cent increase in average national wheat yields by 2018 in a bid to boost the sector and help meeting growing demand for food.
-
BCPC 2009: New pesticides regulation means uncertainty for crop protection products
10 November 2009
THE revision of Directive 91/414 is set to bring uncertainty to the market for crop protection products and quite possibly create gaps in the weed, pest and disease control armoury available to farmers.
-
BCPC 2009: Crop production congress opens today
9 November 2009
THE BCPC Congress opens today in Glasgow, bringing together key figures in the global crop production industry.
-
Europe ‘must switch to GM for precision’
November 6, 2009
THE HGCA’s R&D conference 2009 aimed to explore how the many aspects of precision farming can be used to get the best out of cropped land. TERESA RUSH reports.
-
Analysing soil info is a valuable asset but comes at a price
November 6, 2009
NEW research being funded by HGCA is examining how soil information can be treated as a crop production input.
-
CTF upsurge aims to combat in-field variability
November 6, 2009
AN upsurge in the uptake of Controlled Traffic Farming (CTF) will see the area farmed using the technique increase by around 5,000 hectares (12,350 acres) in each of the UK, Denmark and Sweden this year.
-
Potential in mapping and sensing on wheat
November 6, 2009
MAPPING and sensing have significant potential to bring about improvements in wheat production while at the same time delivering environmental or practical benefits.
-
British Sugar's contract service available online
21 October 2009
BRITISH Sugar’s online beet contract has attracted almost half the number of target growers within two weeks of its launch.
-
Farmers urged to complete Crop Protection Management Plans
20 October 2009
FARMERS are being urged to show their support for the use of voluntary measures to tackle crop protection challenges facing the industry by completing one of the newly revised Crop Protection Management Plans.
-
Advice on control of septoria tritici in 2010 remains unchanged
October 16, 2009
ADVICE for control of septoria tritici remains unchanged for 2010 despite ongoing concerns over potential loss of activity of azole fungicides and recent reports about the emergence of new, more resistant strains of the disease.
-
Virus threat to oilseed rape crops
October 16, 2009
OILSEED rape growers are being advised to expect higher levels of turnip yellows virus (TuYV) in untreated crops.
-
Potato quality concerns as east/west divide opens up
13 October 2009
AN east/west divide on quality issues is opening up as the potato harvest progresses, according to experts at Sutton Bridge Experimental Unit (SBEU).
-
Grain trade challenged to back Campaign for the Farmed Environment
7 October 2009
AGRONOMISTS and farm advisers will play a key role in delivering the Campaign for the Farmed Environment, NFU head of economics and international affairs, Tom Hind, told the HGCA Grain Market Outlook Conference yesterday (Tuesday, October 6).
-
Oakley out of trials but remains on HGCA RL
5 October 2009
WINTER wheat variety Oakley has been removed from HGCA Recommended List trials following the revision of its yellow rust rating earlier this year.
-
NIAB and TAG join forces to create new crop research centre
2 October 2009
THE National Institute of Agricultural Botany (NIAB) and The Arable Group (TAG) have joined forces to create a national, independent crop research and information centre.
-
Later harvested wheats reduce average
25 September 2009
HGCA winter wheat Recommended List trials for 2009 are complete, all the results have been analysed and yield overall has come in at just under the five-year average.
-
New partnership to promote responsible pesticide use
22 September 2009
RESPONSIBLE pesticide use and water protection are to be promoted to farmers in England via a new strategic partnership formed between the Voluntary Initiative and the England Catchment Sensitive Farming Delivery Initiative.
-
Volunteers needed for crop spraying scheme
15 September 2009
VOLUNTEERS are being sought to take part in a nationwide trial of the ‘Neighbour Reassurance’ scheme for prior notification of crop spraying.
-
Pesticide evidence does not support ban to protect bees - NFU
11 September 2009
THE NFU is calling for an independent assessment of the impact of neonicotinoids after a Buglife report implicated these insecticides in the decline of honey bees.
-
Yellow rust resistance ratings revised
3 September 2009
YELLOW rust resistance ratings have been revised for several winter wheat varieties following this season’s disease outbreak.
-
Sugar beet price negotiations remain in deadlock
2 September 2009
SUGAR beet price negotiations remain in deadlock after growers this week backed NFU Sugar to press for a higher price for the 2010 crop than that on offer from British Sugar.
-
First wheats’ strong show in RL trials
27 August 2009
WINTER wheat Recommended List trials yields are mirroring the commercial harvest with first wheats performing well and second wheats doing not so well.
-
R&D response to pesticide legislation
August 21st 2009
LONG-term funding plans for research to maintain and improve control of a range of potato crop weeds, pests and diseases are in place in response to the recent review of EU pesticide legislation and the implementation of the Water Framework Directive.
-
Average to good for 2009 pea harvest
18 August 2009
IT has been a catchy time for harvesting combining peas this year but, overall, yields and quality are average to good, according to Dr Anthony Biddle, PGRO technical director.
-
Prizes up for grabs in NFU harvest survey
18 August 2009
THE NFU is urging arable farmers across England and Wales to complete its annual harvest survey and get the chance to win one of three bird-scaring devices.
-
Syngenta launch free weather service
18 August 2009
A premium five-day weather service from Syngenta is available free to all farmers.
-
Potato Council confirms field event
18 August 2009
POTATO Council’s East Anglian Potato Event takes place on Thursday September 3 at Hall Farm, Colby, near Norwich.
-
EFSA proposes new pesticide risk assessment
17 August 2009
THE European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has launched a public consultation on guidance on the assessment of risks associated with pesticides to workers, bystanders and, for the first time, residents.
-
Early RL list trials results show OSR yields rise
August 14th 2009
EARLY results from this season’s Recommended List winter oilseed rape trials series indicate yields are well up on last year.
-
Yields are holding up despite the conditions
August 7th 2009
MUCH like harvest on-farm, the wet weather is disrupting HGCA Recommended Lists trials harvesting too.
-
Warm wet weather encourages rhizomania in sugar beet
5 August 2009
THE warm wet weather has encouraged rapid development of rhizomania in sugar beet crops and symptoms are visible in a number of fields, says the BBRO.
-
Seed potato crop rejections higher than 2008
5 August 2009
RESULTS of recent seed potato crop inspections published by Dutch seed inspection organisation NAK show downgrades and rejections have been higher than in 2008.
-
Beans unable to develop due to last year's wet weather
5 August 2009
SHORT, blackened roots and premature ripening being seen in some winter beans crops is likely to be the result of last autumn’s less than ideal soil conditions, says the PGRO.
-
Seed Varieties: Tight wheat market is full of potential
31 July 2009
With harvest underway, now is the time for fine-tuning variety decisions for the coming season.
-
Topic sheet from HGCA
July 31st 2009
INFORMATION on minimising the risk of water contamination when using oilseed rape herbicides is available in a new topic sheet published by HGCA.
-
Water protection advice
July 31st 2009
A NEW booklet containing advice on keeping crop protection products out of water has been published by the Voluntary Initiative.
-
Follow best practice advice on pesticides
30 July 2009
ACT now to protect water and avoid restrictions on the availability of key pesticides used in oilseed rape, growers and agronomists are being advised.
-
Beware annual metaldehyde limits
30 July 2009
POTATO growers planning to follow potato crops with winter wheat are being urged to plan ahead to ensure recommended maximum metaldehyde slug pellet dose rates are not exceeded.
-
Cereals 2009 event
8 June 2009
FARMERS Guardian has a round-up of all the news from this year's Cereals event.
-
New race of yellow rust found on UK winter wheat
8 June 2009
THE National Institute of Agricultural Botany has confirmed the presence of a new race of yellow rust on UK winter wheat.
-
New race of yellow rust found on UK winter wheat
8 June 2009
THE National Institute of Agricultural Botany has confirmed the presence of a new race of yellow rust on UK winter wheat.
-
Total ban on herbicide IPU comes into force at end of June
5 June 2009
THE Crop Protection Association is reminding growers that the total ban on use and storage of the herbicide IPU comes into force on June 30, 2009.
-
Growing concerns over Ritz’ poor performance
June 5th 2009
NFU Scotland is to take up members’ concerns over the poor performance of a spring oilseed rape variety this season.
-
Bayer recalls Fandango fungicide
3 June 2009
FOLLOWING on from the crystallisation problems seen with some batches of the fungicide Fandango this spring, manufacturer Bayer CropScience is recalling all unused product from the market at the end of the 2009 usage season.
-
Bayer recalls Fandango fungicide
3 June 2009
FOLLOWING on from the crystallisation problems seen with some batches of the fungicide Fandango this spring, manufacturer Bayer CropScience is recalling all unused product from the market at the end of the 2009 usage season.
-
Verticillium wilt: a new threat to oilseed rape
2 June 2009
A NEW information sheet published by HGCA looks at the potential threat of verticillium wilt to oilseed rape.
-
Septoria is main disease in winter wheat crops
2 June 2009
SEPTORIA continues to be the main disease present in winter wheat crops with symptoms increasing most rapidly at high-risk sites says Crop Monitor.
-
Strong contender for early drilling slot?
May 29th 2009
WINTER wheat variety Grafton joined the 2009/10 HGCA Recommended List last autumn with a specific recommendation for growers seeking an early maturing variety.
-
Balancing the PK equation by the use of good husbandry techniques
May 29th 2009
A CAREFULLY managed approach to using organic manures has enabled farm management business Sentry to develop what it believes is a long term, sustainable strategy for balancing nutrient inputs and offtakes on its arable units.
-
Blight pressure warning for potato growers in the South
28 May 2009
POTATO growers in the South of England are being warned that this weekend could see the season’s first major threat of intense potato blight pressure.
-
Blight pressure warning for potato growers in the South
28 May 2009
POTATO growers in the South of England are being warned that this weekend could see the season’s first major threat of intense potato blight pressure.
-
Change to mycotoxin risk assessment
22 May 2009
HGCA’s mycotoxin risk assessment has been modified, with the aim of overcoming shortcomings identified following last autumn’s wet harvest conditions.
-
Online forecast warns of local blight risk
20 May 2009
ADVANCE warning of local blight risk for the coming days, together with a forecast of spray opportunities is available live at www.syngenta-crop.co.uk
-
Bruchid beetle found is early flowering winter bean
20 May 2009
BRUCHID beetle have been found in some early flowering winter bean crops, says PGRO.
-
Robust T2 required to safeguard germination?
15 May 2009
Spring barley may need better disease protection this year to preserve malting quality and prevent a complete loss of premium during storage.
-
Store and drying facility saves grain exports from ruin
15 May 2009
When agricultural merchanting business Gleadell opened its new dockside grain store at Immingham at the end of 2007, its management team could not have anticipated the difficulties the arable sector would face within the year as wet weather wreaked havoc with the following harvest, nor the pivotal role the new facility would play in keeping grain moving off farm and onwards to end users.
-
New Roundup approvals
8 May 2009
POTATO growers will be able to use certain Roundup glyphosates post-planting and pre-emergence to tackle transplanted or early emerging annual weeds this season, following new Chemicals Regulation Directorate approvals.
-
Warning on shift in septoria sensitivity to azoles
24 April 2009
STRAINS of septoria tritici showing reduced sensitivity to the widely-used azole fungicides prothioconazole and epoxiconazole have been identified by scientists working in Ireland.
-
Warning on shift in septoria sensitivity to azoles
24 April 2009
STRAINS of septoria tritici showing reduced sensitivity to the widely-used azole fungicides prothioconazole and epoxiconazole have been identified by scientists working in Ireland.
-
Sugar compensation scheme deadline looming
14 April 2009
THE Rural Payments Agency is reminding sugar beet contractors that April 30 2009 is the deadline for the sugar contractor compensation scheme.
-
Sugar compensation scheme deadline looming
14 April 2009
THE Rural Payments Agency is reminding sugar beet contractors that April 30 2009 is the deadline for the sugar contractor compensation scheme.
-
Pendimethalin blow as pesticides changes hit 23 active ingredients
9 April 2009
AROUND 23 pesticide active ingredients are likely to be lost as a result of the revision of EU pesticide legislation, of which 20 are currently used in the UK, a report commissioned by HGCA has concluded.
-
Pendimethalin blow as pesticides changes hit 23 active ingredients
9 April 2009
AROUND 23 pesticide active ingredients are likely to be lost as a result of the revision of EU pesticide legislation, of which 20 are currently used in the UK, a report commissioned by HGCA has concluded.
-
Cereal fungicide Fandango (fluoxastrobin+prothioconazole) is recalled
31 March 2009
A BATCH of the cereal fungicide Fandango (fluoxastrobin+prothioconazole) has been recalled as a result of potential crystallisation problems that could lead to sprayer filter blockages.
-
Intelligent spot spraying with a band sprayer tackles volunteers
March 27th 2009
Loss of herbicide active ingredients as a result of statutory pesticide reviews and customer pressure are reducing selective herbicide options to the extent that in some situations there are no products available.
-
Yorkshire facing rising cyst nematode threat
March 20th 2009
POTATO growers in Yorkshire have been advised that nematode problems are increasing in the region’s crops.
-
New herbicide offers control of broad-leaved weeds
3 March 2009
NEW broad-leaved weed sulfonylurea herbicide, Finy will be available to growers this spring.
-
Many growers can afford a P and K holiday
3 March 2009
A THIRD of the UK’s arable crop needs no phosphate (P) fertiliser this year and one in four hectares can take a potash (K) holiday, according to soil analysis figures from precision farming business SOYL.
-
Arable farmers warned wild oats could appear in crops
26 February 2009
WATCH out for sudden flushes of wild oats appearing in crops after this winter’s cold snaps, arable farmers are being warned.
-
Slug pellet dose rates cut to reduce river water contamination
16 February 2009
MANUFACTURERS of metaldehyde slug pellets have put forward proposals to limit both individual and total dose rates of their products in a bid to reduce contamination of river water to comply with drinking water standards.
-
Fungicide spend is set to rock
February 13th 2009
FUNGICIDE spend on oilseed rape is set to increase significantly in 2009 compared with previous seasons, a leading disease expert is predicting.
-
HGCA/PGRO Oilseeds and Pulses conference
February 6th 2009
Nitrogen inputs for oilseed rape and pulse marketing were among the topics on the agenda at the HGCA/PGRO Oilseeds and Pulses conference at Peterborough.
-
Potato industry meets to agree best practice
2 February 2009
POTATO industry representatives are meeting in Peterborough next week to discuss marketable returns and blight control.
-
Potato industry meets to agree best practice
2 February 2009
POTATO industry representatives are meeting in Peterborough next week to discuss marketable returns and blight control.
-
New source of calcified seaweed available
29 January 2009
A NEW, dry granular source of calcified seaweed is now available direct to UK farmers.
-
Growing Oilseeds spring edition now available
29 January 2009
THE spring 2009 edition of Growing Oilseeds is now available from United Oilseeds.
-
Website gives crop buyers easy route to sourcing produce
28 January 2009
A NEW website launched this month will specialise in achieving contacts between produce buyers and growers.
-
New Dow AgroSciences operation will enhance research capabilities
28 January 2009
AGROCHEMICAL company Dow AgroSciences is to establish a new UK research base on the Warwick Enterprise Park at Wellesbourne.
-
Organisations work together to shape future of CropMonitor
27 January 2009
A NEW collaboration agreed this month between the Central Science Laboratory (CSL), HGCA and Bayer CropScience will see the three organisations working together to look at how the CropMonitor cereal disease monitoring service can best meet the needs of the industry.
-
New releases offer hard hitting control of septoria
January 16th 2009
POWERFUL new co-formulated triazole fungicides available for the coming season have given better control of septoria than the best straight triazoles in HGCA trials.
-
New fungicides improve control of septoria
14 January 2009
TWO new fungicides available to growers this spring have given improved control of septoria compared with the best straight triazoles in HGCA trials.
-
HGCA's 2009/10 Recommended Lists
December 12th 2008
HGCA’s 2009/10 Recommended Lists for cereals and oilseeds contained a few surprises when they were announced last week.
-
Twenty one varieties on new Recommended Lists
5 December 2008
TWENTY one new cereal and oilseed rape varieties have joined the Recommended Lists for 2009/10, HGCA has announced.
-
Rejected malting barley down slightly on previous season
4 December 2008
ON average 2.5 per cent of malting barley delivered to end users was rejected during the 2007/08 crop year, according to results from the Maltsters Association of Great Britain annual rejections survey.
-
Production tax on sugar beet sector to remain
3 December 2008
MINISTERS have decided to retain the production tax on the European beet sector, with the result that the beet sugar sector will be the only agricultural sector where a production charge is levied and paid into the General Budget, says the NFU.
-
NFU Sugar seeks election candidates for board
3 December 2008
NFU Sugar is seeking candidates for election to its sugar board.
-
Changes to organic regulations could leave businesses unprepared
24 November 2008
LOOMING changes to European organic regulations could catch out many businesses in the New Year, UK organic certification body Organic Farmers & Growers has warned.
-
Changes to organic regulations could leave businesses unprepared
24 November 2008
LOOMING changes to European organic regulations could catch out many businesses in the New Year, UK organic certification body Organic Farmers & Growers has warned.
-
Wheat growing costs set for steep rise
November 21st 2008
GROWING costs for winter wheat are set to increase by up to £250 per hectare between 2008 and 2009 crops mainly as a result of higher input costs, according to advisors, who are expressing concerns over the likely impact on arable businesses.
-
Potato production up in 2008
18 November 2008
HIGHER yields this season mean that potato production in 2008 is up on 2007 despite poor harvesting conditions and a smaller planted area, says the Potato Council.
-
Growers reminded to follow best practice with propyzamide
18 November 2008
WITH the arrival of temperature and soil conditions suitable for the application of the herbicide propyzamide to winter oilseed rape crops over the next few weeks, Dow AgroSciences is reminding growers to follow best practice to ensure the herbicide is kept out of water.
-
RPA alerted to possible unlawful sale of trifluralin herbicides
30 October 2008
TRIFLURALIN herbicides have been unlawfully offered for sale and supply in the UK beyond the expiry date for sale of such products, says the Pesticide Safety Directorate.
-
Water companies failing to meet Government strategy - Natural England
27 October 2008
NATURAL England has called on the Government to tighten up regulation on water companies, which it believes are failing to commit policies to reduce water consumption and extraction.
-
Water companies failing to meet Government strategy - Natural England
27 October 2008
NATURAL England has called on the Government to tighten up regulation on water companies, which it believes are failing to commit policies to reduce water consumption and extraction.
-
Wheat stress from heat but drought fears eased
October 24th 2008
CLIMATE change will put wheat crops under increasing heat stress but not more drought stress, Rothamsted Research scientists are predicting.
-
New easier to complete CPMP available online
20 October 2008
THE new Crop Protection Management Plan is now available online.
-
New easier to complete CPMP available online
20 October 2008
THE new Crop Protection Management Plan is now available online.
-
Plans could leave crops unprotected
October 17th 2008
The implications of maximum residue level regulations and EU pesticide legislation proposals were hot topics at an HDC/NFU-organised horticulture conference at Stockbridge Technology Centre, North Yorkshire.
-
Investigation into high beet bolting levels
16 October 2008
THE high level of bolting in sugar beet crops this season is being investigated by the British Beet Research Organisation (BBRO) and British Sugar.
-
Investigation into high beet bolting levels
16 October 2008
THE high level of bolting in sugar beet crops this season is being investigated by the British Beet Research Organisation (BBRO) and British Sugar.
-
Wheat bulb fly survey finds numbers similar to last season
9 October 2008
WHEAT bulb fly egg numbers this season are similar to those of 2007, the HGCA-funded wheat bulb fly survey has concluded.
-
Soil Association calls for neonicotinoid ban
October 3rd 2008
THE Soil Association has written to Defra Secretary Hilary Benn, urging him to ban neonicotinoid insecticides with immediate effect.
-
UK has capacity to produce extra 15.7million tonnes of biomass
October 3rd 2008
FARMLAND currently under permanent pasture together with temporary grassland could potentially be used to boost biomass production in the UK, an ADAS report for the National Non Food Crops Centre concluded.
-
HGCA survey results show mixed quality
1 October 2008
PRELIMINARY results from this season’s HGCA cereal quality survey show mixed quality from early harvested wheat samples this year compared with 2007.
-
Politicians failing to recognise fake pesticide threat
September 26th 2008
FAKE pesticides are increasingly present in most European countries, according to a new report from the European Crop Protection Association.
-
Politicians failing to recognise fake pesticide threat
September 26th 2008
FAKE pesticides are increasingly present in most European countries, according to a new report from the European Crop Protection Association.
-
Arable farmers urged to complete NFU harvest survey
17 September 2008
ARABLE farmers throughout England and Wales are being urged to take part in the NFU’s annual harvest survey to help produce as clear a picture as possible of this year’s harvest.
-
RPA assures beet growers after compensation mailing error
15 September 2008
ALL eligible beet growers will be able to apply for Sugar Restructuring Compensation despite a mailing error that may have resulted in some growers not receiving their application forms.
-
HGCA offers advice over fusarium mycotoxin development in wheat crops
15 September 2008
WEATHER conditions in 2008 have been favourable to fusarium mycotoxin development in wheat crops, says HGCA.
-
Oilseed rape drilling schedules in chaos
September 12th 2008
OILSEED rape drilling schedules have been thrown into chaos, with continuing rain, unharvested crops and saturated soils all contributing to mounting planting delays.
-
Start of beet campaign delayed due to wet weather
9 September 2008
BRITISH Sugar has revised the start dates for the 2008 / 09 sugar beet harvesting campaign as a result of the wet weather.
-
Pesticides plan could kill off British beet industry
September 5th 2008
SUGAR beet production in the UK would certainly be less profitable, and may not continue, if EU pesticides proposals become law, the British Beet Research Organisation (BBRO) has concluded.
-
Potato crop yields remain variable
4 September 2008
POTATO crop yields remain variable, with some growers expected to leave crops as long as possible before harvesting in the hope of some sunshine during late summer, to increase bulking.
-
Risk of contamination of pre-packed salads minute - Fresh Produce Consortium
4 September 2008
RECENT media reports on health risks linked to salad packs fail to put in perspective the minute risk of contamination of pre-packed salads, says the Fresh Produce Consortium.
-
Potato growers are urged to respond to EU pesticide plans
August 15th 2008
A record 715 growers, merchants, seed suppliers, packers and processors braved the torrential rain and muddy conditions to attend Potatoes in Practice, near Dundee.
-
Potato Council urges growers to take action against pesticide proposals
8 August 2008
THE Potato Council is urging growers to take action against the EU’s pesticide proposals.
-
High dormancy in black-grass seed samples
8 August 2008
DORMANCY in black-grass seed samples this autumn is very high, according to results from HGCA-funded research.
-
Call to move Soil Directive forward
1 August 2008
EUROPEAN environmental organisations have challenged the European Union’s French presidency to start delivering on its promise to move forward on the Soil Framework Directive.
-
Call to move Soil Directive forward
1 August 2008
EUROPEAN environmental organisations have challenged the European Union’s French presidency to start delivering on its promise to move forward on the Soil Framework Directive.
-
Plant clinic interested in sugar beet with galls
31 July 2008
THE plant clinic at Broom’s Barn would be interested to see any sugar beet plants found with galls on their roots.
-
Winter wheats vying for top spots
July 25th 2008
There’s quite a crop of winter wheat candidate varieties vying for a position on the 2009/10 HGCA Recommended List. Recent open days gave growers the opportunity to take a look at them before the combines roll.
-
Late surge of septoria
23 July 2008
A LATE surge of septoria in the south in particular, has taken many growers and agronomists by surprise according to Broom’s Barn director Bill Clark, who says that questions are being asked as to the reason for this increase in disease levels in what has been considered a low disease year to date.
-
New option for onion growers to control downy mildew
23 July 2008
ONION growers now have a new option for the control of downy mildew with the granting of a specific off-label approval (SOLA) by the Pesticides Safety Directorate for the use of Valbon (benthiavalicarb-isopropyl + mancozeb) on bulb onions and shallots.
-
Allied Mills offers buyback contract for new Group 2 wheat
8 July 2008
ALLIED Mills has announced a special buyback contract for newly Recommended Group 2 wheat, Marksman at £20/tonne over feed for harvest 2009.
-
British Sugar climb-down over 2009 beet contracts
27 June 2008
SUGAR processor British Sugar was forced this week to back down on its offer to guarantee beet growers a minimum contract price only if 2009 contracts were returned early.
-
British Sugar climb-down over 2009 beet contracts
27 June 2008
SUGAR processor British Sugar was forced this week to back down on its offer to guarantee beet growers a minimum contract price only if 2009 contracts were returned early.
-
Time for major re-think on black-grass control
26 June 2008
USE of cultural control methods will soon be unavoidable on most black-grass-affected farms, predict grass weed experts.
-
Levels of fusarium infection lower this year
4 June 2008
LEVELS of stem base fusarium infection are currently lower than at the equivalent time last year, according to HGCA-funded CropMonitor.
-
Spray order can have a considerable effect on blight control - SAC
3 June 2008
BLIGHT control can vary considerably between programmes containing exactly the same fungicides but sprayed in a different order.
-
Potato planting almost finished
28 May 2008
POTATO planting is nearing completion, although some heavy soils in Herefordshire and the north west remain difficult to work.
-
EU pesticide proposals threaten food production
May 16th 2008
THE United Kingdom’s ability to produce food is under serious threat from planned changes to European Union rules governing the approval of pesticides, the Pesticides Safety Directorate (PSD) has warned.
-
EU pesticide proposals threaten food production
May 16th 2008
THE United Kingdom’s ability to produce food is under serious threat from planned changes to European Union rules governing the approval of pesticides, the Pesticides Safety Directorate (PSD) has warned.
-
RB209 revision set for June completion
May 16th 2008
REVISION of the Defra RB209 fertiliser recommendations for agricultural and horticultural crops has progressed well and should be completed by Defra’s end of June deadline.
-
Straw shortage sees thatching price double
14 May 2008
ENGLISH Heritage has been forced to relax its guidelines on the use of traditional materials for thatching following last autumn’s difficult harvest, which saw several growers of long strawed wheat lose their entire crop.
-
PSD warning over EC pesticide proposals
13 May 2008
COMMERCIAL UK arable farming in its current form would be unachievable if European Commission proposals on pesticide approval and use were to be adopted, the Pesticides Safety Directorate (PSD) has warned.
-
PSD warning over EC pesticide proposals
13 May 2008
COMMERCIAL UK arable farming in its current form would be unachievable if European Commission proposals on pesticide approval and use were to be adopted, the Pesticides Safety Directorate (PSD) has warned.
-
Biofuel industry in Europe could stagnate
1 May 2008
EUROPEAN biodiesel margins are poor and the sector could stagnate unless subsidised imports are halted.
-
Blight warning for potato growers
1 May 2008
POTATO growers have been warned to be extra vigilant for signs of blight early in the season.
-
Farming techniques can enhance biodiversity
1 May 2008
FARMING techniques, promoted as part of the Voluntary Initiative (VI), can improve habitats and so enhance biodiversity, according to the final report from the VI Indicator Farms Project for the Crop Protection Association (CPA).
-
Farmers planning UK’s most modern crop storage and processing facility
April 18th 2008
A group of enterprising East Midlands farmers has unveiled ambitious plans to build the most modern crop storage and processing facility in the UK.
-
Vintage tractors to be used in fundraising trip
14 April 2008
KEEP a look out over the hedge during late May/early June for a pair of vintage Massey Ferguson 135 tractors.
-
Growers advised to check crops for pollen beetles
10 April 2008
THE first pollen beetles have now been reported from oilseed rape crops in a number of locations.
-
Rare disease hits oilseed rape crops
April 4th 2008
A rarely seen disease of oilseed rape has been identified in a number of crops this spring.
-
Changes to irrigation and spraying controls
2 April 2008
AMENDED irrigation and spraying controls effective from March 31, 2008, will affect potato growers with crops grown in the vicinity of certain watercourses.
-
Oilseed rape crops should be treated as priority
25 March 2008
OILSEED rape crops ravaged by pigeons over the winter will be more susceptible to pollen beetle damage this spring, and should be treated as a priority.
-
Oilseed rape crops should be treated as priority
25 March 2008
OILSEED rape crops ravaged by pigeons over the winter will be more susceptible to pollen beetle damage this spring, and should be treated as a priority.
-
Growers concerned about mycotoxin risk
25 March 2008
ANALYSING mycotoxin risk is a cause for concern amongst growers, according to feedback from recent farmer meetings.
-
Welsh NVZ justification call
March 14th 2008
NFU Cymru is challenging the Welsh Assembly Government to produce justification for Nitrate Vulnerable Zones in Wales.
-
Yellowing in wheat crops associated with mildew and frost damage
5 March 2008
STRONG yellowing in some forward wheat crops is associated with severe mildew and frost damage, says ADAS.
-
Research finds GM crops attractive to farmers
25 February 2008
FARMERS are upbeat about genetically modified crops, according to new research funded by the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC).
-
PSD advise using counterfeit herbicide may be an offence
25 February 2008
THE Pesticides Safety Directorate has advised that an isoproturon product marketed as ‘Emrald Wotsit’ has been manufactured to a different formulation from the approved formulation and that anyone selling, supplying or using this counterfeit product may be committing an offence.
-
Research finds GM crops attractive to farmers
25 February 2008
FARMERS are upbeat about genetically modified crops, according to new research funded by the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC).
-
Insect resistance to GM crop
11 February 2008
AN insect pest that is supposed to be killed by a type of genetically modified cotton crop with an in-built toxin gene has developed resistance and is beginning to spread in parts of the United States, surveys conducted by the University of Arizona have revealed.
-
Insect resistance to GM crop
11 February 2008
AN insect pest that is supposed to be killed by a type of genetically modified cotton crop with an in-built toxin gene has developed resistance and is beginning to spread in parts of the United States, surveys conducted by the University of Arizona have revealed.
-
Bruchid beetle control advice ‘a waste of time’
February 8th 2008
ADVICE given on bruchid beetle control in field bean crops over the past couple of years has been a complete waste of time.
-
Application to relinquish 13.5 per cent of UK sugar beet quota approved
6 February 2008
BRITISH Sugar’s application to relinquish 13.5 per cent of UK sugar beet quota in return for compensation to UK growers, has finally been approved by Defra this week.
-
Application to relinquish 13.5 per cent of UK sugar beet quota approved
6 February 2008
BRITISH Sugar’s application to relinquish 13.5 per cent of UK sugar beet quota in return for compensation to UK growers, has finally been approved by Defra this week.
-
Book your place at spring conferences
6 February 2008
BOOK your place at one of the Rutherfords/ProCam spring conferences to hear the latest news and views on key management and agronomy issues for the coming season.
-
How will climate change affect UK farmers?
28 January 2008
THE climate in the UK is changing and will continue to change, Roger Street of the Oxford University-based UK Climate Impacts Programme (UKCIP) told the HGCA R&D conference.
-
How will climate change affect UK farmers?
28 January 2008
THE climate in the UK is changing and will continue to change, Roger Street of the Oxford University-based UK Climate Impacts Programme (UKCIP) told the HGCA R&D conference.
-
Investment needed to help industry change - Kendall
28 January 2008
RESEARCH and development is essential to the sustainability of the farming industry, yet first rate scientists are working in ‘third world’ establishments in the UK, NFU president Peter Kendall told the HGCA R&D conference.
-
Investment needed to help industry change - Kendall
28 January 2008
RESEARCH and development is essential to the sustainability of the farming industry, yet first rate scientists are working in ‘third world’ establishments in the UK, NFU president Peter Kendall told the HGCA R&D conference.
-
South west cauliflower production under threat
23 January 2008
FALLING prices are threatening the long-term future of cauliflower production in the south west, growers in the region are warning.
-
South west cauliflower production under threat
23 January 2008
FALLING prices are threatening the long-term future of cauliflower production in the south west, growers in the region are warning.
-
Still opposed to NVZ changes
January 11th 2008
THE National Farmers’ Union is continuing to lobby hard against many of Defra’s proposed amendments to the Nitrates Directive, which it describes as ‘blanket solutions with perverse impacts’.
-
Still opposed to NVZ changes
January 11th 2008
THE National Farmers’ Union is continuing to lobby hard against many of Defra’s proposed amendments to the Nitrates Directive, which it describes as ‘blanket solutions with perverse impacts’.
-
Syngenta launches new contact herbicide
3 January 2008
A NEW contact herbicide from Syngenta has been launched to give growers a direct replacement for the no longer available PDQ (diquat+paraquat), the former industry standard spring contact herbicide.
-
Keep malting barley crops cool
December 28th 2007
MALTING barley growers are being advised to keep stored crops cool over the festive period to protect quality.
-
Quality of UK wheat commended
19 December 2007
MILLERS from Spain, Portugal, Morocco and Tunisia commended the quality of UK wheat during this year’s HGCA Bread Baking Workshop.
-
HGCA Recommended List 2008/09
7 December 2007
HGCA has added three new winter wheat varieties to the 2008/09 Recommended List: hard milling feed varieties Duxford and JB Diego and nabim Group 2 variety Marksman.
-
Future funding for Recommended Lists secured
7 December 2007
FUNDING for the Recommended Lists has been secured through to the end of harvest 2011, HGCA has announced.
-
New insecticide launched at British Potato 2007
6 December 2007
A new insecticide, capable of controlling all aphid species in potatoes, including current resistant strains, was launched at British Potato 2007 in Harrogate.
-
New blight strains increase their dominance
30 November 2007
NEW potentially more aggressive blight strains increased their dominance of the potato blight pathogen population during 2007, BPC-funded monitoring has revealed.
-
New blight strains increase their dominance
30 November 2007
NEW potentially more aggressive blight strains increased their dominance of the potato blight pathogen population during 2007, BPC-funded monitoring has revealed.
-
Certis-organised blight seminar
November 30th 2007
BLIGHT outbreaks arising from oospores produced by recombination of A1 and A2 blight mating strains are quite different to those caused by infected tubers, Dutch potato blight expert Dr Huup Schepers told growers attending a Certis-organised blight seminar at British Potato 2007.
-
PSD extend phase-out period for herbicides containing trifluralin
21 November 2007
THE Pesticides Safety Directorate (PSD) has extended the phase-out periods for herbicides containing trifluralin, to allow more time for the sale of stocks through the supply chain.
-
Merging the PSD with the HSE could be beneficial according to Defra
20 November 2007
MERGING the Pesticides Safety Directorate (PSD) with the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) would deliver scientific and policy advantages, according to proposals published by Defra this week.
-
Trials show using adjuvants improve performance in dense oilseed rape crops
20 November 2007
ADJUVANTS can improve herbicide distribution and performance in dense oilseed rape crops, according to crop protection distributor Agrovista.
-
Merging the PSD with the HSE could be beneficial according to Defra
20 November 2007
MERGING the Pesticides Safety Directorate (PSD) with the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) would deliver scientific and policy advantages, according to proposals published by Defra this week.
-
Council to withdraw automatic planning permission for all polytunnels
14 November 2007
HEREFORDSHIRE Council is to withdraw its policy of requiring automatic planning permission for all polytunnels in the county.
-
Virus levels in potatoes generally low
13 November 2007
VIRUS levels in potatoes are generally low but erwinia and blight infection on tubers is significant, according to the latest lab test results from NIAB.
-
GB potato production for 2007 down one per cent on 2006
13 November 2007
TOTAL GB potato production for 2007 is 5.446 million tonnes, down one per cent on 2006, estimates the British Potato Council.
-
ES options not always those that benefit the environment the best
8 November 2007
ENVIRONMENTAL stewardship management options favoured by farmers are not necessarily those that offer the greatest benefits for the environment, a review of the first two years has revealed.
-
Supplies of Atlantis sufficient this autumn
29 October 2007
THERE will be enough Atlantis to go round this autumn - as long as there is no panic buying, says Bayer CropScience.
-
PSD asks agrochemical manufacturers to make label changes
26 October 2007
THE Pesticides Safety Directorate (PSD) is asking agrochemical manufacturers to change product labels to include a recommendation on the range of water volumes in which products can be safely applied.
-
PSD asks agrochemical manufacturers to make label changes
26 October 2007
THE Pesticides Safety Directorate (PSD) is asking agrochemical manufacturers to change product labels to include a recommendation on the range of water volumes in which products can be safely applied.
-
News in brief: BCPC congress
25 October 2007
MIXING potassium chloride fertiliser in solution with fungicides may help to suppress foliar disease in cereals, according to study results presented at the BCPC international congress in Glasgow.
-
MEPs vote for tighter rules on pesticides
24 October 2007
UK farmers and growers look set to face tighter rules on pesticides use following a European Parliament vote on pesticide legislation.
-
MEPs vote for tighter rules on pesticides
24 October 2007
UK farmers and growers look set to face tighter rules on pesticides use following a European Parliament vote on pesticide legislation.
-
European Parliament to make a decision on pesticides
23 October 2007
THE European Parliament is this week debating and voting on three reports on plans to modernise EU law on pesticides.
-
European Parliament to make a decision on pesticides
23 October 2007
THE European Parliament is this week debating and voting on three reports on plans to modernise EU law on pesticides.
-
Curative control essential this autumn
23 October 2007
OILSEED rape growers must look at the curative strength of phoma fungicides to tackle infection quickly this autumn.
-
‘Economic success’ of GM technology in US agriculture
22 October 2007
WITH 10 years experience of GM cropping to draw upon, scientists from the United States and Canada were able to offer a practical insight into the effects of GM technology on their agriculture.
-
RPA to invite applications from sugarbeet growers to renounce delivery rights
18 October 2007
THE Rural Payments Agency (RPA) is to write to sugarbeet growers to invite applications from growers to renounce their 2008/09 beet delivery rights in return for EU compensation.
-
Herbicide products containing trifluralin available until March 2008
15 October 2007
HERBICIDE products containing trifluralin will be available to purchase until March 20, 2008 the Pesticides Safety Directorate has announced.
-
Serious concerns about British carrot industry
10 October 2007
RISING land rent expectations together with supermarket price pressure are threatening the future of the British carrot industry, the chairman of the British Carrot Growers Association has warned.
-
Nitrate Vulnerable Zones: Totting up the costs
October 5th 2007
DEFRA released its proposals for the revision of Nitrate Vulnerable Zones and the Action Programmes that implement them in England, along with a consultation on the proposals, just over six weeks ago on August 21.
-
Scientists believe biofuels may contribute to global warming
26 September 2007
GROWING and burning biofuels may increase rather than reduce greenhouse gas emissions, according to a new study.
-
Oilseed rape growers may need to spray with a pyrethoid insecticide
26 September 2007
OILSEED rape growers are being advised to keep a look out for signs of turnip sawfly larval damage, which is now showing on some early-emerged crops in the south of England.
-
Regulation proposals could result in long approval delays
September 21st 2007
THE vote by the European Parliament Environment Committee on the new Regulation concerning the authorisation of plant protection products in the EU has provoked a mixed reaction.
-
EC may restrict crop protection products usage
August 17th 2007
FURTHER details have emerged of wide-ranging European Commission proposals that could impose considerable restrictions on the use of crop protection products in the United Kingdom and across EU countries.
-
Study will help in the development of potatoes
1 August 2007
NEW British Potato Council-funded research is seeking to understand the mechanisms that underpin texture and flavour in potatoes.
-
Paraquat herbicide to be withdrawn from use after European Court ruling
July 27th 2007
THE non-selective herbicide paraquat is set to be withdrawn from use in EU member states following a ruling by the European Court of First Instance.
-
Paraquat to be withdrawn
25 July 2007
THE non-selective herbicide paraquat is set to be withdrawn from use following a ruling by the European Court of First Instance.
-
Emergency off-label approval for Biscaya
May 25th 2007
THE British Beet Research Organisation (BBRO) has received an emergency off-label approval for the use of the insecticide Biscaya (thiacloprid) to control MACE resistant aphids.
-
Emergency off-label approval for Biscaya
18 May 2007
THE British Beet Research Organisation (BBRO) has received an emergency off-label approval for the use of the insecticide Biscaya (thiacloprid) to control MACE resistant aphids.
-
Varietal resistance still a vital part of disease management
May 18th 2007
WHILE varietal resistance to disease in oilseed rape is currently contributing to yield improvements, greater flexibility in spray timings and potential savings in fungicide applications, in some diseases it is steadily being overcome.
-
Plastic gives an average 30 per cent yield boost for maize
April 13th 2007
MAIZE production in the UK has long been the preserve of growers based in the south west of England and along southern stretches of the country across to Kent, where warmer climes have suited a crop originally bred to thrive in the higher temperatures found on mainland Europe and in the US.
-
‘Crunch time’ for NRoSO members on 30 CPD points
February 2nd 2007
NATIONAL Register of Sprayer Operator members are urged to ensure they have achieved the required 30 continuing professional development points before their membership is up for renewal and to ensure they return renewal forms in good time.
-
‘Forget about support payments lasting’
December 15th 2006
COST-CUTTING and reducing the reliance on the Single Payment is the best way forward for farm businesses according to the latest report from the farm business consultants, Andersons.
-
‘Take a zero tolerance approach to weed beet’
June 30th 2006
A ZERO tolerance to weed beet should be high on any sugar beet grower’s agenda this season even as the distractions of sugar reform rumble on.
-
EU legislation to extend the MRL controls on crops
February 17th 2006
Amendments to EU legislation governing pesticide maximum residue levels have been voted through with the result that MRL controls will be extended on a range of crops including cereals, potatoes and sugar beet.
-
Spare parts essential despite uncertainty in industry
February 17th 2006
With a turnover of £17 million and 150 employees, Spaldings claims to be the largest independent direct supplier of agricultural and groundcare spare parts in the UK.
-
Fendt shifts focus to lower horsepower with the 312 Vario
October 14th 2005
Fendt is well-known in the UK for its high-tech, high horsepowered tractors, but that could change when the German tractor manufacturer launches its Vario technology into lower horsepowered machines.
-
Report puts positive side on GM impact
October 14th 2005
A nine-year study into genetically-modified (GM) crops has revealed this week that GM technology reduces the overall use of pesticides, has a positive environmental impact on global crop production and creates farm income gains from improved productivity and efficiency.
-
Topping the Vario range, 936 sets new standards in speed
October 14th 2005
Agco’s German-built Fendt brand of tractors has unveiled details of its 360hp top-end Vario newcomer – the 936. The company has also revealed plans to move its Vario transmission technology into a lower horsepower sector.
-
Claas launches Big Brother combine
August 19th 2005
Can combines get any bigger? Claas seems to think so with the launch of its biggest yet – the Lexion 600.
-
Seed firms merge to take on a new era of agriculture
August 5th 2005
Seed breeding companies Nickerson UK and Advanta UK have announced the formation of a single company which, with this season’s crop plantings in mind, will account for 43 per cent of the UK winter wheat market.