Jan 2025 It’s been a while since I last wrote a Farmer focus article in Direct Driller magazine. Harvest 24’ Seems like a long time ago, yet we’re now closer to the next harvest than we were the last. 2024 On the farm was a year to forget for many reasons, even before the Autumn …
To aid landowners and farmers with their 2025 planning, Knight Frank’s Andrew Martin and Mark Topliff have developed a list of the top five tasks to tick off this winter. The last few months have seen vast developments in the political landscape of the rural sector and 2024 might go down as one of the …
Soil sampling is an essential tool in understanding the nutrient availability of soils, but unless the results are interpreted correctly it could be a wasted exercise.
That’s according to Simon Francis, Technical and Services Manager for ProCam, who explains that not only is soil sampling required for farm assurance compliance purposes and to meet the statutory requirements of an increasing number of SFI schemes, but it is also time well invested in ensuring crops can perform to their full potential.
Breadmaking wheat RGT Goldfinch and soft wheat RGT Hexton made the list after a very strong performance in trials and on farm. RGT Goldfinch RGT Goldfinch, the first high quality breadmaking wheat that is resistant to barley yellow dwarf virus and orange wheat blossom midge, has gained full UK approval on AHDB’s 2025/26 Recommended List. …
Two RAGT wheats gain full UK approval on AHDB’s 2025/26 Recommended List Read More »
Improving quality and producing the right quantity for the animal numbers on farm takes planning and it starts with the soil, test so that you know what you already have on farm in the soil, in the slurry/FYM means than when the conditions are right the correct amount of nutrients can be applied to the …
Planning for silage success 2025 – using AgTech to fine tune decision making. Read More »
Written by Nature Friendly Farming Network Under the stewardship of award-winning farmers James and Emma Loder-Symonds, Nonington Farms exemplifies how farming can embrace nature-friendly practices while maintaining profitability and producing high-quality crops. Their multi-generational farm serves as a vibrant showcase, welcoming everyone from school groups to farm clusters. In 2013, James and Emma Loder-Symonds made …
How an arable farming system in Kent is balancing nature and financial viability Read More »
The SFI offers financial payments to those who adopt variable rate applications, but demonstrating compliance is more than a tick-box exercise, explains Rhiza product manager Ben Foster The Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) has much to offer growers from payments for environmental actions, to incentives that improve sustainability, productivity and, importantly, business resilience. With 102 actions …
Written by Chris Fellows After the interruption of a General Election, Defra have been able to get back to answering farmers 2024. The delay, which has been frustrating for all, has now passed and on the 26th September Defra delivered a webinar in collaboration with the Farming Advice Service (FAS) and The Farming Forum (TFF). The webinar was lead …
Mycorrhiza and specifically ‘arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi’ (AMF) and Ectomycorrhiza (EcM) are important symbiotic fungi involved in the successful growth of the vast majority of plant species across the world. We have previously discussed their roles and strategies impacting their activities in an introductory article. The following article aims to expand on this by discussing the …
The new regen agriculture section at Cereals provided growers the chance to receive advice from well-known regenerative farmers and industry experts. We pick out some of the best tips from a session about the Sustainable Farming Incentive Written by Mike Abram How to maximise the benefits from the Sustainable Farming Incentive and make it work …
