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Know How / Pest management

Find out about the main pest threats and how to control them in wheat, barley, oilseed rape, sugar beet and potato crops. Get advice on dealing with pests including flea beetle, TuYV, potato cyst nematode, slugs and rats, how and when to apply insecticides and what a permanent neonicotinoid ban would mean.

Advice and tips

PEST MANAGEMENT

How to introduce SFI 2023's no insecticide option

After another delay, applications for the Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) 2023 are due to finally open in mid-September, with the new no use of insecticide action being one of the…

ARABLE

Why wheat drill dates should be delayed this autumn

Independent agronomists say early wheat drilling compounded many of the yield-limiting issues experienced this year and urge growers to consider the risks when planning planting schedules this autumn. Back in…

VARIETY SELECTION

Insecticide-free wheat set for drilling this autumn

An insecticide-free winter wheat variety will be ready for growers to drill this autumn, with the hard-milling feed wheat Grouse hoping to attract interest from those not wanting to spray…

OILSEED RAPE

Study shows growers can cut oilseed rape pest damage

Agro-ecological and genetic solutions are being examined to overcome pest problems in oilseed rape. Rothamsted Research is doing work on increasing populations of natural enemies as part of a Europe-wide…

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Case studies

WHEAT

No-insecticide wheat yields over 10t/ha for Norfolk grower

Norfolk grower Will More is planning a second season of drilling a virus-resistant wheat variety with environmental and financial benefits, while also producing a good yield at harvest 2023. Using…

OILSEED RAPE

OSR makes a comeback with new drill and companion crop

Andrew and Ruth Spratt are back growing oilseed rape after a four-year gap armed with a new drill and using companion crops on their Gloucestershire farm to ward off pest…

PEST MANAGEMENT

Norfolk estate assesses risks in move to no-insecticides

An estate near the north Norfolk coast is farming with no insecticides across nearly two-thirds of its land, and is hoping for flexibility to qualify for payments under new environmental…

DISEASE MANAGEMENT

Farmer grazes sheep on cereal crops for disease control

Cotswold mixed farmer Ed Horton grazed 2,500 sheep on nothing but cereals and oilseed rape from December to March as part of his low-input arable system. Strategic sheep grazing is…

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Community

ARABLE

Farmer Focus: Surprising slug problem after oats

With all but 25ha (62 acres) of winter beans left to drill, autumn drilling is all but complete. After lessons learnt from last year and rushing to get cereals drilled,…

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Insights

VARIETY SELECTION

Why OSR vigour and late disease score is key to 2023 yields

Oilseed rape varieties with good early vigour and resistance to late season disease have been the top performers in Agrii’s variety plots in Lincolnshire. Like many areas of the UK,…

PEST MANAGEMENT

Survey gives pointers on how to successfully grow OSR

An average 85% of oilseed rape crops are predicted to reach harvest, but some farmers, especially in East Anglia, are feeling the pain. Although the average is down on last…

OILSEED RAPE

How OSR variety choice helps crops survive flea beetle

Simply selecting the top yielding OSR varieties on the AHDB Recommended List is not always the best approach in high cabbage stem flea beetle areas, according to Agrii trials and…

PEST MANAGEMENT

How farm-based research aims to tackle slugs in wheat

Cambridgeshire grower Tom Pearson believes farmer-led trials are an integral part of the regenerative agriculture system he’s developing at Manor Farm, Caxton. They are also essential for research into areas…

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News

ARABLE

Defra ministers offer commitment on parallel imports

Defra ministers have given firm commitments they will address industry concerns over the potential loss of parallel imports and seed treatments. The NFU has received a letter from farming minister…

OILSEED RAPE

Hot weather sees increased flea beetle activity in OSR

The late summer heatwave has created ideal conditions for flea beetle, leaving fields of emerging oilseed rape vulnerable to damage by the pest. Since the weekend and the return of…

DISEASE MANAGEMENT

Growers urged to cut BYDV threat by controlling 'green bridge'

Cereal growers are being urged to reduce the risk of aphid-borne barley yellow dwarf virus (BYDV) by controlling volunteer cereals through desiccation or cultivation well before drilling their next cereal…

ARABLE

Second Colorado potato beetle sighting confirmed

A joint investigation carried out by Defra and the Animal and Plant Health Agency has identified a single adult male Colorado potato beetle found within 1km of the larvae discovered…

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Podcast

OILSEED RAPE

FW Podcast Special: Prospects for OSR growers this spring

Farmers are returning to oilseed rape, having previously abandoned the crop due to pressure from cabbage stem flea beetle following the ban on neonicotinoid seed treatments. UK growers are gradually…

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Test and reviews

MACHINERY

A guide to effective bird scaring kits for farmers

New technology for farmers with the age-old problem of scaring birds off crops are constantly hitting the market. From lasers, to acoustic systems, to inflatable scarecrows, to kites, we look…

MACHINERY

Eight of the best slug pelleters on test

We test eight of the best slug pelleters with the help of testing specialist SCS. The test KRM Stocks Techneat Spaldings Logic Bullock Verdict We tested the pelleters with the…

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Video

LIVESTOCK

Video: How to take an integrated approach to rodent control

The best way to deal with rat infestations is not to have them in the first place. Waiting until you see rats running around the farm is too late. Every…

WHEAT

Video: Wolverine wheat looks good in BYDV battle

The first wheat variety with resistance to an important aphid-spread disease is showing a yield of more than 10t/ha in Kent, with some seed available for growers this autumn. The…

PEST MANAGEMENT

Video: Clever electronic bird scarer gets worldwide interest

Farmers are flocking to buy a bird scarer which uses fire alarms and flashing lights to keep pigeons off oilseed rape crops. More than 300 orders have been placed in…

CROP MANAGEMENT

Video: How to properly set up a crop sprayer

Crop spraying is one of the most important and highly skilled jobs undertaken on any arable farm, but it is facing increased public scrutiny. This is why it is vital…

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