Advice - Arable

In the last of our potato agronomy series, Farmers Guardian gets the view on harvest prospects and talking points of the 2024 season from agronomists in Scotland and England

Following last autumn's troublesome drilling, farmers should think carefully before embarking on planting

When rodent numbers swelled rapidly at a mixed family farm in Cambridgeshire, new tactics including an integrated pest management approach and new rodenticides were needed to protect its grain stores

Growing maize and other suitable crops for biogas production could offer farmers a stable, long-term market for their produce, as well as a fresh break-crop option

Pre-emergence herbicides are just one part of the full weed control programme, so rather than looking for the ‘best’ pre-em, consider choosing what works best for the situation.

A host of grass-weeds are becoming an increasing issue in the north of England and Scotland. Farmers Guardian finds out what lessons can be learned from the battles fought in parts of the country managing resistant grass-weeds for decades.

With many farmers experiencing a rebound in grass-weed numbers this year, stubble management will be key to reducing viable seed levels.

Simon Nelson advises farmers on a wide range of arable and forage crops across Cumbria, north Lancashire and into south west Scotland. He has worked for Agrovista for 23 years.

With variety decisions for the coming season at the forefront of minds, Alice Dyer attended an AHDB and ADAS Recommended List variety demo in Herefordshire, to find out which varieties are best suited to the West.