directdriller

UK National Action Plan Overlooks Biologicals – WBF Urges Regulatory Reform

Research, Soils Farmer / By

The UK Government’s revised National Action Plan (NAP) for the Sustainable Use of Pesticides (2025) was published to reduce pesticide risk and promote more sustainable crop protection practices. However, for the World BioProtection Forum (WBF)—the voice of the biologicals industry—this plan represents a critical missed opportunity. While the NAP recognises Integrated Pest Management (IPM) as …

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New living mulches guide to help boost soil health and farm resilience

Farm Trial Results, Research, Soils Farmer / By

Farmers looking to enhance soil health, increase resilience, and improve sustainability now have a powerful resource at their fingertips. The newly released Agricology Living Mulches Technical Guide provides clear, practical advice on implementing living mulch strategies that deliver tangible benefits across farms of all sizes. Living mulches are semi-permanent legume understories sown beneath cereal crops …

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Pasture for life growing on many fronts

Farm Trial Results, Livestock on Farm, Soils Farmer / By

Pasture for Life, which champions the restorative power of grazing animals, continues to go from strength to strength with ambitious targets of hitting 5,000 members farming one million hectares by 2029. Last year saw 208 events delivered and 93 farmers trained as grazing mentors helping 166 mentees. There was activity across England, Scotland and Wales, …

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New genomic technologies flex their potential

Genetic Editing, Research, Tech Farmer / By

Billions are being invested in gene editing globally, but what innovations will that investment deliver? Tech Farmer visited the World AgriTech Innovation Summit to gain a global perspective on what it might deliver for UK farmers. Written by Mike Abram There’s been no shortage of global investment in gene editing, even if venture capital funding …

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Farmer and scientist collaboration helps to unearth soil secrets

Farm Trial Results, Research, Tech Farmer / By

Farmers and scientists working on the TRUTH Project have revealed some intriguing findings from their first year of working together. TRUTH (Thriving Roots Underpinning Total soil Health) is a three-year £1m project with twin aims of boosting productivity while improving soil health. The project is led by the British On-Farm Innovation Network (BOFIN) with four …

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A ‘big revolution’ in nitrogen management

Biodiversity, Carbon, Farm Trial Results, Tech Farmer / By

Could hyperspectral imaging revolutionise nitrogen management in agriculture? Clemmie Gleeson spoke to George Marangos-Gilks, CEO of agritech startup Messium to find out.

Hyperspectral imagery can overcome the limitations of existing nitrogen assessment methods, equipping farmers with high level insights that could optimise fertiliser applications according to George Marangos-Gilks.

New sequenced genome sheds light on weed resistance

Genetic Editing, Research, Tech Farmer, Technology / By

Written by the Earlham Institute Genomic advances reveal how similar weeds can dominate wheat fields that are geographically separated by over 5,000 miles. Two new Alopecurus genomes have been sequenced, providing important additions to the growing body of community resources for weed genomics. Access to the genomes for blackgrass and orange foxtail, sometimes called shortawn foxtail, will …

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