Strategic Cereal Farm East (2017-2023)

AHDB Strategic Cereal Farms put cutting-edge research and innovation into practice on commercial farms around the UK. Each farm hosts field-scale and farm-scale demonstrations, with experiences shared via on-farm and online events to the wider farming community.

Environmental consideration is crucial to the running of the business and affects all decisions made at E.J. Barker & Sons. This focus is reflected in the four main trial areas investigated during the six-years of Strategic Cereal Farm East. 

The four main trial areas

Access detailed information about the on-farm trials, including results and reports

Managed lower-input (fungicide) trials

AHDB projects support farmers and agronomists to manage cereal diseases. For example, fungicide performance research provides information on the effectiveness of active ingredients and modes of action and the Recommended Lists (RL) can be used to identify the most appropriate varieties for the disease profiles on the farm. Building on such AHDB work, this trial tested high-cost to low-cost fungicide programmes to establish a balance between reducing inputs (for economic and environmental benefits) and maintaining disease control, crop yield and profitability.

Cover crops and water quality trials

This trial investigated the role cover crops play in the reduction of nitrate leaching, while considering the interaction with cultivation and rotation. It used a split-field trial design (over two fields) to compare several treatments, including an over-winter cover crop mix (rye, buckwheat, phacelia, oil radish and sunflower), an over-winter plough and an over-winter stubble (ahead of a spring crop). The cover crop’s effect on subsequent crops was assessed by measuring nitrogen uptake and losses, changes to soil health and crop yields. 

Flowering strip trials

Within an arable environment, non-crop habitats constitute one of the most important sources of biodiversity, with field margins acting as the main source of beneficial species of pollinators and insect predators. This trial investigated the impact of flowering strips (both in and around the field) on the biodiversity of farmland insects and plants. A combination of trapping, nest monitoring and on-plant counts was used to measure insects.

Marginal land trials

This trial gathered and analysed the farm’s data to identify, understand and manage variation in crop performance. The data sets included farm rotation, yield, soil and satellite imagery maps, farm costings, and drainage maps. The work helped to identify underperforming land that may be more profitable to remove from crop production (for example, to enter into environmental schemes). It also helped pinpoint land where a change to management could boost profitibility.

Main lessons learned (video)

Watch Patrick Barker summarise the main lessons learned at the first Strategic Cereal Farm East.

Strategic Cereal Farm results month

Every November, we run weekly webinars to showcase the latest results from across our Strategic Farm Network.

Find out about Strategic Cereal Farm results month