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As spring barley drilling gets underway in some areas, Limagrain UK’s arable technical manager, Ron Granger, outlines six ways to get the most from the crop this season.

To date I’ve not found any larval damage – there is still plenty of time for it to show its head, but I believe we are keeping on top of it.

The fava bean could make a comeback in farmer’s fields and shopping baskets, as Tesco and its suppliers trial the use of the crop across a host of different product ranges and ingredients.

Oilseed rape crops have been set back in some areas with leaf loss and bleaching induced by heavy frosts, combined with both cabbage stem flea beetle and rape stem weevil larvae damage.

Farmers who want to adopt more sustainable and environmentally friendly farming methods could face lower short-term margins, but the long-term benefits could outweigh the losses, according to the results of a trial in Scotland.

A new cover crops guide for farmers in northern England will bring together farmer-led, independent information about species selection, establishment and termination.

A farmer-led research project exploring new ways to manage slug damage is seeking ‘Slug Scouts’ who will trap and send in slugs for feeding studies.

Growers who consistently get the best oilseed rape yields are those who ‘get the basics right.’

With spring fast approaching, wheat growers are being urged to assess disease risk and protect crops early to avoid compromising yield potential or stoking problems later in the season.

From oversupply of crop, increasing costs and a changing climate, the potato industry is facing challenging times.