Arable News

NFU Sugar has urged the government to abandon its proposed tariff-free quota for raw cane sugar imports because of its potential to undercut British growers with sugar grown in ways that would be illegal in the UK, threaten the viability of a British success story and undermine the government’s commitment to developing countries.

Independent trials conducted in drought prone soils, comparing the performance of commonly used bio-stimulants on Skyfall winter wheat with a 50% fungicide programme, have found AminoA FLO to be one of the best performing and most consistent bio-stimulants in the study.

Oilseed rape growers across the country are finding this autumn a welcome relief from the disastrous start so many of their crops had with the combination of last season’s dry September and intense cabbage stem flea beetle pressure.

Oilseed rape growers and agronomists can now calculate the optimum timing to target cabbage stem flea beetle larvae hatch, with the chance to limit stem infestation.

McDonald’s has announced two new partnerships with its long-standing potato supplier McCain and charity The Prince’s Countryside Fund. Both partnerships are part of McDonald’s ongoing commitment to support both the future of farming and work alongside its suppliers to introduce sustainable innovations.

Looking again at using cover crops to build soil structure and mitigate the effects of increasing weather extremes could reap benefits for farmers in Scotland.

Black-grass dormancy rates of over 80% in tests this year gives growers and agronomists a clear indication for the most successful control strategies for the season.

Some winter oilseed rape may already have 10% of the crop showing phoma symptoms and may need treating, according to AHDB’s forecast for the disease.

Sustainable cost reductions are key to improving the profit levels of arable growing across the UK – particularly in a year when adverse weather has reduced yields and profitability. Saving money on wearing metal is an efficient way to do this, with lower running costs allowing higher profits, says manufacturer Tenmat.

Tissue testing crops is generally done in the spring, but FMC crop nutrition specialist, Chris Bond, calls for growers to consider its value this side of winter.

Continue to hold off drilling winter wheat fields where blackgrass is a worry until early October where possible, or mid-October in the worst fields, says agronomy firm ProCam.

Growers are being urged to take care when handling over-yeared seed bags, following some reports of bags ripping during movement.