Crops

The Yield Enhancement Network (YEN) was launched in 2012 to support and energise on-farm learning-by-sharing and thus to enhance farming progress.

ADAS has the largest group of crop physiologists in the UK The ADAS crop physiology team focuses on improving performance and sustainability of cropping systems for food, feed and biofuel production.

Map of crop type for every field in the UK since 2016, produced by CEH & RSAC. 

Now in its 10th year, the CropTec show combines industry-leading exhibitors, the latest machinery and technology, networking and discussion opportunities as well as valuable updates on developments across the arable sector.    Tickets are free and available now by registering at www.croptecshow.com.

AHDB Guide from 2021 incorporating WRAG guidelines. Weed control is vital for high yields of good-quality crops and to prevent the spread of pests and diseases, e.g. ergot. Yet with fewer active ingredients, a need to protect water and manage herbicide resistance, the weed challenge must be managed across the rotation.

Cofund on Sustainable Crop Production from EU ERA-NET programme

A global initiative led by Wageningen, University of Nebraska and others to estimate yield potential and yield gaps across the world.

Podcast on all things crop production by Alice Dyer and the CropTec team

AHDB Guide published in 2018.

Grazing winter cereal crops - otherwise known as the golden hoof - is a method where sheep graze down cereal crops for short periods of time during tillering, providing the benefit of reducing fungicide use, removing diseased crops and increasing the soil organic matter.

CPNB 2024 ("The Dundee Conference") is the foremost Conference concerning environmental management and crop production and associated topics in northern environments.

Cereals is the leading technical event for arable farmers and agronomists in the UK.

Combining Agronomic and Technical presentations. The Society’s 2023 Conference will be held at Robinson College, Cambridge, UK on 6-8 December

This guidance provides an easy reference to the major broad-leaved and grass weeds in the UK, including how to identify and manage them based on an understanding of their biology.

Certain crops (potatoes, sugar beet, maize, field vegetables) within a wider arable rotation pose increased risk of soil loss or degradation. Often described as ‘risky’ these crops may require additional management to ensure that field conditions are favourable and that there is no long-term disruption to soil functionality or structure.

Peas are a very important crop to growers as they provide a valuable spring sown break crop which supplies product for processing, seed, food and feed uses.

In recent years we have seen an increase in the incidence of grain mite (Acarus siro) infestation in all stored cereals and pulses. Infestations can affect grain whether it is crimped, dry, or even treated with Propcorn NC or urea. Some cases have also been seen in higher DM wholecrops, particularly beans.

A farmer-led guide to cover cropping in the UK

Peas are a pulse crop that is part of the Leguminosae family.

Root crops present a particular challenge to farmers who are trying to adopt regenerative practices. 

This Peas and Beans Crop Walkers' Guide is aimed at assisting growers, agronomists and their staff in the vital task of monitoring crops.

Catch crops are grown post-harvest or following silage, these crops hunt nutrients to reduce leaching from the soil while also allowing cover for the soil which prevents erosion.

Verticillium stem stripe is a challenge to identify, especially when other diseases are present. However, because of a lack of chemical control, it is important to locate high-risk fields, so rotational strategies can be adapted.

Soya agronomy is well established and straightforward.

A new paper published by ADAS summarises evolving black-grass herbicide resistance over the last 35 years, including the effectiveness of the dwindling actives left, and the vital role of routine resistance testing.

Understanding the factors that impact nutrient use efficiency (NUE) is key to improving nutrient management planning.

Vining peas are vulnerable to poor soil conditions and soil borne pathogens. Cover crops can be used to improve soil structure and health.

The phrase “Non-Inversion Tillage” (NI) as used in this review first requires definition. Any system which does not seek to substantially invert the soil profile is regarded as NI.

Based on RL data and parental diversity information, use the variety blend tool to select three-way or four-way mixes for on-farm testing.

There is no shortage of information available on cover crops. However, successfully integrating cover crops into arable rotations, while understanding and navigating the positive and negative impacts can be difficult.

Enter your crop costs and see how different yields and prices will impact the crop net margin

Choosing practical and impactful integrated pest management (IPM) approaches and tools is essential. However, putting IPM research into practice in a commercial farm situation can be challenging.

Intercropping is known to have environmental and economic benefits, but which varieties work best together in a UK climate?

Making the most of farm data collected each season can seem a challenge. However, improving our understanding of how to interpret and put data to work can improve farming systems.

This guide outlines oilseed rape’s key growth stages and can provide a foundation for management.

Legumes form symbiotic relationships with soil bacteria called rhizobia. Rhizobia form nodules on legume roots where atmospheric nitrogen (N) from soil pores is fixed into plant-available N and fed to plants.

 In a recent RASE Farm of the Future webinar, three farmers shared their experiences of putting regenerative farming theory into practice.

These documents are designed for use by growers and agronomists in Europe to inform them on smart technologies and methodologies available to them for Integrated Pest Management (IPM) solutions in open-field and greenhouse systems.

Through Innovative Farmers, a group of organic and conventional farmers have teamed up with the Organic Research Centre and AHDB to investigate how to grow living mulches.

The headline may appear defeatist from the off, but the wet 2023-24 autumn and winter period will impact many crops already sown and those intended to be sown in the coming spring, says Dick Neale (Hutchinsons Technical Manager).

'Agricultural economists Graham Brookes and Stuart Smyth warn that we must learn the lessons from past experience of divergent international regulation of agricultural innovations.'

Join ADAS and AHDB to see the plot demonstrations and discuss pests, weeds and diseases with technical updates and experts on hand.

Our guidance covers major and minor diseases that affect wheat, barley, oats, rye and triticale. (AHDB)

This report aims to provide new insights into the economic contribution that the Scottish potato sector makes beyond the often cited farmgate value of potato production.

Opportunities and constraints for conventional farming systems on rewetted peat soils

The traditional cultivation of maize is accompanied by numerous mechanical cultivations and the application of herbicides.

Trials conducted back in 2015 and 2016 explored a range of opportunities for boosting the protein content of the wholecrop cereal silage the Flemings have always grown to provide extra winter fodder and a productive crop under which to establish new grass leys.

Join Biomass Connect and Rothamsted Research at our North Wyke Demonstrator Hub in Devon for an enlightening afternoon focused on the practical aspects of selecting, cultivating, integrating, and utilising a diverse array of biomass crops for fuel, animal health, and soil health on your farm.

Join us (AHDB) for a meeting at McGregor Farms, Coldstream Mains, in June.

‘Knocking out susceptibility genes by genome editing in potatoes could be a durable option to increase resistance.’

This report is a comprehensive literature review of weed control options, on a national and international level, that could benefit UK crop production in horticultural crops, cereals and oilseeds, sugar beet, potatoes, grassland, legumes and maize

Presented by Dr Pete Berry (Head of Crop Physiology, ADAS) and Laurie Abel (Agricultural Research Consultant, ADAS)

Integration of livestock and crops as a viable alternative to specialized systems that can improve resource efficiency and ecosystem services. A case study from Lemnos, Greece.

This document from SRUC summarises scientific and practical information on characteristics to consider when selecting varieties for organic farming. The information is based on variety trials.