Arable News

A new trial pioneering the net zero production of potato crops through sustainable fertilisers, reduced cultivations, varieties and improved soil health has entered its second phase this year, with UK potato supplier Branston leading the way towards achieving net zero production in the years ahead.

Simon Jackson, Syngenta’s technical manager, provides advice to support vegetable growers with decisions on programmes to deal with pest control and the difficult challenges to come through the growing season.

McArthur Agriculture has worked with Aberdeen Grain to design and install an upgraded system of the farmer-owned grain co-operative’s malting barley cleaning capability to meet customer expectations. The upgrade project is well under way and will be commissioned in time for harvest 2023.

UK farmers will soon benefit from a novel biological seed treatment that naturally improves the crop’s nutrient use efficiency, increases yield and promotes plant and soil health, Syngenta and Unium Bioscience have announced yesterday (9th May).

With 6ha of plots growing a wide range of crops for Cereals 2023, exhibitors gathered at the new Thoresby site to view their crop plots and discuss plans for the event on 13th-14th June 2023.

To reduce financial barriers for potato farmers transitioning to sustainable agricultural practices, McCain Foods, the largest manufacturer of frozen potato products in the UK, has joined forces with NatWest in offering financial support with the costs of switching to a regenerative farming system.

With 2023 spring declarations underway, the British Society of Plant Breeders (BSPB) has published payment rates for farmed saved seed and the latest list of eligible varieties, including advice on blends, cover crops and what farmers should do in the event of a failed crop.

Nutrient deficiency is a widespread issue in potatoes grown in the UK and can lead to internal and external crop damage with associated financial losses. To help farmers maintain adequate nutrient levels in potato crops, Oscar Thacker, area manager at Yara, offers some advice.

Growers are being warned about high slug risk in potatoes where crops have been planted into cloddy seed beds and are urged to counter the threat with a good quality pellet as soon as tubers reach golf ball size.

The Arable Event, one of the largest farming events in the Midlands, is returning to Woodlands Farm in Staffordshire this summer with extensive trial plots, expert speakers, and machinery demonstrations to entertain visitors.

Cereals has a wealth of seminars this year, with opportunities to question political leaders, players in the environmental services arena and farmers going down the regenerative agriculture route.

With barely crops forecasted to grow rapidly over the next few weeks, the timing of T2 (GS39-45) spray applications will be critical for both PGR and disease management to effectively mitigate against the risks of big canopies, crop production specialists Hutchinsons have warned.