Crops

Hemp, or Cannabis sativa, was widely grown across the UK throughout history and once upon a time it could be found on many farms as a staple crop. But despite its multitude of uses from culinary to construction, it has struggled to gain traction in more recent years.

Many farmers voted to leave the EU despite the fact that leaving putting the Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) at risk. As we all know, the top up from the BPS is the difference between profit and loss on many farms.

Coronavirus has had a limited impact on UK agricultural commodity prices.

Despite the challenging season, around 90-95 per cent of AHDB Recommended List (RL) cereals trials are on track to reach harvest this summer.

Integrating livestock into arable systems can improve farm productivity, generate opportunities for new entrants and create diverse rotations that feed and heal soils.

Late-drilled and backward wheat crops will need careful management to get them kick-started this spring. Arable Farming asked arable nutrition specialist Ross Leadbeater of CF Fertilisers for some pointers.

Dealing with the consequences of crop failure is testing for many growers this season.

It is likely the virus yellows forecast for the sugar beet crop will be ‘high risk’ for a second successive year.

Australian wheat production is set to rebound more than six million tonnes on improved soil moisture to a four-year high of 21.35mt after this year’s catastrophic harvest.

Work being undertaken into alternative uses for sugar and sugar beet in the Netherlands to maximise the crop’s potential was the focus of the 2020 NFU Sugar breakout session at the NFU conference.