Louise Impey

County of Bedfordshire

Contributor Agricultural Journalist and Correspondent at Farmers Weekly

Journalist at Freelance

freelance arable farming journalist and East of England correspondent for Farmers Weekly

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Articles

Advice on personal resilience for arable farmers

1 week ago | fwi.co.uk | Louise Impey

The constant challenges of farming are nothing new. But with the political and economic uncertainty of recent times, many farmers are coping with heightened anxiety and stress. Personal resilience – keeping a positive mindset and a can-do attitude – has therefore never been more important. See also: Why one Essex arable farm faces difficult decisions in 2025Rethinking your relationship with time may help in the current climate, suggests farmer, podcaster and consultant Michael Blanche.
Colder winter reduces brown rust threat for 2025

1 month ago | fwi.co.uk | Louise Impey

A mild winter, stressed crops and delayed spray applications all played their part in the brown rust situation that developed in the 2024 growing season, with the disease uncharacteristically being found from the T1 timing onwards. As a result, the cost, complexity and frequency of spray programmes increased at a time when most were keen to keep expenditure down – something that will be an even more pressing priority this year.
Regen field vegetable growing: Can it be done?

1 month ago | fwi.co.uk | Louise Impey

Growing intensive vegetable crops in a fully regenerative farming system remains a possibility rather than a reality. This according to Worcestershire farm manager, John Sansome of G Wilson Revill & Son, despite good progress being made in many parts of the business. Striking the balance between short-term profitability and long-term sustainability can be more challenging with the market pressures and 24/7 demands of vegetable growing, explains John.
Cropping in the Fens: Working for a sustainable farming future

1 month ago | fwi.co.uk | Louise Impey

© Nature Picture Library/Alamy Stock Photo It’s one of the most productive agricultural regions in England, but it’s also an area at the most risk from climate change and environmental degradation, prompting debate about its future management. Having been drained in the 17th century, the lowland peat soils found in the Fens have been shrinking ever since – with carbon being released into the atmosphere and water management becoming critical.
Analysis: Signs of cautious optimism for oilseed rape?

1 month ago | fwi.co.uk | Louise Impey

After another challenging growing season and a further 17% fall in the area, the UK’s winter oilseed rape crop for harvest 2025 is the smallest since 1983. Higher risk, lower reward and competition from the Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) have all contributed to its fall from grace, creating a supply-demand imbalance and leading to a surge in imports.
How to get arable land ditches working for wildlife

2 months ago | fwi.co.uk | Louise Impey

There are 500,000km of ditches in the British countryside, reaching almost every corner of the land. Found in most parts of the lowlands and surprisingly far up in the hills, ditches are open channels that run along the boundaries of fields, usually narrower than 5m wide and more than 20 times longer than their width.
Analysis: Is there still a place for pulses on UK arable farms?

2 months ago | fwi.co.uk | Louise Impey

As the decarbonisation of farming gathers pace and greater scrutiny is given to sustainable supply chains, it’s never been easier to make a compelling case for growing peas and beans. Not only are non-cereal break crops essential for today’s wider and more diverse rotations, they are also a good source of traceable, home-grown protein – something that’s recognised for its potential to reduce the environmental impact of imported soya.
Why managing winter rainfall on arable land matters

2 months ago | fwi.co.uk | Louise Impey

For Kent farm manager and AHDB Kent Monitor Farm host Tom Reynolds, managing water has become much more challenging in recent years. The amount of winter rainfall is higher than it used to be, he reveals. This has caused the heavy land areas of the farm to have issues with standing water after deluges and occasionally threatening the local village of Postling when the road floods.
Wheat growers urged to remain vigilant for yellow and brown rust

Jan 23, 2025 | fwi.co.uk | Louise Impey

Brown rust in wheat © Blackthorn Arable No major breakdowns in varietal resistance to yellow or brown rust occurred last year, but the dynamic nature of pathogen populations means that growers and agronomists must remain vigilant and report any unusual sightings. Latest results from the UK Cereal Pathogen Virulence Survey (UKCPVS) show that all the recommended and candidate wheat varieties tested were susceptible to brown rust at the seedling stage – with just one exception, Goldfinch.
How growers can build resilience on arable farms

Jan 20, 2025 | fwi.co.uk | Louise Impey

Growers must be prepared to adjust their farming operations and management to make businesses more resilient in the event of adverse weather and volatile market conditions. That’s the message for growers who are looking to reduce their exposure – both physically and financially – to the more erratic weather patterns that the past few years have thrown at them.