草榴社区

Arable News

草榴社区 Guardian powers the new digital home of Arable Farming. We have been the trusted voice for over 180 years and the home of engaging arable content.

With digital-first articles, videos, webinars, revitalised newsletters, and our ‘Crop It Like It’s Hot’ podcast – returning to a monthly slot – we can offer a diverse range of timely and topical content, ensuring you stay up to date week in, week out.

WHEREVER YOU ARE IN THE FIELD, THE ARABLE FARMING TEAM HAS GOT YOU COVERED.

Arable Farming Team Member

草榴社区
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Recent weather break enables barley drilling progress
Arable

Recent weather break enables barley drilling progress

Catchy weather had steadied spring drilling but the recent gap has enabled growers to push forward in the field

clock 15 April 2026 鈥� 2 min read
How is the Iran ceasefire shaping grain markets?
Arable

How is the Iran ceasefire shaping grain markets?

Keeping an eye on the latest trends in the grain markets

clock 09 April 2026 鈥� 4 min read
How a new peatland project is aiming to unlock a more resilient future
Arable

How a new peatland project is aiming to unlock a more resilient future

A new whole-system approach aims to decarbonise energy and food production by reimagining peatland productivity

clock 09 April 2026 鈥� 4 min read
Targeted action needed to support fertiliser support resilience
Politics

Targeted action needed to support fertiliser support resilience

The Agricultural Industries Confederation (AIC) has written to the Minister of State for Food Security and Rural Affairs, to set out key priorities for the UK fertiliser sector

clock 07 April 2026 鈥� 2 min read
Fertiliser and carbon taxes a threat to UK food security
Politics

Fertiliser and carbon taxes a threat to UK food security

Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch said she will abolish Labour's Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism if the Tories win the next General Election, adding it will place significant pressure on farming businesses which rely on fertiliser

clock 05 April 2026 鈥� 6 min read
Rising fuel and fertiliser costs 'crippling' NI farmers
Farm Business

Rising fuel and fertiliser costs 'crippling' NI farmers

草榴社区 for Action in Northern Ireland has highlighted the pressure on the sector

clock 03 April 2026 鈥� 2 min read
Technical
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Can agri tech cut fungicide costs without hitting yield?
Agronomy

Can agri tech cut fungicide costs without hitting yield?

In an attempt to answer the above question, agronomy firm Agrii has been testing various farm technologies at its host farm based in Lincolnshire

clock 17 April 2026 鈥� 3 min read
Early crop disease levels set stage for a challenging season ahead
Agronomy

Early crop disease levels set stage for a challenging season ahead

Surveys reveal widespread septoria and early yellow rust across UK wheat, signalling disease pressure and need for robust T1 strategies

clock 10 April 2026 鈥� 4 min read
Why spring decisions should start with soil biology
Agronomy

Why spring decisions should start with soil biology

Saturated soils following a wet winter pose risks to nutrients, roots and structure, making testing and understanding soil biology increasingly vital for informed spring fertiliser and field management decisions

clock 07 April 2026 鈥� 4 min read
Spring weed control: Meeting the challenges of sugar beet weed control
Arable

Spring weed control: Meeting the challenges of sugar beet weed control

With increasing weed pressures, herbicide use challenges and tougher regulations, what lies ahead for sugar beet weed control in GB? A British Beet Research Organisation weeds seminar in Peterborough took a look into the future

clock 19 March 2026 鈥� 6 min read
Horticultural focus: Increased pest pressures challenge lettuce crops
Arable

Horticultural focus: Increased pest pressures challenge lettuce crops

With significant lettuce crop losses recorded across 2025 due to the nasonovia lettuce aphid, we find out what the keys risks are for crops and what control options are available

clock 10 March 2026 鈥� 4 min read
Why new dual-purpose barley variety could be a firm choice for growers in the East
Agronomy

Why new dual-purpose barley variety could be a firm choice for growers in the East

New to the spring barley AHDB Recommended List, variety Shona could offer dual-purpose potential for growers in the East

clock 05 February 2026 鈥� 3 min read
Arable Features
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Why there seems to be plenty of positives for oilseed rape this year
Arable

Why there seems to be plenty of positives for oilseed rape this year

Improved autumn conditions, lower pest pressure and advances in agronomy and breeding are helping rebuild confidence in oilseed rape, with growers cautiously returning to the crop after challenging seasons.

clock 15 April 2026 鈥� 5 min read
Sharing land and machinery to build resilience for the future
Arable

Sharing land and machinery to build resilience for the future

Neighbouring Somerset farmers Jeremy Padfield and Rob Addicott have taken a collaborative approach to their businesses

clock 04 April 2026 鈥� 7 min read
Fungicide spray timings key this season as cereal disease pressure builds
Arable

Fungicide spray timings key this season as cereal disease pressure builds

As some crops reach the T0 growth stage, we gather some tips from experts on what disease pressures are in the fields, what chemistry is available and when is the right time to spray

clock 28 March 2026 鈥� 6 min read
Pesticide resistance in farming: Why crop protection strategies are shifting
Arable

Pesticide resistance in farming: Why crop protection strategies are shifting

With the pipeline of new chemistry slowing, protecting existing products is critical, as experts warn that resistance is on the rise and urge growers to strengthen IPM strategies

clock 21 March 2026 鈥� 13 min read
Living with water highs and lows: How farmers are learning to harvest floodwater
Arable

Living with water highs and lows: How farmers are learning to harvest floodwater

Two projects in Shropshire are helping farmers and growers meet challenges around water management

clock 14 March 2026 鈥� 6 min read
Horticultural focus: Thriving inside Yorkshire's rhubarb triangle
Arable

Horticultural focus: Thriving inside Yorkshire's rhubarb triangle

Last weekend, Wakefield welcomed a surge of visitors for its annual Rhubarb Festival. With the crop still thriving in the famed Rhubarb Triangle, we explore how this iconic Yorkshire staple is grown

clock 09 March 2026 鈥� 3 min read
Machinery
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Trial results show beet establishment benefits with strip-tillage
Machinery

Trial results show beet establishment benefits with strip-tillage

Could strip till be the next step forward for sugar beet? Jane Carley looks at a recent trial

clock 10 April 2026 鈥� 4 min read
UK tractor registrations show significant uplift for the first quarter of 2026
Machinery

UK tractor registrations show significant uplift for the first quarter of 2026

Recent figures from the AEA reflect a near 50% increase in new tractor registrations for March 2026 compared to 2025

clock 08 April 2026 鈥� 2 min read
Pottinger updates Plano shallow cultivator with new tillage options
Machinery

Pottinger updates Plano shallow cultivator with new tillage options

New tine systems, heavy-duty harrow and wheel mark loosening tines expand the claimed versatility of the Plano shallow cultivator for mechanical weed control and seedbed preparation

clock 11 March 2026 鈥� 1 min read
Farm-based fertiliser manufacture enables crop-specific nutrient applications
Machinery

Farm-based fertiliser manufacture enables crop-specific nutrient applications

Bespoke fertiliser and nutrient blends based on specific field requirements are the outcome promised by a new farm-based production system

clock 10 March 2026 鈥� 4 min read
Global downturn hits machinery giants as Deere, CNH and Agco post sharp 2025 declines
Machinery

Global downturn hits machinery giants as Deere, CNH and Agco post sharp 2025 declines

Following the published financial results of John Deere, CNH and Agco for 2025, the influence of global trade challenges and low commodity prices has had a significant impact.

clock 27 February 2026 鈥� 3 min read
John Deere expands 8R and 8RX range with new models and up to 634hp
Machinery

John Deere expands 8R and 8RX range with new models and up to 634hp

John Deere has added three new models to its 8R and 8RX range with the flagship machine now the world鈥檚 largest non-articulated tractor

clock 25 February 2026 鈥� 2 min read
Horticulture
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How new developments are changing the asparagus season
Arable

How new developments are changing the asparagus season

Traditionally the English asparagus season starts on St George' Day, April 23, but it is no longer is the English version is no longer the only home-produced product, as Scotland has entered the market

clock 02 April 2026 鈥� 3 min read
Berry growers facing 'perfect storm' from Iran war and wage inflation
Arable

Berry growers facing 'perfect storm' from Iran war and wage inflation

Peak season is approaching for the berry industry with the war in the Middle East having a ripple effect on domestic producers

clock 19 March 2026 鈥� 1 min read
Horticultural focus: Increased pest pressures challenge lettuce crops
Arable

Horticultural focus: Increased pest pressures challenge lettuce crops

With significant lettuce crop losses recorded across 2025 due to the nasonovia lettuce aphid, we find out what the keys risks are for crops and what control options are available

clock 10 March 2026 鈥� 4 min read
UK-grown poinsettia flowers make 拢1m+ presence on the Christmas market
Arable

UK-grown poinsettia flowers make 拢1m+ presence on the Christmas market

There has always been a festive market for the obvious products including turkeys and Christmas trees, but the surprise commercial bestseller in the UK鈥檚 supermarkets at Christmas time is the poinsettia

clock 24 December 2025 鈥� 3 min read
Climate change: Could rice become a viable crop for UK farmers?
Arable

Climate change: Could rice become a viable crop for UK farmers?

A farm in the Fens has produced a crop of rice, but with rising temperatures, could it become the new normal?

clock 20 December 2025 鈥� 6 min read
NFU Council: Lobbying for separate horticulture funding will continue
Farm Business

NFU Council: Lobbying for separate horticulture funding will continue

NFU horticulture and potatoes board chair Martin Emmett said he wanted to see a dedicated scheme for horticulture that did not 鈥榗ross paths' with other initiatives or sectors

clock 23 April 2025 鈥� 2 min read
Podcasts
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The 草榴社区 Guardian podcast special: Bake Off Star and Farm Fest ambassador Mike Greenwood-Wilkins - "The farm is a proper family set up"
Podcasts

The 草榴社区 Guardian podcast special: Bake Off Star and Farm Fest ambassador Mike Greenwood-Wilkins - "The farm is a proper family set up"

Showcasing British farming on TV's most popular baking show, the Great British Bake Off, arable farmer Mike Greenwood-Wilkins speaks to digital editor Emily Ashworth about educating the public, the lack of Government support and the solidarity of his family unit

clock 10 April 2026 鈥� 1 min read
Ploughing through Politics with Victoria Atkins: IHT, Brexit and the Future of Farming | For Flock's Sake Ep.1
Podcasts

Ploughing through Politics with Victoria Atkins: IHT, Brexit and the Future of Farming | For Flock's Sake Ep.1

On the premiere episode of For Flock's Sake 鈥� 草榴社区 Guardian's dedicated young farmer podcast 鈥� Ellie Layton and Tom Ryder are joined by Conservative MP and Shadow Defra Secretary Victoria Atkins

clock 07 April 2026 鈥� 2 min read
Crop It Like It's Hot: From Field to Food Charity, how surplus crops find a second harvest
Podcasts

Crop It Like It's Hot: From Field to Food Charity, how surplus crops find a second harvest

We travelled to Merseyside to find out how surplus food is being redistributed across the country and how farmers can get involved

clock 31 March 2026 鈥� 1 min read
The 草榴社区 Guardian podcast: How is the Middle-East crisis impacting agriculture?
Politics

The 草榴社区 Guardian podcast: How is the Middle-East crisis impacting agriculture?

The 草榴社区 Guardian news team discuss the implications of the war in Iran

clock 31 March 2026 鈥� 1 min read
The 草榴社区 Guardian podcast: 草榴社区 take Government to the High Court
Podcasts

The 草榴社区 Guardian podcast: 草榴社区 take Government to the High Court

The 草榴社区 Guardian news team speak to claimant Tom Martin and discuss last week's court case

clock 24 March 2026 鈥� 1 min read
The 草榴社区 Guardian podcast: Farm Retail Association patron Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall says people have an 'appetite for food with a story'
Podcasts

The 草榴社区 Guardian podcast: Farm Retail Association patron Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall says people have an 'appetite for food with a story'

The Farm Retail Association (FRA) conference focused on making the most of your diversified farm business, whilst focusing on the wider benefits to society - food miles, the economic contribution of farm shops and markets and the national health crisis. Emily Ashworth speaks to chef and TV presenter Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall about farm-to-fork connection and if it really means something, and former FRA chair Emma Mosey, farmer and farm shop owner

clock 17 March 2026 鈥� 1 min read
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Crop It Like It's Hot Podcast - Episode 03

Crop It Like It's Hot Podcast - Episode 02

Crop It Like It's Hot Podcast - Episode 01

Farming in Five Podcast