Cereals News

Cecilia Pryce explores the future impacts of extreme weather, while Lucy Hassall offers an update on volatile fertiliser markets.

With reduced pest, weed and disease pressure, there is more going for late-drilled cereals than it first seems. Farmers Guide asks two Agrii experts for advice on how to get them off to the best start.

“It’s really important that growers have a good understanding of the base they’re working with,” said Yara’s arable expert while discussing what growers should be doing to improve yields and get the most from their inputs. 

Defra figures have confirmed the impact of record-breaking wet weather on the 2024 harvest, prompting renewed calls for increased funding in the Autumn Budget.

An interactive online platform has been launched, allowing public access to over 50 years of arable crop pest and disease data from across England and Wales. 

With high aphid pressure forecasted for the UK this autumn, an Agrovista expert explores key options to minimise yield losses from BYDV in autumn cereals. 

New precision breeding technology to increase food production, reduce costs to farmers, and allow drought- and disease-resistant crops to be grown will be brought forward under new laws, the government has just announced. 

Many farmers are intending to drill cereals earlier this season, so effective weed control will depend on a successful residual programme. Good chemistry is available, but it needs a clear strategy to get the best result, arable experts said. 

Waterford Distillery has launched the latest bottling in its Heritage barley series, Heritage: Goldthorpe. It is the first time the goldthorpe barley variety has been used in drinks production in over 100 year.

High-yielding soft wheat has overcome torrential rain and high septoria disease pressure to secure the top award. 

New winter feed barley Aleksandra from Agrovista has delivered impressive yields and excellent quality grain in Yorkshire after the toughest of seasons, recovering strongly from the effects of heavy and prolonged autumn and winter rainfall, an expert said. 

Tom Turner of seed breeder KWS offers advice on varietal choice and outlines the new SFI maize options.