Author name: Direct Driller

5 reasons to visit the Agroforestry Show 10-11 September 2025

Shows, Soils Farmer / By

Discover how trees can boost your regenerative farming system at Woodoaks Farm, Hertfordshire. Following its sell-out debut in 2023, the Agroforestry Show is back—bigger, bolder, and packed with even more inspiration and learning opportunities. Join us for two incredible days dedicated to the future of farming, forestry, and sustainable land management. Agroforestry is the deliberate …

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Soil Farmer of the Year 2025 announced at Groundswell

Carbon, Soils Farmer / By

Three farmers championing soil health and regenerative practices have been recognised in the 2025 Soil Farmer of the Year competition, with the awards ceremony taking place at this year’s Groundswell event. The competition, jointly run by Farm Carbon Toolkit and Innovation for Agriculture, and proudly sponsored by Cotswold Seeds and Hutchinsons, celebrates farmers across the …

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New Agrii trials put the focus on drilling and cultivation choices to manage blackgrass efficiently

Agronomist Focus, Soils Farmer / By

A comprehensive Agrii trial focusing on different combinations of drilling date, cultivation technique and drill options is delivering vital insight into the best management strategies for achieving the most effective blackgrass control while encouraging strongly early crop growth. Delaying drilling to give the best options for blackgrass control or simply because of challenging autumn conditions …

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Clean Water. Clean Kill.

Products in Focus, Soils Farmer / By

Practical glyphosate stewardship for direct drill and regenerative farmers For farmers working with direct drilling or regenerative systems, glyphosate isn’t just another herbicide – it’s a crucial tool. Whether it’s managing grass-weeds, clearing stale seedbeds, or taking down cover crops, glyphosate helps create a clean, manageable seedbed without the need for cultivation. But glyphosate’s performance …

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Variable Rate Application: The Economic and Agronomic Edge for Modern Spraying

Tech Farmer, Technology / By

As the pressures on agriculture mount—from climate instability to rising input costs—farmers are increasingly turning to smarter, more sustainable technologies to protect both yields and margins. Among the most promising of these is Variable Rate Application (VRA), a precision farming approach revolutionising how crop inputs are managed. With its ability to fine-tune inputs like fertilisers, …

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New Standard for On-Farm Autonomy and Laser Weeding

Artificial Intelligence, Products in Focus, Tech Farmer / By

As farms across the UK grapple with mounting labour shortages, rising input costs, and tighter sustainability expectations, automation is becoming less of a novelty and more of a necessity. Leading the charge is US-based agri-tech firm Carbon Robotics, whose latest developments in autonomous tractor control and laser-based weeding solutions are rapidly redefining how arable operations …

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Drones for Spraying Pesticides—Opportunities and Challenges

Artificial Intelligence, Farm Trial Results, Products in Focus, Tech Farmer / By

Erdal Ozkan; Professor and Extension State Specialist—Pesticide Application Technology; Department of Food, Agricultural and Biological Engineering; The Ohio State University Direct Driller Note – this is the most comprehensive guide to different types of drone spraying and although is written in the US, they are also significantly ahead of the UK in terms of adoption …

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More Farmers Are Adopting John Deere’s See & Spray in the USA. Here’s Why…

Artificial Intelligence, Farm Trial Results, Products in Focus, Tech Farmer / By

John Deere See & Spray uses AI machine learning and computer vision to identify weeds during each pass precisely. Early adopters in the US of See & Spray say they’ve increased savings, reduced herbicides and reached ROI faster than expected. Which is rare in the ag tech sector. Farmers know spraying applications can vary from …

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Farming for Nutrition: How Soil Health Shapes the Food We Eat

Research, Soils Farmer / By

Written by Dr. Hannah Fraser As a farmer and a medical doctor, I get to witness the intersection of agriculture, human health, and nutrition. My husband and I are organic farmers in Yorkshire, where we grow heritage and diverse population wheats, and have a keen focus on improving soil health and biodiversity. Our journey into …

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