Arable News

Defra has just announced changes that make it easier for farmers to grow hemp, maximising its economic and environmental potential. However, strict laws on cannabis remain in place.

The British Beet Research Organisation (BBRO) has announced new and withdrawn varieties on the sugar beet list, bringing it to a total of 22 varieties for 2025.

A perfect storm of late-drilled fields, susceptible varieties and a mild winter mean that yellow rust is now lurking in many winter wheat crops, said a Syngenta cereal disease expert.

Delve deeper into the benefits of Omya Calciprill, a granulated soil conditioner made from high quality natural calcium carbonate.

Are schemes such as SFI and Countryside Stewardship making it possible – and profitable – to produce food and care for the natural environment? Sarah Juggins investigates.

Farming and food production is full of uncertainty at the moment – driven by the extreme wet weather, funding for environmental schemes taking priority over growing crops, and lack of data for decision-making.

Tissue analysis samples from 2023 have shown that 75% of cereal crops had below optimum levels of zinc, meaning a foliar application of the nutrient would have been beneficial, according to the latest findings from FMC.

Farmers entering Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) agreements are being advised to ensure that they fully understand the potential impact their decisions will have on future pulse crop rotations.

Experts from Ceres Rural, British Sugar and De Sangosse discussed the prospects for sugar beet this season and recommendations for herbicide programmes in a webinar hosted by UPL.

Farming groups have expressed relief that the government has listened to the sector’s growing fears that environmental schemes could pose a threat to food security.

The Newt in Somerset, a part of the Newt Estate, which was recently named one of the best boutique hotels in the world, took on a challenge to supply its restaurants with ingredients grown, foraged and reared on the site. The processing of its own heritage wheat will enable home-grown flour to become a valuable additional ingredient. 

The UK government has been urged to deliver for UK food security as a drastic reduction in crops is expected due to wet weather.