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Arable farmers will have a key role in helping the farming sector become net zero within 20 years, by locking up carbon and making better use of fuel and fertilisers. Enhanced soil carbon storage could deliver savings of 5m tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent a year Feeding soil is a good way to increase soil carbon and also help fertility". [Extracted from the article]

Shropshire grower Matthew Williams has increased his oilseed rape yields while also cutting his fertiliser costs by fully utilising the residual nitrogen in his soil. Unlike conventional soil nitrogen tests, CF's N-min test measures the amount of nitrogen in the soil at the time of testing, but also accurately predicts what will become available to the crop during the season. When this is combined with the nitrogen level already contained in the crop, this makes up the total soil nitrogen supply, which is then used in CF Fertilisers' N-Calc programme. [Extracted from the article]

The article focuses on costs incurred at the Glebe Farm in Lincolnshire and Garendon Park Farms in Leicestershire in England. According to Glebe Farm owner Andrew Ward, he calculated crop establishment costs as being £103 per hectare. Ward mentions that almost £30 per hectare is spent by the farm in running a power-harrow.

One of the most difficult autumns in memory for arable farmers is causing widespread disruption to fieldwork and rotations, threatening to put a giant dent in 2020 crop performance and profitability. He hopes to have 70% of his winter cereals drilled by Christmas, pointing out that a late drilled winter wheat crop yielding 7.5t/ha and requiring a low input approach is more profitable than a 5t/ha spring barley crop. Farming in one of the areas worst affected by flooding, Mr Chappell's rotation includes peas or linseed, winter wheat, spring wheat or maize, as well as some miscanthus. [Extracted from the article]

Our red diesel feature - Red diesel Q&A: HMRC rules untangled - threw up a few more reader questions, so we've been back to the experts for more details on the rules relating to AD plants, horse liveries and buying straw for industrial use. Contractors should not rely on paperwork relating to the removal of products from the AD site if paid for by the AD plant or farmer, as it may not prove involvement in an agricultural process. [Extracted from the article]

The article reports on initiatives taken by Merseyside grower Olly Harrison, for making transition to no-till despite farming on the west coast. It presents information on use of one-pass cultivation system using a spading machine and seeding, by Olly Harrison. It mentions that having a 1MW biomass boiler installed on the farm allows him to combine his crops two weeks earlier, as grain drying has zero cost because he can utilize heat from the boiler.

The author talks about his work at the periodical as a writer for its Farmer Focus section for 12 years. Topics discussed include the approach made by Andrew Blake, arable reporter at that time, to the author in 2007; the range of crops in Great Britain in 2018; and the colleagues of the author, including shepherd Andy Kirkpatrick, and Mark Walker on the Nottinghamshire Farm.

The author talks about his work at the periodical as a writer for its Farmer Focus section for 12 years. Topics discussed include the approach made by Andrew Blake, arable reporter at that time, to the author in 2007, the range of crops in Great Britain in 2018, and colleagues of the author, including shepherd Andy Kirkpatrick, and Mark Walker on the Nottinghamshire Farm.

The article reports on a survey of 340 farmers by the Maize Growers Association, British Grassland Society and Grainseed, which found that maize growing area in Great Britain has increased by 14% in five years as the crop continues to gain popularity among livestock producers. The area grown had increased from 30,347 acres in 2011 to 34,655 acres in 2016.

The article discusses how to take advantage of climate change to produce better crops at a farm in KwaZulu Natal, South Africa. Topics covered include the benefits of mechanical turning of the soil, the doubling of the solar radiation captured to heat the farm, and the benefits of improving soil organic carbon such as better water holding capacity, more effective cation-exchange capacity and better soil health.

The article reports on the growing consumption of oats in Great Britain and suggests its potential to fill farmlands because of its health benefits and opportunity provided for growers. Details of the trials being conducted by Bob Pope, crop development manager at milling company Jordans & Ryvita, with the research and development team at the farming group Velcourt to help maximize oat yields and quality are presented.

The author shares updates on the crop conditions on the North Paddock Farms in Taber, Alberta as of October 2012. He notes that crop yields are slightly above the average, with good quality. He also mentions their experience of hauling predominantly potatoes to the grading shed instead of soil with a few spuds in it like what happened in the previous two harvests.

The article reports on the importance of upgrading the crop intake system when improving a grainstore or planning a new one. It claims that the intake should correspond with the capacity of the crop storage and drying facilities in order to achieve smooth operation of the facility. It examines the projects at the Creslow Manor Farm in Buckinghamshire, England and Calmsden Farms near Cirencester, Gloucestershire, England as examples.

The article features farmer David Knott, who will host the Cereals 2011 show in England. Knott is the managing director of the private farm Patrick Dean, which is headed by chairperson James Dean. According to Knott, they offer contract farming opportunities at the farm. The crops being cultivated at the farm include sugar beet, oilseed rape and vining peas.

The article features the farm of Peter Sands in Brewood, Staffordshire that grows oats, wheat and oilseed rape. The farm uses granular and liquid fertilizers in its cultivation systems. An application of an Atlantis herbicide is made when the weather starts to get warm to keep the land free from blackgrass. The farmer rents three tractors, sells his straw to recoup his fertilizer expenses and offers storage space to neighboring farmers for a fee.

The article presents the author's views on the Open Farm Sunday, hosted by his Ewerby Thorpe Farm, near Sleaford, Lincolnshire, which mainly grows spring crops. He also comments on the European Parliament's decision on the re-authorizations of glyphosate. He opies on the public's understanding of the countryside regarding what they as farmers do.

The article presents news brief related to farming from Scotland. Easter Kilwhiss Farm grows cereals, vegetables and brassicas alongside a 300-head suckler herd. Q Fife is one of Scotland's foremost farming counties that produce about 15% of the Scottish wheat crop and about 5% of its oilseed rape and barley.

The article features the arable farm of Guy Eckley in Kent, England as of late March 2016. It focuses on how Eckley coped with the decline in wheat prices by planting cover crops and using direct drilling method to improve efficiency. Among the crops planted at the farm are winter wheat, oilseed rape, and barley.

The article describes the farms managed by Paul Sweeney, Iain Richards Agrii, Marion Self and Stephen Harrison in Great Britain. Topics covered include the application of canopy-building nitrogen to any rape crops, the high disease pressure revealed by field walking and the debate over the timing of plant growth regulatory fungicides. Also mentioned is the call for growers not to apply fungicides to oilseed rape.

The article discusses the steps to be taken if the farming land is affected by public infrastructure projects in the U.S. It mentions that the land owner should meet the local council planning department, which will know if there are proposals for public works in the area. It highlights that the person responsible for public liaison should be contacted. It states that Infrastructure schemes can cause an inconvenience for farming activities such as access and management of stock and crops.

The article offers tips on achieving high-yielding winter beans. It is said that as growers face narrowing margins for crops such as wheat and oilseed rape, new varieties are set to drive a revival in winter beans. Suffolk, England, grower Charles Mathieson uses a home-made sub-soiler drill for treating winter beans more like wheat and getting good establishment at his Crawley Hall Farm.

The article reports that wheat varieties Skyfall and Trinity produced highest yields for Andrew Martin, wheat grower in Kent, England. Topics discussed include growth of the wheat varieties at farm Broad Stream Farming in Burmarsh, England, views of Martin to grow Trinity at Romney Marsh farm with heavier soils and role of soil mineral nitrogen levels on harvests depending on the seasons.

The article focuses on the arable enterprise of Easton College in East Anglia, England which is composed of sugar beet and combinable crops covering the majority of the 100 hectare-land. It states that the farm operations are carried out by Morley Farms on a contract basis for the arable area while the further 100 hectares of forage crops are managed directly by the college. It mentions that the 70 ton/hectare target promoted by British Sugar is a challenge for farmers.

The author talks about his farming experience in partnership with his parents at Pickwick Lodge Farm in Wiltshire, England. He cites his plan of implementing a two-application strategy on winter oilseed rape. He thinks that some people are applying nitrogen too early when the plant does not necessarily need it, which then lead poor grain samples or lodge crops.

The article features farmer Richard Ward from Great Britain. Ward manages 485ha (1200 acres) on the Glos/Oxon/Warks borders. Specialising in seed production, the 385ha (950 acres) of arable are growing wheat, barley, naked oats, oilseed rape and winter beans. He is one of those farmers who is organic for sound business reasons.

The article provides an update on several arable farms in and outside of England. Stories of several arable farm owners regarding their crop harvests and their businesses are presented. Farmer owners include Mark Ireland, who owns a farm in Lincolnshire, Bill Davey of New Zealand, and John Jeffrey, whose tenanted farm is located near Kelso, Scotland.

The article presents information on the situations in the farm business of an arable farmer from North Yorkshire, England. The cutting of oilseed rape before winter barley was done for the first time. The farmer is expecting interesting results in the supply and demand for English crops after experiencing heatwave.

The article presents updates on the status of several farms as of April 2006. Chemical spraying was delayed at Grange Farm in Lincolnshire, England. Radical decisions must be made by a farmer with spring cropping on his two tenanted farms in Kelso, England due to the late season. The irrigation on a farm in New Zealand is continuously running due to dry weather.

This article features Richard Crewe, an ex-pat farmer from Shropshire, England who, in partnership with his wife Jane, grows 1500ha of all combinable crops on undulating light land near Melville, East Central Saskatchewan, Canada. They finished harvest on October 17, 2005 in some wonderful warm, windy weather which blew up from the U.S.

This article features Mark McFerran, a farmer who farms in partnership with his parents at Battletown Farm on the Ards Peninsula, County Down. Cereal cropping and potato marketing are the main enterprises on their loam unit. Their barley was sold at harvest time, but the wheat is still in store. McFerran is hoping to get a better price if they hold off selling.

Reports on the results of the crop harvest at two tenanted farms in Great Britain from August to September 2005. Challenges in harvesting, potato lifting and wheat drilling during the season; Quality of beans harvested from the farm.

Presents an interview with James Townshend, CEO of farming business Velcourt, on the future of arable farming in Great Britain after 2005. Reason for the need to pursue farming, including capital gains tax advantages; Forecast for financial discipline within the farm budget of the European Union; Percentage of arable cropping anticipated by Townshend to reduce.

Features several farmers from Great Britain and their styles of arable management. Impact of the Entry Level Scheme on the farm of Mark Ireland; Contribution of Matthew Dale to farm energy production; Crops being grown by Bill Davey.

Reports on the concerns of British farmers about the effect of the sugar regime reforms of the European Union on beet crops. Importance of beet on the economy; Improvement in the efficiency of production at Hall Farm; Impact of Option 1 on beet farming. INSET: Crop not to blame for environment trouble.

Focuses on the efforts of JSR Farms to look for ways to improve crop performance. Range of wheat yields of the farm; Elements of the fertilizer approach at JSR; Financial and environmental benefits of the application map of JSR.

Deals with the importance of integrated crop management for food processing company Unilever. Initiative launched by Unilever to develop sustainable agriculture; Use of Global Positioning System in the Unilever farm; Description of the Unilever farm in Germany.

Focuses on the Crop Protection Management Plan (CPMP) exercise conducted at Hadlow Place Farm in England in 2003. Background information on the farm; CPMP rating achieved by the farm; Process involved in CPMP rating. INSET: CPMP review.

The author discusses activities at a farm in north Herefordshire, England, where he is the assistant manager. Topics covered include the undertaking of a robust fungicide program, spring 2015 rains that helped crops such as spring oats, and the importing of poultry litter used to improve soil structure. Also mentioned are the benefits of a mixed farming area and preparing the farm's businesses for a time without government subsidies.

The article discusses agricultural trends and developments in various parts of England as of June 5, 2015. Topics covered include the flowering of winter barleys and spring beans in the north, fungicide applications for wheat in the south due to bad weather, and monitoring for pests such as orange wheat blossom midge in the east. Also mentioned are the anticipation of oilseed rape harvesting, the variability of winter barley crops, and maize performance in the west.

The author comments on the growing of sugar beet in Great Britain. Topics covered include the challenge posed by constructing a rotation that will satisfy the needs of good husbandry, the possible response by farms to the values of commodity crops and the disadvantages of harvesting cut flowers in open fields. Also mentioned is the challenge posed by the flower orders received from supermarkets.

The author conveys his concerns about the oilseed rape variety choice for 2015 in Kent, South East England in light of the neonicotinoid ban. Topics mentioned include a brief information on the companion crop technique, how the author automates variable seed rate drilling, and his participation in the meeting of the British Cereal Exports Committee.

The author discusses farming-related developments in Bedfordshire, England as of June 20, 2014. Topics discussed include the completion of majority of work involved with growing the crops, the problem with slugs in blackgrass plants, giving extra attention to the management of ex-oilseed rape fields and management of blackgrass with a combination of cultivation methods, stale seed-beds and late drilling.

The article provides information on two farms in England that are on sale as of May 9, 2014. They are the Ash Grove Farm near Lincolnshire for 4.4 million pounds and the Court House Farm near Coneyhurst, West Sussex for 7.5 million pounds. Information on the crops grown on the farms, soil type, farmhouse and farm buildings, and other amenities is presented.

The article focuses on the impact of the three-crop rule on farmers in Great Britain in 2014. It notes the farmers' awareness that the new rules will govern the choice of crops they will grow in autumn. Farms that block crop using contractors have raised the concerns over whether they would need to restructure their business to meet the new rules.

The article discusses developments and trends in farming in Great Britain as of February 21, 2014. Topics discussed include the limited chances for land work and plans to apply an early growth regulator to oilseed rapes, effects of the prolonged and heavy rain on spring cropping ground and the continuous presence of yellow rust, septoria and mildew in wheat and the importance of T0 fungicide application to control septoria and yellow rust.

The article discusses developments in the operation of the Frowen Farm, located in Carmarthenshire, Wales as of early January 2014. Farmers Ben Anthony and Diana Fairclough employed three different techniques in establishing crop of a rape and turnip mix at the farm, including direct drilling and using a corn drill. The opinion of agricultural and environmental grassland specialist Charlie Morgan on the farm operation is also cited.

The article reports developments in the operation of AWSM Farming of Hutton Magna, North Yorkshire, England as of November 2013. According to owner Adam Metcalfe, he expects that they will have a better harvest in 2013 than in 2012. Among the crops cultivated at the farm are wheat, spring barley and oilseed rape.

The article reports on the crop yields in eastern Kansas, which was affected by late planting and farm closure during hot dry weather. The author attributes the yields to a very good growth of pastures, supplementation of cattle in July 2013 and putting out of lick tubs on September 16. He cites the effect of the automatic government spending cuts on direct payment.

The author discusses activities on his farm in the Pampa area of Argentina, where he grows crops such as soya beans, maize, sorghum and wheat. He talks about focusing on storing water in the soil during the month of July for the next soya bean crop. He describes spring-summer weeds' accumulation of dry matter in autumn in their storage organs. The types of herbicides that he is administering in his farm are also mentioned.

The article discusses the developments in the agriculture industry in Great Britain. It features Sion Williams, who manages the Bowhill Estate, a 3,786-hectare (ha) mixed farming business in the Scottish Borders. Among the innovations that were introduced during Williams' tenure are the cleaner grazing system, the introduction of spring barley, oats and kale for feed, and providing enhanced lamb finishing results.