Myth-Busting Biologicals Roadshows

10 November 2026

Today, the Voluntary Initiative (VI) are with AHDB, ADAS and UKCEH at the second of the Myth-Busting Biologicals Roadshow at Stoneleigh, Warwickshire.

  • Emma
  • Room

The joint VI/AHDB-sponsored Myth-Busting Biologicals Roadshows continue to go from strength to strenghth.  With 47 farmers/sprayer operaters attending the first session in  Malton, N. Yorks last Thursday (5th Nov), today we are at Stoneleigh, Warwickshire today with about 60 folk in the audience.

The sessions aim to explain:

  • What biologicals are and how different product types work
  • The difference between biostimulants, biopesticides and other biological product groups
  • What current research and evidence tells us
  • How biologicals can fit in an arable system, including their role within integrated pest management (IPM)
  • How to assess consistency, cost, performance and return on investment
  • How to design and interpret on-farm trials
  • What to ask suppliers when assessing products and claims

The images show VI Champion, farmer and NFU County Advisor for Worcestershire Emma Hamer, providing a scene setting introduction to the VI and what we do. The main Biologicals session was then lead by Aaron Cantrill, AHDB Knowledge Transfer Specialist in cereals and oilseeds, where Sarah Clarke and Chloe Francis (ADAS) & Helen Hesketh and Gia Aradottir (BIRCH/UKCEH) and regional farmers explored the science, evidence and practical considerations involved in using biologicals in commercial cereal and oilseed systems.

The next two sessions (Woodhall Spa, Lincolnshire, 70 participants, 11 Nov and Huntingdon, Cambs, 80 participants, 12 Nov) are fully booked, so if this is an area you are interested in visit the AHDB website:

https://ahdb.org.uk/myth-busting-biologicals-roadshow-2026-27

to see the remaining 7 Roadshows and see if one is close to you.