Research News

Scientists are reporting a breakthrough in efforts to cultivate ‘interstellar’ crops, as a team of astro-biologists and botanists successfully grow a new hybrid crop species in simulated Martian soils.

Erosion of resistance genes is a major concern, and with a declining plant protection toolbox, scientists, breeders, agronomists and farmers are working together to try to catch a moving target. Farmers Guide spoke to an agronomist, a breeder and a researcher to find out what is being done to help the industry – Heather Briggs reports.

In January, RABI launched the largest ever survey of its kind in England and Wales, with a target of achieving 26,000 responses from farming people.

New polling by YouGov shows that Britons value farmers more than any other country.

A cross-industry taskforce is calling for UK oilseed rape growers to join an ambitious on-farm monitoring and trials programme in the war against cabbage stem flea beetle.

Since September, research incentives totalling over £5,000 have been given to farmers, who all signed up to the Field Mouse Rural Panel, as a thank you for their time and contribution.

Cereal growers are being offered an opportunity to learn about their fields’ aphid populations by getting involved in an ADAS-led research project.

A survey by OnePoll has shown that support for British food and farming has reached a record high as a result of farmers’ efforts to keep the nation fed throughout the coronavirus pandemic.

Over 90% of contributors anticipate a greater need for farming support organisations over the next five years, a new survey conducted by The Farming Community Network (FCN) has shown.

Growers across the country will be able to access their most relevant local trial findings, variety intelligence and cropping improvement advice from the UK’s most extensive agronomy research and demonstration network without leaving their farms this summer, thanks to the virtual 2020 events programme developed by Agrii.

Cover crop strategies – designed to protect margins, capitalise on farm payments and maximise environmental benefits – are essential, according to AHDB-funded research.

A study examined more than 1,500 existing records and found 16% relating to arable (crop-growing) land showed erosion above “tolerable” levels – meaning rates of soil loss are significantly greater than new soil formation.