Author Posts: Farmers Guide

Despite the challenge of farming some of the worst soils in the UK, agricultural inputs costing double of those sourced on the mainland and the tempestuous weather, crofting on the Hebridean islands of Lewis and Harris is in the ascendency, according to SAC Consulting’s Iain Macmillan. 

Chickweed is now growing and can smother established grassland or young leys, warns Dr Nicola Perry, grassland specialist with Corteva Agriscience.

At one of the most exciting and crucial periods for the UK livestock industry, the Livestock Auctioneers’ Association (LAA) has this week announced expansion plans as it continues to play a leading role in representing the UK sector both in home and international markets.

A series of modified, themed cars will hit the road later this year as part of a triennial charity fundraiser organised by Mark Allen, of farm buildings company Johnstruct Ltd.

NFU President, Minette Batters, joined a school visit at Barleylands Farm Park in Essex yesterday to see how its dedicated education team has been engaging children with the food and farming story for the last 36 years.

Sowing green manure seed mix on uncropped arable headlands, left where growers just managed to muddle in landwork in the autumn, could help to restore soil structure and build fertility, and play an important role as an ecological asset.

Following the unmitigated wash-out of Autumn 2019 and the elevated importance of spring sown crops this year, ADAMA Agricultural Solutions UK has launched its latest online crop protection portal to help growers tackle the twin challenges of cereal disease control and how to manage the increased area of spring plantings.

Experts are warning potato growers and buyers not to apply Chlorpropham (CIPC) at 2020 store loading, as they will face a high risk of not being able to sell the crop.

Crop science organisation NIAB has opened new headquarters in Cambridge following a two-year, £25 million redevelopment and construction project.

AHDB has launched a suite of new resources including tools, videos, web pages and publications, in a bid to strengthen its cereal disease management guidance for 2020.

Field-scale, heavy land trials at Agrii’s Stow Longa technology centre last season revealed spring barley yield and gross margin differences of almost 3t/ha and well over £350/ha.

Dave Baverstock spoke to Farmers Guide about his new role at the helm of PHR Rayne, where he has worked for more than 25 years.