Arable News

Farmers are facing challenging conditions in which to control late blight after Hutton Criteria disease warnings were declared in key potato-growing areas.

Chiltern Farm Chemicals, one of the largest suppliers of molluscicides in the UK, has been granted permission to bring a judicial review of the decision before the High Court, with the view to declare the metaldehyde ban as unlawful.

The Agricultural and Horticultural Development Board (AHDB), the AgriFood Charities Partnership (AFCP) and Certis Europe BV are to fund a three-year PhD at Harper Adams University in the United Kingdom.

For maximum seed fill and yield in oilseed rape, expert advice is clear: the canopy should be kept green for as long as possible.

A series of regional open days by leading agronomy firm Hutchinsons during June and July provides the ideal opportunity to see first-hand which varieties suit the climate, soil type, pest and disease pressure in your area.

Hybrid oilseed rape will dominate the UK market in the next five years with the rapid development of ‘drill and forget’ varieties focused on the UK’s need for more agronomically self-contained varieties, predicts Mike Mann of DSV UK.

Rainfall-related mycotoxin risk assessment scores can now be calculated automatically, thanks to a new tool issued by AHDB.

With the development of better maize varieties to suit our climate, the need for additional break crops, a shortage of forage and more recently the development of AD plants for green energy, the area of maize in the UK has increased to 224,000 ha in 2018 according to Defra’s latest agricultural census.

Using instant photo recognition, algorithm and data sharing technology, the free xarvio™ Scouting app enables growers and agronomists to accurately identify weed and disease threats in their fields via their smartphones.

With the phase out of metaldehyde-based pellets for the control of slugs, many growers and agronomists are now actively looking to switch to ferric phosphate products this autumn.

As a result of neonicotinoid bans, growers may have to re-think their cereal agronomy strategies and use of seed treatments to ensure the best possible establishment and vigour this autumn, reports Heather Briggs.

Seven new varieties have been added to the BBRO/BSPB 2020 Sugar Beet Recommended List; Advena KWS and Smart Janninka KWS from KWS UK, BTS 4100 from Limagrain UK and Vixen, Conger, Puffin and Lightning from SESVanderHave UK.