Arable News

Imports of nitrogen fertilisers, to meet the needs of Britain’s farmers, are likely to come from a wider range of manufacturers than normal and potentially be more variable in size and spreading characteristics.

Peas and beans look set for a good commercial year supported by favourable market conditions confirms Elsoms Seeds’ Jack Holgate.

There have clearly been some quite dramatic changes in the fertiliser industry over the last 6 months. At CropTec in November, ADAS crop physiologist and head of agronomics Dr Daniel Kindred discussed how to make the most efficient use of nitrogen.

With risk of tick-borne diseases changing as new seasonal and geographical patterns emerge, Ruminant Health and Welfare (RH&W) has brought together a new online resource to help farmers and vets to tackle these diseases.

Growing phacelia or oil radish cover crops in vegetable rotations helps to build and stabilise soils – with a new trial revealing it could safeguard future productivity.

Changing from a conventional to strip tillage in 2019 was something of a baptism of fire for fourth-generation East Yorkshire grower Jonathan Hodgson.

Launched on 29th November, the AHDB RL 2022/23 for cereals and oilseeds features improvements to cereal lodging resistance ratings and additional information on resistance to septoria in winter wheat, as well as new traits for barley (including BYDV tolerance) and an improved choice of varieties for milling, brewing and distilling. Rachel Hicks reports.

With the highest septoria resistance rating for a milling wheat, Mayflower shows serious promise, says independent seed breeder Elsoms Seeds.

The surge in fertiliser prices has created a ‘financial nightmare’ for farmers and growers.

Maize plant breeder KWS has launched a new hybrid variety for 2022 that combines high yields with excellent standing power and harvest flexibility.

Severn Trent is inviting farmers in priority catchments to boost their knowledge and improve spray efficiencies in a virtual workshop, where they will receive a free set of low drift spray nozzles through the water company’s Swap Your Nozzles scheme.

For those still to decide which crops and/or varieties to sow next spring.