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Clarity on SFI will decide farming’s future

The government says its revamped Sustainable Farming Incentive will be “simpler and fairer”. It needs to be – because confidence in the countryside remains brittle.

Under the new SFI offer, farmers will choose from 71 actions rather than 102, with a single agreement per business capped at £100,000 a year. The aim is to make the budget go further – and keep land in food production.

Defra secretary Emma Reynolds says she has weeded out options that weren’t delivering. Payments for herbal leys, winter bird food and legume fallow will fall. Other options are being rejigged to stop too much land being taken out of production.

have the goalposts constantly moving – the rug endlessly pulled from under our feet.” Farmers need clarity, not constant redesign.

This matters because the wider landscape is hardly buoyant. Farmland supply in the East has fallen sharply and values have softened. Investment decisions – whether in soil health, machinery or infrastructure – depend on predictable returns.

Environmental schemes are now embedded in business planning. If their terms shift too often, risk rises. Confidence drains away when those schemes are withdrawn completely without adequate warning or replacement.

Midland Farmer is a controlled circulation magazine published monthly for farmers and growers in the Midlands (Derbyshire, Herefordshire, Leicestershire, Lincolnshire, Northamptonshire, Nottinghamshire, Shropshire, Staffordshire, Warwickshire, West Midlands and Worcestershire) or companies supplying goods and services to the sector. To be included on the circulation list, a farmer must have a minimum of 70 acres of land, or 50 dairy/beef stock, or 50 breeding sows/250 growing stock, or 15,000 laying hens/broiler chickens. Intensive horticulture units are required to have a minimum of two hectares.

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There is logic here. Previous spending patterns showed 90% of funding went to fewer than 40 actions, and a quarter to just 4% of farms. Government argues that is unfair – especially to smaller farms.

Moorland payments will rise, five-year actions become three-year agreements, and enhanced overwinter stubble joins the list of actions restricted to 25% of the farmed area. But reform alone does not equal reassurance.

As farm leader Tom Bradshaw told last month’s NFU annual conference: “We cannot

The new SFI structure may correct distortions and spread funding more evenly. But its success will hinge on stability. Farmers can adapt to lower payments. They can adapt to caps. What they cannot adapt to is uncertainty. If this truly is the new offer, it must now remain steady long enough for confidence – and investment – to recover. The question remains whether the total budget will be enough for farmers to deliver a meaningful difference.

Johann Tasker Editor

Revealed: Latest details for revamped SFI scheme

• Simpler with fewer options

• £100k limit per application

•

Changes to payment rates

Arevamped Sustainable Farming Incentive will include reduced payments for three key options when it launches this summer.

Lower payments will be made for the three most popular actions – herbal leys, winter bird food and legume fallow, Defra secretary Emma Reynolds told last month’s NFU annual conference in Birmingham.

Defra wants farmers to choose a wider range of actions on the most productive farmland. In a further move, enhanced overwinter stubble will be added to the list of actions that in combination cannot be used on more than 25% of land.

Previous spending patterns show most funding going to a small number of actions and farms, with 90% going towards fewer than 40 of the 102 actions available and a quarter of fund-

What is changing

Higher payments for some

ing going to just 4% of farms. The government says this is unfair.

New offer

The new offer will be simpler and fairer, says Defra. Farmers will be able to choose from 71 actions, down from 102 last year. Applicants will limited to one single SFI agreement capped at £100,000 per year.

Ms Reynolds said: “We have weeded out those that were duplicative or weren't delivering enough for food production or the environment – and judging by the low uptake, those which weren't working for you either.”

With around 97% of agreements already within the £100,000 limit, the new cap would help ensure funding was shared more fairly and reached more small and medium sized farms, she added.

Applications

The relaunched SFI will open for applications in June, says Emma Reynolds.

Applications will open in June for farms under 50ha and those without an existing Environmental Land Management (ELM) agreement. A second application window will open to all farmers in September, with further details to follow.

Speaking earlier, NFU president Tom Bradshaw suggested the old SFI was overly bureaucratic and outdat-

moorland actions:

UPL1: Moderate livestock grazing: £35/ha (was £20/ha)

UPL2: Low livestock grazing: £89/ha (was £53/ha)

UPL3: Limited livestock grazing: £111/ha (was £66/ha)

UPL8: Shepherding livestock (remove stock for at least 4 months): £74/ha (was £43/ha)

UPL10: Shepherding livestock (remove stock for at least 8 months): £102/ha (was £48/ha)

Lower payments for:

CSAM3: Herbal leys: £382/ha (was £224/ha)

CAHL2: Winter bird food: £853/ha (was £648/ha)

CNUM3: Legume fallow: £593/ha (was £532/ha)

Defra says rates are being reduced because it was previously too attractive to take highly productive land out of food production. It says they are being recalibrated to reflect current margins and keep more land in production.

“We have weeded out options which weren’t working

ed. To keep delivering for the environment, farms must be profitable and resilient, with a clear strategy from government.

“We cannot have the goalposts constantly moving – the rug endlessly pulled from under our feet,” Mr Badshaw told the conference.

“Farming is a long-term investment, measured in years, even decades, not months Clarity is absolutely essential for confidence.

“Transparency around the farming budget is crucial to this. Without transparency, farmers and growers are unable to plan for the future.”

Other changes

• Enhanced overwinter stubble will be added to list of 10 actions which together cannot cover more than 25% of the farm area. This is to prevent too much land being taken out of production.

• There will be a single cap which means no SFI26 agreement can be worth more than £100,000 per year. This is so funding can be shared across more farms.

• Each farm business can have only one SFI26 agreement. This rule – and the agreement value cap – will help ensure Defra can afford to offer agreements to more farmers.

• Actions with a five-year duration will become three-year actions. This aims to make these actions more accessible for short-term tenant farmers.

For full details, visit bit.ly/SFI2026

In addition to the original works more hard standing areas were required which meant more areas to clear and levels to be adjusted.

We were glad to see the back of February as we imagine a lot of people were. Wet is a bit of an understatement but we were fortunate to still be on the car park construction job we started at the end of January. I hasten to add not because we have been dawdling but because the job grew into a lot

There were also a couple of concrete bases to be laid for temporary storage.

We had to wait for a break in the weather which meant weekend concreting, Fortunately we have some exceptional suppliers who were more than happy to accommodate this.

It was not just the concreting and levels that were extras. Ducting, electric cables, connecting gutter down spouts to drain pipes, Acco drains, the list went on.

The biggest surprise was still to come. . . . All works had to be completed by the beginning of March as that is when they were opening the store!! Not saying its been a tad mad but the lads are very much looking forward to laying land drains again. . . Soon!!

SO MUCH MORE THAN JUST DRAINAGE

Fly-tipping crackdown aims to combat illegal waste

Acrackdown on fly-tipping aims to target criminals illegally dumping waste – but industry leaders say farmers are often still left picking up the clean-up bill.

The NFU said it welcomed renewed efforts from the Environment Agency to target fly-tipping. It will see drones carrying laser mapping technology to create detailed maps of illegal waste sites, capturing evidence to help secure prosecutions.

A new screening tool will see HGV operator licence applications crosschecked against waste permit records. It has already been used to uncover a gang that secretly relocated their HGV operations to evade enforcement.

Defra secretary Emma Reynolds said: “By increasing the Environment Agency’s enforcement budget by over 50% to £15.6m, we’re investing in cutting-edge technology that allows us to shut down illegal operators faster and more effectively.

Police action

“From advanced laser-mapping to drone surveillance and new vehicle-scanning tools, this technology is helping us track, expose and stop waste crime, ensuring those who blight our communities are held to account.”

The Joint Unit for Waste Crime will also see a boost in numbers – the unit brings together police forces and the National Crime Agency, together with Environment Agency enforcement officers to help disrupt waste crime.

An NFU spokesperson said: “Any

investment that helps crack down on waste crime is welcome, and the an nouncement shows real intent. But farmers continue to bear the cost and consequences of fly tipping, and tech nology alone won’t solve that.

"We need proper coordination be tween all enforcement bodies, penal ties that genuinely deter offenders and a simple, single reporting system so victims aren’t forced to navigate mul tiple agencies.

Raising public awareness of house hold waste responsibilities is also es sential so that we can collectively stop the issue at source. Farmers are ready to play their part, but we need a sys tem that works with us, not one that leaves us picking up the bill.”

Violent crime

Local councils dealt with 1.26 million fly-tipping incidents in 2024/2025, though these figures only account for waste illegally dumped on public land that has been reported to the author ities. It is a 9% increase on the year before.

Country Land and Business As sociation president Gavin Lane said: “Farmers and land managers have had enough. The countryside is increasingly being targeted by organised crime gangs – often violent – who know that rural areas are under-policed.

“It’s not just litter blotting the landscape, but tonnes of household and commercial waste which can often be hazardous – even asbestos and chemicals – endangering wildlife, livestock, crops and the environment.

Fly-tipping incidents rose by 8% last year, according to government figures

Mr Lane added: “Farmers are victims yet have to pay clean-up costs themselves.”

“We need to see penalties being enforced that better reflect the severity of the crime, and the seizure of vehicles must be the default penalty to send a clear signal that criminals will face real consequences if they are caught fly-tipping.”

New law on dog attacks comes into effect

Farmers facing a dog attack on livestock are advised to ask someone to film or photograph what is happening while they try to deal with the incident.

A new law coming into effect this month gives police more powers to combat the attacks – allowing them to take DNA samples or mouth impressions from dogs they suspect of worrying livestock.

Offenders now face bigger penalties. Police can detain dogs they suspect of worrying livestock where nobody is present to accept responsibility for the animal. Courts can order offenders to pay the costs incurred

by seizing and detaining the dog.

Easter is seen as a key time for dog attacks. NFU Mutual figures suggest 57% of people let their dogs off lead in the countryside, with 1 in 10 admitting their dog has no recall, and 44% saying their dog comes back only some or most of the time.

NFU Mutual rural affairs spokesperson Hannah Binns said: “We continue to hear reports of dogs injuring or killing sheep while owners are either unable to control their pets or are nowhere to be found.

Some 74% of dog owners believe the new legislation will help reduce livestock wor-

rying. NFU livestock chairman David Barton urged people to keep dogs on a short lead – expecially with ther lambing season well under way.

UK Police NPCC lead for livestock attacks Rob Taylor said he believed the new law, coming into effect in March, “will make a real difference in how cases are investigated and dealt with by our courts”.

“Additionally, we are now working with the Blue Cross to help educate dog owners about the dangers of allowing a dog to roam in the countryside and what it means to be responsible.”

Coping with the Global Milk Market and the Laws of Supply and Demand

Oliver Maxey, Virgin Money Head of Agriculture - England

The recent fall in UK farmgate milk price re ects a convergence of structural, seasonal and global market forces. By late 2025 and early 2026 milk buyers had announced substantial price cuts as high milk outputs and weakening commodity markets created a surplus of supply over demand. According to many industry reports the primary driver has been persistent over-supply of milk both domestically and internationally.

Industry data shows that by October 2025, UK milk production was running 5.2% higher year on year, and this spike in milk production was exacerbated by a favourable milk to feed price ratio due to the grain market continuing to be subdued in price. A high milk price coupled with low feed price ratio will inevitably lead to increased milk production.

According to AHDB, up to October 2025 the typical UK farmgate milk price was running at around 45p per litre (ppl) depending on your milk buyer and contract. But by January 2026 milk buyers had announced price reductions to between 30 – 35 ppl, again depending on your milk buyer and contract. AHDB gures for the UK wholesale markets in January 2026 show butter trading at £3,600/t, down 42% from January 2025, and cheddar trading at £2,860/t, down 28% from January 2025. It begs the question if or when we will see prices of these goods in the shops fall?

It may be that the worst is still to come. Milk production seasonally spikes in the spring as dairy cows are turned out from winter housing to nutritious spring grass, and a number

of spring calving dairy farmers concentrate their milk production around springtime to take advantage of cheaper grazed grass. Let’s hope that milk production after this spring spike starts to get back into some sort of balance with demand.

Simplistically, there are two types of milk production contracts. There are milk contracts aligned to a supermarket where some great work has been done between the supermarket, advisors and farmers to identify the cost of producing milk and agreeing a price for the milk that covers the cost of production plus a pro t for the farmer to sustain the farm and cover reinvestment costs. These types of contracts do not pay a milk price that moves up or down with the milk market.

The other type of milk contract essentially lines up with the milk market and therefore reacts to market supply and demand. It’s the farmers with these contracts that are currently being paid a relatively low milk price which for most famers is below the cost of production.

The drop in milk prices inevitably has a signi cant knock-on e ect on dairy farmers who have a contract based around supply and demand. To begin with, cash ow impacts lag behind the price cut announcements, which means many businesses are only now starting to feel the e ects of milk price reductions that were announced in November 2025. But as the 2026 year progresses, until milk prices rise the cash ow and pro tability issues will gradually get worse.

So, what action will dairy farmers take in an attempt to minimise nancial

losses? The rst thing to consider is how their milk price is actually derived. It might be that the cow diet can be reformulated to cost less. While a cheaper diet commonly results in less milk production it may be that the saving in feed cost is greater than the value of lost milk.

If a milk buyer wants their suppliers to produce a little less milk to try and correct the balance of supply and demand, then removing cows from the herd that are scheduled to leave the herd a little sooner than planned will reduce milk output and save on limited winter forage stock resulting from the 2025 drought.

It might be that calves being reared are left on milk for longer, saving on bought-in expensive solid calf feed. There are also a few farmers who were planning on exiting milk production in the next few years due to retirement, health, lack of succession or ine ciencies, who will bring forward this planned exit.

We have been here before with very low milk prices, the last time being in 2016, but once the milk price reached its lowest that summer, month on month the price rose back up over the ensuing year.

We all hope the cycle will repeat itself, but as an agricultural bank manager, and having worked with dairy farmers for over 30 years, one thing is for sure. Dairy farmers are the most resourceful businesspeople I have ever come across and the vast majority of those that intend to produce milk into the future will do what they need to do to make this happen.

Revolution, restoration, resilience

Better nutrient management is helping to improve soil health in Herefordshire.

An award-winning grower says reconsidering his crop nutrition choices has helped improve his farm business –and soil health.

Herefordshire farmer John Joseph, of Trecorras Farm, near Rosson-Wye, says better nutrient management on his 100ha holding was key to being crowned Farm Carbon Toolkit Soil Farmer of the Year in 2025.

Soils are mainly sandy loam. The farm, which was purchased in 2013 specialises in seed production and wheat for the Wildfarmed brand. But Mr Joseph says it failed to see proportional returns during the early days after he took it on.

“Our margins were tightening, our yields were very stagnant, if not declining, and our soils were unhealthy.

and getting less return, which was put ting the business in financial uncer tainty.”

Soil biology

Realisation that his current fertilis er application was not delivering, and was detrimental to the soil, further encouraged Mr Joseph to explore re generative farming practices aimed at repairing the soil biology and improv ing efficiency.

“We realised that the soil-applied fertilisers we’d been using were very inefficient and acidic – reducing the health of the soils,” he says. “I didn’t want to admit it, but the cost-to-ben efit ratio was clear.”

Mr Joseph found a solution in re ducing fertiliser application rates and using more targeted, foliar tech niques. “We focused on feeding to the crop need, rather than covering it in a blanket fertiliser application,” he ex

“We started to include multi-min erals and foliar treatments in the pro gramme to spoon-feed the crops, en suring they had access to a range of nutrients to grow robustly and with stand disease and pest threats,” he

Innvestment

Although the upfront cost of target ed fertiliser application can be higher, Mr Joseph says he quickly recognised that the long-term benefits were going to far outweigh the initial investment.

“The efficiency of foliar feeding is much higher, with some products boasting 90-98% efficiency, compared to soil-applied or granular fertilisers, which are often only 60% efficient at best,” he explains.

“Essentially, these products were much more cost-effective as I was getting the full value of the nutrients

wards precision fertilisation requires more than just technical adjustments – it calls for a change in mindset. Mr Joseph admits this was a challenge, but changes in the fertiliser market helped.

“Moving away from more traditional farming methods was a challenge to begin with, particularly when results weren’t immediate,” he says.

“It went against everything I was taught at agricultural college and

The cost-tobenefit ratio is

costs and learning what blanket fertilisers were doing to the soils definitely helped to shift my mindset.

“I soon learnt that if a plant was nutritionally healthy, and not a wash with nitrogen, it could better withstand disease and pest threats,” Mr Joseph adds.

Growers considering a more targeted approach should consider incorporating it into the latter stages of their plant growth because doing so can have the biggest impact.

“Just do it – you’ll have a much healthier plant and soil as a result,” he says. “The more precise we can be, the more efficient and sustainable farming will become.”

A new solution

Only about 60% of soil-applied nitrogen is taken up by crops. The re-

maining 40% is lost to the wider environment. For farms already facing tight margins and high input costs, that has a direct impact on the bottom line.

The scale of that loss is prompting calls for a shift away from blanket fertiliser strategies towards more targeted approach. And it’s clear that uniform soil application and standard rates fail to reflect field variability or crop demand.

The industry must rethink established practice, says Andrew Sincock, managing director at Agro-Vital. Each unit of nutrient that fails to be used by the crop represents a direct cost to the farmer.

“It’s time for the industry to challenge the norm – not only to optimise crop performance, but to cut avoidable losses and demonstrate responsible nutrient management.”

Agronomy is moving towards closer alignment between nutrient supply and crop need, argues Mr Sincock. “The agronomy sector is progressing towards more targeted fertiliser application to match supply more closely with crop demand.”

Agro-Vital has developed a crop nutrition system that uses soil or sap analysis from individual farms to create tailored fertiliser programmes. The aim is to replace one-size-fits-all field treatment with adaptable formulations based on crop condition.

“Nutrition needs to be done differently,” says Mr Sincock. “Triplex is designed to deliver nutrients precisely where and when they’re needed, offering a practical, rapid and crucially, sustainable solution for farmers.”

The system analyses farm data and generates bespoke foliar blends. Mr Sincock says speed is central to its value. It can create a tailored fertiliser programme in as little as 48 hours, allowing farmers to act quickly and efficiently.

For growers, the business case rests on measurable gains in efficiency and output. That’s why bespoke foliar fertiliser products are delivered on farm in IBC containers, ready to be applied.

“The speed of implementation is crucial, especially during key planting or growing periods, when timely nutrient applications can make a significant difference to crop performance,” says Mr Sincock.

The technology was introduced at the LAMMA Show 2026 and received the IAgrE Ivel Award for overall innovation. Early work in the Netherlands has been followed by initial UK trials ahead of a full operational season in 2026.

The question now is whether improved nutrient use efficiency can translate into stronger margins while meeting environmental scrutiny. If targeted nutrition cuts waste and lifts performance, more growers will make the switch.

Clockwise from sbove left

John Joseph: Focused on feeding to the crop need

Winter wheat with companion of mustard and beans

Anaerobic compost

Grazing with wheat and companion

Soil profile, crop of OSR plus vetch and clover

Wheat and beans and mustard three weeks after planting

How to achieve the best from weed control this spring

• Keep close eye on conditions

• Target surviving weeds early

• Timing and technique critical

Spring-emerging grassweeds and those that survived winter will need special management in the coming weeks despite generally strong autumn weed control,

Most residual herbicides have performed well, says Hutchinsons technical manager Dick Neale. In the main, weaker results have been limited to early-drilled crops or where dry conditions restricted activation.

“In many dry situations, lowercost products were used initially, followed by more robust residual options once rainfall arrived,” says Mr Neale. “That strategy, combined with wider use of mixtures has driven improved control.”

Those mixtures include products containing cynmethylin, bixlozone, aclonifen, metribuzin, flufenacet and diflufenican. Sequencing has also played a key role in efficacy.

Strategy

Follow-up residual applications –applied when conditions allowed – have significantly strengthened overall performance. Gradual wetting and mild weather supported active weed growth, aiding uptake without excessive leaching.

Cultural control has further reduced blackgrass pressure, Mr Neale points out.

“Even where drilling dates were stretched, lower background populations meant residual chemistry faced less pressure. In many cases, seed return in 2025 was minimal – something to bear in mind if pressure rises again in 2026.”

Spring decisions

Choosing between spring residuals and contact ALS herbicides depends on weed species, growth stage and expected spring emergence. Pendimethalin remains the main spring residual option this year.

“It controls spring-emerging blackgrass, ryegrass, wild oats and bromes, as well as broadleaved weeds. It is the only residual available up to GS30 in winter cereals – aside from limited stocks of Lantern – but established grassweeds will not be controlled effectively by residual chemistry.

“ALS products remain highly effective on bromes and wild oats when applied before stem extension. Control of established blackgrass and ryegrass will be poor, and early applications may miss later-emerging

Winter-sown crops will need careful attention this spring

suggest increasing Phase II (95% MSO oil) from 0.5% to 1% with Broadway Star or Ultra improved brome control by up to 20%.

Ryegrass responses differ though. Adding Phase II alongside Biopower or Probe reduced control from mesosulfuron + iodosulfuron products, whereas including 0.5% Validate improved ryegrass control by up to 30%.

“Control of established blackgrass will be poor

“For these mixtures, Biopower or Probe must be included as per label, with Validate used additionally where appropriate,” says Mr Neale.

Weather

adjuvant choice. They

Dick Neale: a good spray strategyis vital

Leaf drying within three to four hours is essential for contact products. “With crops and weeds continuing to grow, applications should be made promptly when conditions allow.

“Water quality is also critical. ALS graminicides respond well to conditioning, and most water supplies will benefit from treatment.”

Finally, nozzle choice must not be overlooked, he says. “Most labels specify a medium spray quality; very coarse 3-star LERAP nozzles will compromise whole-field performance. Correct setup remains key to consistent, reliable weed control this spring.” weeds.”

Robust and reliable with a high yield, the sky is the limit with Merlin.

Delivering an unrivalled combination of yield, agronomic features and disease resistance, Merlin is an outstanding all-round spring oat that offers growers flexibility and millers confidence.

Get in touch with your local merchant for more information

Practical support for outdoor pig farming – Launch event

and

Join us to explore practical, evidence-based ways to reduce environmental impacts of outdoor pig farming while protecting animal welfare and keeping your business resilient. We will launch a set of downloadable guides designed to help outdoor pig farmers take clear and practical steps towards more sustainable farming.

Come along and help drive a more sustainable future for outdoor pig farming. This event is a chance to shape future support and discuss the creation of a farmer-led community group “The Root and Wallow” to share learning, challenges and successes.

Nutrition programme delivering across range of crops

Two companies behind a new crop nutrition programme say it is delivering strong results for growers across a range of arable enterprises.

Cope Nutrition was launched by Lincolnshire-based seed and grain specialist Cope in partnership with crop nutrition specialists BioNature. It aims to help growers achieve higher, more resilient yields.

The programme is delivering results across a range of crops and farming systems, says Cope seed production manager Tom Siswick. It is helping growers increase output while reducing inputs, he adds.

“The data shows significant yield gains, stronger crops and more efficient nitrogen use. It’s a practical, evidence-backed solution for growers looking to build resilience and profitability into their system.”

Trial farms

Wheat yields increased by an average of 0.47 t/ha across eight trial farms using the nutrition programme during the 2025 drought, explains Mr Siswick.

The highest-yielding wheat plot delivered an additional 1.5 t/ha, with consistent gains also recorded in barley and oilseed rape. Winter barley delivered the strongest response, with yield increases of up to 39% in some trial blocks.

Crops grown using the programme have achieved world records in wheat,

barley, oats, potatoes, sugar beet and oilseed rape, recognised through mul tiple Yield Enhancement Network Gold Awards.

Lincolnshire farmer Tim Lamyman achieved an oilseed rape yield of 7.71t/ ha; John Anderson achieved a spring oat delivered a yield of 10.9 t/ha; and Mark Popplewell secured a winter bar ley yield of 12.62 t/ha.

“We started using the nutrition programme just over six years ago,” says Mr Popplewell. “We now use it across the whole of our 2000ha farm, covering winter wheat, winter barley, spring barley, record breaking Merlin spring oats, and spring beans.”

Nutrient efficiency

One of the programme’s strengths is its ability to improve nutrient efficien cy. Trial data suggests nitrogen-use efficiency (NUE) is up to 38% high er – with 27% less nitrogen required per tonne of grain produced.

Growers report crops with strong er, deeper root systems; better drought and stress tolerance; more even, uni form growth and better grain fill –helping crops maintain performance when untreated areas struggle.

Results from the 2025 potato tri als at Dyson Farming Research show a clear yield and value advantage from the Cope Nutrition programme com pared with a standard management programme.

A trial crop of potato variety Elland saw yield increase from 65.85t

Crops have deeper and stronger root systems

bulking, reduced calcium-related disorders, and more uniform tuber size and improved skin finish – all key for processing and premium markets.

Plenty of positives for oilseed rape as spring nears

• Oilseed rape area up by one third

• Established crops look promising

• Different variety merits debated

Aforecast 30% rise in the UK oilseed rape area is looking good in the field, with wellestablished crops thriving as spring approaches.

After several difficult seasons, growers returning to the crop report reduced pigeon damage and lower pressure from cabbage stem flea beetle across many key arable regions. But disciplined agronomy remains key.

For James Warner, managing director of farmer-owned cooperative United Oilseeds, the improvement reflects a turning point for a crop that fell out of favour just a few years ago – and a victory for the industry-led OSR Reboot campaign.

“Addressing the rapid decline in area since the neonics ban in 2018 was an immediate necessity, given the UK’s future need for increased food security and to protect the UK jobs and infrastructure we have in place to produce home-grown rape seed oil.

Great strides

“We’ve made great strides with crop genetics advancing rapidly and breeders responding brilliantly to the challenges ahead with new varieties offering improved genetic traits to support and defend rape crops against key pests and diseases.”

Mr Warner points to more flexible drilling dates, closer attention to soil moisture, companion cropping and rapid post-harvest cultivations to disrupt the flea beetle lifecycle as practical steps helping restore confidence.

Marc Lanham, northern seed manager with Agrovista, agrees that the crop is regaining trust among farmers. Grown successfully, oilseed rape is still one of the highest gross margin break crop options – and still rotationally important, he says.

“Things have definitely improved in the last two years, linked largely to better establishment conditions, kinder weather, adoption of flexible drilling strategies as well as more focus

from both growers and agronomists on varietal selection.”

Shifting market

The market has shifted towards hybrids in recent seasons. But Mr Lanham argues there remains a role for conventional rape. Additional resistant genes found in many new hybrid varieties such as RLM7, LepR1 and RLMS come at a price, he says.

“When growers are dealing with a heavily front-loaded crop in terms of cost, I believe there’s a strong case for combining both hybrid and conventional varieties in rotations as part of a risk mitigation strategy.”

The best performing conventionals can still compete with hybrids in terms of early vigour and yield, adds Mr Lanham. Conventional varities can be sown at up to 100 seeds/m2 – an important consideration when establishment conditions favour a higher seed rate option.

Oilseed rape crops established well going into winter

Left James Warner

Right Beckii Gibbs

Below Kurtis Scarboro

“Oilseed rape is still a fantastic crop

of trials, she sees Ocean, from Elsoms Seeds, as a replacement for older varieties such as Annika.

“It has the all-important Turnip Yellows Virus (TuYV) resistance gene, has consistently achieved high yields across several trials and should fill a key gap in our current portfolio once it is approved by the Recommended List later this year.”

Elsoms Seeds crop manager Kurtis Scarboro says good establishment remains critical to crop success.

“Avoiding drilling around the dates of peak flea beetle migration is a must, and, if there’s not adequate moisture in the soil then the best advice has to be ‘don’t drill’.

Mixed approach

Beckii Gibbs, seed manager at United Oilseeds, also supports a mixed varietal approach. Having assessed the new conventionals currently in their final year

“Oilseed rape is still a fantastic crop and, despite being frontloaded on input costs, there are a number of ways that growers can successfully manage the risks involved at that critical early development stage.

“However, if soil moisture levels are right and flea beetle pressure is low then growers must have a positive approach and commit fully to early herbicide and nitrogen inputs giving the crop the best chance possible to establish well.”

West Country Concrete Products

First precision-bred oilseed rape to be grown on UK farms

• ‘Game-changing’ £2.5m project

• Commercial farms to host trials

• Aim to revive rape crop fortunes

A£2.5m project will see the first precision-bred oilseed rape grown on UK commercial farms – marking a major step towards the largescale growing of the crop.

The project is being led by the British On-Farm Innovation Network (BOFIN). It is being funded through Defra’s Farming Innovation Programme, which is delivered in partnership with Innovate UK.

The aim is to tackle light leaf spot – oilseed rape’s most damaging dis-

“This project is gamechanging for farmers.

ease – using precision breeding along side new disease-management tools. Called LLS-Erased, the project in volves growers, plant breeders, crop scientists and agronomists.

Disease threat

Light leaf spot has become the number one disease threat to UK oilseed rape in recent years. Yield losses have ris en from £94m in 2017 to more than £300m in 2022 – prompting many growers to stop growing the crop. Despite widespread fungicide use, control has become increasingly unre liable as pathogen populations evolve and resistance to azole fungicides spreads. At the same time, currently available varieties struggle to offer beneficial traits without introducing foreign DNA.

Opportunity to control light leaf spot

The LLS-Erased project offers a well-timed opportunity to focus on improving the control of light leaf spot, and the field-based guidance available.

“Farmer collaboration and knowledge is essential to build effective disease management tools and IPM testing protocols that are practical and costeffective,” says Faye Ritchie (right), technical director at ADAS Farmers will play a central role in LLS-ERASED through on-farm trials across England, feeding results directly into a grower-led knowledge-exchange network. The approach is designed not only to bring the first precision-bred oilseed rape

Commercial farms

varieties to commercial farms, but also to establish a pipeline for future traits. This will include resistance to other diseases and pests such as cabbage stem flea beetle, which is widely reported as a major limiting factor for UK oilseed rape growers.

“By combining precision breeding with integrated disease management and farmer-led testing, the project positions the UK at the forefront of efforts to rebuild oilseed rape production in a more resilient, sustainable way,” says BOFIN’s Tom AllenStevens.

“What’s more, building on similar precision-breeding grower-led platforms, it

Reducing risk

not just for the UK, but across Europe, as the EU moves towards greater acceptance of new genomic techniques.”

European oilseed rape breeders is involved in developing the disease-forecasting and testing material in elite commercial backgrounds.

Real-world impact

UK Agri-Tech Centre is overseeing project delivery and integration, supporting effective collaboration across partners and ensuring outputs remain focused on adoption, scalability and real-world impact.

A key element of the project is collaboration with US-based precision breeding experts Cibus, whose Rapid Trait Development System (RTDS) includes a suite of technologies including non-transgenic processes.

The RTDS system enables precise genetic edits to be introduced directly into elite breeding lines with scale and speed, dramatically shortening the time needed to bring new traits to market.

Crucially, the project will move these traits beyond the laboratory and into farmer-led field trials on commercial farms, supported by real-time disease forecasting and decision-support tools.

“This project is game-changing for farmers,” says LLS- Erased project lead Tom Allen-Stevens, of BOFIN farmers.

“It will put precision-bred oilseed rape technology on to their farms for the first time across Europe. This is combined with risk forecasting and a new decision support tool that will bring growers effective disease control that is truly risk-based and datadriven. That is the reboot the industry needs, and that is what will help reverse the decline in the crop’s planted area.”

At the heart of the project is a newly identified plant susceptibility gene. By switching off this gene using precision breeding, researchers have shown it is possible to reduce the ability of the light leaf spot pathogen to infect the crop.

This offers the crop a more durable form of protection than traditional resistance genes that pathogens can quickly overcome – helping to reduce risk and encourage renewed interest in growing the crop.

The science is being led by John Innes Centre and the University of Hertfordshire, working alongside ADAS and Scottish Agronomy to integrate the new trait into practical, farm-ready disease-management strategies.

A consortium of leading UK and

“

The future of crop protection

Below l-r: Yongju Huang, from Hertfordshire University; Tom Allen Stevens, of BOFIN; and Rachel Wells, from the John Innes Centre

Sustainable farming

“I am really excited to move our resistant material from the laboratory to field scale trials to see how it performs in a real-world setting,” says LLS-Erased technical lead Rachel Wells, of the John Innes Centre.

“Precision Breeding offers us an excellent opportunity to develop material to combat our pests and pathogens while supporting sustainable farming,” says Dr Wells.

A trusted pipeline to streamline variety development is seen as invaluable for crop improvement. “Bringing this work together in an integrated pest management package looking at multiple, combined solutions, is the future of crop protection.”

Disease control

For airborne diseases like light leaf spot, information on timing of pathogen spore release and virulence in pathogen populations is essential for effective disease control, adds Yongju Huang, Professor of plant pathology at University of Hertfordshire. “Combined with host resistance information about the pathogen, this project will develop an evidence-based real-time decision support system for farmers to achieve effective disease control and reduce the reliance on chemicals.”

Alongside new varieties, LLSErased will deliver a farmer-led delivery platform designed to support the adoption of precision-bred crops.

This includes a new disease-management tool combining weather data, pathogen monitoring and on-farm trial results to guide fungicide use more accurately, reducing unnecessary applications while protecting yield.

• Improved nutrient use efficiency

• Creates the ideal conditions for soil microbes to thrive

• Calcium enhances soil structure and root development

New futures option for sugar beet growers

Sugar beet growers have the opportunity to sell some of their 2027/28 crop forward – before annual price negotiations.

The chance to trial a new indexlinked contract option will enable growers to market sugar beet on a longer-term basis. It has been created by NFU Sugar, British Sugar and the agri-commodity and supply chain experts Czarnikow.

“Farmers are used to being able to forward sell other commodities and this pilot allows growers to do the same for sugar beet,” said NFU Sugar chairman and Norfolk farmer Kit Papworth.

“While world prices are low now, the market is highly volatile, and this scheme will allow growers to lock in prices if market conditions become attractive.”

Growers have been able to sell beet on a one-year contract – indexed to world sugar prices – for the past five years. But they are still required to contract their tonnage well before be-

ing able to lock in a known price.

The idea of the forward indexlinked contract will enable growers to sell further forward at a known price – in a similar way to wheat and other major crops. If the price is unattractive, there is no compulsion for growers to contract.

Under the new system, beet growers will be able to see the forward price available. But they will commit to sell only at the point they want to price the beet – unlike the current one-year system.

Greater choice

British Sugar agriculture director Dan Green said: “We’re pleased to launch this pilot contract option. It gives greater choice and flexibility to those growers wishing to price some of their tonnage further ahead.”

The pilot scheme launches on 2 March 2026. It will give growers the opportunity to sell a total of 50,000

The futures contract is available this spring for the 2027/28 crop

tract and December 2027 sterling-dollar exchange market.

The contract is being offered through the Czarnikow app in collaboration with the NFU and British Sugar. Andrew Charlton, head of Europe at Czarnikow, said it would give UK

Crop ‘could benefit from biostimulants’

Beet yields have improved in trials carried out on biostimulants – with better tolerance against key diseases too.

Two plot trials during the 2024/25 growing season were carried out by Michael Rodger of Richard Austin Agriculture. Yields increased by 9% with improved disease tolerance against cercospora leaf spot, rust and powdery mildew.

Green leaf coverage was much better in crops treated with products from biostimulant specialist Orion FT compared to a control crop which was only given a standard fertiliser and fungicide, said Mr Rodger.

Trial results

The best result came from using a combination of Sirius and Pluton. Sirius is a silicon-based biostimulant and Pluton is liquid plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) containing the naturally occurring bacteria Bacillus velezensis.

“Plants treated with the biostimulants established faster and grew deeper seeking roots, which was of particular benefit in a year that we experienced severe drought conditions,”

Four 10-metre plots were used for the trial. Sugar content rose from 17.3% to 18% in beet treated with Sirius and Pluton. A full field trial is planned to further explore the effect of the biostimulants on sugar beet.

A second simultaneous trial of the same crop size was treated with Trident Plus, a biostimulant that incorporates copper, zinc and cobalt micronutrients, using natural citric polymer to boost nutrient uptake.

Differences were visible in treated and untreated trial plots

Trident Plus was found to be the best performing treatment for rust but a trial crop with Sirius and Pluton showed better results for cercospora and powdery mildew. Both crops were better equipped to deal with disease and pest pressures.

“Trident Plus performed better on overall yield,” said Mr Rodger. “We saw a 10% increase, but Sirius and Pluton were more effective at helping reduce cercospora and powdery mildew damage.”

Pluton+Sirius treated

Untreated

Growers seek alternatives to traditional break crops

Farmers seeking profitable alternatives to traditional break crops flocked to last month’s maize growers’ conference.

Almost 190 farmers and maize specialists attended the two-day event on 4-5 February in Leicestershire. Organised by the Maize Growers’ Association, it marked the highest attendance in the conference’s recent history.

Some 240,000 hectares of maize were grown in 2025. A bigger area is set to be drilled this spring – although for many growers, the issue is how to integrate the crop on their farm.

“The numbers of delegates, trade stands, sponsors, researchers, advisers and most importantly growers here today are the strongest we’ve seen in recent years,” said MGA chairman Michael Jarmuz.

“The council is genuinely delighted, not just because the event is bigger, but because it reflects a crop, a multi-market sector – and a grower community that is moving forward with confidence. The question for many farmers is no longer: “should we consider maize?” but: “how do we make it work on our farm?”

Farm economics

NFU Midlands crops board vice-chairman Will Oliver hosted delegates on the first day of the conference at his family’s 800ha Fenn Lane Farm near Nuneaton. Maize had delivered improved margins, he said.

On-site poultry produces 1,900t of chicken litter a year, said Mr Oliver. That reduced fertiliser costs and supported Sustainable Farming Incentive payments worth £406/ha.

“Growers

are moving forward with confidence

“Justify every decision with information: test, test, test,” Mr Oliver urged attendees. Describing the need for regular soil and nitrogen testing, he said maize margins had outperformed wheat and oilseed rape when combined with SFI options.

Collaboration

Mr Oliver also pointed to collaboration. “It’s not just the information available; it’s speaking to other people growing maize and sharing that knowledge.

“The stronger the MGA membership is the more funds we have available for crop trials, the more maize is available, and we can fulfil the supply to more markets - there are opportunities for grain maize with additional markets opening up.”

Technical focus

Bentley Suffolks graze cover crops ahead of maize drilling at Fenn Lane Farm

Delegates saw sheep grazing cover crops ahead of maize drilling. Local shepherd Matt Harding rotates Bentley Suffolks across fields. The system returns about £140/ha in nutrients and improves soil structure.

Day two centred on agronomy. Ben Abell, head of agronomy at Dy-

son Farming, discussed the Bilberry smart-spraying system for spot weed control to cut chemical use.

MGA Technical Lead Jon Myhill presented trial data. Nitrogen rates can fall to 125–150kg N/ha without harming yield, he said. Foliar nitrogen improved nutrient use efficiency by as much as 20-30%.

“Nitrogen timing is crucial to avoid hungry periods during reproductive times,” Mr Myhill explained. Trials suggested foliar applications could save £30 per hectare while maintaining energy and starch levels.

Shifting emphasis

Oilseed rape remains risky. Spring barley can struggle in dry seasons. Beans and peas face volatile markets. Many growers see maize as a steadier option. “Resilience in farming is key, we need diversity of cropping,” said NFU deputy president David Exwood.

“Maize creates diversity, profit, and ability to use it right across the rotation. The NFU Confidence Survey showed low farmer confidence, which means low investment, but maize is offering a solution to allow farming to progress, to increase returns.”

Top: Will Oliver hosted the first day at Fenn Lane Farm, near Nuneaton

Right: MGA chairman

Michael Jarmuz opens the second day of the conference

Choose Strube-RAGT as your sugar beet and fodder-energy beet seed partner this season

By Richard Cogman, Managing Director Strube-RAGT

Strube-RAGT are pleased to offer four varieties for 2026 sowing in line with the recently announced 2027 Recommended List (RL).

ST Rotterdam is our proven, but new to the UK market, high yielding variety. RL adjusted yield is 101.5% of control in combination with our ‘3D Plus’ prime and pellet, which puts it up with the very highest yielding varieties! It offers above average sugar content with very low total impurities and has good foliar disease scores. ST Rotterdam is not suitable for early sowing.

ST Tweed is the highest yielding virus yellows tolerant variety on the RL at 99.0% of control and is suitable for early sowing. It has average sugar content and very low total impurities. Furthermore, ST Tweed shows low susceptibility to all three of the major foliar diseases.

The table (right) shows the relative performance of ST Tweed in the 2024 BBRO ‘Goliath’ variety trial demonstrating its maintained performance under 100% inoculation with each of the three primary aphid borne viruses.

Results show the comparative adjusted yield performance of ST Tweed against controls, including Morgan, for uninoculated and 100% inoculated with Beet Chlorosis Virus, Beet Mild Yellows Virus and Beet Yellows virus; and the relative yield summary table.

Overall, whilst Morgan delivered highest uninoculated yield, ST Tweed retained c.95% of its uninoculated yield when exposed to 100% beet mild yellows virus infection, with reduced yield loss for all three viruses. This resilience shows the breeding progress Strube-RAGT have achieved in a decade of tolerance breeding and trials investment that we can now offer cost effectively to growers!

Button remains a well proven choice for growers that require a BCN tolerant variety, yielding 98.5% of control in the absence of nematodes. It is suitable for early sowing, offering above average sugar content with low total impurity. Furthermore, in 2025 Button gave its best yearly performance to date in the RL trials that reﬂect its resilience to perform under dry, stressed conditions where it outperformed almost every other variety for adjusted yield.

Seed quality and seed treatment Strube-RAGT have a reputation for the highest sugar beet seed quality which is reliant on every step of preparation from the multiplication crops in France and Italy to the priming, pelleting and packing in Germany.

In addition, our raw seed preparation for the Germains prime and pelleting is as exacting as that for our own ‘3Dplus’ prime and pellet.

We polish and grade our seed with great experience and carefully select not only on seed size but also the true seed weight or embryo ﬁll in the seed case –this ensures that germination and vigour will support uniform and early ﬁeld establishment to assist crop management decision making and the drive towards

Dependable when you need it most!

Morgan continues to be a reliable and dependable choice, although it has no tolerance trait may not suitable for the earliest sowing. At 99.1% of control for adjusted yield with average sugar content and low impurities, it remains a competitive variety. Similarly to Button, its RL trial performance in 2025 was its best yet and showed resilience to perform very well under dry, stressed conditions.

early canopy development.

The latest RL format provides the comparative performance of breeder genetic in combination with the available prime and pellet options. In this performance area growers can select our genetic in combination with our ‘3Dplus’ that is offered at highly competitive pricing delivering excellent value.

Fodder-Energy beet varieties for 2026

Our fodder-energy beet varieties offer dry matter of around 19-21%, and in combination with a seed rate of 1.1-1.2 units per hectare well managed crops can produce yields in excess of 100t/ha under UK conditions; equivalent to c.20 t/ha dry matter, or more.

Clemens with the added beneﬁt of seed priming advancement may be the variety of choice for early planting and on colder soils.

Our unprimed varieties Degas and Gahan have consistently proven themselves over the past four years in the UK and Ireland, delivering exceptional performance.

All three are suitable for sowing from mid-March onwards and are low bolting. Being produced to the same standard as our sugar beet varieties, growers can expect highly vigorous and uniform crops from each variety.

Our standard Seed treatment with Tachigaren and Force for fodder beet is exactly as for our sugar beet, however it should be noted that for energy beet use Tachigaren is not permitted.

For more information contact Richard Cogman, Strube-RAGT. 07983 314424 or r.cogman@strube.net

Soil & Water

Take action to restore saturated soils

• Wet winter takes toll on crops

• Undertake soil test if possible

• How to save potential yields

Waterlogged fields will need special attention to salvage yields this season following one of the wettest starts to the year, say experts.

The wettest January for almost 120 years means root stress could lead to failed crops. High rainfall during the last two months following a huge dump of water from Storm Goretti has left ground saturated and crops struggling from root stress.

Shane Brewer, from soil testing specialists Eurofins Agro UK, suggests that waterlogged cereals and other crops trapped under flood water for more than 15 days will almost certainly be lost.

Soil testing

Longer-term damage to soil health can only be ascertained by testing regularly once the flood waters have subsided, says Mr Brewer. Soil testing will identify the levels of bacteria, fungi and protozoa in the soil, he adds.

The roots of flooded plants stop taking up nutrients and methane is produced in the soil instead of carbon dioxide. Ethylene also builds up in the plant roots which will subsequently af-

How to restore damaged root systems

“A soil test will be vital this season

fect the way any new seeds germinate.

“Should a farm choose to abandon a winter crop and sow a spring crop, a soil test will be vital to understanding how that crop will need to be treated,” adds Mr Brewer.

Microbial populations decline when soils are flooded, and aerobic bacteria are replaced with anaerobic bacteria which produce gases like methane and nitrous oxide. The reduction in oxygen in the soil will also mean lower earthworm numbers.

Crop growth

“Topsoil contains the phosphorus, nitrogen and carbon that will help a new crop grow and, without it, farmers will need to understand what levels of inputs are needed to help soil recover.”

Soil compaction is a growing concern, because, when hit by heavy rain, compacted soil lacks the air space to absorb water. This sees rain run off the land, taking topsoil and nutrients with it.

“Deeper soil can absorb more rain, but in the UK we have large areas that have suffered years of compaction and lack the depth needed to cope with the sort of rain we have experienced this winter.

Many fields remain saturated following weeks of rainfall

Left: Shane Brewer

“To get the most out of compacted soil, testing will be required to help cultivation decisions such as whether to plough, if minimum tillage options are not deemed suitable.”

Biostimulants could help struggling crops get back on their feet by restoring root systems, improving tillering and boosting growth.

“Prolonged soil saturation impacts rooting and can cause roots to die off, says Mike Stoker, an agronomist from biostimulant specialist Orion FT.

“Using a silicon biostimulant to strengthen the root can improve the plant’s ability to obtain nutrients and recover from the lack of oxygen caused when soils are saturated,” Mr Stoker explains.

Nutrient update

Silicon improves root nutrient uptake and how eﬃcient the plant is at converting nutrients, he adds. Applying it to a winter wheat crop will help it photosynthesise more effectively in spring and summer.

Plants that have sat in wet soils over winter, and into spring, will have ‘lazy’ roots, suggests Mr Stoker, who also identifies that a spring or summer drought is still probable based on previous years’ weather patterns.

“It would not be extraordinary for cereal crops to soon be experiencing drought, as many did in June last year. Lazy roots fail to reach deep enough in these conditions to find suﬃcient moisture. This will have a significant impact on yield if not addressed.”

Silicon can be applied at every crop growth stage using a variety of application methods. This season it is likely to be best utilised as a foliar spray but it can also be applied direct to soil, as a seed treatment or via fertigation.

“For those struggling to deal with weather extremes, biostimulants offer a cost-effective and sustainable option to

Soil & Water

Wet winter eases drought fears

Awet winter which saw double the usual rainfall in January has helped to replenish aquifers and reduce fears of a repeat drought this summer.

Drought-hit areas suffering following lack of rain began to recover following a wet November which received 149% of longterm average rainfall. This helped kick-start drought recovery – but also brought flooding.

National Drought Group chair and Environment Agency water director Helen Wakeham said the rain had helped some depleted rivers and reservoirs. But she warned: “We are not out of the woods yet.”

Heatwaves

Spring 2025 was the driest in 132 years. And with four heatwaves, the Met Office declared the summer of 2025 as the hottest since records began in 1884. Eight months of the year saw below average rainfall.

This year already looks different. January 2026 was a notably unsettled with persistent spells of heavy rain and strong winds. The UK saw above-average rainfall, slightly below-average temperatures, and sunshine levels close to average.

Rain fell frequently throughout January as a series of low-pressure systems brought

Erepeated rounds of wet and windy weather. This followed above-average rainfall in both November and December, so ground was already sensitive to rainfall.

Storms Goretti, Ingrid and Chandra each contributed to a month dominated by saturated ground, flooding and unsettled conditions. February began with warnings for rainfall and snow and more unsettled weather.

Exceptionally wet

Met Office science manager Amy Doherty said January was exceptionally wet due to a very persistent Atlantic weather pattern. A strong jet stream repeatedly steered lowpressure systems towards the UK, bringing frequent spells of rain and wind.

“With little opportunity for drier conditions in between, the ground became saturated, so even moderate rainfall had a greater impact.” A succession of Atlantic systems was the main reason rainfall totals were well above average for many areas.

Overall, the UK recorded 17% more rainfall than the long-term meteorological average for January. Northern Ireland recorded 70% more than its January average, making it the second wettest January since the series began in 1836.

very successful harvest begins with high-quality seed. Selecting varieties with robust vigour scores and disease-free, high Thousand Grain Weight (TGW) samples is essential. Seed with high vitality establishes rapidly, enabling the crop to outcompete grass weeds and make efficient use of sunlight and accumulated heat units during the spring. As growers, we are prepared to invest more in top-grade seed, making it all the more important to protect this investment. Newton Seed Treatment offers a solution, with research showing it enhances seedling vigour, promotes emergence 4–5 days earlier, and consistently delivers higher yields compared to naked, untreated and seed treated with a single-purpose dressing.

The accelerated emergence provided by Newton Seed Treatment is especially beneficial when sowing early in the spring into cool, heavy soils. Those additional 4–5 days can be vital for overcoming slug pressure and preventing patchy stands. In the case of spring cereals, where the growing period is already shorter than that of winter crops, every day counts, and early crop vigour becomes a key trait. If you have selected your variety for its early strength, it is imperative to maximise your investment.

For regenerative farming systems and organic crops, Newton delivers the crop vigour required

England was also very wet, with the nation recording 50% more rainfall than average. There was a clear north-south divide, with northern England recording 10% more than average, while southern England saw 74% more rainfall than average.

This made January the sixth wettest on record for southern England.

Scotland was the only home nation to record below-average rainfall, with 87% of its usual amount. But it was varialble, with east Scotland seeing 48% more than average; and north and west Scotland seeing much less.

to grow away from pest and disease pressure, which can otherwise be challenging to manage. In these systems, crop vigour is even more critical to achieving success. Newton has been specifically developed with the needs of organic growers in mind and carries organic certification.

Even within conventional farming systems, the application threshold for plant protection products is often determined by whether the crop is growing away faster than it is being damaged, or if the number of emerged plants is low. Newton has demonstrated improvements in both these parameters, contributing to a robust Integrated Pest Management (IPM) strategy.

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SoyaUK

How better soil health reduces input costs

• Organic matter levels are falling

• A focus on NPK misses biology

• Test soil to underpin decisions

Declining soil health is emerging as a business risk for UK farms, with experts urging growers to monitor fields.

In many instances, organic matter and carbon levels – despite a renewed interest in healthy soils. Input costs are increasing as growers try to compensate for rising compaction, with crops are struggling with drought and heavy rainfall.

Agronomists say many of these pressures stem from a narrow focus on nutrition rather than function. Soil is often treated as a delivery system for nitrogen, phosphate and potash. Physical structure and biological life receive less attention.

“Without adequate soil maintenance, the consequences are there for everyone to see in the fields,” says Paul O’Hora, of fertiliser manufacturer SoilWorx.

Yield pressure

Symptoms of declining soil function include areas that underperform year after year, waterlogging after heavy rain and increasing reliance on inputs to maintain yields. “Every farmer already knows which parts of their farm are affected.”

Soil health rests on three pillars: chemical, physical and biological, says Mr O’Hora. Each influences the others. “Having the wrong pH locks up nutrients even when they’re abundant,” he adds.

Micronutrient deficiencies limit yields even when crops have adequate nitrogen, phosphate and potash. Physical health determines whether water infiltrates or runs off, whether

roots can penetrate or hit compaction. Dr O’Hara says: “Biological health – the microbes and earthworms working in your soil – determines whether organic matter breaks down and releases nutrients, or whether it sits inactive.”

The commercial implications are significant. When soil biology is weak, any nutrients already present remain unavailable. Rather than addressing the cause of the problem, many farmers apply more synthetic fertiliser to bridge the gap.

Micronutrients

“Synthetic fertilisers deliver nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium,” says Dr O’Hora.

“What they don’t deliver is organic matter, micronutrients, or any support for soil structure or biology. They do nothing to improve your soil’s ability to hold water, resist compaction, or cycle nutrients naturally.”

Access to organic matter has historically depended on livestock manures. But commercial suppliers now offer pelleted organic and organomineral fertilisers suitable for conventional spreading on arable farms with fewer options.

Waterlogged fields often indicate an underlying problem

The consequences are there for all to see

lows growers to track change and assess returns, he adds.

“When you understand your starting point, you can measure the impact of your organic interventions and demonstrate return on investment. When soil biology starts functioning well, multiple benefits emerge.

Soil structure

These include better soil structure and the need for fewer inputs. “Improved monitoring indicators including increased earthworm counts – a simple but effective measure any farmer can conduct simply by digging down with a spade.”

Laboratory analysis suggests a single application of its natural fertilisers can result in a 19% increase in microbial activity and respiration. Organic matter breaks down gradually, releasing nutrients over time rather than in a single spike.

The business case extends beyond fertiliser efficiency, says Dr O’Hora. Soil with good organic matter has genuine resilience. In drought, better water-holding means crops remain stress-free for longer. When it’s wet, waterlogging is reduced.

Paul O’Hora: Poor soil structure means underperforming crops

Products such as SoilWorx Dynamo pellets, which contain 75% organic matter, mix macronutrients, micronutrients and carbon in a single application. They help build structure, improve water-holding capacity and reduces the risk of compaction.

February and March provide a useful window for soil testing before spring growth accelerates, says Dr O’Hora. Establishing a baseline al-

Building resilience, though, takes time. Meaningful structural and biological changes typically take three to ten years of consistent organic matter additions. Some gains appear sooner, but the full dividend accrues gradually.

“Soil is your biggest asset,” says Dr O’Hora. “Every farmer, regardless of their system, scale, or location, can now access the organic matter they need for complete nutrition, conditioning and better soil health.”

How climate change is re-shaping agronomy

Wetter winters and warmer summers are forcing a rethink in agronomy. Adam Clarke investigates

Arace against time is developing as agronomists and seed breeders adapt to increasingly frequent extreme weather.

Wetter winters and warmer summers are forcing a rethink in UK agronomy. Crop performance is shifting. So too are pest and disease risks. The challenge now is adapting management and variety choice fast enough to protect yield.

The situation was highlighted by ADAS senior crop research scientist Christina Baxter at the recent Association of Independent Crop Consultants (AICC) annual technical conference near Towcester.

Clear trends can be seen clearly by comparing average on-farm wheat yields with AHDB Recommended List (RL) trial yields. It shows marked seasonal volatility from around 2006 onwards.

“The fact that both datasets show the same pattern of fluctuation tells us that they are dealing with the same limitations coming from the environment and changing weather patterns,” she said.

A four-year rolling average from 2002 to 2025 shows RL yields rising by about 0.5t/ha. On-farm yields have remained static or declined slightly. The result is a yield gap of roughly 2.5t/ha.

“Some of this can be attributed to changing weather patterns and the fact that we may not be adapting our

Crop response

Yield Enhancement Network (YEN) data show maturity is closely linked to yield. Varieties maturing two days ear lier than the control yield around 1t/ ha more; those three days later yield about 1t/ha less.

“Maturity is closely linked to flow ering time,” said Dr Baxter. “What we believe is happening is that earli er varieties are flowering and filling their grains earlier in the season, un der cooler temperatures when more water is available.

“This raises the question of wheth er we should be considering growing more earlier flowering varieties in the future.”

Mean growing season tempera tures in the first decade of YEN data increased by about 0.5°C, with June and July rising by 0.8°C. The grain fill period has shortened by around 10 days.

“The production phase is influ enced by degree days. Therefore, tem perature increases are resulting in a grain fill period that is around 10 days shorter, which has a negative impact on thousand grain weight.”

Management still matters. Good soil water capture, robust fungicide timing at flowering and adequate canopy nutrient levels are critical. Nitrogen, phosphorus, sulphur and zinc deficiencies can accelerate senescence.

Christina Baxter addressing the recent AICC annual technical conference caption

and lodging risk. Flexibility is essential.

Future suitability

Process-based models developed by the UK Centre for Ecology and Hydrology estimate climate-constrained yield potential at 1km? resolution.

Professor Richard Pywell said modelling under +2°C and +4°C warming scenarios shows wheat yield potential increasing in northern regions but declining in parts of southern England by mid-century.

Under +4°C warming towards 2080, wheat becomes more questionable in southern England. Oilseed rape also begins to suffer.

A digital tool allows farmers to input postcode and farm data to assess climate risks and adaptation options, including soil organic matter improvements to increase water-holding capacity.

“It tracks performance over time so farmers can see how things are changing and improving,” said Prof Pywell. Crop suitability may shift. In some southern areas, modelling suggests reduced wheat and oat suitability but

Soil & Water

improved prospects for durum wheat, chickpeas or soybean.

Climate change will also reshape pest and disease pressure. Research at Exeter University shows pathogens adapting. Yellow rust populations are adjusting to warmer conditions.

Fusarium species composition is shifting. Septoria, which thrives in warm, wet weather, may become more problematic in parts of the UK.

“Predicting and mitigating disease risks under climate change requires understanding pathogens as well as plants,” said Dr Helen Fones.

Agronomist’s view – Ben Boothman

Climate change is already shaping decision-making and the way risk is managed on farm, says independent agronomist Ben Boothman.

While UK growers have historically relied on locally adapted varieties, there is increasing interest in material from northern Europe as agronomists and breeders assess how best to build resilience against climate trends.

Whole-system thinking, including more flexible rotations and cultivation strategies, will be key, and spring cropping decisions are increasingly being shaped by drought risk, soil type and the reliability of agrochemicals under dry conditions.

“Five years ago, drought probably never really entered our heads, but now it’s not just about whether the crop will reach its potential, but whether

the herbicides we’re putting on are going to work.”

Navigating this adds Mr Boothman. “You can’t just go off a playbook like some have in the past. Everything must be tailored for a specific field or farm.

“In an increasingly volatile climate, the role of independent agronomists who horizon scan, walk crops and proactively derisk decisions for clients has never been more important.”

Miscanthus crops ‘boost soil carbon storage’

Growing miscanthus could help lock more carbon into the soil, improving yields while helping to tackle climate change, say scientists.

Well-suited to poorer land, miscanthus is typically grown as an energy crop. The woody stems are also used for green manufacturing and chemicals production, as a construction material and for animal bedding in livestock farming.

The crop can also store carbon deep underground, helping to reduce greenhouse gas emissions – boosting soil health while maintaining high yields, say scientists at Aberystwyth University.

Published in the journal Frontiers in Plant Science, the findings suggest that the most effective miscanthus varieties for tackling climate change are those with large underground growth and roots with lower lignin levels.

Breakthrough

Researchers examined 11 miscanthus varieties. They found that miscanthus rhizomes move carbon deeper into the

•

soil, where it can remain stable. But roots with lower levels of lignin store more carbon near the soil surface.

“This is an important breakthrough,” said study leader Paul Robson, from the Institute of Biological, Environmental and Rural Sciences.

Different miscanthus varieties store carbon differently – and understanding these relationships helps guide breeding strategies that deliver climate and agricultural benefits together, added Dr Robson.

“The UK needs to reduce CO2 emissions in order to mitigate climate change, and we also need to develop our economy to take advantage of green technologies as opposed to relying on fossil fuels. We hope that this research will give even greater impetus to that shift to a greener society.”

Breeding programmes for miscanthus are still at an early stage. But the results provide practical guidance on which traits are most likely to support soil carbon storage, helping ensure that future varieties deliver climate benefits alongside high yields.

Research associate Amanda Holder

soil is good for yields and climate change mitigation

sible to enhance soil carbon storage without compromising productivity, supporting the case for miscanthus as a versatile, low-carbon crop.”

•

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Soil & Water

Sewage sludge shake-up aims to reduce pollution

• Farmers to face tighter controls

• Permits to target river pollution

• Ministers promise clearer rules

Tighter controls on sewage sludge spreading will improve water quality and reduce river pollution, says the government.

Some 41% of England’s rivers, lakes and streams are currently affected by agricultural pollution, says the government. If approved, the new rules will increase oversight on sewage sludge spreading on farmland.

Options include bringing sewage sludge spreading under the government’s Environmental Permitting Regulations. Defra says this will protect human health and the environment from harmful contaminants.

At the same time, it says existing agricultural water rules will be simplified, cutting unnecessary duplication and complexity and making it easier for farmers to understand and follow the rules.

Major overhaul

The measures form part of Defra’s Environmental Improvement Plan, reducing ammonia emissions from farming; and the Water White Paper – an overhaul of how England’s water system is regulated and managed.

Water minister Emma Hardy and farm minister Angela Eagle set out the plans at a roundtable meeting with key farming, water and environmen tal stakeholders as part of the govern ment’s plan to transform Britain’s wa ter system.

Ms Hardy said she wanted to work with farmers on water pollution. “By setting clearer guidelines and provid ing better support, we’re making it simpler for farmers to meet standards, farm sustainably and protect our en vironment.”

Funding to double the number of advice-led inspections has already been introduced. It means there will be at least 6,000 inspections a year by 2029.

Supporting farmers

Environment Agency director Jennie Donovan said her preferred option was to move sludge spreading into envi ronmental permitting regulations. And she pledged to work closely with

Making it simpler to meet standards “

farmers to support regulatory reform.

“Our aim is to ensure that sewage sludge can be recycled to agricultural land in a safe and sustainable way. We will continue to work closely with the water industry, farmers and partner organisations to support this regulatory reform.”

A simplified, clearer regulatory approach alongside support schemes, grants and advice programmes would help farm businesses reduce pollution, protect water and strengthen their long-term resilience, said Ms Donovan.

The changes build on a ministerial roundtable last summer, where the government established the Addressing Pollution from Agriculture programme, working with farming and environmental stakeholders to drive reform of agricultural water regulations.

Livestock numbers

Responding to the announcement, Soil Association policy director Brendan Costelloe said there needed to be lower thresholds for intensive pig and poultry production – effectively limiting livestock numbers.

Mr Costelloe said: “There is undoubtedly scope to simplify aspects of the regulations that are intended to protect our rivers from agricultural pollution – but the focus needs to be on making them effective.”

Sludge is issue across entire supply chain

Proposals for tightening sewage sludge rules require a supply chain approach, says farm leader Tom Bradshaw.

“Investment from both industry and government in research and technology is essential to ensure the material farmers take is high quality, safe and fit for purpose,” said Mr Bradshaw.

Valuable input

Sludge was a valuable input over manufactured fertiliser, said Mr Bradshaw. It was an important part of the circular economy and said pleasing to see Defra commit to work with the industry on ways to ensure it was safe.

This included the government’s partnership approach and focus on advice – as well as its commitment to collaborate with the industry on ways to reduce the amount of ‘forever chemicals’ contained in sludge.

“Farmers and growers are committed to caring for the environment, but regulatory change must not place additional cost burdens on farm businesses, many of which are struggling to be profitable.

“We will continue to engage with the water supply chain and Defra and will work with members to gather feedback on the consultation.”

Stronger controls on sewage sludge spreading were welcome – but better treatment and monitoring was also needed so the benefits of sludge were realised without any of the unwant-

“It should be able to play a key role in delivering a more circular economy with less waste. But in practice it’s full of nasty microplastics and PFAS that

Livestock

More livestock farmers consider fodder beet

• Resilience drives crop choices

• Highly attractive energy yields

• Good drought-risk mitigation

Seed suppliers report increased interest in fodder beet this spring following a difficult forage season last year.

Fodder beet is appealing to farmers looking to ensure adequate supplies in the event of a repeat summer drought. Once fodder beet gets its roots down, it can be quite drought tolerant, says ProCam agronomist Nick Duggan.

“Although inputs can be quite high, fodder beet does offer a big crop of en ergy,” he says.

“There’s also the flexibility to feed fodder beet to sheep, beef or dairy, and to lift or graze it, although it’s impor tant to ‘wean’ livestock onto it gradu ally, especially cattle, because its high energy content can cause acidosis.”

ProCam has been evaluating the performance of fodder beet varieties over multiple seasons, with on-farm trials conducted in the North and West of the country as well as other locations country wide.

Yields

Fodder beet can yield as much as 20 tonnes of dry matter per hectare com pared to stubble turnips yielding about 4-6t DM/ha. And, at around 12.5ME, the energy content of its roots is similar to grass.

“Fodder beet offers a big crop of

at harvest by measuring yields, says Nick, with beets lifted and tops and roots weighed separately. Yields per hectare are then calculated, corrected for %DM.

“Also at harvest, each variety is assessed for disease resilience, and for the amount of root protruding above the soil. More root protruding is helpful if grazing. If lifting beet, you want more root in the ground for protection from frost.

“Agronomically, we encourage all farmers to keep the tops as healthy

programme. As well as helping to protect roots from frost, a healthy canopy helps sustain the crop into winter.”

Primed seed

In addition to evaluating varieties, ProCam also evaluates the performance of primed seed – available with certain fodder beet varieties. Pre-germinated for faster emergence, it tends to produce more uniform plants at the cotyledon stage.

“Faster establishment, in turn, helps with weed suppression, and once fodder beet reaches 12 leaves, it becomes more tolerant to virus yellows.

“Plus, primed seed can deliver higher yields. Results can vary, but in five years of trials on the variety Geronimo we saw a yield uplift of approximately 1.5t DM/ha from Active Boost primed seed compared with con

But farmers must farmers grow the right varieties for their situation.

“We test a range of varieties,” says Mr Duggan. “These range from low DM beets for grazing, to high energy types for lifting and chopping for livestock, or for use in anaerobic digestion (AD) plants.

Procam typically tests about 20 or so varieties annually in replicated trial plots, with 4-5 new varieties included each year. Many of the established varieties have been in the trial for maybe six years, so new varieties can be robustly benchmarked.

Assessments begin with variety emergence and vigour, and conclude

FETF applications to reopen this month

The application window for the next round of the Farming Equipment and Technology Fund (FETF 2026) opens on 17 March.

A total of £50 million will be available to farmers, growers, foresters and their contractors to invest in equipment and technology – largely focusing on livestock production.

Funding is split across 3 themes: £20m for farm productivity, £20m for animal health and welfare; and £10m for slurry management. Famers can apply for grants towards the cost of equipment from an approved list of 290 eligible items.

Grants range from £1,000 to £25,000 per theme. Farmers can apply for items under more than one theme, up to a combined maximum of £75,000. Defra will pay a proportion of the cost of each item.

There are over 100 animal health and welfare items available in this round. Farmers can apply for a grant towards any of them. Items include ventilation equipment such as fans and chimneys to improve airflow in housing. For full details and application guidance, visit bit.ly/FETF2026

Fodder beet is a good option – and drought tolerant. But choosing the right variety is important.

Maximise

Flexible

Wide

Banning livestock from upland areas could threaten the longterm storage of stable soil carbon, say scientists.

Grasslands hold around one third of the world’s terrestrial carbon. Responsible grazing has an important role to play in sustainable land management, according to the study by researchers at Manchester University.

Environmental groups have long argued for sheep to be taken off the hills. Instead of being used for grazing, they believe upland areas should be planted with trees or rewilded and returned to nature.

Balanced

grazing

is important in upland areas

Sheep have a vital role in the upland “

But supporters of grazing argue that sheep have a vital role in the environmental management of some of England’s most iconic landscapes – as well as providing a key source of lambs for lowland producers.

While grazing exclusion can increase short-lived plant carbon above ground, it can also lead to lower levels of durable, mineral-associated organic carbon in soils – a form of carbon seen as crucial for long-term climate change mitigation.

National Sheep Association chief executive Phil Stocker said: “Proposals to remove livestock from long-es-

tablished grazing systems are increasingly being put forward as a large-scale

“This evidence, alongside other research, implies there are alternative management strategies for achieving climate targets, which should be considered in environmental policy and

Results recently shared from a Forage for CH4nge project in the Yorkshire Dales National Park underscore how upland sheep systems, traditional breeds and pasture management can contribute to climate-

NSA project manager Nicola Noble said the findings complemented the active Grazing for Good project in the Lake District and surrounding areas of Cumbria which reinforced the importance of balanced grazing in up-

Evidence from the Manchester study, Forage for CH4nge and the Grazing for Good project would further enhance the critical need for sheep farmers and their grazing flocks as key allies in delivering climate-resilient land management.

“These systems also deliver a plethora of other public goods alongside the production of protein-rich food and sustainable fibre,” said Ms Noble.

The NSA said it would continue to encourage sustainable upland farming practices. Properly managed sheep grazing could maintain long-term soil carbon stocks while contributing to the sector’s net-zero goals, it added.

Study uncovers colostrum failures behind calf scours

Calves are failing to achieve adequate passive transfer of immunity – even when colostrum quality appears good, suggests a study.

More than three-quarters of calves tested in a seasonal-calving dairy herd had inadequate passive immunity – despite colostrum testing at the recommended 22% Brix or above. All calves later developed scours.

Authored by Ryan Davies of Veterinary Technical Consulting and Dr Katie Denholm of Glasgow University, the study highlights the importance of testing calves for passive transfer using blood samples before they are seven days old.

The findings – from a herd in Northern Ireland – are particularly relevant for herds investing in dry cow vaccination, which provides antibodies in the colostrum to reduce clinical signs of diarrhoea caused by C. parvum bacteria.

This is because even when vaccine-derived antibodies are present in colostrum, calves

will not benefit if absorption fails. The findings support the Royal Veterinary College findings which found failure of passive transfer in more than one in four UK herds.

The latest results were reported in the Vet Record. Dr Davies said: “It can often be a case of farmers jabbing the dry cows and thinking the job is done, and when they then see diarrhoea in calves, they assume the vaccine isn’t working.”

“As the case study in our paper has shown, that wasn’t the case at all. Calves were still getting scours, despite being vaccinated, as a result of inadequate colostrum management protocols.

In response, the Northern Irish farm introduced earlier feeding, so all calves were fed within 30 minutes of birth, colostrum enrichment using whole bovine colostrum powder to standardise quality.

Extended colostrum feeding was undertaken using whole bovine colostrum powder for the first 10 days of life. This offers local

Good colostrum needs to be properly absorbed

gut health benefits even after antibody absorption declines – although good hygiene is a critical factor.

a profitable cow tor.

“It means that alongside physical traits used for heifer selection and a farm’s culling policy, the feeding costs of a cow over winter and calf performance can be used for a robust decision-making process.”

Scotland’s Monitor Farm programme is managed by Quality Meat Scotland with support from the AHDB. The aim at the Argyllshire Monitor Farm is to improve herd performance and reduce costs of production.

Farming at Craigens Farm on Islay, host farmer Craig Archibald and family run a 2,000ha (4,940ac) tenanted unit. Their cattle enterprise has 220 suckler cows, with the focus on producing Angus and Charolais yearling stores.

Mr Archibald had already been trying to select for smaller cows to suit the farm’s outwintering system. “Our cows looked decent, but we always had a few empty and some that had twins. The cows were doing alright, but just alright.”

Data collection

The farm was collecting plenty of data but Mr Archibald hadn’t done much

allows producers to compare options such as outwintering vs housing, age, breeds, different grazing systems, and how creep feeding would affect performance.

“It’s a really good benchmarking tool too,” said Ms Shaw.

Mr Archibald only started using the calculator this year. But it is already impacting decisions, with a traffic light system introduced for initial selection – helping him to retain the breeding females which scored well. Ranked green, these females also

The calculator has helped Craig Archibald optimise profitability

terms of overall calf margin. They included some cows which Mr Archbald had previously thought were borderline performers.

The B herd – the lower ranking females who are less suited to the system so may need more feed or winter housing – will be put to a terminal sire to produce store calves. The split approach means the herd can be improved without losing too many females.

Ms Shaw said: “The main aim with this project was to develop a tool for starting to look at profitability. Tools like this can often grow arms and legs, but we wanted something which required minimal data input. It will work for all suckler systems.”

Suckler cows at Craigens Farm, Argyllshire

Trials reduce emissions in grazed livestock

• Legumes cut nitrogen reliance

• Clover trials target emissions

• On-farm data shows promise

An innovative project to reduce emissions from livestock farming is yielding promising results, say researchers.

Scientists from Aberystwyth University are working with Pilgrim’s Europe to eliminate the UK’s dependence on applied nitrogen fertilisers in grassland by using three specially developed legume species.

On-farm trials

Funded by Defra and Innovate UK, the Nitrogen Utilisation Efficiency of Legumes (NUE-Leg) project project combines scientific research with on-farm trials and knowledge transfer among farmers and food industry leaders.

Christina Marley, who leads the Agricultural Systems Research Group at Aberystwyth University, is trialling red clover, hybrid white clover and Birdsfoot Trefoil to address specific challenges in sustainable grassland management.

A specific objective of the project is to enable farms to use clover and fix up to 300kg of nitrogen per hectare per year. The project includes testing clo-

Specially bred red clover is among three legumes being trialled

ver varieties in real farm conditions to identify the strongest performers.

Daniel Owen, lamb supply chain development manager at Pilgrim's Europe, said: “The aim of this trial is to reduce inorganic nitrogen requirements while boosting productivity and cutting on-farm emissions.”

Early results

Results so far are promising. “Our ultimate ambition is to enhance business productivity and profitability, while strengthening sustainability credentials and supporting producers in meeting their future environmental commitments.”

Dafydd Parry Jones, organic beef and sheep farmer at Maesllwyni, a trial farm who has supplied Pilgrim’s Europe lamb for over 20 years, said: “Being part of the NUE-Leg project has been a real eye-opener.

UK forage feed environment’

A UK-produced forage fibre feed ingredient can help to reduce the carbon footprint of milk, suggest independently verified figures.

Nutritionally-improved straw (NIS) has been added to the Global Feed Lifecycle Analysis Institute (GFLI) database with a carbon dioxide equivalent value of just 177kg/t CO?e.

The carbon footprint of animal feed is under growing scrutiny. Feed remains one of the largest contributors to the overall carbon footprint of milk production, making ingredient choice

The NIS carbon value compares favourably with commonly used imported fibre ingredients – such as palm kernel and soya hulls – which are typically imported and carry higher emissions linked to transport and land use.

David Cubitt, director of UK feed manufacturer Sundown Products, said inclusion of NIS in the GFLI database underlined the potential of UK by-products to reduce the carbon footprint of milk production.

“One of the biggest carbon impacts in the production of milk comes from feed,” said Mr Cubbitt. “If you include low-carbon ingredients in that feed,

Confidence

The aim is to cut inorganic nitrogen requirements

“It’s not just about trials in a field – it’s about finding solutions that work for farmers day-to-day, helping us build more resilient, productive systems that are better for the environment too.”

Pilgrim’s Europe is also helping to breed more efficient maternal sheep with a naturally lower carbon footprint. It believes this will help to reduce agricultural emissions, enhance soil health and builde resilience across its UK supply chain.

“This should give confidence to dairy processors supplying supermarkets who are increasingly looking to reduce their carbon footprint, without raising prices for consumers,” he says.

Beyond its carbon credentials, NIS buffers the rumen more effectively than seed coat fibres, and enables higher levels of starch and sugars to be fed. In turn, this can improve protein utilisation and ultimately reduce protein usage per unit of output

This is particularly relevant in grazed and grass silage based dairy systems, says Mr Cubitt.

Winter rainclouds have small silver lining

It feels like it’s been raining all year with many flocks still battling the consequences of an exceptionally wet winter – and it’s shaping both ewe condition and forage stocks, writes Nerys Wright.

Huge variations in scanning percentages have been reported in March and April lambing flocks – especially in younger ewes, with many shearlings already under pressure following last summer’s drought.

For flocks heavily reliant on grass to build condition in the autumn and early winter, saturated soils and low dry matter (DM) feeds have made that uphill struggle even steeper.

Energy requirements

The wetter the forage, the less dry matter ewes can physically consume. Lush winter grass or wet silage might look plentiful, but ewes simply can’t eat enough of it to meet their energy requirements.

Intakes are restricted by rumen capacity, not motivation. This means that even where grass covers look reasonable

Livestock | Pig & Poultry

Trials show promise in improving pig health

On farm trials suggested treating pigs with in-water peracetic acid (PAA) can support gut health, tackle scours and reduce reliance on antibiotics.

The UK pig sector has already reduced antibiotic usage by 75% over the past decade. But new tools are needed following the ban on zinc oxide and growing concern about antimicrobial resistance, says Adrian Fellows, of R&D company Aga2Tech.

Supported by the UK Agri-Tech Centre, the trials have been conducted in collaboration with the Yorkshire Farmers cooperative, on two bed-andbreakfast pig units in Yorkshire. The follow positive results in commercial poultry trials.

Multiple batches

Tested across multiple batches of pigs, the trials involved administering a precise dosage of 2% of Peranan concentrate, giving up to 150ppm PAA via the water system, starting just after weaning and continuing through the early stages of growth.

“The initial results have been very encouraging, with improvements in several key areas,” says Mr Fellows.

A marked reduction in scours was observed especially during the weaning phase. Treated pigs on PAA had much firmer stools compared to un-

The water system was used to deliver peracetic acid – with promising results (library pic)

treated pigs – a huge win in terms of their overall gut health, he adds.

“As a result, the trial farms were able to reduce or even eliminate the use of blanket antibiotics during the weaning phase – presenting a real costsaving for farmers, and a big step forward in helping tackle the problem of antimicrobial resistance.”

The treatment also helped foster cleaner farm environments. Pigs on

PAA had drier and cleaner bedding, with less build-up of wet litter – not only improving the pigs’ living quarters – but improving the work environment for the farmer.

Pigs also seemed calmer and quieter. “We observed fewer stress-related issues like tail biting, which is crucial because a reduction in stress means fewer health problems and less risk of infections that can spread in a stressed environment.”

Mr Fellows added: “As the industry faces growing pressure to reduce antibiotics, we believe PAA can offer a practical, cost-effective, and sustain-

Warm words for turkey pioneer Derek Kelly

Tributes have been paid to pioneering turkey producer Derek Kelly, who died aged 95 at his home in Essex.

Credited with restoring the traditional bronze-feathered turkey – with its widely acclaimed flavour – to the Christmas table, Derek and his wife Mollie founded Kelly Turkeys in 1971. Today, the KellyBronze is one of the most successful turkey brands.

Although Derek stepped back from leading the company almost 20 years ago, he continued to play a lifelong role in the UK poultry industry and was recently honoured by recognition in its UK Hall of Fame.

Early days

It was a different story in the early days: white-feathered turkeys dominated the market and the Kellys were hatching dayold poults for farmers around the country and producing Christmas turkeys for their own customers.

to work in an industry he loved and was devoted to. He passed away peacefully at home just as he had wished.”

Professional Services

New measures target deer threat to trees

A10-year government plan for farmers aims to reduce the damaging impacts of deer on trees and woodlands.

One-third of England’s woodlands are believed to be affected by deer damage. Excessive browsing and trampling is preventing young trees from establishing, degrading habitats, and damaging crops.

Streamlined processes to enable faster action – including changes to night shooting and close season licensing, will allow land managers to protect crops, timber and habitats, says the government.

Without urgent action, Defra says deer damage risks undermining woodland creation, nature recovery and domestic timber production. It says grants and licences will help farmers combat the problem.

Current management approaches have not kept pace with rising impacts, says Defra. There is a need to reduce reliance on fencing and tree shelters and increase effective, active deer management at landscape scale.

Huge strain

“Our trees and native wildlife are under huge strain,” said Defra minister Mary Creagh. “This government

is helping landowners and farmers manage deer impacts more effective ly so woodlands can flourish and crops are better protected.”

The package of measures includes dedicated deer officers to provide clear er, more accessible advice and coordina tion. Grant funding will support effec tive deer management activity.

‘Long overdue’

Non-native deer are seen as a key part of the problem. Three of the six deer species present in England are inva sive non-native, further intensifying pressure on sensitive environments.

Forestry Commission chief execu tive Richard Stanford said deer damage was one of the biggest negative impacts on trees and woodlands.

and trees

“Action has been long-overdue and these welcome measures will give land managers the tools they need to reduce pressures from excessive deer browsing to protect trees and restore biodiversity in our woodlands.

“This will help trees, and other plants to thrive, enable nature to recover and provide much needed habitat for woodland birds and other wildlife. We can all help in this endeavour by eating wild venison, the most climate-friendly red meat there is.”

Support for the domestic wild veni-

control – including supporting the British Quality Wild Venison Standard to boost consumer confidence.

The government says it will also support research to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of managing deer impacts, including the use of drone surveying to identify national priority areas and target action at a landscape scale.

Making it easier for foresters, farmers and land managers to reduce deer damage, allowing woodlands to recover and thrive. This will benefit woodland wildlife species and support the government’s wider nature recovery goals.

Rural landlords urged to prepare for changes to energy efficiency laws

Rural landlords with rental properties are being urged to prepare for new legislation that aims to raise the energy efficiency of privately rented homes.

As part of its Warm Homes Plan, the government recently confirmed that the majority of privately rented residential properties must have a minimum Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating of C or above by October 2030.

An EPC outlines how energy efficient a property is – rated from A (the most efficient) to G (the least efficient). But buildings that rely on gas or fossil fuels as their primary heating source are unlikely to reach the new target, says land agents Savills.

Levels of insulation, window quality and whether the property is airtight will be looked at, alongside either the heating system of the home or alternatively how smart technology can be used to maximise efficiency.

EPCs issued under the old system will still be valid until their expiry date. But eligible properties that fail to comply could face a fine of up to £30,000 – although there are exemptions relating to cost, third party restrictions and works already completed.

Amber Whelan-Jones, associate in the rural management team at Savills in Cambridge, said it was important for rural landlords and estate managers with rental properties to establish where any extra investment

might be needed.

“The recent publication of the Warm Homes Plan will have provided some insight for rural landlords and estate managers, who can now plan ahead for expected expenditure over the coming years,” she said. “For those with older buildings it’s an opportunity to assess the efficiency of any rental properties within their portfolio – establishing the energy performance so that future costs can be budgeted and any work completed in good time.

“Ultimately, taking steps now and preparing early should pay dividends in the long run – helping to budget expenditure in the face of rising costs and potentially reducing energy bills for future tenants.”

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