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Niab @niab-uk.bsky.social · 30/09/2026

Shot of the Trials Team from Cambridge harvesting a Variety List sunflower trial yesterday in the sunshine. The samples they collected will be tested for oil. Can we help your trials? For more info on Niab trials see buff.ly/jKgehql

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Niab @niab-uk.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

New blog: With a decline in crop protection products authorised for use in fruit crops, Michelle Fountain explains some of Niab’s research into harnessing naturally occurring organisms from the surrounding environment and developing novel approaches to deliver crop protection... buff.ly/OZErWJU

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Niab @niab-uk.bsky.social · 21/09/2026

Two members of the Niab Menopause Awareness Group recently attending the Henpicked Menopause and Menstruation Friendly Employer Awards Event in London. Tina Baker and Mitzi Else joined the event, attended by many organisations who are Menopause Friendly Accredited or Menopause Friendly Committed.

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Niab @niab-uk.bsky.social · 09/09/2026

Being Abnormal is okay... unless you're a bean. Dry, moisture-starved seedbeds put extra stress on marginal seed, so a seed lot that might scrape by in a normal year can fail outright in a dry one. That's why germination and vigour testing before drilling is worth the time ➡️ buff.ly/M8xsQyH

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Niab @niab-uk.bsky.social · 04/09/2026

There is a planned electricty outage affecting Niab's Park Farm Campus on Tuesday 8th September from 9am. This means our website, including member's section, will be down for the duration. Apologies for any inconvenience this may cause.

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Niab @niab-uk.bsky.social · 03/09/2026

A Topographical Tetrazolium test quickly provides you with essential information about your seeds' potential perfomance, and helps you make decisions about this seed. Our team perform hundreds of these tests each year, most also request an estimation of vigour. Full info and prices➡️ buff.ly/M8xsQyH

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Niab @niab-uk.bsky.social · 01/09/2026

The BSPB Forage Maize Descriptive Lists have been redesigned for the 2027 growing season, making it easier for growers to identify varieties suited to their farm and growing conditions. Full story ➡️ buff.ly/hOVe5Ue

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Niab @niab-uk.bsky.social · 27/08/2026

Niab has published two factsheets for apple growers with guidance on how recent research resulted in a five-fold reduction in apple canker. The new factsheets are available to download from buff.ly/L6Csr8b

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Niab @niab-uk.bsky.social · 26/08/2026

Missed our research and information posters from Niab's summer events? They're all uploaded to our website, so you can read the information on topics from regen ag to varieties, soils and farming systems to weed management and much more ➡️ niab.com/knowledge-hub

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Niab @niab-uk.bsky.social · 24/08/2026

Hear from Niab's Lydia Smith on today's BBC Farming Today episode. Lydia discusses how Niab is researching novel and underutilised crops, and the roles these may play in the future as our weather and climate changes. Listen in from 3.38: www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...

bbc.co.uk

Farming Today - 24/08/2026: bluetongue, future foods, farm app - BBC Sounds

Bluetongue in Scotland, future-proof crops, teen's farming app.

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Niab @niab-uk.bsky.social · 31/07/2026

Scott Raffle has been awarded the Royal Horticultural Society’s (RHS) George Lockie Award for his outstanding contribution to horticulture and the UK fruit industry. Scott said: “Having worked in the fruit industry all my life... recognition from the RHS means a huge amount to me" ➡️ buff.ly/WYapfCd

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Niab @niab-uk.bsky.social · 30/07/2026

This evening our staff were out checking the three owl nestboxes at Park Farm, Cambridgeshire (under licence). There are no owls this year, but they ringed two Stock Dove chicks, bringing the total to seven for the year. #Farm24

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Niab @niab-uk.bsky.social · 30/07/2026

Niab staff counting aphids in a protected strawberry crop today as part of an Innovate UK project called FLYTHRIVE which is testing and developing bespoke native hoverfly species blends to control key aphid pests of soft fruit crops under protection. #Farm24

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Niab @niab-uk.bsky.social · 30/07/2026

One of the advantages of having trials next to IWM Duxford in Cambridgeshire is having spitfires buzzing past as we harvest (although you may need to zoom in to see it! #Farm24

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Niab @niab-uk.bsky.social · 30/07/2026

The entomology team at East Malling are collecting wild blackberries and capturing any native flies or wasps that lay their eggs in other insects that emerge. Funded by British Berry Growers they're seeking naturally occurring predators of spotted wing drosophila, a pest of fruit crops. #Farm24

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Niab @niab-uk.bsky.social · 30/07/2026

As well as wheat and other major crop harvesting, we also have novel crops on our trial grounds. Here are Jamie and and George harvesting a lentil crop. #Farm24

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Niab @niab-uk.bsky.social · 30/07/2026

Entomologists at Niab’s East Malling site examining gut contents of earwigs feeding on apple crops to understand which aphid species they might be eating. Here they are doing lab work to validate a primer which will allow detection of individual aphid species at a molecular level the. #Farm24

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Niab @niab-uk.bsky.social · 30/07/2026

Here are Howard, Shona, Will, Lee and Will afer netting the fodder and oilseeds crop inspector course plots today after drilling on Tuesday. Crop inspectors spend a day learning fodder and oilseeds theory online, before attending the plots and taking the crop inspector’s exam. #Farm24

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Niab @niab-uk.bsky.social · 30/07/2026

#Farm24 is go and Lorenzo and Rhys from Niab's Kent trials team have been harvesting Recommended and Variety List RL&VL winter wheat trials at Petham, Canterbury.

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Niab @niab-uk.bsky.social · 30/07/2026

It's #Farm24 today! Niab will be supporting as always showcasing photos and videos throughout the day of how we support UK agriculture.

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Niab @niab-uk.bsky.social · 27/07/2026

From variety plots at open days, to the hustle and bustle of Cereals, regen ag conversations at Groundswell, and horticultural expertise at Fruit Focus, Niab’s summer events programme provided valuable opportunities to share our research, exchange ideas and connect with growers ➡️ buff.ly/LErrYOm

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Niab @niab-uk.bsky.social · 23/07/2026

At the recent Groundswell event, Niab plant breeder Phil Howell was invited to join a VIP session with HRH Duchess of Edinburgh. He spoke about Niab’s previous and ongoing work, mlots of it funded by Defra, on exploring the potential for chickpea to become a viable new opportunity for UK growers.

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Niab @niab-uk.bsky.social · 23/07/2026

#Vacancy: Director of Crop Improvement. Your chance to lead Niab's Crop Improvement Service Group, covering pre-breeding, precision breeding and emerging biotechnology across agricultural and horticultural crops. Full details and apply ➡️ buff.ly/FHJ9Niu

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Niab @niab-uk.bsky.social · 22/07/2026

#Vacancy Head of Operations - Crop Improvement This role provides the operational backbone for Niab's Crop Improvement Service Group. You'll manage operational, project management and support staff, oversee resources and equipment. Full details and apply ➡️ buff.ly/FNX0to3

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Reposted by Niab

Novel and Underutilised Crop Network @novelcropnet.bsky.social · 16/07/2026

🌱 The first @novelcropnet.bsky.social Farmer Day was today at @niab-uk.bsky.social - on show: soya beans chickpeas lentils sunflowers hemp and flax. Great attendance and discussions. 📍 Join us tomorrow 17/7/26 for day 2 at Sonning Farm, @uniofreading.bsky.social from 10am. #UKFarming #Agriculture 🌿

multiple images of crops, people viewing crops, guest presenter giving talk

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Niab @niab-uk.bsky.social · 15/07/2026

Niab Kent and Cambridge trials teams working together to harvest the Variety List Winter Oilseed Rape trials in Kent last week.

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Niab @niab-uk.bsky.social · 10/07/2026

Niab trials staff are getting stuck into this year's harvest! here we have the central team harvesting the first winter barley of the year near Cambridge and the south team doing the same in Broughton, Hampshire.

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Niab @niab-uk.bsky.social · 09/07/2026

At Fruit Focus Niab's Scott Raffle was presented with the RHS George Lockie Award for outstanding contribution to fruit. Awarded by the RHS Fruit, Vegetable and Herb Expert Group the annual award recognises individuals making an outstanding contribution within their plant group. Well done Scott!

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Niab @niab-uk.bsky.social · 08/07/2026

Open for Fruit Focus! Come along and learn about Niab's fruit research directly from the people doing it. Stand tours at 10.30 and 3.30, plus seminars in the NFU Fruit Forum at 12.10 and 2.30.

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Niab @niab-uk.bsky.social · 03/07/2026

Visit Niab at Fruit Focus 2026 and see our latest fruit research. Visit stand 628 for a stand tour or attend our research hours in the NFU Fruit Forum to listen to presentations on soft and tree fruit research. Plus collect your free copy of the Niab Fruit Annual Review, and talk to Niab staff.

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Niab @niab-uk.bsky.social · 02/07/2026

Ready for day 2 of Groundswell. Starting the day with a stand tour. Then come on down for one of our seminars...

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Niab @niab-uk.bsky.social · 26/06/2026

Join farmers, growers, researchers and producers at Novel and Underutilised Crops (NUCNet) Open Days on 16th and 17th July 2026. You'll get to see lentils, chickpeas, lupins, buckwheat, hemp, flax and sunflower, hear about the project and ask questions. Book at buff.ly/C806Xoq

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Niab @niab-uk.bsky.social · 24/06/2026

It's officially goodbye to Cereals 2026 as the container is packed and shut and moved off to 2027's host site in Lincolnshire, where preparations for next year's event begin!

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Niab @niab-uk.bsky.social · 19/06/2026

After ten years, including almost five as CEO, Professor Mario Caccamo leaves Niab today and looks back on his time here... 'Leading Niab through a significant period of positive transformation has been both a privilege and deeply rewarding'. Full story ➡️ buff.ly/K1bf7VZ

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Niab @niab-uk.bsky.social · 19/06/2026

Join Niab at Groundswell 2026 on Wednesday 1st and Thursday 2nd July, with a full seminar programme in our marquee, supported by a range of crops showcasing our research-led approaches to regenerative and sustainable farming ➡️ buff.ly/0NTpr2e

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Niab @niab-uk.bsky.social · 17/06/2026

This year's Cereals marked 10 years of the famous soil hole! Here are a selection of photos since then... back in 2016 it even had a marquee over the top (which might have been useful this year!), and 2026 was probably it's busiest year ever as we showcased what lies beneath Diddly Squat Farm.

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Niab @niab-uk.bsky.social · 09/06/2026

Last week 50 international delegates visited Park Farm as part of the fourth session of the UPOV Technical Working Party on Testing Methods and Techniques. They attended an AI workshop, visited the field trials and learnt about Niab's work gene transformation, data science, pathology and more.

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Niab @niab-uk.bsky.social · 08/06/2026

Dr Katrina Hayter has been appointed as Chief Executive of UK crop science organisation Niab, effective from 1 September 2026. Full story➡️

niab.com

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Niab @niab-uk.bsky.social · 05/06/2026

The soil hole is being prepared Cereals Event. Interesting to see what's under the soil at Diddly Squat Farm. Come see for yourself at next week's Cereals Event.

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Niab @niab-uk.bsky.social · 03/06/2026

Yesterday was our Central Open Day. Attendees interacted with Niab experts, hearing and seeing for themselves the latest updates on winter wheat varieties, weed control, biofungicides and much more. Missed out? You can still catch us at other open days book at www.niab.com/events

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Niab @niab-uk.bsky.social · 02/06/2026

We're all set up and ready for the first Niab Open Day of 2026! We may have to dodge some showers, but attendees will get to see and hear our latest updates.

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Niab @niab-uk.bsky.social · 29/05/2026

At our Park Farm HQ in Cambridgeshire we leave much of the grass around the buildings uncut as part of @plantlifeuk.bsky.social #NoMowMay. And we've been rewarded with some incredible bee orchids in the unmown areas. 🌼

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Niab @niab-uk.bsky.social · 29/05/2026

Niab is part of an Innovate UK-funded project to develop precision orchard management. At the BAPL/Niab apple and pear technical day, Niab's Charles Whitfield provided updates on work to refine the use of a variable rate sprayer to improve spray coverage and reduce spray drift ➡️ buff.ly/UYzAyZo

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Niab @niab-uk.bsky.social · 28/05/2026

The Niab Board and Trust, the TMAF Board, the East Malling Trust Board, and invited guests, including Defra Chief Scientific Advisor Professor Anjali Goswami, toured Niab HQ this week, seeing the crop transformation labs and glasshouses, before engaging with staff about the breadth of Niab's work.

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Niab @niab-uk.bsky.social · 20/05/2026

Book your free spot at one of this summer's Open Days! Open to all and with a mix of inside exhibits and field-based demonstrations, you can interact with Niab researchers and other industry experts and see for yourself Niab’s latest agronomy research and demonstrations. Book now niab.com/events

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Niab @niab-uk.bsky.social · 19/05/2026

Innovate UK funding has allowed Niab and others to design and test electrophysiological sensors to determine when apple trees are becoming water stressed, allowing irrigation to be triggered. At the BAPL/Niab apple and pear technical day, Niab's Graham Dow explained all ➡️ buff.ly/Wi7J7h5

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Niab @niab-uk.bsky.social · 18/05/2026

The Summer Edition of Landmark, Niab's corporate magazine featuring news, research and information from across the organisation, is now available! Issue 61 brings together the latest insights from across the industry, including the final column from outgoing CEO Mario Caccamo➡️ buff.ly/eCFc0x1

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Niab @niab-uk.bsky.social · 15/05/2026

Niab’s open days and stands at events including Cereals, Groundswell and Fruit Focus, offer a unique opportunity for growers, agronomists, researchers and industry partners to meet, share knowledge and see cutting edge agricultural science in action. Here's what you can expect ➡️ buff.ly/0P9BpEt

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Niab @niab-uk.bsky.social · 14/05/2026

Niab's Seed Analysts have experience with an extensive range of species and taking part in international proficiency tests helps keep up to date with specialty crops. Congratulations to our team who have received top marks in the recent round of proficiency tests, covering Quinoa and Scots Pine.

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