LEAF announces significant progress in sustainable farming
LEAF (Linking Environment And Farming) has revealed another year of significant progress in its mission to deliver more sustainable food and farming. The area of land around the world growing LEAF Marque crops increased by 28% since last year, according to the findings of its latest annual Global Impacts Report, which was launched today. LEAF […]
Better grassland fertilisation can improve the world’s food supply
Global improvements in grassland management could see grasslands taking on a significantly more important role in food production. Better management would increase the production of meat and milk and prevent the need for additional feed for grazing livestock – feed in the form of grain crops that could otherwise be available for human consumption. Better […]
New yellow rust race detected
The ‘Kranich’ yellow rust race has been detected in the UK for the first time and winter wheat growers are being advised to inspect varieties closely as part of a UK-wide monitoring effort. The UK Cereal Pathogen Virulence Survey (UKCPVS) identified the new ‘Kranich’ race from an isolate collected in 2014 and tested in the […]
Updated tools to manage risk in the GB potato market
Up-to-date and relevant market intelligence is vital for farming businesses. “We’re at that pivotal point again in the potato farming calendar. Each week from now, more of 2015 crop will be utilised ex-store, and more of the 2016 crop will be planted in the ground,” says Mr Marshall. Potato production is highly specialist, it’s a […]
Weetabix re-commits to source wheat from local farmers
Weetabix, the nation’s favourite breakfast cereal, has today reaffirmed its commitment to source the wheat it purchases each year from farmers located within 50 miles of its factory in Burton Latimer, Northamptonshire. The announcement coincided with a visit from the Environment Secretary Elizabeth Truss to a local farm that supplies Weetabix. The establishment of Weetabix’s […]
Tibthorpe farmer awarded Kirby Cup by Yorkshire Grassland Society
A Tibthorpe farmer has won the prestigious Kirby Memorial Cup for his grassland management. Jonathan Shepherd, who farms at Field House Farm, was awarded The Yorkshire Grassland Society Kirby Memorial Cup at a recent meeting of the society that promotes the profitable and sustainable use of grass and forage. Mr Shepherd grows 150 acres of […]
ECPA stresses science should underpin, not undermine, innovation
Speaking at a major event in Brussels today on Innovative Agriculture Jean-Charles Bocquet, Director General of the European Crop Protection Association (ECPA), called for a stronger role for science in EU decision making. Opening the event, organised by Politico and sponsored by the ECPA, Bocquet said “We have to stop this trend [for political decisions] […]
Wheat genome sequencing gets major boost
The International Wheat Genome Sequencing Consortium (IWGSC) announced today the production of a whole genome assembly of bread wheat, the most widely grown cereal in the world, significantly accelerating global research into crop improvement. The project consisted of producing a whole genome assembly of the bread wheat variety Chinese Spring based on Illumina short sequence […]
Warburtons commits to five-year plan with growers
Warburtons and its grain supply partner Openfield have agreed to extend their relationship for a further five years thereby giving its farmers the confidence to invest in their businesses. Openfield head of supply chain Sarah Bell welcomed the deal which will take the contract through to harvest 2021, reflecting Warburtons long-term commitment to the industry. […]
