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Over fifty people attended the Open Day, which had talks from four NIAB TAG experts; Eastern Regional Agronomist Neil Watson on T3 Agronomy, Grassweed Specialist John Cussans on the discoveries made during the STAR project on weed control, Farming Systems and Soil Specialist Nathan Follows on findings from the STAR projects cultivation strategies, and Head of Crop Research Communication Ron Stobart who gave an overview of the project from inception, the current results and the news that the Felix Thornley Cobbold Trust has

NIAB is a partner in a major new training programme for industry specialists in the agri-food sector. The IBERS-led project, which also includes Bangor University and a number of industrial partners, is one of only four training programmes to be awarded funding under the BBSRC’s new Advanced Training Partnerships scheme. It will focus on addressing the high-level skills required to increase the production efficiency and sustainability of pasture-based agriculture in the UK’s beef sheep and dairy sectors.

NIAB TAG is opening its doors to arable farmers and advisors with the return of its annual Variety and Seeds Day on 28th June 2011.

With a wide range of crop demonstration plots visitors will also have access to NIAB TAG specialists providing impartial technical support on variety choice. The free event, held at NIAB’s Cambridge headquarters, returns following a break of several years and is open for the first time to non-members.

A project showcasing new crop technology and innovation in agriculture is making its debut at Cereals 2011 with a focus on the future of UK barley varieties.

NIAB Innovation Farm is a knowledge transfer, demonstration and networking facility for the agricultural and horticultural sectors. Based in Cambridge it highlights the contribution of advanced breeding and genetics and introduces new plant traits and crops that could become a common sight on UK farms in the future.

A plant that used to be killed as a weed could soon be farmed for essential fatty acids. Innovative research sponsored by Defra shows that Corn Gromwell, rich in omega-3, could potentially be grown commercially in the UK for the first time.

Corn Gromwell is native to Europe, North Africa and across Siberia and Western Asia and has also been introduced into the USA. Until recently it was best known a common weed in spring cereal crops.

Leading crop research centre NIAB has welcomed the strong emphasis of today’s Budget Statement on economic growth, innovation and skills, highlighting the potential for the UK’s agricultural research and life sciences sectors to help rebalance the nation’s economy, and to keep the lid on food price inflation.

Proving that agricultural science can be visually stunning as well as informative an image of the ergot fungus (Claviceps purpurea) growing inside wheat stigma hairs is a winning entry at the Wellcome Image Awards, an annual science and medical photography competition.

The image shows the ergot hyphae growing through the same tissues of the wheat flower as a growing pollen tube would do during pollination. The wheat stigma hairs are only 25 micrometres, or 0.025mm, wide.

Technological advances in agricultural science, improving farm business management and ensuring effective knowledge transfer will make it possible to feed nine billion mouths by 2030 concluded the 2011 NIAB TAG North-East Outlook Conference ‘Enough On Our Plates’.

NIAB is part of a consortium of UK research groups which has secured a £7m research grant to increase the diversity of traits available in wheat through a major new public sector pre-breeding programme.

President José Manuel Barroso, President of the European Commission, toured NIAB as part of a visit to Cambridge to see how European funding is helping to strengthen the city’s reputation for world-leading innovation, particularly in plant and environmental research and technologies. President Barroso saw how the InCrops project is helping entrepreneurs exploit the versatility of crops to make environmentally-friendly products and reduce natural waste.