Arable

A major new project aimed at using robotics to control slugs on a field scale has been launched.

Researchers from Scotland’s Rural College (SRUC) have joined scientists across Europe to study factors affecting the yield of beans.

The Tenant Farmers’ Association (TFA) has called on Government to ensure farm payments are made on time as the deadline to claim was extended due to disruption caused by the coronavirus.

Farms with heavy clay soils will have found managing ground over the last few months particularly challenging, with many areas going from being flooded and waterlogged, to now rock-hard.

Reducing stress and maintaining green leaf area could be vital not only for yield, but for grain marketability this season, with the potential for a heavily supplied market.

We have now almost completed the spring work, with spring barley coming through the ground fairly evenly and its top dressing of fertiliser being applied at the end of last week.

US maize values remain low and very close to triggering the EU minimum maize import levy. 

Arable farmers can now keep up to date with the latest news, views, research and advice in the world of crop production from the comfort of their tractor cab.

MPs from Cumbria have stated they will ’not stand back and let their precious college disappear’ in a solidarity bid to save the leading ag college from closure. 

In conjunction with Bayer we will be keeping track of winter wheat crop development this season as emergence is likely to be variable following the challenging conditions.