Agronomist and Arable Farmer

Agronomist & Arable Farmer offers top UK growers a fresh viewpoint on the arable sector, delivering high-quality, unbiased content that stands out in the industry.

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Articles

Improving crop conditions cap markets

4 days ago | aafarmer.co.uk | Richard Lawrence

Grain prices continue to sit low as weather and political issues remain watchpoints. The latest USDA crop progress report has painted a more favourable picture of US crop conditions than expected, with 52% of the US winter wheat crop rated as being in good or excellent condition. In terms of development, 83% of the crop has now headed, with harvest well underway in Texas and other southern states.
Farmers urged to prioritise efficiency over offsetting to cut emissions

1 week ago | aafarmer.co.uk | Richard Lawrence

With farmers under increasing pressure from banks, regulators and supply chains to demonstrate sustainability credentials, confusion still reigns over which tools to use and why carbon audits matter. Speaking during a recent webinar hosted by agri-data specialists Map of Ag, George Badger from Ceres Rural highlighted the growing demand for robust on-farm carbon data – and the challenges this creates for farmers.
Yellow rust breakdown confirmed

1 week ago | aafarmer.co.uk | Richard Lawrence

Following numerous reports of yellow rust this season, many in varieties thought to be resilient or offering juvenile resistance, the AHDB says tests have confirmed the YR15 resistance gene has been overcome. After several varieties were found to be carrying the disease at an RL site close to Sunderland, trial operators supplied samples from the site and Berwick-upon-Tweed for analysis by the AHDB-funded UK Cereal Pathogen Virulence Survey (UKCPVS).
OSR Reboot drive to bring bees back

1 week ago | aafarmer.co.uk | Richard Lawrence

As part of OSR Reboot United Oilseeds, in partnership with agri-tech innovator AgriSound, is looking to reenergise the role of OSR in sustainable agriculture. With the support of the British Beekeepers Association and the Bee Farmers Association, a pilot across six member farms in southern England to quantify and communicate the real-world biodiversity benefits of OSR has been undertaken.
Pests threaten spring cereals

1 week ago | aafarmer.co.uk | Richard Lawrence

Spring cereal crops are at risk of gout fly and blossom midge warns AgrovistaIts agronomists are seeing an increased prevalence of gout fly, affecting not only spring wheat but also spring barley. This aligns with earlier predictions of higher incidence of gout fly in winter crops, heightening the risk of damage from the spring generation. Gout fly eggs are becoming a common sight in cereal crops, and the impact depends heavily on the crop’s growth stage at the time of attack.
Research reveals diet alterations could boost biopesticide efficacy

2 weeks ago | aafarmer.co.uk | Richard Lawrence

Changes to a pest’s diet could slow the evolution of resistance to biopesticides, according to research from the University of Stirling. It is hoped that the findings could allow the development of biopesticides that are effective for longer. Researchers discovered that cotton bollworm moths shows a great deal of genetic variation in how well they survive exposure to biopesticide fungi.
Crop condition concerns lift markets

2 weeks ago | aafarmer.co.uk | Richard Lawrence

Grain prices have recovered slightly, following the lows of recent weeks. The current AHDB Grain Market Report shows UK Nov-25 feed wheat futures at £186.70/t, the new May-26 contract has built over the week and stands at £196.05/t. Short covering has supported prices but so has a concern over deteriorating crop conditions.
Amazone adds cost-effective Catros to disc harrow range

2 weeks ago | aafarmer.co.uk | Matthew Tilt

Amazone has launched the Catros+ 6003-2TS Special, a weight-optimised and cost-effective variant of its trailed compact disc harrow. Available in a 6m working width, it is said to be ideal for shallow tillage, working down between 5cm and 14cm, and operating at speeds up to 18kph. It dispenses with added tools, such as front-mounted equipment, seeder boxes or the consolidating roller to leave a simple, robust frame.
Organic food production not keeping pace with demand

3 weeks ago | aafarmer.co.uk | Richard Lawrence

New figures from the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra), show that while the area of land farmed organically in the UK rose by 1.0% in 2024, reaching 503,000 hectares, it remains just over 3.0 % of agricultural land. Although slightly up from 2023, the number of certified organic operators fell again, from 3,882 to 3,841. This follows a broader UK-wide drop in operator numbers of 1.9%, a sign that many producers continue to face tough economic conditions.
Technical update service launched

3 weeks ago | aafarmer.co.uk | Richard Lawrence

A new membership service for arable farmers who want to benefit from the latest independent and technical advice has been launched by Ceres Research. The new service will combine regular agronomic, economic and political insights with field-based reviews and events. According to Dr Alex Setchfield it bridges the gap between academia and practical on-farm application. “There’s an urgent need for new solutions as farming undergoes significant change and businesses face greater risk and uncertainty.