Arable

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

The UK’s food security could be put at risk if all lower standard imports are banned from entering the country, new Farming Minister Victoria Prentis has said.

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.

Farmer-driven, independent trials conducted in northern England are showing some encouraging results when using biopesticides against septoria in winter wheat crops.

The twin challenges of increasing CSFB resistance to pyrethoids and the negative impact of these insecticides on natural insect predators of the pest came under the spotlight at the AICC conference.

Keeping on top of weeds will be particularly important this spring after difficulties with autumn control and a wet, mild winter. But a new herbicide is at hand to help.

Students at a popular North West college are facing an uncertain future, following the news of an independent strategic review into Newton Rigg, Penrith.

The rain keeps falling. The sheds have rarely been tidier, the machinery more sparkling and the tractors more serviced. The land is just too sodden for fieldwork. There is nothing to do but wait for better conditions.

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

Higher than average rainfall throughout autumn and winter will hit arable margins in the coming year, business consultant Andersons warned.