Richard Allison

England

Arable editor at Farmers Weekly and ex-ADAS research consultant. Passionate about North Yorkshire, crops, cows and the British countryside.

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Articles

Cereals 2025: Water hardness check key to glyphosate efficacy

1 week ago | fwi.co.uk | Richard Allison

Trial tested Italian ryegrass plants treated with glyphosate with and without a water conditioner © MAG/Richard Allison Farmers could be losing up to 30% efficacy of glyphosate in hard water areas, thereby increasing the risk of grassweed resistance by delivering a sub-optimal kill. The discovery of glyphosate-resistant Italian ryegrass in Kent earlier this year has put the spotlight on the responsible use of the herbicide.
Cereals 2025: Precision farming service makes a difference

1 week ago | fwi.co.uk | Richard Allison

Field Service arable rate nitrogen map © Procam Growers are seeing the benefits of a new precision farming service this season, evening up fields in what has been a very variable season. Procam regional technical manager Nigel Scott highlighted that it has been the ideal season to adopt the company’s new precision farming service, with the more even crops being easier to manage. “Variation this year has been more exaggerated than in other years,” he said.
Cereals 2025: Growers get early access to next-gen beet varieties

2 weeks ago | fwi.co.uk | Richard Allison

UK beet growers can now buy seed directly from a key plant breeder, giving them earlier access to next-generation varieties together with a wide range of seed treatments. The move by Sesvandehave results from changes made to the British Sugar agreement, first announced in 2024.
Trial leads to shift in blackgrass strategy on Oxfordshire farm

2 weeks ago | fwi.co.uk | Richard Allison

Rotational ploughing and maximising autumn flushes are part of the new strategy at Tusmore estate near Bicester, as its farm manager looks to get blackgrass back under control. The grassweed problem that manager Tim Hall inherited when taking on the role was due to a combination of a change to the drill system, extreme seasons and cropping changes resulting from a declining oilseed rape area.
Merchant seeks farmers to grow premium-earning bread wheat

2 weeks ago | fwi.co.uk | Richard Allison

A Lincolnshire merchant is seeking farmers to grow Nelson winter wheat next season, in response to growing demand from millers for the high-protein variety. Farmers can grow it under buyback contracts with seed and grain specialist Cope Seeds and supply it to Heygates millers, which is increasing its volume due to the high protein and favourable breadmaking characteristics of the crop.
Tests confirm yellow rust has overcome major gene in wheat

4 weeks ago | fwi.co.uk | Richard Allison

A major resistance gene used to protect winter wheat from yellow rust disease has been overcome by evolving strains of the pathogen, according to the AHDB and its research partners. It follows unusually high levels of the disease reported this spring in both Recommended List (RL) variety trials and commercial winter wheat crops. AHDB first issued an early warning in April advising growers not to rely on the current RL disease resistance ratings for yellow rust.
Tips on weed control in farmyards and near arable buildings

1 month ago | fwi.co.uk | Richard Allison

Tasks such as weed control around farm buildings, grain dryers and other infrastructure can feel like an inconvenience when farm staff are stretched by core spring activities. But there is a way to get a prolonged period of weed control in these areas in just one hit, cutting the need for repeat applications, thereby saving time, labour, and costs during pinch periods.
5 key factors for maximising pea yields

2 months ago | fwi.co.uk | Richard Allison

A multi-noded, tall-stemmed plant with deep roots is the key to farmers raising pea yields, according to a new pea growth guide. Researchers estimate that peas could yield 7-8t/ha on light soils and 9-10t/ha on water retentive soils. However, typical on-farm yields are substantially lower. To help farmers bridge this yield gap, Adas, BASF, and the Processors and Growers Research Organisation (PGRO) have collaborated to bring together the latest information in the Pea Growth Guide.
What first OSR variety to mitigate flea beetle risk means for growers

2 months ago | fwi.co.uk | Richard Allison

Avenger variety © Limagrain A hybrid oilseed rape that has been bred with resilience against cabbage stem flea beetle could make the difference between crop success and failure when deployed as part of an integrated approach. OSR varieties have advanced in recent years with new traits aimed at tackling challenges such as turnip yellows virus and sclerotinia, along with improvements in yield.
Wheat growers alerted to yellow rust risk in backward crops

2 months ago | fwi.co.uk | Richard Allison

Wheat growers are urged to be alert to yellow rust risks in backward and later-drilled winter wheat crops this spring, to avoid yield losses of up to 50%. According to David King, Syngenta’s head of technical for the UK, Ireland and the Nordics, while yellow rust levels were relatively low coming out of winter, it is a disease that likes juvenile leaves and can strike quickly. “It’s very much a case of being vigilant rather than panicking,” David says.