The British On-Farm Innovation Network (BOFIN) is recruiting farmers across England to take part in two major Defra-funded projects focused on disease resilience and precision-bred crops.

Arable growers are being encouraged to join practical on-farm trials through the LLS-ERASED and PROBITY projects, offering an opportunity to work alongside scientists and researchers while contributing vital insights.

OSR opportunity

The LLS-ERASED project needs oilseed rape growers to help improve understanding and management of light leaf spot, one of the crop's most economically damaging diseases.

Farmer triallists will help assess OSR varieties for disease performance, as well as trial novel research lines.

To take part, growers need a suitable OSR field of at least 5ha and the ability to measure yield accurately using combine yield mapping or weigh cells/weighbridge systems.

Triallists will be paid for their time and contribution, while gaining first-hand experience of on-farm innovation and contributing to future disease management strategies.

Precision-bred wheat trials

BOFIN is also recruiting farmers for the PROBITY project, which will evaluate two precision-bred wheat lines under commercial farming conditions.

The project aims to generate practical farm-scale data on the performance of precision-bred crops and support the future development of resilient arable systems.

Due to current regulations only farmers in England can take part. They need a suitable wheat field of at least 4ha and accurate yield measurement capability through yield mapping or weigh systems.

For both projects the triallists need to be committed to following trial protocols and sharing results.

Tom Allen-Stevens, Oxfordshire farmer and managing director of BOFIN said: "These projects put farmers at the centre of agricultural innovation. We're looking for forward-thinking growers who want to play a part in the industry's future while testing pioneering approaches on commercial farms.

"Through LLS-ERASED, farmers will contribute to finding solutions to light leaf spot in oilseed rape, which is so desperately needed to secure the crop's future. Those joining PROBITY will be the first to trial precision-bred wheat lines that could offer a step change in agricultural productivity. It's an exciting time to join these industry-leading projects.

"Even if you are not able to play an active role as a triallist we encourage anyone with an interest in precision breeding and its future in UK agriculture to join the Sequence Circle online discussion group via the links on our website."

Find out more and register interest at www.bofin.org.uk/LeadtheField