The Source

Recent evidence from a major US-EU study concludes that innovation-led productivity growth has been the single most important factor limiting agricultural emissions globally, enabling more food to be produced with less environmental impact. Meanwhile, Defra’s National Security Assessment warns that biodiversity loss and ecosystem collapse threaten global food supplies, making UK reliance on imports increasingly risky. And research led by Professor Andrew Balmford of the University of Cambridge further shows that farm policies which reduce UK food production can displace environmental damage to more biodiverse regions overseas, worsening global biodiversity loss.

We need a crop husbandry strategy that deals with the long-term climate trends for warmer conditions and the greater likelihood of very high temperatures, whilst also being resilient to seasonal challenges of long dry or wet periods. We do not know the weather conditions of the growing season before it happens, so we need to grow crops that are resilient to both dry and wet condition. A few key factors to get right include: maximising rooting depth, ensure sufficient N and P for canopy longevity and achieving well drained fields.

The transplanting of large trees is often seen as an acceptable compromise between development ambition and environmental responsibility. In practice, however, relocating established trees is one of the most complex and high-risk interventions in the built environment. Success is governed not by good intentions alone, but by biological limits, logistical realities, long lead times, significant cost and sustained aftercare. When any of these factors are underestimated or overlooked, failure is not just possible, it is likely, writes Aaron Morley at Ruskins, the tree transplanting and soil specialist

Biostimulants are products that stimulate plant growth independently of the product's nutrient content. Efficacy testing is crucial given that many commercial products on the market have been shown to be ineffective.

Rapeseed cake or oil reduced enteric methane with similar growth to control cattle. Diets had no negative metabolic effects or effects on rumen fermentation. Diets had no effect on the fatty acid composition of the M. longissimus dorsi. Rapeseed ingredients showed promise as a dietary methane mitigation strategy.

This paper is an assignment submitted to De Montfort University in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of LLM in Environmental Law by Andrew Brown. The scenario covered is one which occurs frequently. The assignment is to advise (the fictitious) Tynecastle Water Company as to any criminal and/or civil liability it may incur as a result of the water pollution incident.

Professor Pete Smith emphasised that soil carbon has the potential to act as a headline indicator of soil health, with strong links to productivity, resilience, ecosystem services, and broader sustainability goals. Yet this potential depends on robust, integrated, harmonised and credible MRV systems to track changes in soil carbon and meaningfully assess soil health. In this sense, soil carbon underpins soil health – but only careful measurement can unlock its full value.

This work highlights that there are still many data gaps that exist around the environmental impacts of cultivated meat. Specifically, modelling of growth factor production at suitable scale for a cultivated meat industry, the impact of cell line production and storage, production of scaffold materials, and downstream processes after removal from bioreactors are required to accurately assess the impacts of cultivated meat production

Stakeholders’ perceptions of climate change point to future challenges for the adaptation of grain legumes.

Are 3-year farming agreements fit for purpose in 2026? Drawing on both his practical experience and insights from AF Members, AF Chief Agricultural Officer John Barrett considers whether these arrangements still serve the needs of modern farming, or whether the status quo must be challenged to support long-term viability and profitability across the rural landscape.

Interest in PAW is growing in the UK and internationally as farmers look for sustainable tools that support plant health, reduce reliance on imported fertiliser, and improve resilience. Research indicates PAW can enhance seed germination, root growth, disease suppression, and nutrient availability.

New genomic techniques have the potential to change the world of crop-growing. So, what are they? Why has European regulation delayed their use and how can they help tillage farmers? In this article, Ewen Mullins, head of crop science at Teagasc, answers some of these questions.