Arable News

With few frosts to speak of this winter, and evidence of aphid populations building over the past few years, in all likelihood there will be high levels of infestation this spring and with that an increased risk of virus yellows spreading into sugar beet crops. Dominic Kilburn writes.

Challenging conditions last autumn are now presenting growers with difficult decisions for spring. Many might be considering what to do with, and how much to spend, on winter crops although nursing them through to harvest will be the aim of most.

With the area of UK-grown spring oilseed rape potentially as high as 60,000ha this year compared with around 10,000ha usually, what are the key management areas new growers should focus on?

A survey on the impact of cabbage stem flea beetle on oilseed rape crops in 2019-20, insecticide resistance and beneficial insects were some of the key items discussed at the AICC annual technical conference recently.

Flea beetle pressures have grown markedly at Dunkirk Farm, Birtley, overlooking Gateshead’s Angel of the North, in recent seasons. Yet David Hankey continues to grow crops of OSR that rival winter wheat in their margin-earning. And he does so without using any insecticides.

After what can only be described as unprecedented weather conditions over the past few months, our agronomists take stock of the situation and look to spring for salvation! Dominic Kilburn writes.

Recent changes to wheat rust disease resistance ratings might be associated with new pathotypes that have unique patterns of infection.

Severe flooding across the country in recent weeks formed a key part of discussions at the NFU Conference this week, with particular concerns raised about the three-crop rule.

At a packed Scottish Agronomy technical conference, Scotland was hailed as a beacon of opportunity for arable farmers.

With thousands of farmers across the country battling floods after Storm Dennis and unable to get onto their land to plant crops, farming organisations from across the UK have asked for an urgent relaxation of the three crop rule.

For a growing number of farmers, spring oilseed rape seed (SOSR) is being bought, being seen as a viable option because it provides a break crop option and it isn’t susceptible to Cabbage Stem Flea Beetle (CSFB). 

Hutchinsons has unveiled a new range of tailor-made cover crop mixes that includes options which could help improve the structure and health of land left fallow this spring.