Author Posts: Rachel Hicks

Launched on 1st December by Paul Gosling of AHDB, the new Recommended List (RL) for cereals and oilseeds is “packed full of options for multiple markets”.

We catch up with Townshend Farms, who recently upgraded their 2009 Vervaet Beet Eater 617 to a newer model, supplied by J Riley Beet Harvesters (UK) Ltd.

Corteva Agriscience is advising maize growers to consider adding the nitrogen stabiliser Instinct to extend the nutrient’s availability to plants while they establish.

Drilling winter wheat in three distinct autumn weather windows means Warwickshire farmer Andrew Keyte has a wide range of yield potential to manage this spring, and with the first sign of disease visible since mid-February, thoughts are rapidly turning to this year’s fungicide programme.

The BBRO’s conference in early February discussed a ‘to do’ list for the 2025 crop, and offered insights into the challenges ahead. Rachel Hicks reports.

At a press briefing today (10th January 2025) the Weed Resistance Action Group (WRAG) announced that a glyphosate-resistant population of Italian ryegrass has been confirmed on a farm in Kent. This is the first field population of any weed to have glyphosate resistance in the UK.

Cambridgeshire-based manufacturer Techneat Engineering now offers improved specifications on its 24m Multicast Twin Air – a rear mounted applicator, designed to accurately apply Avadex granules, cover crops or grass seeds at very wide working widths.

Merlo UK is proud to announce that, effective 9th December, Carr’s Billington, headquartered in Carlisle, will represent the Merlo brand in Cumbria and the North East, covering depots in Carlisle, Hexham, and Morpeth.

With almost 70 varieties on the NIAB UK Descriptive list (DL) for forage maize and many new varieties in trials, selecting the right maize variety can be a potential minefield according to Hutchinsons agronomist Jim Clark.

In September, Hutchinsons invited growers to its annual Environmental Demonstration Day, entitled SFI: Right action, right place. Rachel Hicks was there.

Early signs from both trials and commercial crops are that sugar beet is performing well despite late drilling and above average rainfall, according to breeder SESVanderHave.

BBRO issued an advisory bulletin in mid-September, offering sugar beet growers the following advice to ensure a smooth and more profitable harvest.