Arable Farming

Achieving a balance between productive farming and providing a habitat for our once common farmland birds is not for the faint hearted. Gaina Morgan meets Ian Gray to find out more about how he and his partner,

Farming groups have warned against plans to cut the use of synthetic pesticides by 80 per cent by 2030 and to phase out their use completely by 2035.

Although it welcomes the news that Biscaya (thiacloprid) has received Emergency Use Approval for sugar beet in England this season for control of aphids that spread virus yellows, Bayer has admitted to supply concerns.

It is not just shoppers who are stockpiling in the face of coronavirus, with countries holding back grain to keep for their own food supplies, helping push up UK grain prices.

Although not always a popular cropping option in recent years, oats could see a consistent rise in acreage and a return to popularity amongst UK growers, thanks to several factors now in the crop’s favour. Farmers Guardian reports.

With the worst virus yellows forecast issued by Rothamsted for 50 years, it will come as a relief to sugar beet growers that emergency authorisation for use of Biscaya (thiacloprid) has been granted.

April 2020 Arable Farming Issue

US corn area is up for debate as prices have moved lower since recent planting and stock data was taken, meaning farmers planting decisions could easily change.