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CROP WATCH

Crop Watch: OSR pod sealants and foliar N in wheat

The weather remains unsettled with disease pressure staying high. For example, the showery weather as resulted in rhynchosporium starting to develop in spring barley crops in the west. This changeable…

FARMER FOCUS

Farmer Focus: Throwing it all at our fight against grassweeds

Our farming system revolves around ryegrass seed production for four key reasons: successful yields, straw sales to North Island dairy farmers, the restorative function within our rotation and the lambs…

OTHER CROPS

Cereals 2024: Project seeks to find UK chickpea variety

A new research project aims to explore the potential for domestic production of chickpeas by developing the UK’s first breeding programme. The Cicero project is a two-year feasibility study led…

VARIETY SELECTION

After 80 years, where next for the Recommended List?

The future direction of the AHDB’s Recommended List (RL) and the need for it to reflect the move to more sustainable farming systems was the focus at Cereals 2024, as…

FARMER FOCUS

Farmer Focus: Feeling excited at the prospect of harvest

What a roller coaster the 2023-24 growing season has been. Crops have picked up hugely over the past six weeks and for the first time this year I’m starting to…

DISEASE MANAGEMENT

Cereals 2024: Advice on wheat actives to counter brown rust

Wheat growers are being urged to look at fungicide actives rather than products to control multiple diseases, and this has been highlighted by the early virulent attacks of brown rust…

DISEASE MANAGEMENT

Cereals 2024: Exceptional year puts T4 spray in the frame

The need for a T4 spray was being discussed by agronomists and growers at the Cereals 2024 event, as crops continue to come under pressure from disease. With brown rust…

Arable news

CROP SELECTION

Plant breeders fear gene editing could be "derailed" by election

Plant scientists are demanding the next government prioritise the introduction of gene editing, to help accelerate the development of crops with increased yields, improved climate resilience and reduced environmental footprints.…

ARABLE

Cereals 24: Sprayer closed transfer system starts UK rollout

Growers will soon benefit from a much trailed quicker, safer and environmentally friendly sprayer filling system, backed by 13 chemical manufacturers. The Closed Transfer System, easyconnect, reduces sprayer operator exposure…

SOILS

Cereals 2024: Soil sensors target fast testing and nutrient use

Two high-tech soil sensors were on show at this year’s Cereals event, putting speed, nutrient use efficiency and microbial populations at the core of tests.  Paul-Tech soil station A soil…

MARKET OPPORTUNITIES

Cereals 2024: Farmers to supply UK's largest quinoa firm

The UK’s largest quinoa producer, the British Quinoa Company, is looking to take on a limited number of additional growers next spring to meet growing demand within the human consumption…

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VARIETY SELECTION

After 80 years, where next for the Recommended List?

The future direction of the AHDB’s Recommended List (RL) and the need for it to reflect the move to more sustainable farming systems was the focus at Cereals 2024, as…

DISEASE MANAGEMENT

Cereals 2024: Advice on wheat actives to counter brown rust

Wheat growers are being urged to look at fungicide actives rather than products to control multiple diseases, and this has been highlighted by the early virulent attacks of brown rust…

DISEASE MANAGEMENT

Cereals 2024: Exceptional year puts T4 spray in the frame

The need for a T4 spray was being discussed by agronomists and growers at the Cereals 2024 event, as crops continue to come under pressure from disease. With brown rust…

ROOT CROP EQUIPMENT

New potato facility reduces costs and allows longer storage

After a store-ravaging fire destroyed his older buildings and boxes in 2016, specialist potato producer Philip Smith invested in a new super-efficient facility that is cheaper to run and maintains…

ARABLE

Collaborative options available to help arable farmers

There’s a perception that farmers often felt they were in competition with their neighbours or more widely with others producing similar outputs.  But the benefits of collaboration, rather than competition,…

COVER CROPS

How to get the most from SAM2 overwinter cover crops

Many growers will have experimented with overwintered cover crops in recent seasons, with, it’s fair to say, varying levels of success. In terms of area, overwintered cover crops is the…

SOILS

Getting arable soils back on track after a washout season

Soils have been one of the biggest casualties of the wet season, with many fields requiring some remedial action before cropping again. Issues vary from surface capping, slumping, compaction, and…

PAYMENTS, SCHEMES AND GRANTS

Expanded SFI 2024 offer: What it means for arable farmers

The new expanded Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) for 2024 brings together the existing SFI 2023 offer, amended Mid-Tier Countryside Stewardship (CS) options and some new actions, moving it closer to…

WEED MANAGEMENT

Tackling wild oats: How to identify and map problem areas

It is more than 30 years since the first wild oats with resistance to fops and dims chemistry were identified in the UK, and since then, some feel the problem…

PULSES

Why pollinators are key to Scottish grower’s 6t/ha bean yield

Pollinating insects can increase bean yields by up to 50%. Emma Gillbard visits a farmer who is using beetle banks and grass margins to boost yield and cut chemical use.…

BARLEY

Brewing barley gains ground in this spring’s sowings  

Edward Watson turned to spring barley to try and beat blackgrass on his family’s heavy-land farm. He is now growing a malting crop to rival the profit from his top-quality…

COVER CROPS

Cover crop trial reveals impact of grazing on nitrates

Since winning the title of Farmers Weekly Environmental Farmers of the Year, Emma and James Loder-Symonds have been busy trialling the impact of grazing cover crops. The cover crop trial…

SOILS

How healthy soils and glyphosate use can work together

The use of glyphosate in a sensible and well-planned way can be positive for soil health and structure, research suggests. It’s a question that often gets asked – is it…

DISEASE MANAGEMENT

Wheat growers advised not to scrimp on T3 sprays

Wheat growers are being warned not to economise on T3 sprays and risk exposing emerging wheat ears in such a wet high disease pressure year. See also: World’s first verified…

CARBON

World’s first verified carbon-negative tree nursery founded

The world’s first verified carbon-negative tree nursery, founded by farmer’s son Renwick Drysdale in Scotland, is seeking to help meet surging demand for tree planting and habitat restoration projects. The…

DISEASE MANAGEMENT

Eliminating chemicals helps future-proof pig and arable farm

Nick Dymond’s journey to chemical-free crop production began 10 years ago when he decided to escape the chemical conveyor belt and focus on soil health at the family pig and…

Farmer Focus

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FARMER FOCUS

Farmer Focus: Throwing it all at our fight against grassweeds

Our farming system revolves around ryegrass seed production for four key reasons: successful yields, straw sales to North Island dairy farmers, the restorative function within our rotation and the lambs…

FARMER FOCUS

Farmer Focus: Feeling excited at the prospect of harvest

What a roller coaster the 2023-24 growing season has been. Crops have picked up hugely over the past six weeks and for the first time this year I’m starting to…

FARMER FOCUS

Farmer Focus: Why Fastrac is driving entire UK coastline

I know this subject is in the limelight a lot, but mental health is a serious issue in the farming community. An ex-employee of mine, Taron Lee, and a farming…

FARMER FOCUS

Farmer Focus: Slugs decimate wild bird food plots

The 2012 growing season was a great learning experience as we had a BASF trial on the farm, and I watched their untreated and single treatment plots go from green…

Markets

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CROPS MARKETS AND PRICES

Digital grain passports redesigned to address concerns

A revised business case for digital grain passports has been unveiled by its leadership group following an industry-wide consultation on the project’s future earlier this year. The leadership group includes…

CROPS MARKETS AND PRICES

UK crop conditions improve in May but supplies still tight

More favourable weather during the past month has helped cereals to recover slightly as harvest approaches, however overall crop conditions remain a concern. Approximately 55% of winter wheat was rated…

CROPS MARKETS AND PRICES

Gross margins for wheat tighten while fertiliser prices fall

Arable farmers are approaching harvest in a tough position this year, with fewer crops in the ground and lower returns received for last year’s crops. Margins on farm for winter…

CROPS MARKETS AND PRICES

Malting barley outlook: Higher feed price, lower premiums

The malting barley market is focused on concern for quality and yield, with late sown spring crops well up in most regions, but needing a good dose of sun. Merchant…

CROPS MARKETS AND PRICES

Bullish wheat markets approach £200/t amid crop concerns

Poor crop conditions across the northern hemisphere are anticipated to curb production volumes, which has helped to lift both global and domestic wheat prices. UK feed wheat futures for the…

CROPS MARKETS AND PRICES

Rapeseed meal heads above £300/t as soy rules loom

Farmers and traders are facing rising rapeseed meal prices as two pieces of legislation affecting soya sourcing in the EU and UK loom on the horizon. Soya has become impossible…

CROPS MARKETS AND PRICES

Cut in Russia's wheat prospects pushes market higher

Further cuts to expectations for Russia’s wheat crop boosted grain values again this week. The recent successive reductions to crop size, along with an uncertain outlook for the UK and…

CROPS MARKETS AND PRICES

Weather to set the tone for grain market until harvest

The UK looks set to start the new grain year in July with a big carryover of old-crop wheat and a far lower than average level of new-crop sales. Growers’…

Commodities

Futures markets and commodity risk management online course

Learn all you need to know about the futures markets and how you can benefit from them:

  • Risk management strategies for a more predictable financial performance
  • Educated conversations when collaborating with your advisors
  • Negotiate better prices with your grain merchants

Find out more

 
 
Spot and forward prices (£/t ex-farm)
Each set of prices comes from a single merchant, co-op or broker, and are the latest prices being paid to farmers. Ranges of prices, within one category relate to the distance of the farm from the buyer. Oilseed rape prices are latest spot and forward prices, not contract prices. Ex farm prices vary with the distance from Hull, Liverpool and Erith, crushing factories.

Arable machinery

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MACHINERY

Cereals 2024: Horsch rejigs Avatar no-till disc drill

It’s almost as though drill makers had to have a mounted toolbar model in their line-up in order to get a stand at this year’s Cereals event. One of the…

MACHINERY

Cereals 2024: Case IH Axial Flow offers greater automation

Cereals 2024 was one of the first opportunities to catch a glimpse of Case IH’s latest single-rotor 260-series Axial Flow combines. Mechanically, these are near identical to current 250 series…

MACHINERY

Cereals 2024: Latest NH CR10 twin-rotor combine packs 635hp

Hot on the heels of its flagship twin-rotor CR11 combine launch, New Holland has introduced a lower-powered CR10. Specs are almost identical to that of its bigger sibling, apart from…

MACHINERY

Cereals 24: Smartlift adapts combi-drill to one-pass seeding

Spotting a gap in the market for a simple, lower cost toolbar, Yorkshire firm Smartbox introduced the Smartlift. It’s primarily designed to mount in front of a combination drill to…

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