Author Posts: Farmers Guide

Mitigating establishment risks for winter oilseed rape will be at the forefront of growers’ minds as they plan next year’s rotations and varieties.

Use of the two newer wormer groups (4-AD orange and 5-SI purple) has doubled in the two years since they became available through SQPs at merchants, but sheep farmers could still harness their potential more.

Harvest Results from three AHDB Recommended Lists (RL) winter barley trials sites have been published. The average treated yield of control varieties (10.62 t/ha) is currently ahead of the five-year average (10.07 t/ha).

A ban on feeding maleic hydrazide-treated potato waste to livestock has now been lifted, leaving growers free to use the active ingredient without fear of losing their end markets.

Former barrister Theresa Villiers MP has been appointed secretary of state for environment, food and rural affairs, during a cabinet reshuffle on Boris Johnson’s first day as prime minister.

As in previous years, Zetor Tractors plans to release a 2020 calendar for its customers and devotees of agricultural equipment. However, unlike in the past, the photographs will focus on everyday tractor use, combining the daily routine of the machines with artistic arrangements.

The Worshipful Company of Farmers’ charities, which focus on supporting education within the agricultural sector, will benefit by some £10,000 thanks to the efforts of 25 hardy souls who took part in the 115-mile ‘Sleepless in the Saddle’ charity cycle ride from central London to the Suffolk coast over the weekend of 13 – 14 July.

Scotts Precision Manufacturing is reporting a record year, with sales of its Evolution separator and Trinity range of haulm toppers up by over 30%.

A tailored plan is required to contain the spread of clubroot and sustain the production of important brassica crop species in the UK, according to a new AHDB report.

ShowBiz Software has developed its agricultural show management software to a fully web-based version that helps shows of all sizes better manage costs, improve operations and, most importantly, improve their digital marketing.

Farmacy chairman Mike Young’s advice is to take the time now to consider how best to optimise variable rate inputs for this autumn, with new technology such as TerraMap offering a genuine opportunity to enhance the benefits of precision agronomy.

An award-winning leaf wetness sensor is now available to English grape growers, promising real-time information about disease and frost risks to improve on-farm decision-making.