Yields of new varieties of agricultural crops continue to increase
Despite recent concerns that important crops in high-yielding regions have reached their production maximum, the rise in yield potential of new cultivars does not yet level off in the Netherlands. The fact that plant breeding can still lead to increases in production has therefore been shown by this research at Wageningen University. Businesses, consultants and […]
UK Grassland Farmer of the Year announced
The organisation’s president Helen Mathieu, along with representatives of competition sponsors GrowHow and DLF-Trifolium, announced the winner at a dedicated awards ceremony, in Fishguard, West Wales last week (23 October). The event was hosted by North Pembrokeshire Grassland Society, the local society of last year’s winner, sheep farmer Neil Perkins. The runners-up were dairy farmers […]
Double haploids, gene markers – how do modern breeding technologies really benefit farmers?
Terminology such as double haploids and gene markers are commonly used to describe how some of these processes bring new and exciting varieties onto the marketplace. However do we really understand what this technology does and how it translates to real practical benefits on farm? To find out more come along to the Limagrain stand […]
Vigilance key to disease control in oilseed rape
Updated risk forecasts for both diseases in the 2013/14 season are now available from Rothamsted Research. Overall, the predicted risk of disease is lower than in recent years, however, the stage of crop development in the field may result in high disease pressure. Early sown crops, which are now well established with fairly large plants […]
Openfield loads 50,000 tonnes of barley for Saudi Arabia
Increased plantings in Autumn 2012 and Spring 2013 has left the UK with a larger than average surplus to export throughout the 2013-14 marketing year. Some of this season’s UK barley surplus has already been shipped to North Africa, principally Tunisia and Libya, but direct sales to Saudi Arabia are a rarity given the Kingdom’s […]
DuPont Pioneer expands herbicide tolerant sunflower line-up
DuPont Pioneer announced today the signing of a non-exclusive multi-year agreement with BASF, in which BASF will license Clearfield® Plus herbicide tolerance for sunflowers to DuPont Pioneer. The agreement allows DuPont Pioneer and its affiliates to develop hybrids tolerant to BASF Clearfield® Plus herbicides for commercialization in Europe, Africa, Asia, North America and South America. […]
Updated grain sampling guide from HGCA
The new guide, which has been endorsed by seven industry organisations, covers recent developments in protocols as well as the essentials of when to sample and how to do it. “For growers, knowing the quality of your grain is essential so that you can store it then sell it effectively, and get the best return […]
‘Grasp chance to axe EU soil directive’, says CLA
The Association said its work on the issue and continued support of the Government as part of a blocking minority have led to the Directive being stopped in its tracks – with little prospect of getting going again. CLA President Harry Cotterell said: “We believe the UK already has policies in place to deliver soil […]
NFU calls for government to deliver on R&D promises after harvest results
The NFU said that as a net importer of food, the UK must start to produce more itself and called on Government to deliver on its promises to improve long-neglected agricultural research and knowledge exchange to help weather-proof British crops. “A reverse in the decline of spend for agricultural R&D is crucial if we are […]
