News
Spending review 'must deliver for farmers'
Arable
Warning over yellow rust in resistant wheat
Farm energy
Call for clarity on anaerobic digestion
Technology
Adopt grants fund farm innovation
Professional Services
'No stone unturned' in profitability review
Clodhopper
Farming is for food production
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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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Next month marks the conclusion of the government's long-awaited spending review – the culmination of months of wrangling over how much money the country has to spend and indeed what it should be spent on.
The review is one of those dull but important things Westminster watchers get very excited about. It will determine departmental budgets and funding for government agencies – including funding for farm support.
Industry leaders have rightly been lobbying hard for a fair deal for farming. After all, money is tight and the government has hardly covered itself in glory when it comes to recognising the vital role of food production agriculture.
Despite repeated pre-election promises to support farmers, the Labour government has quickly ditched those pledges since coming to power last summer.
First there was the decision to impose 20% inheritance tax on farm assets worth more than £1 million – despite previously and publicly promising it would do no such thing.
Then there was the decision to phase out the Basic Payment Scheme harder and faster – leaving family farms without a key form of support.
That was rapidly followed by the sudden and abrupt closure of the Sustainable Farming Incentive – shutting off an important revenue stream for farmers producing food sustainably while looking after the environment.
It is increasingly clear that we cannot rely on government support for farming. But the public are supportive. Repeated studies show people believe farmers are vital – not just as food producers but as environmental guardians too.
Keeping the public on side and building on that public support is fundamental if farmers are to get a fairer deal from the government – and the recognition that the industry deserves.
One way of doing that is by signing up to take part in Open Farm Sunday on 8 June. It is an opportunity to showcase everything good about British food and farming. Full details are on page 4. While farming has a voice, people are more powerful and can make more of a difference – including at the ballot box. As an industry, we need to welcome the public onto our farms and hold them close to our hearts.
Johann Tasker Editor
• Fair funding needed for farming
• Details on revised SFI awaited
• Farm investment and certainty
Industry leaders are ramping up ef forts to secure a fair deal for farm ing ahead of next month’s govern ment spending review.
Funding for the Sustainable Farm ing Incentive (SFI), Environmen tal Land Management (ELMs) and a range of other government initiatives are due to be announced following the review, which is due to conclude on 11 June.
The review will set out the government’s spending plans for the next five years. It will also decide how departmental budgets should be spent – including on Defra staff and its agency employees.
Given this is a new government under a challenging economic climate, there is potential for there to be significant changes to previous commitments and funds, says the NFU.
closure of the SFI to new applications was something it had always planned.
Stuttering roll-out
“The reality is that since its launch, the SFI has been hampered by a stuttering roll-out, with uptake only increasing significantly in the last 12 months. All while basic payments were relentlessly reduced.
Farm
‘more important than ever’
Sunday next month.
Thousands of people will visit farms on Sunday, 8 June to see how their food is produced and how farmers look after the countryside. The annual flagship is organised by the Linking the Environment and Farming charity (LEAF)
“The government could decide to take an entirely new approach from the previous government – although on farming issues Defra has made broad commitments to maintain key priorities such as ELMs.”
Having said that, surprise measures announced in the autumn budget included the faster phase-out of the Basic Payment Scheme. That was followed by the shock closure with immediate effect of the SFI to new applications.
The NFU says it is continuing to lobby both the Treasury and Defra to ensure farming gets a fair deal from the spending review – and that the government recognises the importance of public investment in food securi-
Defra has made broad commitments
“The industry was very much under the impression that the scheme would continue to remain open, with Defra providing assurance that there would be minimal changes for SFI, apart from the addition of new actions later in 2025.
“The stop-start nature of these schemes does nothing to build confidence and this latest blow undermines the hard work of forward-thinking farmers and land managers who have put positive environmental outcomes at the heart of their businesses.”
LEAF Education specialist, Sam Wyman, has trained and supported numerous farmers to host OFS events over the years. He provides reassurance that taking part is both straightforward and rewarding.
“Remember what an amazing resource your farm is when you look at it with a fresh perspective,” says Mr Wyman. “Even the simplest items and tasks – like touching some grain or holding an EID tag – can be truly eye-opening for visitors.
Mr Wyman is clear about the farmer-focused benefits of providing opportunities for curious consumers to visit local farms. “Everyone I’ve ever worked with to host an OFS event is absolutely buzzing at the end of the day.”
Recent OFS data shows that 91% of visitors are motivated to buy more British produce after attending. By giving access and sharing stories and expertise, farmers can directly reinforce the importance of supporting local farming.
Farmers can register their Open Farm Sunday event at www.farmsunday.org and access a wide range of freely available resources, including webinars and promotional materials to help make each event a success.
Draining in the sunshine, not every spring you can say that. The end of March and start of April were almost perfect for installing land drains.
This looked like a lovely flat site but looks can be deceiving. Laser grading was definitely required here as a site survey showed a slight valley through the field, so our initial plan was drawn up to accommodate this.
Once we had finished draining, the client borrowed our single leg mole to mole plough the field himself.
Always nice to see a client making full use of a drainage scheme. The moling will not only help with compaction , but will also give a more direct route to the drains at times of heavy rainfall as the mole goes to gravel depth.
SO MUCH MORE THAN JUST DRAINAGE
Farmer and anti-inheritance tax campaigner Olly Harrison will headline the speaker list at next month’s Arable Event on the Shropshire-Staffordshire border.
Mr Harrison will join a panel of expert speakers during the day – including Roy Jackson and Claire Smith, both partners at business advisors WR Partners; Joe Lloyd from Savills; and industry experts from FMC and LKAB.
The Arable Event has established itself as a must-attend date in the farming calendar, attracting about 1,500 cereal and crop farmers for a free day out of entertainment, learning and socialising.
This year’s event promises to be even bigger and better and takes place on Wednesday, 18 June, at the established trial plots off Offoxey Road at Weston Under Lizard, near to Junction 3 of the M54.
Mr Harrison, a farmer and entrepreneur, has a social media reach of more than 350,000 followers. He has also co-organised a number of London protests against government plans to impose inheritance tax on farm assets.
More than 147,000 people have subscribed to his YouTube channel, where Mr Harrison shares videos about the challenges and triumphs of farming. The videos have been watched 77 mil lion times during the past five years.
The Arable Event is organised by Wynnstay and Grainlink to provide growers with informa tion ahead of harvest and autumn drilling. At tractions include machinery demonstrations, seminar sessions, seed trial plots and more.
Organiser Kelly Dolphin said: “The Arable Event is now firmly fixed in the diaries of farm ers across the country, and it will be great to see new faces and old friends at this year’s event.
“Farming is never an easy occupation and it is often lonely and isolating, so the chance to get off the farm for a day, find out what’s happen ing in the industry and chat with other farmers over a drink or something to eat is invaluable.”
The Arable Event takes place at Woodlands Farm, which is part of Bradford Estates on the Shropshire/Staffordshire border. Free refresh ments are included and BASIS & NRoSO points available to attendees.
For details and to secure your free ticket, www. thearableevent.co.uk.
MPs visited a farm pushing the boundaries of sustainable beef production.
Fourteen MPs from all political parties visited ABP UK’s demonstration farm, a 380-acre farm on the Shropshire / Staffordshire border, as part of the NFU Food and Farming Fellowship Scheme
The scheme launched last year for participating MPs to see first-hand how sustainable and affordable food gets from field to fork. The ABP demonstration unit is a mixed livestock, grassland and arable business, managed by Andrew Macleod.
Bigger and better
Talks were held on sustainable beef and lamb production – as well as the work being done by farmers to drive environmental benefits at a business and industry level.
MPs discussed the importance of healthy soil, the value of grassland and found out more about the activities that are being conducted to drive positive environmental objectives, while further improving their beef production footprint.
NFU livestock board chair David
them the tools, knowledge and understanding needed so they are able to highlight the critical role of food security.
“The MPs will speak up in their constituencies but also in Westminster on some of the big issues impacting our industry which forms the backbone of
“Farmers and growers need that commitment and support from Westminster so they can continue producing safe, sustainable and affordable homegrown food alongside caring for the environment and ultimately remaining viable for generations to come.”
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• Signs of disease at an early stage
• Growers advised to keep eye out
• Send samples away to be tested
Growers should remain vigilant after signs of yellow rust in winter wheat varieties classed as resistant to the disease.
Unusual early observations of yellow rust on several winter wheat varieties in some Recommended Lists (RL) trials mean farmers will need to monitor crops more closely this season rather than relying on disease ratings.
Trial site inspections in the north of England last month found signs of the foliar disease on almost all wheat varieties classified as resistant at the young plant stage in the latest Recommended List – including some widely grown varieties.
The Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board said there were also the “first hints of something unusual” starting to happen in other regions too. And it called on growers to have any suspicious samples properly analysed.
The yellow rust pathogen population is highly diverse – so new strains of the disease are not unusual. But these early observations suggest there may be a significant new strain or strains that has not been seen before in the UK pathogen population.
Some varieties historically classified as susceptible at the young plant stage are currently relatively clean at the impacted trial sites. This suggests a potential pathogen population shift that may have displaced some other yellow rust strains.
Varieties impacted by yellow rust at the young plant stage are more likely to require treatment with fungicides
The next phase of the UK Cereal Pathogen Virulence Survey (UKCPVS) project got underway last month.
The survey supports breeding for durable resistance to yellow rust and brown rust in winter wheat – because the diversity and adaptability of these pathogen populations is relatively high compared to other foliar cereal diseases.
Brown rust was particularly interesting last year due to its relatively early appearance. This illustrates how rust pressures can swing between years and change rapidly within seasons, say researchers.
To monitor UK rust populations effectively, UKCPVS is asking growers to send in samples from infected leaves taken from geographically diverse areas and wheat varieties. Anyone can submit a sample – in a paper envelope – via the to UKCPVS Freepost service.
This year, the UKCPVS team is prioritising the analysis of samples from wheat varieties which are normally resistant to yellow rust but still showing unusual levels of disease in the field and in trial sites.
that have good rust activity during the T0–T2 fungicide period -– even if they have a high adult plant disease resistance rating.
AHDB recommended list trials manager Mark Bollebakker said: “The trials in question were at about growth stage 30 at the time of inspection, so adult plant resistance had not kicked in.
“When it does, from stem extension onwards, these varieties may outgrow initial infection. However, it is difficult to predict what will happen. We have sent samples for testing to give us a better understanding of what we are seeing.”
It is hard to predict what will happen “
Plants are showing signs of yellow rust at any early stage
Farmers and agronomists should inspect all varieties before final spray decisions and not rely on the RL ratings until we know more, said Mr Bollebakker. Inspectors were assessing the situation – with further updates issued as soon as possible.
David King, of Syngenta, said: “It’s very much a case of being vigilant rather than panicking. However, in parts of the country, a lot of wheat wasn’t planted until November, and some earlier-drilled wheat struggled in poorer seedbeds.
“Both of these scenarios render crops more vulnerable to yellow rust.”
Advice for potato store managers will be available at a special event in Lincolnshire this month.
Strategic Potato Storage Day is an industry event dedicated to knowledge and innovation in potato storage. Organised by Potato Storage Insight, it will bring together potato growers, store managers, researchers and technology providers.
The event will be held on 21 May at Fleet Lodge Farm, Holbeach. It will discuss developments in sprout suppression technologies, energy management and storage efficiency.
Attendees will gain first-hand insights into field trial results, cutting-edge control systems and practical strategies for optimising potato storage conditions while reducing waste and costs.
The 2025 edition will feature live demonstrations, expert talks and networking opportunities, with a spotlight on sustainable, residue-free storage solutions – such as ethylene-based technologies.
Visitors to the event will also discover the results of a field trial undertaken by SDF Agriculture, PSI and Greenwich University. They will be able to hear about the latest developments in energy management and
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ANTLER performed exceptionally in APHA variety list testing in the past 3 tough years. In 2024, extensive farm trials recorded consistent and exceptional yields leading it to be added to the very top of the BBRO Recommended List for 2026 sowing.
With lower bolting and higher sugar content than the market leader BTS1915, it offers better performance with lower risks.
Combine this with excellent seed quality, establishment, a good disease package and the opportunity to buy our proprietary priming and pellet plus a wider range of seed treatments, ANTLER really is the new Monarch of the Fen.
All seed is now sold directly from SESVANDERHAVE, or our partner AF Group.
Environmental risks from pesticides must be reduced by 10% in the next five years, says the government.
The UK National Action Plan on Pesticides says farmers must ensure pesticide use is sustainable – protecting the environment and human health while boostig food production for the long-term future.
The plan pledges support for farmers, growers and land managers who voluntarily embrace alternative measures – including nature-friendly farming techniques. But it is unclear how this will be achieved.
Pesticide resistance, climate change, and invasive species pose significant challenges to our food security, says the government plan. The goal is to reduce the potential harm from pesticides by 10% by 2030, while continuing to control pests and pesticide resistance effectively. Rather than a simple 10% reduction in pesticide usage, the plan focuses on a 10% reduction in potential environmental harm by measuring the impact of pesticides across 20 key indicators.
Clear targets and measures to monitor pesticide usage
Encourage uptake of Integrated Pest Management (IPM)
Strengthen compliance and promote good practice
[Source: Defra]
Defra says a nature friendly approach – including Integrated Pest Management (IPM) – is better for everyone. It wants healthier ecosystems where vital pollinators, such as bees, can flourish. This willboost crop health and food production, it adds.
The pesticide plan is part of the government’s wider Plan for Change. Defra said: “It is clear food security is national security. [That] is why we are supporting farmers to spend less on pesticides in the future while boosting productivity.”
Environment minister Emma Hardy said: “The government is restoring our natural world as part of our commitment to protect the environment while supporting productivity and economic growth.”
Ms Hardy added: “We have banned bee killing pesticides in England and today we’re going further to support farmers and growers to adopt sustainable practices.”
The NFU said the action plan was long overdue. But it said it was still unclear how the government would support an increased focus on IPM and compliance without impacting the competitiveness of farmers.
NFU deputy president David Exwood said there was a surprising lack of detail and commitment to ensure farmers and growers would still have the crop solutions they needed to produce food.
“While the government rightly focuses on public health and the environment, it is critically important this is balanced with the need to grow affordable British food.”
Mr Exwood: “The UK currently has some of the most stringent pesticide regulations in the world which control any potential impact or risks from their use.”
Farmers were committed to demonstrating they were taking a responsible approach to using plant protection products, said Mr Exwood. The industry had already increased sprayer operator training, equipment testing and pesticide stewardship.
Mr Exwood added: “It would have been good to see the plan mark the progress we’ve made. The focus on IPM aligns with the NFU’s own plant health strategy, which puts IPM at the heart of crop protection activity.
“While the government rightly focuses on public health and the environment, it’s critically important this is balanced with the need to grow affordable British food and increase productivity.
Emma Hardy: pesticide plan
“For this, farmers and growers need continued support for IPM uptake and access to more effective tools to protect crops from pests, weeds and disease, and to ensure they can run thriving, profitable businesses.”
• High performing premium sector wheat
• Group 1 variety has excellent agronomics
• Superb combination of yield and protein
Ahigh protein wheat is catching the interest of growers and millers alike, with a yield of 98% of controls on the latest Recommended List.
With a milling specification protein content of 13.2%, KWS Vibe has the most comprehensive agronomic package of all the key Group 1 players, says Olivia Bacon, the breeder's technical manager for conventional crops.
"KWS Vibe is unusual,” she says. “Many are now believing it is the new 'protein' banker for the UK.”
The variety achieved Group 1 performance in its first and second national list trials in 2022 and 2023 –and in the Recommended List stage in 2024 – three contrasting seasons.
Characterised by excellent grain quality, including an Hagberg Falling Number of 283 and a specific weight of 79.1kg/hl, Vibe consistently delivered higher protein at 13.2% than the control in each of the three years.
It exhibits good gluten quality, loaf volumes and overall baking performance. This means is brings genuinely improved performance to a sector that has had few new additions in recent years, says Ms Bacon.
growers to be able to hit required protein specifications, says Joe Brennan, of UK Flour Millers.
Homegrown milling quality wheat is key to food security, so the UK flour milling industry needs a productive, profitable domestic farming sector which can meet quality requirements year after year, says Mr Brennan.
“Wheat flour is an ingredient in 33% of food products sold in supermarkets and accounts for 20% of the nation’s food energy intake. UK flour milling businesses use five million tonnes of wheat each year to produce four million tonnes of flour.
“Last season was extremely challenging for farmers and followed several difficult years. We are seeing this feed into the UK milling industry and our projected use of homegrown wheat for 2024/25 will be under 70%.
“This represents the lowest proportion of homegrown wheat in the UK milling sector for over 20 years – quite different to a typical year when we use at least 80% homegrown wheat.”
Another issue with Group 1s is a decline in the ability of farmers to achieve the required specifications. This has been linked to unfavourable weather in recent seasons – and exceptionally high costs for inputs such as nitrogen fertiliser.
Data from the AHDB Cereal Quality Survey shows that just 20% of Group 1 wheat last harvest met the milling specification of 13% protein, 250HFN and 76kg/hl. This was down from 48% in 2018 although up from just 13% in 2023.
“Group 1 wheats are the backbone of UK bread making flour. These are the varieties that we can rely on season after season to produce sustained, high level of consistent milling and baking performance.
“Strong gluten quality is a trait that millers are looking for increasing-
Homegrown milling wheat is important for UK food security
Below left: Olivia Bacon says Vibe brings improved performance
ly in Group 1s because of the UK’s targets for reducing salt in sliced bread. Salt enhances the strength of the protein and gluten in the flour, so if you reduce salt you need to match it with an increase in gluten strength.
“In trials by millers KWS Vibe exhibited very consistent, high quality, with high protein, high specific weight and consistent breadmaking performance, season after season, which is what defines a Group 1, as opposed to a Group 2, variety.”
“
KWS Vibe has excellent grain quality
In baking tests at the Allied Technical Centre, KWS Vibe has performed exceptionally well with a soft, white crumb, large loaf volume, excellent loaf height and good layering performance in pastries, says Ms Bacon.
“KWS Vibe will appeal to milling wheat growers who want a variety which combines high yield with high protein.
“Across the rotation KWS Vibe delivers excellent performance, both as a first wheat at 98% of control and as a second cereal at 97%, which is important because 60% of milling wheats are sown in the second cereal position.
“In the early and late sown slots, the variety achieved 98% and 99% of control respectively, 98% on both light and heavy soils.”
DTheUK'sFlagshipEvent rivingKnowledge& FInnovationinArable arming
Experience the ultimate event for the UK arable industry at Cereals.
Explore live demonstrations and dedicated zones for agronomy, technology, machinery, business, education, regenerative farming practices and SFI updates – all designed to help you grow your business andyour crops.
Connect with over 450 leading suppliers showcasing the latest innovations, products, and expert advice. From seeds to sprayers, crop varieties to cutting-edge equipment, and fertiliser to finance, Cereals offers a complete one-stop solution.
4Don’tmissthisunmissableopportunitytostayaheadinfarming! 20+ exhibitors|200+ livedemonstrations|600+ cropplots|60+ speakers|17,000+ visitors
• Knowledge and expertise on hand
• Regenerative farming is extra feature
• More focus on next generation farmers
Ahost of new features will greet visitors to this year's two-day Cereals event, which takes place on 11-12 June in Lincolnshire.
Thousands of farmers and exhibitors are due to attend the flagship arable show, with the 52-ha site showcasing the latest agronomy, crop varieties and technology at Heath Farm, near Leadenham.
New to 2025, and leading the regenerative agriculture conversation, the BASE-UK Regen Conference area – themed ‘Robust farming in a changing climate' will focus on ways growers can make their businesses more resilient and sustainable.
“Every year we learn more about what Cereals visitors want,” says event director Ali McEntyre. “This year’s line-up reflects all that feedback – we are absolutely committed to making the event even better every year.”
A series of seminars and open-floor Q&A sessions will be shaped by the experiences of some of the UK's leading regenerative farming and advisory experts – exploring
how regen ag can fit and affect farm businesses of today and tomorrow.
The long-standing and popular Syngenta Sprays and Sprayers Arena will benefit from a new format for 2025 – providing more opportunity to demonstrators and visitors alike to dig into the detail of cutting-edge spraying machinery and technologies.
Building on resilience and the future of the arable sector, a new Young Farmers Spotlight will welcome the next generation with a series of talks focused on key innovations that will shape the future and influence careers and progression.
Fresh talent will also be found in the agronomy zone where budding agronomists will be put through their paces in the new Ceres Rural Crop Challenge. Teams of six students will go head-to-head in growing and managing a winter wheat crop.
Always a popular area, the Cereals’ agronomy zone will bring together over 600 individual crop plots from 25 leading exhibitors. It will include a range of crops, agronomy simulations, agri-environment options and cropfocused innovation.
A host of winter wheats and two- and sixrow hybrid barleys will be on display as part of the Ceres Rural winter wheat and barley feature – displaying the latest varieties from the AHDB Recommended List.
This opportunity extends to all the zone exhibitors' individual crop plots, where leading recommended list varieties and exciting candidates can be seen side-by-side, with experts on-hand to guide and advise.
When: 11-12 JUNE 2025
Where: Heath Farm, Leadenham, Lincolnshire LN5 0QE
Cost: £15 (pre-booked); £20 (on the gate)
Details: www.cerealsevent.co.uk
Visitors should follow directional signs – not sat-navs – when near the site. Signs will route you into the site more quickly and without additional delay.
The 20m-long NIAB Soil Hole will also return, giving a unique insight into cultivation effects and crop growth below ground. So too will the NAAC Drainage area, combining technical expertise with a practical approach to land management.
Showcasing the latest machinery and technologies, a series of cultivation and drilling demonstrations will highlight precision equipment and innovation in land preparation and crop establishment.
Working demonstrations by the likes of Agriweld, Merlo, and TWB Engineering. Robotic and automation demonstrations will include machines from AgXeed and Autonomous Agri Solutions, with drone technology also in action.
The KWS Seed to Shelf Stage agenda will provide two days of dynamic panels and Q&A sessions – including farm management advice and debate around the key topics that are shaping the future of farming.
Arable farming has seen huge changes in the 17 years since the Cereals event was last held at Heath Farm in Lincolnshire.
The 445ha arable operation run by host farmer Andrew Ward is located near the village of Leadenham, almost halfway between Newark and Sleaford on the A17. It previously hosted Cereals in 2004 and 2008.
Roy Ward Farms has been an arable enterprise since Mr Ward’s father took on the Heath Farm tenancy in 1958. These days, it includes cover crops, agri-environment projects and its own YouTube channel with 19.7k subscribers.
Mr Ward says he enjoys taking on challenges head on. Being unafraid to experiment – and the first farmer to grow a baked bean crop from British seed – is what makes him a solid Cereals host farmer.
“No farmer can farm perfectly,
we all experience some real highs and some real lows – and I don’t mind sharing both,” he adds.
The farm’s heavy, medium and light soils – comprising clay, silt and sand – have in the past supported a wheat-heavy rotation. But blackgrass forced Mr Ward to undertake drastic action in 2013 to recover yields and profits.
Hitting the problem hard, he sprayed off some 60.7ha with glyphosate for three or four years, rogueing the worst land and implementing a traffic light system to get on top of the problem (see panel).
Delaying wheat drilling until the third week of October and growing spring barley on the worst land has helped gain ground against blackgrass. The rotation once again includes continuous wheat, on heavy
land – with good yields too.
“We follow the same cropping on the medium land as we did under the traffic light system, minus the spring barley, and taking advantage of the yield benefit to the wheat following the sugar beet,” says Mr Ward.
“In some fields the rotation will have three wheat crops following the sugar beet. On light land we have removed the oats and grow two barley crops.
“We still hand-rogue and we will target treat with herbicide. However, we are now using 34% less herbicide and we target all our inputs.”
The farm hasn’t been ploughed since 2003. Instead, Mr Ward uses a combination of Simba machinery and modifications to maximise soil health and achieve optimal establishment across a range of crops, soils and conditions.
A 6m flower margin is maintained
in every field to support pollinators and beneficial insects. Mr Ward also grows winter bird feed plots throughout the farm, with feeders for songbirds and gamebirds – and a large pond area.
More recently, he has introduced the Sustainable Farming Incentive’s legume mix option into his sugar beet rotation, and he is also currently running a nitrogen efficiency trial as an Innovative Farmers demonstration farm.
“I’m looking forward to hosting Cereals once again,” says Mr Ward.
“We’ll all express our disgust at current affairs and share the day-today gripes, but there will also be plenty of talk that invigorates and excites us – it's amazing how coming together can really be the change we need.”
All land-rogued extensively and glyphosate used where necessary, plus:
RED Heavy land – heavy burden
Treated as red ground, no wheat grown, only competitive spring barley
AMBER Medium land –medium to moderate burden
Four-year rotation of autumnharvested sugar beet, spring barley (if burden high) or winter wheat (if burden manageable), oats and winter wheat
GREEN Light land – minimal or manageable burden
Four-year rotation of winterharvested sugar beet, spring barley, oats and winter wheat
Sharing knowledge to find solutions will be the theme of this year’s seminar programme at the Cereals event.
Market volatility, farm support and changing legislation will all be among the topics discussed on the Seed to Shelf stage – a series of farmer-focused seminars to equip arable businesses with the information needed to thrive in uncertain times.
Sponsored by KWS, the Seed to Shelf stage dives deep into the arable supply chain – from policies and finance to seed development and crop choices.
Across two days, visitors will gain practical insight into ways they can boost productivity, improve margins and tap into market opportunities – all while reducing their environmental impact.
“Farmers are facing tighter margins, rising input costs, and more complex sustainability expectations than ever,” says KWS marketing manager Andy McGrath.
“Seed to Shelf is about helping growers make informed decisions that deliver value throughout the entire chain – from genetics to grain specifications, and beyond.”
The theme of emerging technologies will be addressed by former Defra secretary George Eustice. He will examine the promise and potential of precision breeding in a session sponsored by the British On-Farm Innovation Network (BOFIN).
KWS will showcase its latest genetics – like new Group 1 wheat variety KWS Vibe – and how it meets grower and processor needs, says Mr McGrath.
“Our focus is not just on yield but also traits like disease resistance and grain quality that reduce input reliance and deliver better returns. It’s about practical innovation that works in the field and adds value all the way to the end product.
“As part of our new Productivity2 initiative we are also looking at how yield and quality improvements from genetics, combined with more efficient use of inputs through key traits like disease resistance, can improve productivity and margins for growers.
Extending this thinking into the stages of food and drink production can help reduce the carbon footprint of products, says Mr McGrath.
“In some cases – we have also been able to improve efficiency in the following process, such as greater alcohol extraction.
“We believe passionately that on-the-ground farming must integrate fully with the wider food supply chain industry and it is precisely for this reason that we are so proud to be the main sponsor of the Seed to Shelf initiative at Cereals.”
Looking to some of the opportunities in the arable sector, a session sponsored by the UK Agri-Tech Centre will delve into some of the latest innovations the centre has supported, led by head of sustainability Harry Langford.
“George was the Defra minister when the Genetic Technology (Precision Breeding) Bill went through,” says BOFIN founder Tom Allen-Stevens.
“He has a really good insight into what ministers were trying to achieve with the legislation and why it is an opportunity for the UK.
“We will be exploring that, as well as the science behind precision-bred organisms.”
Another key interest for Mr Eustice is biopesticides, which will also be touched on in the discussions.
“Biostimulants and bio-pesticides offer an awful lot of opportunity to UK growers, and we’ve seen benefits in trials,” says Mr AllenStevens.
“But we need more data from commercial farms, which we’re unable to do with the current legislation.
“George is championing a change in the law on bio-pesticides, in a similar way to how precision-bred organisms are being treated, which sounds like a really good idea and something I’m keen to explore in this discussion.”
Other sessions include advice on diversifying your farm business, sponsored by Sykes Holiday Cottages, as well as a panel discussion with the Women in Food and Farming Network, says event director Alli McEntyre.
“With uncertainty over future land use, trade deals, and food policy, there’s never been a more important time for farmers.”
Experts will discuss top tips to balance innovative farming practices which improve pro ductivity with the need to look after the environment.
Soils and environmental steward ship will both be discussed by the re generative farming network BASEUK. An important starting point for anyone looking to make changes to their system is looking at the health of their soils.
“If you haven’t already, begin mak ing some records to get a baseline of your starting point,” says the net work’s Rebecca Goodwin. “This in cludes pH, soil organic matter levels and nutrient status.
“All these factors together can have a significant impact on productivity levels. Also, talk to other farmers who have already started on the regen ‘journey’ as they will have made mistakes that you can avoid.”
vironment topics as part of its Regen Conference, sponsored by Tees Law, at this year’s Cereals event.
The farmer-led BASE UK network is set to discuss key soil and agri-en-
A good attendance is expected at these events, with sessions focusing on these topics include enterprise stacking – whether it is sensible to
diversify and robust soils for robust farms.
“Without our soil there is very little to farm, so this is where we need to look to ensure that improvements can be made, and sustainability can be achieved,” explains Ms Goodwin.
Advice from experts on ways to navigate financial uncertainty will be on hand at this year’s Cereals event.
As the turbulent outlook continues, more farm businesses are finding themselves presented with a complex scenario. The arable sector in particular faces a cash flow challenge in the run-up to harvest.
But what unites all sectors is the increased financial pressure, including fluctuating exchange rates and substantial tax bills – creating a perfect storm of economic uncertainty.
Critical factors shaping the future of British farming will be discussed by Jeremy Moody at the Central Association of Agricultural Valuers (CAAV). He will be speaking at the Seed to Shelf mainstage, sponsored by KWS.
Mr Moody will deliver a special seminar, titled Land Use, Tax and Business, at 10am on both days of Ceereals – aiming to help growers better understand the situation and navigate the headwinds they face.
“The transition away from traditional agricultural subsidies is accelerating, with both Defra and the Treasury signalling that farmers must increasingly rely on their own resources,” explains Mr Moody.
“The Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) has emerged as a critical factor in farmers' financial planning, however, the recent closure of SFI applications caught many farmers by surprise, with uncertainty surrounding future schemes.”
Ministers are suggesting a poten-
tial shift towards focusing the SFI on less productive land and environmen tal initiatives, particularly in protect ed landscapes like national parks.
Working on the basis of a 10-15year outlook, Mr Moody says farmers should consider several factors:
• Generational succession:
Plan for the next generation, considering the viability of the current business model.
• Business objectives: Identify opportunities to improve overall business performance, enterprise efficiency and profitability.
• Climate resilience: Develop strategies to adapt to changing environmental conditions and potential agricultural challenges.
Long-term planning is crucial for farmers looking to secure their financial future – especially after the tax changes in the autumn Budget, now coming into effect, Mr Moody adds. Measures may include diversifying income streams and investing in sustainable practices.
Farmers should also be exploring innovative farming technologies and seeking expert advice on tax and inheritance planning.
Generational planning can often be challenging for farming families and rural business owners. Michelmores solicitors are aiming to get the conversation started in a young farmers-focused panel session at the event.
Charles Frost of Michelmores, headline sponsor of the Young Farm-
The landscape looks to change completely
ers Programme, says farming families must consider the impact of the proposed changes to inheritance tax on their succession plans and broader financial strategies.
Until October 2024, the legislation encouraged landowners to hold on to their farms. But Mr Frost says the new rules –which are due to come into effect in April 2026 – will require a change of approach in many cases.
“The landscape looks set to change completely. There’s now a much greater case for handing assets on during your lifetime and at an earlier stage.”
The proposed changes have forced farming families to think carefully about their succession plans and to have those conversations now, adds
“We are helping many families to navigate complex discussions about tax and the transfer of assets to the next generation while ensuring that older generations retain sufficient resources to provide for their own needs. ”
Young farmers can play a crucial role in this by initiating ideas about succession and bringing their fresh ideas for the future to the table – an area which he’ll be focusing on at the event.
“By bringing all family members to the table, the exercise ensures everyone understands the plan and feels confident about their role.
“While there is uncertainty, there remain great opportunities, and the next generation of farmers will want to feel confident about their place on the family farm to commit their future to it and navigate the many changes the sector currently faces.
“We hope that the panel session can be interactive and would encourage the next generation of farmers to come to the Young Farmer tent armed with questions and ready to share their own thoughts.”
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Anyone growing sugar beet in the world today will be familiar with varieties from SesVanderHave and Hilleshog.
Year after year, sugar beet remains a significant and reliable break crop delivering increased yields despite increasingly extreme climate events.
“Last year, British Sugar and NFU Sugar announced ground breaking changes that empower growers to buy seed directly from breeder,” says SesVanderHave UK director Ian Munnery
With many growers seeking advice on variety selection and ordering seed directly, Cereals is an ideal opportunity to meet and discuss sugar beet.
“The event is less than three miles from our Lincolnshire offices, so our attendance is a no-brainer," says Mr Munnery.
“We will be located on Stand 239, our Sugar Beet zone, near the NFU stand and next door to British Sugar’s own stand; so you will be well informed ahead of your 2026 crop decisions, including varieties.”
Here you’ll not only be able to meet the full UK team but also many breeding and research experts from SesVanderHave, Belgium; and Hilleshog, Sweden; as SesVanderHave UK is now UK marketing agent for the Hilleshog genetics.
We will showcase our full portfolio of tried and tested varieties that many growers will be familiar with, such as Antler, Aslan, Gadwall, Hoopoe (BCN), Osprey (AYPR), Magpie, Wren, Adder and Tawny.
significant and reliable break crop with top varieties, says Ian Munnery (below)
als; where we are not only working with leading growers to better evaluate varieties under commercial conditions across the whole UK,” says Mr Munnery.
Experts from SesVanderHave will also be on hand to share lessons on how to maximise yields and minimise risks. The lessons learnt include seed and nitrogen rates, sowing dates and seed treatments.
Reducing nitrogen rates is a major topic going forward for breeders given the potential to not only negatively affect sugar content and processability if in excess, but also to increase your bottom line.
You can also gain an insight into some of our candidates within current BBRO trials, including Grouse and Snipe.
Hilleshog genetics return to the UK market. While Hoopoe has demonstrated excellent performance against beet cyst nematode, Osprey remains the only BBRO Recommended variety for use in the presence of AYPR rhizomania. If you don’t need BCN or CERC (as claimed by the breeder) Gadwall is the third highest classical rhizomania tolerant variety - so there will be plenty of choice.
Antler truly is groundbreaking –the new Monarch of the Fen – sitting alongside BTS1915 at the very top of the BBRO 2026 Recommended List, but with higher sugar content and lower bolting. No doubt, it will be the variety of growers’ choice for 2026 sowing.
As part of the BASIS trail, we will be explaining the need for vigilance against Rubbery Tap Root disease and Syndrome Basse Richesse, which are growing threats across Europe.
With a further 10 candidates in trials pending BBRO Recommended List approval for 2026 and an additional 48 in APHA Variety List trials, SesVanderHave has a formidable pipeline of new genetics, traits and treatments to help growers maximise and protect their yields.
Our new high yielding variety Aslan sees
Better varieties
“We will also be showcasing some lessons learnt from Club SV 2024 tri-
A new silage preservative has been launched to meet the demands of multi-cut grass systems – and ease the pressure on growers.
MultiMax is a preservative-based additive which has been formulated to wipe out spoilage bacteria which can be prevalent in silage harvested in the tight weather windows which are often a feature of multi-cut grass.
Both soil contamination and slurry residues can be a concern when silage is cut against the clock. This is especially so with pressure to achieve more cuts and to maximise the energy, digestibility and quantity of conserved grass.
Limitations on wilting can also be a feature of multicut grass so the product has been formulated to preserve forages whose dry matter may be lower than desirable, running from the low 20s to a maximum of 35%.
This also makes the product particularly suitable for diverse grass leys, whose variability of species may lead to uneven wilting and patches within the swath which remain at a somewhat lower dry matter than the average.
Almost nine out of 10 sheep flocks have been subjected to a dog attack within the last 12 months, suggests a survey.
An ongoing failure of UK dog owners to recognise the threat their pet animals pose to farm livestock continues to devastate flocks across the country, says the National Sheep Association (NSA).
The findings were published to coincide with the NSA’s annual Sheep Worrying by Dogs Awareness Week. Many dog owners refuse to accept their pets are capable of attacking sheep – and let them run free.
Some 87% of farmers responding to the survey said they had experienced a dog attack on their sheep in the last 12 months. The cause was mostly identified as the simple refusal of dog owners to keep their pet on a lead in the countryside.
NSA project manager Nicola Noble said: “Dog owners often assume their beloved pet could not be capable of causing harm to other animals, yet it is an instinctive response of a dog to chase, and for some, attack prey animals such as sheep.
“Barking, chasing and physical attacks can all have devastating effects on sheep, especially at this time of the year when so many sheep in the fields are heavily pregnant or have young, vulnerable lambs at foot.”
Released last month the 2025 survey results include some sobering statistics. Despite continued work by the NSA and other organisations, dogs are being allowed off leads near sheep – with deadly and distressing consequences.
Farmers responding to the survey reported an average of four sheep deaths per year due to sheep worrying by dogs. This does not take into account additional losses from lamb deaths when miscarried by ewes due to stress from attacks.
As well as sheep deaths, extreme injuries will often cause long term pain and suffering for animals and financial loss to farmers with increased vet bills and a reduced number of stock available to sell.
A high proportion (80%) of survey re-
spondents also reported a negative experience when approaching dog owners to ask for their dog to be put on a lead with just under half receiving verbal and, in some cases, even physical abuse.
Dogs straying from homes and gardens is also identified as a frequent cause of attacks on sheep. Some 43% of survey respondents found evidence of a sheep worrying incident rather than the attack being witnessed in person.
This could indicate straying dogs to be the cause, or a failure of dog owners to confess attacks happening. Such cases make it difficult for farmers to pursue compensation, adding to their frustration and financial losses.
Over half the respondents also reported that attacks happened in private fields with no footpaths also suggesting straying dogs or a failure of dog owners to respect private farmland.
Almost half of respondents said they didn’t pursue compensation, feeling helpless when cases were reported to the police. Despite this, the NSA urges farmers to report all cases to raise awareness of the issue.
Ihave become increasingly interested in why people do – or don’t do – certain things, writes Nerys Wright. Why, for example, do some people embrace change while others struggle?
I recently read a book called ‘Switch – How to Change Things When Change is Hard.’ it was a fascinating read. It is not a farming book – but it made me reflect on the ways I communicate during meetings and with farmers
I wrote down some key messages from the book that really hit home:
• In the absence of a dire threat, people will keep doing what they’ve always done.
• Incentives to change behaviour don’t work.
• Knowledge isn’t enough to motivate change. Motivation
comes from confidence.
• We need to believe we can change and understand why it is necessary.
• What looks like resistance is often a lack of clarity.
A good example is parasite control. Despite shifting recommendations over the last 20 years, many farmers struggle to adopt more sustainable practices. Why? Probably because there isn’t so much information on implementing change.
We also re moving away from the straightforward message of ‘worm your lambs every three weeks’ to more complex and variable approaches, making it clear why change is challenging.
A good example is faecal egg counting (FECs). When I started my career 20 years ago, FECs were just becoming a useful farm management tool. But many people still don’t do it – choosing to use other methods instead.
Yet FECs can be beneficial.
parasite control programmes?
If you search for ‘benefits of egg counting,’ you will find plenty of data supporting its effectiveness. However, many start doing counts and then stop, while some have never started at all.
If you’re thinking, “I need to look at my parasite control programme, FECs might be a good place to start” please get in touch with your sheep vet, SQP, or advisor. They’d be happy to help.
Nerys Wright is an independent sheep consultant. For more details, call 07891 187643 or visit sheepconsultancy.co.uk.
Growers trying multi-species leys for the first time this spring are advised to use the most appropriate establishment method.
Agronomists report a significant uptake in multi-species leys driven by the Sustainable Farming Incentive. But inexperienced growers could struggle – and see establishment backfire, says Jim Juby, of Horizon Seeds.
"Establishing herbal and multi-species leys is fundamentally different from grassland reseeding and it is important that people appreciate this if they want to get the best out of them,” says Mr Juby.
"Herbal and multi-species leys are far less likely to respond well to a low soil temperature. A soil temperature of 6oC recorded five days consecutively, which is usually achieved in mid to late April, is more than adequate for grass to grow away quickly.
"This is, however, too cold for these more vulnerable and slower growing forage species with the herb and legumes in the ley requiring a warmer soil to establish well.
"The legumes contained in multispecies leys mixes are particularly susceptible and these are a key element of the crops as they provide the protein content that makes them so beneficial to cows and livestock.
"If these do not grow away quickly when sown, they will simply be overwhelmed by grasses and potentially weeds, and their contribution will be negligible.
"It is far better to wait until May when soil temperatures have been 8-10oC for five consecutive days than go earlier for the sake of it."
Heavier soils that hold onto water are likely to be the most problematic, he points out. "You might be able to go earlier in lighter soils that are more free draining, but the recommendations regarding soil temperature remain.
Sowing in late spring and into summer is far preferable than autumn drilling. "It takes multi-species leys six weeks to establish themselves and to grow away, so you are unlikely to get the right conditions if you drill after 1 September.
"Soil moisture can be a problem as the summer develops, but there is far less risk of this being an issue than there is of too cold a temperature and day length post Autumn.
"The last thing you want is weak, open leys that can simply not get going and quickly succumb to weed pressure and more vigorously growing plants in the mix."
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"A good herbal ley will, however, be capable of surviving and succeeding in both drought and waterlogged conditions where pure grass leys may suffer.”
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• Farmer-led funding now available
• Support for projects big and small
• Goal to support farm productivity
Grants are now available for farmers who want to improve their productivity and increase their business resilience.
The ADOPT £20.6m fund supports the introduction of innovative technologies aimed at improving productivity, resilience, and sustainability. It includes options for farmers to test innovative solutions on their farms.
Variable rate irrigation systems and health monitors for livestock are just two of the innovations that could be funded new government grants.
Defra says it wants to support a wide range of projects and products which will help more farmers. As well as the ADOPT fund, it is also launching two further competitions under the Farming Innovation Programme (FIP).
From 5 May, FIP will make available £12.5m to support collaborative research into ways to reduce on-farm emissions, helping farms to become more sustainable and climate-resilient.
A further £12.5m competition will fund R&D using precision-bred crops to improve yield, reduce chemical inputs and enhance disease resistance. This builds on the new opportunities to develop precision-bred gene-edited cr0ps.
FIP is Defra’s flagship innovation programme. Delivered by Innovate UK, it forms part of the government’s wider commitment to food production and security, farm productivity and nature.
Known in full as the Accelerating Development of Practices and Technologies Fund, ADOPT provides collaborative farmer-led, innovation grants to farmers and farm businesses testing new technology and practices on their farm.
The farmer-led fund opened on 28 April, following government guidance published earlier last month. Two types of grants are available – a larger full grant and a smaller facilitator support grant.
Full ADOPT grants are available for on-farm trials and demonstration projects to improve adoption of new ideas or solutions in the agricultural sector. These projects must have total costs of between £50,000 and £100,000.
Smaller ADOPT facilitator support grants will pay £2,500 for a farmer, grower or forester based to engage the services of an external project facilitator to support with submissions for a full grant.
Defra farm minister Daniel Zeichner said the funding would help to strengthen the country’s food security, increase farmers’ profits and protect nature as part of the government’s “plan for change”.
“I’m delighted to see money get-
ting out the door to British farmers,” said Mr Zeichner. “This £45m will support them with technology to boost food production, profits and the rural economy.”
The British On-Farm Innovation Network (BOFIN) is one of the ADOPT programme’s approved project facilitators. It is ready to encourage farmers to explore the opportunities following the opening of the fund to applications.
"The long-awaited ADOPT Fund puts farmers in the driving seat of innovation, enabling them to harness the new technologies or innovations they believe could bring productivity gains," said BOFIN’s Tom AllenStevens.
"We want to make sure all farmers are aware of the opportunities this fund creates, which is why we are hosting this webinar. I encourage anyone interested to register to learn more and start developing their ideas.”
Mr Allen-Stevens said BOFIN’s role as facilitators would primarily be to help farmers apply for grants. Then, for those that are successful, it would ensure farmers could focus on what matters.
“This will include running trials that boost productivity and sustainability for their own businesses and the wider industry – while we handle the paperwork, partnerships and project management."
For more information, please visit www.bofin.org.uk/adopt
Together, ADOPT and the two FIP funds are worth a combined total of £45.6m. They will support multiple projects across the research and development (R&D) lifecycle, from early-stage concepts to on-farm trials.
Farmers need more support to harness the benefits offered by agri-technology and innovation, says a report.
While six in ten farmers plan to adopt technological innovations, they are not being provided with the support needed, despite its potential to improve productivity and bottom lines, says the study by Barclays bank.
The report highlights key barriers slowing the adoption of such transformative technologies. Financial challenges coupled with perceived lack of government support are among the primary obstacles.
Almost half (45%) of farmers surveyed cited an unclear return on investment and extensive upfront costs (41%) as key financial barriers, followed by a lack of knowledge on how best to use the technologies (24%).
Agritech is worth an estimated £13bn to the UK economy. Against a challenging political backdrop, farmers felt there was more that the government could do which would help them adopt new technology.This included clarity around long-term government policies (71%), more support and guidance on sustainable farming practices (48%) and overall support for and promotion of UK farming (48%).
The report draws on insights and interviews with farmers and agritech companies. It highlights the risk the UK could face in falling behind other countries if it can’t get the supporting supply chain and ecosystem aligned.
One company executive said: “What I’m seeing in continental Europe is a real joined up ap-
proach from farmer to manufacturer, universities are involved. I don’t see that in the UK – in fact, I’ve seen the reverse.”
‘Critical industry’
Barclays is calling on the government to address the barriers faced by farmers – and spearhead the development and adoption of what it describes as the UK’s critical gri-tech industry.
The bank wants the government to develop and communicate a clear national strategy for the agricultural transition to a more sustainable farming sector, clearly setting out the role agritech can play.
It says the government should provide broad financial support for both agritech development and adoption, including guarantees and deploying targeted support via the National Wealth Fund and British Business Bank.
Barclays also wants the now-combined UK Agritech Centre to bring together stakeholders from across the sector to enable better collaboration – as well as developing a dedicated agritech skills programme.
Barclays managing director for business banking Abdul Qureshi said: “Agritech will transform the UK’s farming landscape. From drones and artificial intelligence to robotics, Agritech is supercharging an industry that feeds us all.
Mr Qureshi added: “We recognise it will take a collective effort to create the right enabling environment but, if we get this right, Agritech can help our farmers play a meaningful role in both protecting and driving forward one of Britain’s most vital sectors.”
Experts in agri-robotics at Lincoln University have won a major award for reducing food waste.
The Lincoln Agri-Robotics team were announced as winners of the Best Research Project (Impact) at the UKRI Trustworthy Autonomous Systems Hub 2025 AI & Robotics Research Awards, held at The Royal Society in London last night (12 March 2025).
The research and innovation of Lincoln Agri-Robotics has already led to major steps forward in agriculture such as the reduction of food waste, the easing of labour shortages and the shaping of national policy relating to the use of automation in agri-food.
Elizabeth Sklar, director of the Lincoln Institute for Agrifood Technology said: “At Lincoln Agri-Robotics we focus on interdisciplinary research at the intersection of agri-food and technology.
“It is especially meaningful for us to be recognised by the AI & robotics community, which has traditionally focused on application areas such as medical robotics and autonomous vehicles.
“This award highlights rising attention on agri-food as a critical challenge for society and the many opportunities where intelligent technologies can help address key issues.”
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Innovative ways to overcome extreme weather will be shared this month at an event in Norfolk.
Organised by Agri-TechE, the Farming in a Warming, Wetter World conference takes place on 14 May at Norwich Research Park. It will include expert advice to support climate change adaptation and mitigation.
Increasingly frequent and unpredictable weather events during recent seasons have prompted more farmers to explore ways to future-proof their businesses against climate change.
‘Big
North Norfolk farmer Alistair Cargill grows crops ranging from potatoes to cereals. He integrates cover crops, livestock and minimum tillage throughout the rotation as much as possible.
“Climate change is real – we are in big trouble when it comes to food production worldwide and people need to understand the real dangers that are going to be forced upon us. But as land managers we can do something about that.”
Mr Cargill, who will be chairing part of the event, says his one of his biggest concerns is access to climateresistant varieties. “We are growing varieties that have been around for decades, and I have major concerns about that,” he says.
“All the varieties we grow from wheat, potatoes, peas and oilseed rape are only being grown for yield and disease resistance. There is nothing being pushed for drought or flood tolerance, or these emerging disease pathogens.”
Milder and wetter seasons are creating significant challenges to crop management, with new diseases coming to light – and some older diseases re-emerging. These will be discussed during a session chaired by Diane Saunders.
Prof Saunders is a leading plant scientist at the John Innes Centre’s session. “Climate is becoming increasingly unpredictable, with extreme weather prevents having a direct impact on shifting pathogen distribution,” she says.
lied on as controls are long forgotten.”
Going forward, Prof Saunders believes there will be a significant shift in pathogen behaviour, with more extreme weather events moving inoculum into areas where it had not previously been seen.
Untapped resources
She says: “This is a real challenge, particularly with a push from the EU to
Farming in a Warming, Wetter World
reduce fungicide use by 50% by 2030, which is also reflected in the UK. However, genetics can help fill this gap and provide us with new opportunities for disease control.”
In her session, Prof Saunders will discuss which diseases are of particular focus for researchers and how previously untapped resources that are now available in genetics can provide greater resilience in our crops.
“The recent step change in wheat research presents many new and exciting opportunities to enhance breeding approaches and utilise ever-expanding genomic resources,” she explains. Modern breeding has narrowed the genetic background of everything we grow, so we’re missing a lot of the original diversity that was once present, adds Prof Saunders.
“This untapped diversity presents us with great opportunities to develop more resilient varieties.”
Crop varieties will have to adapt to warmer and wetter summers
“This changing pathogen landscape makes it increasingly difficult to manage disease. It is particularly challenging where old diseases re-emerge, and the agricultural practices we once re-
Centrum, Norwich Research Park NR4 7UG 14 May 2025
Cost: £65 (excl. VAT)
Agenda
1pm Arrival, coffee and networking
1.30pm Welcome from Agri-TechE
1.35pm Opportunities and challenges for agriculture in a warming, wetter world
1.50pm Genetic solutions for climate change resilience
2.05pm The agronomist perspective: Is earlier autumn drilling the answer, and what does a changing climate mean for arable cropping?
2.20pm Predicting the Unpredictable. The Science of Weather Forecasting – What can you trust?
2.35pm Climate risk management – how can we build resilience in the agricultural industry?
2.50pm Networking and refreshments
3.20pm Research Digest – a farmer-chaired “fireside chat” with researchers
4.30pm Event Close
more details about – and to secure your ticket, visit the Agri-TechE website at www.bit.ly/warmer2025
Scientists have developed an accurate method for using satellite imagery to test nitrogen concentrations in wheat.
Hyperspectral satellite crop analysis has successfully used to test nitrogen concentrations in thousands of wheat samples in the field. The samples were measured by agri-tech start-up Messium and verified by Eurofins Agro Testing.
It is the first time the nitrogen concentration of wheat has been measured in this way, and, to prove our concept, we partnered with Eurofins to validate our solution on a global scale,” said Messium’s Spencer Terry.
Results from the hyperspectral satellite analysis were compared
to conventional near infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) laboratory tests. There was “demonstrated parity” between the methods, said Mr Terry.
“Test results are confirming our expectations, helping validate our technology and refining our machine learning model. We are confident that we’re on track to reach a 90% accuracy level compared to lab tests, accelerating our commercial readiness,”
Measurements from the tissue samples have been integrated into Messium's database, allowing its machine learning model to validate satellite insights against the high-fidelity tissue sample measurements.
“With every comparison our system learns more about how the nitrogen concentration and bio-
mass of a sample relate to the sat ellite imagery, which is helping it to learn, explained Mr Terry.
“Test results from Eurofins are key for the final step in our re search and development process, which is validation at scale, fol lowing this we will no longer need to benchmark our results with those of a laboratory.”
Using the nitrogen concen tration and biomass figures the images can be used to ascertain the health of a wheat crop – and to calculate how much nitrogen has been used, and may be need ed, to optimise the crop.
“Our technology provides a precise way to measure crop nitrogen levels and requirements to help farmers apply the right
The technology measures crop nitrogen levels accurately, say researchers
amount, in the right places, at the right time,” said Mr Terry. Eurofins’ Shane Brewer has been managing the project and processing the thousands of
tests. Tests could be run on any crop using a Dumas nitrogen analyser to test the nitrogen concentration of the sample, he said.
“These results represent a
Agrovista has announced the promotion of Grae me Barrett to National Precision Services and Rural Consultancy Manager.
Graeme managed Agrovista’s Precision services and spear headed the creation and intro duction of Insight, Agrovista’s digital platform for agronomy data, precision mapping tools and farm data management so lutions.
very positive outcome for this new technology and validate its accuracy as an alternative way to measure crops in the future,” he says.
Insight also houses the com pany’s new software for soil and nutrient management plans that account for a large share of Agrovista’s Rural Consultancy business, so Graeme’s move to manage both divisions is seen as a natural fit.
Day-to-day operations of the Precision department will be managed by Rich Dulake, who has been promoted to Precision
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Changes could help more farmers recognise the benefits of slurrybased anaerobic digestion systems, a conference was told.
Fundamental changes in policy, planning and funding are urgently required to encourage wider adoption of the technology, said the event, which looked at the future for on-farm anaerobic digestion and methane capture.
Hosted by Askham Bryan College, York, the event brought together around 100 farmers, policy-makers, funders and industry to discuss the opportunities for smaller-scale energy generation using on-farm slurry.
It highlighted success stories of farms that are currently using the technology, including Askham Bryan’s own college farm.
tilisers, as well as renewable energy.
In contrast to larger AD plants, small-scale on-farm anaerobic digestion (SOFAD) plants are solely fed by slurry from the animals on a farm, with no additional feedstocks.
An estimated 90 million tonnes of livestock manure is annually available in the UK, but only 3% is currently processed by AD – falling far behind other European countries.
Although UK funders are willing to back smaller-scale anaerobic digestors, the lack of support and awareness at government level is stalling progress and imposing paperwork that is not scale appropriate.
NFCC principal consultant Lucy Hopwood said: “We have heard this week how SOFAD addresses so many areas such as methane capture, clean air and displacement of fossil-fuel fer-
“But there was frustration in the room about the multiple issues faced when trying to scale this technology. Legal, scoping and development costs are often inordinate in relation to the risks.”
up for farmers without financial support, they will hold off if they are unsure whether this investment aligns with the policy priorities which may dictate what support is available in the future, so we need clarity to enable them to move forward.
Funders, planners and insurers follow criteria that is designed for much larger scale facilities, said Ms Hopwood. Small AD plants were being built in less than a week, but one taking 18 months to get through planning, even when no objections.
“From a funding perspective, AD technology has not been included in any of the recent Defra productivity or slurry grants and we are also unclear as to what the future policy priorities are.
While the systems can stack
Better information needed for decision-makers
Lack of clear and information is holding back farmers from investing in anaerobic digestion, conference delegates heard.
This was holding back early stage research and decision making, both for farmers and the wider community. The NNFCC is working with the industry and local and national Government, hoping to address this issue.
Gary Hague (pictured right), from Biolectric, which helped coordinate the conference, said: “All the farmers at the summit who have installed smallscale AD plants declared that the technology is a
‘no-brainer’ for their business and they would do it again.
"We need to give confidence to the wider farming community to adopt this technology and, in turn, create a more circular farming system that builds on-farm resilience and supports the net zero agenda.
"It was fantastic to hear from North Yorkshire Combined Authority, who supported the Askham Bryan College AD plant, about their ambitions in this area and we hope other local authorities will follow their lead.”
Wider recognition of the benefits and acknowledgement of their value, with tax breaks and carbon credits for this technology would also make investment more attractive, as would a planning and permit system that fully recognises the differences between small-scale and large-scale AD.
“It seems to be a topic that falls through the gaps between different government teams although we are hopeful that the new Circular Economy Taskforce, who were in at-
tendance this week, might change this.”
Support for anaerobic digestion could help ensure energy security – and meet the UK’s net zero ambitions, says an industry body.
The Anaerobic Digestion and Bioresources Association (ADBA) says it has written to Chancellor Rachel Reeves – urging her to support the sector and its potential to produce clean, sustainable and secure energy.
The letter from ADBA chairman and former secretary of state Chris Huhne and ADBA chief executive Charlotte Morton OBE, supported by nearly 100 ADBA members and industry representatives.
£1bn investment
It suggests more than £1 billion of inwards infrastructure investment may be available if the government makes positive policy decisions that help the biogas sector.
Anaerobic Digestion currently produces more than 13TWh of biogas used to produce renewable electricity and over 7TWh of renewable gas. This is expected to reach a combined total of at least 30TWh by 2030.
Achieving those expectations will significantly contribute to the UK’s clean power objectives – and boost the rural economy.
Energy from anaerobic digestion – using feedstocks such as slurry, food waste and energy crops – is often generated in rural areas, supporting small businesses, farms,
and communities across the country.
Additionally, it plays a crucial role in decarbonising wastewater treatment, food recycling, and the UK’s world-renowned food and drink manufacturing sector, says the letter.
“The sector is poised for rapid growth but requires positive action from your government to realise this potential,” it adds. “At least £1bn of investment is waiting to be unlocked.”
Global investors as well as British businesses are poised to invest in the sector if the government makes the right decisions and the Treasury provides further support to the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero”, says the letter.
If that happens, “the AD sector will experience significant growth, attracting billions of pounds of investment in the coming years. This will ultimately help you achieve your key growth mission.
“The sector is alive, ready, and capable of playing its part in delivering net zero while generating homegrown, cheaper, greener, and more secure energy for the future. However, it requires action from you and your government to reach its full potential.”
• Goal to make farming more viable
• Six months to find Defra answers
• No ‘silver bullet’ to boost incomes
Former NFU president Minette Batters has pledged to leave no stone unturned after being appointed to lead a Defra review of farm profitability.
Announced last month, the sixmonth review will see Baroness Batters provide recommendations on farm profitability to Defra secretary Steve Reed and farm minister Daniel Zeichner.
Listening to farmers and growers will be at the heart of the former farm leader’s work, says Defra. It will cover all land areas and sectors of the industry, as well as engaging with other government departments whose work impacts farmers.
Baroness Batters has been asked to provide short, medium and long term recommendations – and propose actions for the government and industry to support farming profitability as part of this government’s New Deal for Farmers.
Rural economy
She said: “I will leave no stone unturned in trying to find solutions to boost farm profitability. But we should
We should be under no illusions “
be under no illusions how difficult this work will be.
“There will not be one ‘silver bullet’ to fire but I’m hopeful this review can make a difference to a sector that pro duces the nation’s food, underpins the rural economy and delivers so much for the environment.”
This work will be supported by the newly formed Profitability Unit with in Defra. The aim is to help ensure the farming sector is more viable, self-sus taining and competitive in the longterm.
Baroness Batters said: “I’m pleased to be appointed to lead this review and look forward to working with farmers and growers to provide recommenda tions to government, food retailers, processors and manufacturers.”
The review will also help the develop ment of the food strategy, farming roadmap and the Land Use Frame work, and build on other work such as the review of Defra’s regulatory landscape led by Dan Corry.
Mr Reed has made improving farm profitability a key goal during his time as Defra secretary. He said: “Back ing British farmers is the backbone of all work to support rural econom ic growth and boost Britain’s food se curity.
The Farming Profitability Review will examine:
• how farmers can reduce barriers to profitability, increase profit and manage their own risk to improve financial resilience, such as through embracing innovation, improving productivity, increasing market access and using risk management tools
• how the supply chain can support farm profitability such as through greater transparency, cooperation and ensuring a fairer distribution of risks, rewards and responsibilities
• whether there are other ancillary activities that farmers can undertake to support profitability and wider economic growth
“We have taken strong action to protect the future of the sector with the New Deal for Farmers. But we must go further and faster as part of our Plan for Change to put money into the pockets of farmers and drive growth.”
Mr Reed said Baroness Batters’ experience as a farm leader made her uniquely placed to provide recommendations on tackling the deep-rooted problems holding the sector back and support farmers’ long-term profits.
The appointment is one of a number of actions the government says it is taking to improve the profitability of farmers, including through fair com-
petition both up and down the supply chain.
It is also easing planning reforms to make it quicker for farmers to build the buildings they need on their farms, helping farmer diversify income streams and make additional money from renewable energy by accelerating connections to the grid.
Defra says it is focused on supporting farmers, rural economic growth and boosting Britain’s food security. It is developing a 25-year farming roadmap to make the sector more profitable in the decades to come.
Farming families still have time to act before new tax rules kick Toby Tallon.
October 2024 will each have a £1m allowance, but after this date the allowance is shared between trusts created by the same settlor.
you should consider putting assets into new trusts, adding more to existing trusts or taking out of trusts.
Following publication of a consultation document in February, we now have a clearer picture of how the rules are intended to work.
4 Can you make lifetime gifts of qualifying assets?
The UK has a very generous gifting regime – although there has been talk recently of this potentially becoming tougher. Those in a position to make gifts of qualifying assets during their lifetime can take advantage of the sevenyear rule.
Under this rule, your gift is free from inheritance tax if you survive for seven years after making it. Bear in mind, if you think you’ve left it too late, that inheritance tax does start to taper after three years.
and BPR (agricultural and business property relief) at the autumn Budget last year, it threw farms and family businesses into turmoil.
APR and BPR play a vital role in helping families pass farms and businesses from generation to generation, preventing their break-up to pay inheritance tax bills and helping ensure continuity.
Currently, 100% inheritance tax relief is available on qualifying agricultural and business property, allowing it to pass on without families having to pay inheritance tax. From 6 April 2026, the rules are changing.
The new rules means the first £1m can be passed free of inheritance tax. But any excess will receive only 50% inheritance tax relief, resulting in an effective inheritance tax charge of 20% (or a 3% charge every 10 years for discretionary trusts).
The £1 million allowance also includes lifetime gifts where there is a death within seven years – including gifts made on or after 30 October 2024 where there is a death on or after 6 April 2026 –and it cannot be transferred between spouses on first death.
Trusts established before 30
With NFU estimates suggesting that 75% of commercial farms are above the £1 million threshold, changes to APR and BPR clearly have profound and far-reaching consequences for many.
Under the new rules, families must now radically rethink their approach – or potentially face damaging consequences. But don’t panic. Yes, this is a huge tax change but there is still time to take action.
The following five steps will help you achieve this.
1 Consider the ‘do nothing’ option
If you take no action before 5 April 2026, what would the impact be? You can model this and see. Maybe you can afford it, maybe it won’t derail your plans. Firsts, you’ll need to consider how you’ll fund the tax bill.
This could, for example, be from dividends, partnership profits, the sale of capital assets or from insurance you have in place. You don’t need to pay in one go; in many cases it can be over 10 annual instalments with no interest. Trusts are a fantastic vehicle for governance and protection so make sure to review whether
2 Review or consider trusts
The consultation document suggests that gifts into trust made before 30 October 2024 still benefit from the current rules and so qualify for uncapped 100% relief even if the donor dies within 7 years after 5 April 2026.
For trusts created after 30 October 2024 but before 6 April 2026, 100% relief is potentially available on BPR/APR qualifying assets, but only provided the donor survives the gift by 7 years.
Trusts set up before 30 October 2024 will move to the new rules on the first 10-year anniversary after April 2026. This means distributions before then will still get full relief and there may be more time for assets to be distributed without eating into the £1m allowance.
Potentially the £1m allowance could be used every seven years to set up / add to existing trusts. Although care should be taken not to fall foul of “anti-fragmentation” rules.
3 Married? Make sure to use both allowances
As a married couple, you both get a £1 million allowance, giving a combined £2 million allowance across APR and BPR. This allowance isn’t transferable so if you don’t use it, you will lose it.
Take care because most wills leave everything to a spouse on first death, which means one of you will forego your allowance. When the second spouse dies, more of the estate is likely to be above the £1m limit, leading to a bigger tax bill.”
There are several other allowances for making smaller inheritance-tax free gifts and if you have excess income after covering your normal expenses, you can make regular gifts from this without incurring inheritance tax.
Where Capital Gains Tax would be triggered by a gift, you may be able to “hold over” the gain if the asset qualifies as a business asset, or if the gift is made into trust. Care should be taken here as there is a lot of detail in these rules.
5 Beware ‘gifts with reservation of benefits’ rules
This is a technical term for some anti-avoidance legislation. It broadly means if you give something away but continue to benefit from it, the gift won’t leave your estate and won’t reduce your inheritance tax bill.
A general example could be a valuable painting – you can’t give it to your children but keep it hanging on your wall so you can continue enjoying it.
In the context of a farm, care is required where you are considering a gift of part of a farm partnership – you’ll need to get the profit sharing ratios right to avoid these rules biting.
Toby Tallon is a tax partner at professional services group S&W.
Disclaimer: This material has been prepared for informational purposes only and is not intended to provide advice. You should consult your own tax, legal and accounting advisors before engaging in any transaction.
Politicians seem to think the countryside is for anything but food production, says Clodhopper
The Labour government’s attack on farmers is often assumed to be a class war being waged against wicked wealthy landowners – and I think I know why.
This belief persists despite the fact most working farmers rack up long hours producing food for the country and many of us make a loss doing so.
Yet at the same time the government still seems to want to stop us doing our job.
Rapid change
It seems the government would prefer farms are used to produce fuel or energy than food. Plans to make the UK fossil-fuel free by 2035 mean the British countryside is changing rapidly – with a rush to cover it in solar panels.
The countryside has become a battlefield “
It is a message time and time again repeated by this government to make us a clean energy superpower. In other words, farming as we know it today is dirty – which is why the chancellor is pushing ahead with a carbon tax on products such as fertiliser from 2027. I have nothing against solar panels – but in the right places and at the right scale. The solar farms being constructed now are bigger and bigger.
These solar monstrosities are covering the landscape and mean we are producing less food. Yet the population is growing and people will not eat less food anyway.
So it just means more food will have to be imported from countries that have lower food standards – undercutting hard-working growers and livestock producers here.
Guaranteed income
With such unfair competition, it’s no wonder that some landowners are taking the easier route and turning their land over to renewable energy – de-risking their businesses and taking a guaranteed area-based payment for years to come.
losing a farm was not like losing a business because it cannot come back. But solar farms are not temporary structures.
It is estimated to take 2000 acres of solar panels to produce enough power for 50,000 homes. That’s a far bigger area than one nuclear power station – a controversial form of power which is not being pushed by the government because it does not have “renewable” label.
Locally, the countryside has become a battlefield with local councils listening to local people and turning down largescale solar farms – only to lose out on appeal or because the government overturns the local council’s decision.
When Keir Starmer addressed the NFU conference back in 2023, he told delegates he understood farming – and emphasised that
Historically, landowners have been unwilling or reluctant to grant a lease for renewable development simply because the land is deemed to have been potentially transferred out of an agricultural holding and therefore losing out on any inheritance tax reliefs.
But with changes now to inheritance tax, farmers are looking at these alternative forms of income to secure loss of income. Labour would of course support this move – especially as they seem to want lots more houses built outside agreed building lines.
It may appear on the surface that the alternative use of land would be welcome for all farmers. But with an ever-increasing population to feed, it will have to be produced on less land leaving us more reliant again on food imports.
Farms are not necessarily things of beauty but the idea of turning large areas over to ugly grey structures does not fit in with local people’s ideas of the countryside.
It is certainly Labour’s idea. I wonder why we taken in by pre-election promises to protect farms and food security?
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