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* Mid-tier scheme replaces Entry Level Stewardship * Some options pay more, but it is competitive * Beware of recording requirements and other restrictions The fixed income from environmental schemes [...]

Cropping heavy land brings its own cost challenges. In the second of this two-part Costs under scrutiny series, Richard Allison looks at how three growers in the Midlands and Northumberland [...]

Gaining a clear understanding of machinery and labour costs is the first step to surviving periods of low grain prices. In the first of this two-part BASF/ Crops Costs Under [...]

A WORD FROM OUR SPONSOR 'I was extremely impressed by all three finalists, who demonstrated a very diverse approach and strategy to farming but all of them are achieving excellent [...]

Investing in new kit and taking advantage of on-farm blackgrass trials have allowed one farming family to reduce their costs and boost crop yields. Back in 2007, Andrew and Richard [...]

Chris Baylis Revesby Farms, Lincolnshire Turning around the fortunes of a struggling arable business single-handed is no mean feat. But that is exactly what Chris Baylis has achieved. Back in [...]

* Autumn cover crops can help tackle heavy grassweed infestations * Species and drilling rate crucial to maximise weed seed germination * Disturb soil in autumn, but not in spring [...]

* Septoria tritici is top wheat disease * FERA analysis carried out to gain better understanding * Should be primary target of fungicide programmes The mild, wet winter has increased [...]

Niagara of Wisconsin Paper Corp was established in 1889 and acquired by Pentair in 1972. Major improvements have taken place at the mill between 1972 and 1995 including capital expenditures of over $150 million between 1985 and 1995. The maintenance department is traditionally managed and had five changes to implement in 1994. The department needed to improve safety, improve training, plan downtime, improve interaction with the production department and focus on housekeeping., WITHIN THE TRADITIONAL MAINTENANCE SYSTEM, the word 'change' is often associated with uncertainty and misunderstanding. Supervisors are often all too willing to allow the maintenance manager or superintendent to lead [...]

Dan Wood Blackacre Farm Eggs, Somerset Writing jingles for a radio station is not something you would expect to see in a poultry job specification, but for Dan Wood it [...]

Brazilian poultry is often perceived in the EU as having a poor image in terms of animal welfare, food hygiene and the environment with media stories claiming that farmers are [...]

Robert Chapman ABERDEENSHIRE FARMLAY EGGS has been producing, packing and distributing fresh Scottish eggs since 1946. Today, the business grades over 1.5 million eggs each week and prides itself on [...]

CLAIMING TO be the largest exhibition for livestock and poultry production and management, poultry producers found plenty of innovations ranging from simple lighting systems to 90,000-egg incubators. As usual, Big [...]

* Adding value to marrowfat and large blue pea varieties * 7m £ investment in pulses and food ingredient processing * Growers benefiting from more market opportunities Whether it's mushy [...]

* Yields maps identify poor-performing areas * Can be used to produce variable seed plans * Many underusing their combine yield data It is 20 years since the first yield [...]

* Disease detected well before you see symptoms * Scope to cut fungicide use with more targeted approach * Separate spore trapping and reflectance-based systems * A disease forecasting system [...]

* Significant rise in pool membership * Specialise in milling varieties and Group 3 biscuit wheats * Expanding into Kent and growing in Norfolk * Interest in joining a grain [...]

* Flowering N increases yields by 0.4t/ha * Just 10% of growers regularly apply flowering dose * Greater need this season to avoid pod abortion Only 10% of growers generally [...]

* Shortage of Vydate for 2016 season * Some growers switching to Nemathorin for PCN control this spring * Key differences in application method Growers using Nemathorin for the first [...]

* New online grain trading platform * Time-saving way to secure bids from several merchants * Users can secure the best price on the day for their crop * Both [...]

* Spread of glyphosate-resistant weeds in North and South America * Blackgrass in northern Europe * Integrated approach key to tackle both There has been no new mode of action [...]

This year's Arable Farmer of the Year finalists are a valuable source of ideas, including a novel approach to blackgrass control, successful cover cropping and making full use of technology. [...]

* About 3m tonnes imported annually * New varieties suited to north make soya a viable UK break crop * Healthy looking, well-podded crop in north Cambridgeshire Soya is now [...]

* High yields key to minimising costs * Reflection tops AHDB list at 10?% * Many growing it for the first time The highest-yielding variety on the Recommended List offers [...]

Arable farmers are set to benefit from new technology in the next three years. Richard Allison and Louise Impey look at three innovations on show at Cereals * Matching nitrogen [...]

* Potential for ear blight outbreaks * GS63 optimum time for T3 spray * Research shows angled nozzle benefits Angling sprayer nozzles when applying the T3 fungicide on wheat offers [...]

* Oilseed rape prices in the doldrums * Use marketing tools to manage risk of further falls * Maximise value with bonuses and premiums A combination of low oil prices, [...]

* Varietal resistance helps buy time * Do not rely on it controlling the disease This season is shaping up to be another high pressure septoria year and varietal resistance [...]

Electronic crop records are helping one West Sussex farmer gain a better understanding of his fields and monitor costs as he establishes his fledgling arable business. Robert Wilkins bought Pallingham [...]

USA Key challenges (vary from one growing region to another): * Drought and low yields are common in the Central Plains * In the Northern Plains, shift to soya bean [...]

* K and Mg often overlooked nutrients * Consider applying extra potash to high-yielding and high-biomass crops * Long-term trials show yield benefits Some high-potential crops are being starved of [...]

By Richard Allison FAILURE of enough producers to register an interest in the proposed fallen stock disposal scheme will leave all livestock businesses paying the full price for carcass disposal. […]

GETTING fertiliser applications right for silage is just as crucial as the speed of harvesting machinery when ensuring a good fermentation. Uneven fertiliser application can lead to variable protein and […]

It's easy to be gloomy about pig and poultry prospects, but this special shows there is still scope for profitability. Edited by Richard Allison, it kicks off with a look […]

A NOVEL method for reliably detecting mastitis more than three days before clinical signs appear should be available for farm use later this year. The system will detect infection based […]

EGGS are set to become even safer following the launch of a new vaccine offering protection against both species of salmonella. Between 1997 and 2000, incidence of salmonella enteritidis outbreaks […]

By Richard Allison SWITCHING to a non-antibiotic growth promoter could actually boost pig performance compared with antibiotic growth promoters, which are due for a complete ban in less than three […]

By Richard Allison MORE than 5% of lambs could suffer the effects of blowfly strike this summer unless flockmasters take preventative measures before shearing, according to one expert. Warm, dry […]

By Richard Allison SELLING up a dairy business and taking up a herd manager's position nearly 200 miles away is a bold move, but it can bring financial security and […]

PIG wasting diseases are costing the EU more than [pounds sterling]0.5b/year, denting European competitiveness in the world market, according to MLC. Speaking at a recent workshop in Brussels, MLC technical […]

By Richard Allison PLENTY of exercise and good nutrition will see stock bulls extend their working life beyond the four-season average, reckons a Suffolk pedigree breeder. Simmental and Charolais bull […]

GRASS weeds in some maize crops may need further treatment, as insufficient moisture means atrazine has struggled to kill them in early-sown crops. Atrazine requires moisture to be effective, says […]

Is your forage output all it should be? Grassland UK had much to offer livestock producers aiming to boost returns from grass as Richard Allison found out REJUVENATING pastures by […]

FORAGE rape alone can provide up to 8t/ha (3.2 acres) of valuable summer livestock grazing, but adding ryegrass extends the season by several weeks. Adding ryegrass in with fodder rape […]

APPLYING slurry on first-cut grass silage aftermath and established maize crops can cut fertiliser costs by up to [pounds sterling]30/ha ([pounds sterling]12/acre). John Morgan of Creedy Associates said improving slurry […]

By Richard Allison THE latest bovine TB statistics show the backlog of tests is slowly shrinking, but there are concerns that maize silage may be responsible for spreading the disease. […]

By Richard Allison PURCHASING dairy farm inputs through a buying group, which has members from Kent to the north-west, can cut input costs by up to pound sterling70/cow/year. Joining a […]

By Richard Allison CHANGEABLE weather is playing havoc with grazing management, leading to surges in grass growth and a high risk of staggers in cattle and sheep. The long-term weather […]