Arable News

Suffolk farmer Tom Jewers, of G D Jewers & Son at Wood Hall Farm in Rattlesden, experienced a better-than-expected harvest, although field variations of over 6t/h clearly showed the impact OM has on yield.

Farmers need to maximise efficacy and minimise resistance risks when using glyphosate to eliminate weeds ahead of drilling according to Matt Siggs of Bayer. Roundup (glyphosate) is a vital control tool on many farms, so a pro-active approach is best to ensure long-term efficacy.

Resurgence of interest in the Group 3 soft wheat variety Merit comes as no surprise to one Lincolnshire grower.

Experts are reporting some of the largest, sweetest shop-bought blackberries ever seen – but their hedgerow counterparts have suffered.

New Group 2 milling wheat Mayflower lived up to its promise with farmers reporting impressive yields and high protein levels following this year’s harvest.

With oilseed rape prices still topping £650/tonne and wheat harvests well advanced, many growers are understandably keen to get next year’s crop in the ground. But at the time of writing, only scattered showers had fallen across the UK – leaving soils dry and most drills stuck on standby.

Using variety choice to manage on-farm risk should be a top priority for growers when finalising variety choices for the coming season, according to breeder Limagrain UK.

Now in its 31st year, national crop establishment demonstration Tillage-Live is returning to Scotland in September.

Farmers Guide asked Zach Reilly, a senior consultant with SAC Consulting specialising in soil management and crop production advice, and the lead facilitator for the Farming for a Better Climate project with the Soil Regenerative Agriculture Group, to share his tips for grassweed control in non-inversion cultivation systems.

Despite drought conditions towards the end of the growing season and an earlier harvest than in most years, yields have generally held up well across the country, says KWS UK country manager Will Compson.

ProCam agronomist Jonathan Guy advises farms across South Yorkshire. Both black-grass and Italian ryegrass cause problems in his area, but on balance, ryegrass is more troublesome to control, he reckons.

CF Fertilisers UK is set to temporarily halt ammonia production at its Billingham complex, while Yara has announced further curtailments.