Author Posts: Rachel Hicks

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.

Spring husbandry can provide both value and diversity within a rotation, often demonstrate lower yield variability and can show a better return than their autumn counterparts per £1 spent – although they often struggle to match the best gross margins. But which spring cropping option to choose? Rachel Hicks writes.

While ryegrass is reportedly becoming more of a problem, there’s no doubt black-grass is still the biggest weed challenge. But with so much talk about reduced tillage and a depleted chemical toolbox, are growers managing to control it and can it ever be beaten altogether? Rachel Hicks spoke to two farmers in different locations to find out their approach.

AHDB Potatoes recently hosted a free webinar on best practice for the current available sprout suppressants. Rachel Hicks reports.

Launched on 30th November 2020, AHDB’s online edition of the Recommended Lists for cereals and oilseeds (RL) 2021/22 features major changes to wheat rust disease-resistance ratings. Rachel Hicks reports.

With the loss of neonics sending OSR out of favour as a break crop, and more unpredictable weather leading to a dearth of winter plantings in the last couple of years, could one of the more niche spring cropping options be ready to take a prominent place in the rotation? Rachel Hicks reports.

It’s no secret that the farming life can be hard work. What is often kept quiet, however, is the strain on farmers’ mental health as a result. Rachel Hicks reports.

Farmers Guide editor Rachel Hicks discusses how the industry is igniting the imagination of the younger generation.

Farmers Guide editor Rachel Hicks applauds the agri industry for taking such huge steps towards net zero greenhouse emissions.