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* Good OSR establishment is key to beating beetles this autumn * Two year EU ban on neonicotinoid seed treatments * Some rape crops were decimated by flea beetle last [...]

* Paper passports may be replaced by an online system * Farmers being consulted on AHDB proposals * Could be in place for 2018, saving 1.9m £/year in waste * [...]

* Mild weather has seen an explosion in slug numbers * Direct-drilled crops at particular risk in high-pressure years * Consider how land is managed between harvest and autumn drilling [...]

* Gene editing brings traits such as blight resistance in potatoes * US authorities not subjecting it to same rules as GM * EU decision on legal status expected later [...]

* Where next for precision farming? * One contender is variable rate plant growth regulator applications * Increase rapeseed yields by 0.2t/ha and wheat by 0.4t/ha Anyone fanning on mixed [...]

* Leek production has become much more concentrated and specialised * Labour intensive with costs accounting for half of turnover * Weed control is a growing challenge Like wheat, leeks [...]

* Establishing beet well is crucial to maximising yield * Also an important way of reducing harvester losses * Practical advice for this season Good sugar beet establishment will be [...]

The past few months have seen a raft of changes to renewable energy support, many of which come into effect this year. Payments for renewable electricity and heat have been [...]

* Spring beans on the up with area set to increase again in 2016 * They are renowned as an unpredictable break crop * Consistently high yields are possible if [...]

* Losses can vary by almost 10t/ha * Crop uniformity a key factor * Adjust harvester settings to minimise beet left in the field * With pressure on sugar beet [...]

* Resistance testing is the first step in tackling the weed * Interpreting results can prove tricky * Tailor agronomy based on test results Herbicide-resistant blackgrass affects most wheat-growing regions [...]

* Establishment similar to potatoes * 10% of production is lost to cavity spot each year * Biological control being trialled Carrots are one of the UK's most important root [...]

Hybrids looked set to dominate, but conventionals are fighting back with new high-yielding varieties on the Recommended List. Paul Spackman looks at two grower approaches Conventionals mean less risk ANDREW [...]

Some new biomass combined heat and power (CHP) energy projects face being scrapped following unexpected changes to the way renewable heating support is calculated. An amendment to Renewable Heat Incentive [...]

The first step in understanding and improving energy efficiency requires knowing how much is used, where and when, advises independent consultant Stephen Raasch. This can be done at a basic [...]

* Robots close to commercial operation * Driven by improved efficiency and optimising crop growth * Automated and targeted herbicide Legions of small robots trundling across fields killing weeds with [...]

The article offers tips for installation of renewable energy projects by those who have already invested in renewable energy in farms in Great Britain. Tips include views of Stephen Temple of Copys Green Farm in Norkfolk on installing a combined heat and power anaerobic digester, Jonathan Sharp of Tewitt Hall Farm in Yorkshire on installing 50 kilo watt (kW) Endurance E-3120 wind turbine and Robert Ramsay of Mains of Kinblethmont farm in Arbroath on installing Earthfire batch biomass boilers.

The article discusses several aspects of improving wheat establishment and yields in Great Britain. It mentions compaction or drainage issues needs to be identified and corrected before drilling to avoid compromising root growth and tillering capacity; and early-sown crops generally emerge faster with sufficient soil moisture. It also mentions about the importance of nitrogen, potassium and manganese, phosphorus for wheat growth.

The article discusses the six key areas for farmers to focus on when benchmarking arable performance as outlined by Alex Smith, rural business advisor at Sentry Farming Ltd. These areas include seed, fertiliser and sprays, total fungicide cost on a tonnage basis, and labour and machinery costs. Also included are enterprising, data trends and input balance.

The article discusses the importance for farmers and landowners in Great Britain to be carefully assess their situation when planning to install energy storage systems on their land.

The article discusses companies looking to acquire land for battery storage grids, the reason for the decrease in the price of lithium-ion batteries, and the delay caused in upgrading grid infrastructure.

The article reports penalties imposed on electricity users exceeding import capacity. Topics include the changes applied to people who signed under the wholesale electricity supply and commercial retail agreement, upgradation of electricity transformers post-expansion of enterprises, and electricity bill presenting details on import capacity. Comments from energy engineer of Strutt & Parker Kieran Crowe are presented.

The article reports on the availability of grants for energy storage and distribution and mentions that grants does not include the actual heat source such as biomass boilersthe use of digestate.

The article discusses how farmers are being urged to carefully check the small print of power purchase agreements (PPAs) for hidden costs or other restrictive contractual terms.

The article focuses on the withdrawal of crop-based biofuels by 2030 announced European Union's environment committee (ENVI). Topics include ongoing review of the Renewable Energy Directive (RED) which will affect renewable energy support by EU after 2020; views of National Farmers' Union combinable crops adviser Tori Morgan on the British exports of rapeseed to Europe for biodiesel production; and uncertainty in support for photovoltaics from Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI).

The article focuses on the withdrawal of crop-based biofuels by 2030 announced European Union's environment committee (ENVI). Topics include ongoing review of the Renewable Energy Directive (RED) which will affect renewable energy support by EU after 2020; views of National Farmers' Union combinable crops adviser Tori Morgan on the British exports of rapeseed to Europe for biodiesel production; and building of Anesco's Clayhill facility as first solar farm to be without government subsidies.

The article focuses on the opportunities offered by energy revolution in farming. It discusses the turn of agriculture into renewable energy such as electricity on their farming process such as heating and transport. It cites the challenges posed by intermittent electricity generation in balancing of grids that leads to the growth of demand-side response (DSR). Also discussed is how DSR providers can earn high revenues from entering contracts with National Grid and reduced energy consumption.

The article mentions a report by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs of Great Britain on the increase in the number of sheep and it includes the possible effects on the prices, the cause of the growth, and the future ramifications due to Brexit on the same.

The article offers suggestions on growing oilseed rape and provides tips on managing soil disturbance and cloddy seed-beds.

The article presents advisory information for farmers in Great Britain in leasing out their land for the construction of generator and battery-based grid-balancing systems, so as to maximize the capacity of their land. It discusses how they should undertake feasibility studies on the land before, and the various technical differences between the two major grid-balancing systems.

The article reports on several straw-fired power stations in Great Britain. Topics mention including the plans to build a straw pelleting plants, several straw-fired power stations using whole bales remains operational and important role of biomass in reducing the use of energy and decarbonising of energy sector.

The article reports on the plan of government of Scotland to source its electricity, transport and heat consumption through renewable energy sources by 2030. Topics discussed include the total energy consumption in the country from the renewable energy, the consultation meeting for the proposal Scottish Energy Strategy, and the publishing of onshore wind policy.

The article reports on reforms of the Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) scheme unveiled by the Great Britain Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy in December 2016, committing to renewable heating to 2020-21. It is said that farmers planning new projects must understand these changes to ensure new investments maximize funding opportunities.

The article focuses on the investment opportunities for farmers offered by the subdued renewables sector in Great Britain. It is stated that there are still opportunities for farmers to invest although policy uncertainties remain and returns are lower than at the peak of Feed-in Tariffs (Fits) and Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) support. It is stated that the best way to improve payback is placing as much bought-in electricity as possible.

The article reports on the adverse impact of the latest round of quarterly Feed-in Tariff cuts on the new wind and Anaerobic Digestion (AD) projects for farmers in Great Britain in 2016.

The article discusses business rate revaluations for energy projects for farmers in Great Britain.

The article discusses the things that should be considered by farmers before purchasing a drone or unmanned aerial vehicle for their farm's operation, particularly in Great Britain. According to Neil Shotton of consultancy firm UAV Safety, farmers should first determine the use of the drone before buying one. Also cited are some possible uses of drones like field photography and weed infestation monitoring, as well as the major types of drones like the multicopter drones.

The article reports that renewable energy opportunities will remain in Great Britain despite uncertainty in the development of a policy framework after the British exit or Brexit vote. Topics covered include Great Britain's efforts in creating and implementing carbon-reduction initiatives, the British government's full commitment to tackling climate change according to energy secretary Amber Rudd, and the possible benefits of Brexit to the renewable energy industry according to the author.

The article focuses on common employment law pitfalls that can affect farmers in the US. Topics discussed include the lack of written evidence setting out key contractual information such as exact start date, notice period, salary or holiday entitlement; how a written contract helps avoid disputes and provides certainty for employers and employees; and a fair process which include steps prior to dismissal to encourage improvement of conduct or performance.

The article suggests the potential income for farmers or landowners from battery storage systems and cautions against possible dangers. It presents a checklist of vital information landowners need to know and shares tips to landowners when dealing with developers seeking sites for large-scale battery storage systems including factors to consider such as grid capacity, impact on residential or diversification value of other buildings or enterprises, and safety risk.

The article discusses the challenges faced by the anaerobic digestion (AD) sector in Great Britain, as of May 2016. It states that according to a report of National Non-Food Crops Centre (NNFCC) the biogas sector is unlikely to continue beyond 2017, and mentions that the industry has faced diminishing support and investor uncertainty. It notes impact of the shift of waste-fed plants towards agricultural facilities on the biogas sector, and cites impact of schemes such as the Feed-in Tariffs.

The article reports that the British Office of Gas and Electricity Markets (Ofgem) is pressuring distribution network operators (DNO) to increase the electrical grid capacity reserved for renewable energy projects. Topics discussed include the potential consequences that DNOs will face should they fail to meet customers' energy demand, the impact of constrained grid capacity on farmers and landowners in the country and the areas of the country hit hardest by capacity constraints and delays.

The article offers suggestions on the regular maintenance and monitoring of solar photovoltaic systems. According to the author, maintenance and repairs should usually be done by a qualified electrical engineer. He says that wiring problems need to be addressed particularly when wires are chewed by squirrels.

The article reports that advances in hydrogen fuel cell technology are creating exciting opportunities for farm-based renewable energy projects in Great Britain. Topics include the biggest opportunity for farmers stated to be in generating and supplying hydrogen on long-term contracts to local authorities running fleets of fuel-cell vehicles and the Scottish Agricultural College is due to publish findings from its analysis into the economics of hydrogen production on farms in December 2015.

The article reports that the rules introduced by the British Office of Gas and Electricity Markets (Ofgem) to increase competition among Distribution Network Operators (DNOs) could possibly help lower costs and speed up the process of electrical grid connection for businesses. Kieran Crowe of Strutt & Parker says a requirement for DNOs regarding non-contestable works may help reduce costs. He notes that farmers and landowners should have more say in where they connect to the network.

The article reports that Andrea Leadsom, Energy minister at Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) at Great Britain, defends the proposed renewable energy subsidy cuts by the government. Topics discussed include her views on Feed-in Tariffs (Fits), discussion on the proposed cuts with representatives of the solar industry, and government efforts to protect consumer bills from further overspending.

The article presents the views of several bank officials on the impact of government changes to renewable energy support on farm businesses. Topics include changes in renewables including a cut in Feed-in Tariffs (Fits), finishing pre-accreditation, and closure of the Renewables Obligation (RO), views of Mark Southern, head of agriculture at banking company Barclays PLC, on the same, views of Andy Hipwell, agricultural director at banking firm HSBC Agriculture, on viability and affordability.