Emma Gillbard

Sutton

Deputy Arable Editor and Reporter at Farmers Weekly

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Articles

Cereals 2025: Lowest OSR flea beetle pressure in six years

2 weeks ago | fwi.co.uk | Emma Gillbard

Cabbage stem flea beetle pressure is at its lowest level in six years, with well over half of UK oilseed rape growers reporting little or no autumn challenge from the pest. This is according to the latest findings from the oilseed rape benchmarking survey results carried out by Bayer and Dekalb. Survey results point to cautious optimism for the oilseed rape sector, with high average crop establishment scores among the respondents.
Cereals 2025: New royalty collection fee for Group 4 winter wheat

2 weeks ago | fwi.co.uk | Emma Gillbard

RAGT Seeds Hexton wheat variety © MAG/Emma Gillbard New winter wheat Hexton is the first mainstream cereal variety set for an alternative royalty collection rate, which aims to “level the playing field” for farm-saved and certified seed fees. The shift will see the British Intellectual Property Office (Bipo) collect farm-saved seed royalties directly from the farmer with payment based on the area sown.
Cereals 2025: Top 10 strategies to tackle flea beetle

2 weeks ago | fwi.co.uk | Emma Gillbard

A list of the top 10 strategies to tackle the critical cabbage stem flea beetle (CSFB) pest in oilseed rape crops has been released to help reverse the fortunes of oilseed rape. Compiled by a large consortium of stakeholders passionate about the future of the UK oilseed rape industry, the strategies have been dubbed “the strongest set of cabbage stem flea beetle management techniques to date”.
Irish farmer ditches fungicides on marginal crop land

3 weeks ago | fwi.co.uk | Emma Gillbard

Irish arable farmer Samuel Deane is successfully growing fungicide-free crops on what is considered the very limit of viable arable land in the rain-drenched landscape of County Cork. Sam is now in his fifth year ditching the chemicals in a region which sees average rainfall frequently surpass 1,000mm, coupled with mild winters that harbour disease. “We are in an area of borderline arable cropping.
Crop Watch: Dry weather prompts T2 fungicide queries

1 month ago | fwi.co.uk | Emma Gillbard

The T2 flag leaf fungicide spray is now the focus for winter wheat crops. Dry conditions over the last month have kept disease pressure low, so much so that product choice and rates are being tweaked accordingly to get the best return from crops. Our Crop Watch agronomist keep us updated with progress around the country. See also: Wheat rusts an added threat at Crop Doctor site for T2 sprayNorthWhat I wouldn’t give for a drop of rain.
Velcourt trials reveal distinct benefit of new fungicide at T2

2 months ago | fwi.co.uk | Emma Gillbard

Independent trials carried out by farming company Velcourt have revealed a distinct benefit from including the fungicide RevyPro at the T2 timing in winter wheat. Initial trial work in 2023 on a crop of Skyfall highlighted the formulation benefits of RevyPro. Now partnered with Inatreq, the tank mix forms a key part of the T2 programme across much of Velcourt’s 107 farm businesses, extending across the UK from Scotland to Devon and Kent.
'Mosaic' cropping system helps cut winter barley costs

2 months ago | fwi.co.uk | Emma Gillbard

Cranborne Farms in east Dorset grew a malting winter barley crop for just £65.36/t variable costs last season, some £10.85/t lower than the UK average (Yagro UK). Farm manager Dan Moore puts the achievement down to a “mosaic” approach to field blocks, targeted nutrition and strong data analysis. His ultimate aim is to reduce artificial inputs and create as much habitat as possible on the farm – all while maintaining production.
Why one farmer believes calcium is king of soil nutrients

Mar 30, 2025 | fwi.co.uk | Emma Gillbard

Tim Parton © Richard Stanton Calcium forms the foundations of good crop nutrition, according to farmer and independent regenerative agriculture consultant Tim Parton. “Calcium is the juggernaut of elements, driving nutrition around the plant. Available calcium is critical to a healthy crop. It is essentially the glue which binds plants together – nothing functions without it,” says Tim.
Strip-till cultivator brings big maize establishment savings

Mar 13, 2025 | fwi.co.uk | Emma Gillbard

The use of a strip-till cultivator has halved the number of maize establishment passes and more than doubled work rate at a Hampshire arable farm – all while maintaining yields. Father-and-son duo Peter and Will Cheyney were looking to step away from traditional maize cultivations and move to a lower disturbance system.
Sowing date determines plant protection product use this spring

Mar 7, 2025 | fwi.co.uk | Emma Gillbard

Growers are reminded that the sowing date of late-drilled winter cereals will determine the eligibility of certain plant protection products that can be applied this spring. Rules set out by the HSE’s Chemicals Regulations Division (CRD) state that winter cereals sown after the end of January can only be treated with products approved in spring cereals. The CRD defines a winter cereal as one that has been sown on or before 31 January.