AHDB’s recently published Planting and Variety Survey shows improved 2020/21 autumn and winter planting conditions allowed GB grain areas to swing back to trend levels.

Recommended List soft winter wheat varieties with Cougar in their parentage [see table] seem to be showing higher levels of septoria than their resistance score would suggest, according to AHDB.

New Recommended List winter wheat varieties, of which there were several from Group 3, as well as candidates for Group 2 and hard Group 4 feed wheats attracted interest at Cereals.

Maintaining drains is key to keep them functioning but growers will need to replacement drainage eventually, according to Rob Burtonshaw of Farm Services, who spoke at the Drainage Hub.

After a dry April, many growers underestimated the septoria threat this season, said Bill Clark, technical director, NIAB.

Arable farmers are faced with testing decisions about the future direction of their businesses as they prepare for life without the safety net of direct payments.

With NFU Sugar and beet growers unimpressed by British Sugar’s indicative price offer of £25/t for 2022/23, growers are once again questioning the crop’s presence in their rotations.

With NFU Sugar and beet growers unimpressed by British Sugars indicative price offer of 25/t for 2022/23, growers are once again questioning the crops presence in their rotations.

With many oilseed rape crops having a prolonged flowering period due to cool weather in April and May, it will be particularly important not to apply a desiccate too early this season to avoid reducing yield and oil content.

Italian ryegrass is arguably more difficult to control than black-grass, being less responsive to cultural controls, but a new herbicide is helping to get on top of the weed.