As the Government unveils how it is phasing out Direct Payments and instead rewarding farmers for the delivery of public goods that improve the environment, there are a lot of unknowns about how this will really look for farmers. In this episode of Crop it Like it’s Hot: ELMs and what we know so far - Alice Dyer addresses concerns over how the new payment structure could change the arable sector with its diverse set of business models and agronomic profiles. The esteemed panel of guests who...

Regenerative agriculture seems to be the buzzword of the moment, but whether it can or will be the mainstay of food production remains to be seen. In this episode of Crop it Like it’s Hot – regenerative agriculture – fad or the future?, Alice Dyer explores what is fuelling this green revolution in farming.

Join a team of growers, agronomists and the BASF team bringing a new mode of action to life. Giving new hope to those battling black-grass in the UK. Many feel they are finally moving the needle with black-grass, but the as ryegrass and other resistant weeds begin to rear their ugly heads it’s time to discuss long term solutions to sustainable weed management. This is especially important with the backdrop of government rhetoric around IPM and the very real issue of resistance management. The...

The UK currently produces just 18% of its fruit and 55% of its vegetables according the NFU, and self-sufficiency for both and veg and potatoes has declined 16% in the past 20 years. But has Brexit, the Covid pandemic, a greater focus on homegrown produce and agroecological farming created greater opportunities? In this episode of Crop it Like it’s Hot, Alice Dyer explores if we really do need to be producing more fruit and veg, how production can slot into the arable rotation using practices...

How can arable farmers be more resilient to adverse weather? Weather is possibly the biggest challenge out there for farmers, and just in the last few years we have seen one of the hottest summers on record in 2018, one of the mildest and wettest winters in 2019, and two exceptionally dry springs in a row. In this episode of Crop it Like It’s Hot, Alice Dyer finds out how weather patterns are changing, what this means for the crops we grow, and how we as farmers can be more resilient to the...

Let’s talk crop nutrition With improvements in fertiliser efficiency an ambition for both economic and environmental reasons, the latest episode of Crop It Like It’s Hot covers crop nutrition from all bases. Frontier’s Edward Downing offers practical tips to consider for boosting nitrogen use efficiency, while Leicestershire farmer, Michael Parker talks us through how he is tweaking his approach to crop nutrition to reduce the need for pesticides and get better returns. Yara’s Mark Tucker...

Defra’s public consultation on gene editing means the UK may be on the brink of having access to plant breeding technology that could revolutionise farming. However, if regulations for gene editing are relaxed, there will be many hurdles for the industry to overcome. Foremost is whether consumers are willing to eat gene-edited food, but there are also concerns over the impact on biodiversity and whether farmers will have even less access to genetic diversity. The technology undoubtedly...

Agriculture is a notoriously difficult industry to get started in, particularly if you aren’t from a farming background, but there are many ways you can ‘be your own boss’ in the arable sector. In this episode of Crop It Like It’s Hot – pathing a career path in arable farming - we hear the inspiring stories of four self-made young people who have forged their own careers in the world of arable regardless of their background. From taking on farm tenancies while working full time, setting up a...

Changes to the subsidy system, Brexit uncertainty and price volatility are just a few of the current and future challenges arable farmers face. In this episode of Crop It Like It’s Hot - Building business resilience during uncertain times – Arable Farming journalist, Alice Dyer hears from three experts about how to take a step back and assess the performance of your business. She finds out the key drivers of a high performing arable farm; and where savings can likely be made, from making...

It has been a difficult few years for oilseed rape growers, with many finally throwing in the towel for 2021. Particularly for those on heavy land, they now face the conundrum of finding a replacement break crop to fit into their rotation. In this episode of Crop It Like It’s Hot – Growing a resilient rotation, Arable Farming journalist, Alice Dyer explores what other options are out there, what is driving crop rotation decision making on-farm and what emerging markets could growers tap...

Some would argue that growers have been using integrated pest management (IPM) in crop production for centuries, but with less chemical solutions readily available, increasing issues with resistance and mounting political and consumer pressure, there has never been a greater need for farmers to reduce their reliance on chemistry. In this episode of Crop It Like It’s Hot, IPM – using biology in the fight against crop pests – Alice looks at how swapping some of that chemistry for biology could...

Livestock were once commonplace on many farms, but over the years as businesses have specialised into one sector, many arable enterprises have lost the power of the golden hoof. Many growers are now reconsidering animals as a useful tool to widen rotations, improve soil health and spread the cost of cover crops. In this episode of Crop it Like it’s Hot – introducing livestock into your arable rotation, Alice hears about the many options available to growers from short-term leys to utilising...

With Government setting a legal target for the whole of the UK to be carbon neutral by 2050, the task ahead may seem daunting. In this episode of Crop It Like It’s Hot - Getting to grips with carbon capture and trading in arable systems, Alice finds out how arable enterprises can prosper from the situation through carbon trading and the production of value-added commodities and what small but practical steps arable farmers can take now to start the move towards a carbon neutral...

In the latest episode of Crop It Like It’s Hot – Replacing chemistry with biology and the role of biostimulants, Alice Dyer explores how certain products could have an important place in the future of crop production and protection. With recent law changes to biostimulant regulations, Murray Smedley of the European Biostimulant Industry Council explains how this is helping to remove the potential for manufacturers making false claims. Offering an insight into products in practice,...

Offering both a UK and global outlook, James Webster, senior analyst at AHDB Cereals and Oilseeds tells us what being at import parity is likely to mean for UK wheat prices going forward and CRM Agri's Peter Collier outlines potential export markets for barley, and countries we could be looking to export to post-Brexit. Rupert Somerscales, senior analyst at ODA gives his top tips on how to market your grain this season and tactics growers should be taking to ensure the best price. With...

The Future for sustainable arable weed management in the UK  Alice hears from the experts at Rothamsted Research and NIAB, including trials manager, Will Smith, who discusses new research into mechanical control methods, and some important insights relating to drilling dates and weed control. Rothamsted weed scientist, Dr David Comont sets the scene by updating us on the latest resistance figures for the UK, following the concerning news last year that glyphosate insensitivity has been found...

The first episode No till: The Good, the Bad and the not so Ugly, is for those considering or using no-till techniques. Guests Philip Wright from Wright Resolutions and Paul Davey, a farmer managing 440ha of arable land across five farms in North Lincolnshire. They discuss what to expect, both good and bad, and provide some thought-provoking insights into the no-till experience.  For information regarding your data privacy, visit Acast.com/privacy