Agronomy

THE NFU president has launched a scathing attack on the contradictory nature of Government policy, branding its handling of the pig crisis a ‘disgrace’ and a ‘disaster’ and demanding that it come up with a coherent plan that delivers for British farming.

From 16-species mixes and clover understoreys to reduce nitrogen use, to the latest political updates, there was plenty to think about at the AHDB and NFU North West Crops conference. Emma Penny reports.

As spring drilling gets underway in some areas, a survey of more than 100 growers provides a unique insight into spring barley agronomy.

Moderate to high spend fungicide programmes delivered the highest margins in the 2021 AHDB wheat fungicide margin challenge. Teresa Rush reports.

An AHDB PhD student is exploring how root exudates help some cereals to compete with black-grass.

For the second year, Defra has approved the emergency authorisation (EA) of the neonicotinoid seed treatment, Cruiser SB (thiamethoxam), following an application from British Sugar and NFU Sugar.

More farmers are now exploring the potential of living mulches to improve soil health and reduce the need for bagged fertilisers.

New legislation in England to cut red tape for gene edited crop researchhas come into force.

An open autumn followed by a very mild winter so far, has meant crops have barely stopped growing this season. And while this has worked wonders for establishment, crops could be heading into a perfect storm for disease.

With a focus on agroecological food production, this year’s Oxford Real Farming Conference discussed the latest research on low input crop management.