The increasing threat of barley yellow dwarf virus in winter wheat and the potential of resistant varieties to overcome it was the focus of a recent open day at TWB Farms, near Lichfield. Host farmer Clive Bailye set up an observation trial last autumn, comparing 15ha of BYDV-resistant RGT Grouse with a similar area of …
BYDV threat under the spotlight at TWB Farms open day Read More »
The ADAS Nutrition Challenge is back for 2024 with thirteen growers competing against ADAS crop scientists and RB209 best practice guidelines to see whose crop nutrition strategy ends up achieving the highest gross margin over nutrient costs.
Can how you grow crops impact on the nutrient and health value of food? It’s what farmer and doctor Hannah Fraser is trying to find out on a Nuffield Scholarship By Mike Abram For a long time there has been a suspicion that how you grow food will determine its nutrient status and ultimately impact …
Is regen farming producing more nutritious food? Read More »
After a year-long investigation, Defra’s report: ‘Harmonisation of Carbon Accounting Tools for Agriculture’ is providing much-needed guidance on appropriate standards for carbon reporting.
While spring brings a renewed sense of vitality to the soil, it also presents challenges, particularly following the level of rainfall seen in the UK this winter. Wet, compacted soils can impede the growth and development of crops, exerting a   cascade of effects that ripple through the soil ecosystem and impact potential yields.
Written by Harry Barnett I never dreamt that a soil disturbing potato farmer like myself would be writing an article for the Direct Driller magazine but I feel privileged to share some of my findings and views. I am based on the Holkham Estate in North Norfolk, where I run a potato growing enterprise growing …
Dr David Cutress: IBERS, Aberystwyth University. • Symbiotic fungi mycorrhiza have important interactions with many plant species• Mycorrhiza, in optimal conditions, can improve plant growth with fewer inputs, improve soils and protect from weeds, insects, contamination and climate changes• Mycorrhiza focused systems as such could act as a promising future tool to combat the increasing …
Farming’s fungi focus: Considering belowground to benefit aboveground Read More »
The impact of rising CO2 levels on the nutritional quality of crops Written by Louis Gray, UWE & Dr William Stiles, Aberystwyth University. Take home messages:• Increasing levels of CO2 in the atmosphere are expected to change the nutritional composition of plants, and plant growth patterns• Certain existing crops may start to perform less well, …
Rachel Thorman and Anne Bhogal, ADAS Cover crops are grown primarily to ‘protect or improve’ soils between periods of regular crop production. Whilst the benefits of cover crops for erosion control and reduced overwinter nitrate leaching losses are well established, the legacy effect for subsequent crops in the rotation is unclear. Of particular relevance is …
Written by Rothamsted Root structures and genetics give the weed an advantage over wheat and explain field patches. Black-grass thrives on heavy land, particularly where drainage is poor. Now a new study has shown that this problematic weed uses specific adaptations to flourish even when soil is totally saturated for up to three weeks. The data …
Getting to the Roots of Black-Grass’s Waterlogging Tolerance Read More »
