Harvest

Since the Yield Enhancement Network (YEN) was established by ADAS 10 years ago, it has recorded multiple crop world records, droughts, floods and a fertiliser crisis.

After taking over Hope Farm in 2000, the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) is using the land as a testbed to demonstrate how farmers can transition to more nature-friendly practices while remaining commercially profitable.

An EU-funded project is scouting for 20 UK farmers to participate in trials researching cereal-legume intercropping, focusing on yield, quality, reducing inputs and knowledge transfer. 

Enhancing soil health and structure not only benefits crop growth, but it also has the potential to improve water quality.

Farmers were advised to remain vigilant as a once localised, coastal pest is travelling further afield into the UK causing foliage and root damage to sugar beet.

The fava bean could make a comeback in farmer’s fields and shopping baskets, as Tesco and its suppliers trial the use of the crop across a host of different product ranges and ingredients.

Farmers who want to adopt more sustainable and environmentally friendly farming methods could face lower short-term margins, but the long-term benefits could outweigh the losses, according to the results of a trial in Scotland.