Farmers often face a long list of ‘what ifs’ when it comes to crop nutrition and plant health, but this year’s Cereals Event offers practical, forward-thinking solutions. From tackling disease and nutrient imbalances to exploring innovative feeds and management tools, exhibitors will showcase technologies and strategies designed to meet evolving crop needs.

Natural England

Natural England will showcase its forward-thinking approach to crop management across its crop plots, which include herbal leys, autumn and spring-sown cover crops, bird food mixes, and a living mulch system.

“Our goal is to help farmers get the crops right first," says Mark Taylor, senior Catchment Sensitive Farming officer for Yorkshire and Humber.

The living mulch demonstration will feature intercropping between a low-vigour clover mix and cash crop – whether that be wheat, oilseed rape, or barley. Incorporating clovers increases nitrogen fixation, while suppressing weeds like blackgrass and broadleaved species, all without competing with the main crop. Post-harvest, they can be retained as winter cover or topped, forming a dynamic and low-input rotational system with added nitrogen and soil health benefits.

“It’s been dry, but the crops are holding up well,” says Mr Taylor. “Good establishment is key. Put in the time and planning at the start, and the rest is good management. From there, things get a lot easier.”

Natural England is also using the event to offer free, independent Defra-funded advice through the Catchment Sensitive Farming initiative. This will help farmers assess their soil types, tweak seed mixes, and build workable systems that benefit both the environment and the bottom line.

Niab

Wheat disease management forms the basis of Niab’s presence at Cereals 2025. Fungicide programmes in winter wheat and winter barley, wheat variety blends, and companion cropping options will be on display across its plots. Visitors can also learn about the latest pathogen diagnostic and disease tools developed by Niab researchers.

“Our untreated winter wheat variety demo plots give growers a head-start on their selection for next season, with differences in disease susceptibility between the varieties clearly evident this year,” says regional agronomist and technical lead, Andrew Watson.

“The demo is complemented by the variety blends feature, enabling visitors to assess whether bringing together the resistance profiles of several wheat varieties could potentially reduce disease, improve resilience and increase yield.”

Kelp Blue

Kelp Blue, a global leader in regenerative ocean farming and seaweed-based biostimulants, will debut its latest innovation StimBlue+ Cereals, alongside expanding field trials with UK growers.

“Enriched with micronutrients, StimBlue+ Cereals supports early crop establishment and reduces nitrogen fertiliser needs, responding to environmental regulation and cost pressures,” says Casper Velthuijs, Kelp Blue’s UK agronomist.

“Fertiliser is the brick and mortar; StimBlue+ is the architect. It helps the plant use inputs more efficiently.”

Cultivating Giant Kelp (Macrocystis pyrifera) across three continents, headquartered in the Netherlands, Kelp Blue provides a sustainable tool for reducing synthetic fertiliser use.

Its flagship biostimulant, StimBlue+, is a liquid extract that enhances nutrient uptake and abiotic stress tolerance, improving soil health, boosting plant resilience, and reducing fertiliser input.

“Unlike conventional products made from Ascophyllum nodosum seaweed, StimBlue+ is derived from the canopy of fast-growing giant kelp, harvested selectively for maximum bioactivity,” says Casper Velthuijs, the company’s UK agronomist.

“This method ensures consistent quality and a rich composition of laminarin, fucoidan, and alginates to trigger plant gene expression; mannitol for improved drought resilience and alginates to support root-soil microbial interactions.”

In more than 70 GEP-certified field trials in Europe, StimBlue+ outperformed leading biostimulants in 90% of cases, particularly in root development and stress resistance.

Kelp Blue’s UK technical team will be on hand throughout the event to offer personalised advice, and growers are being invited to join their trial partner network to test new biostimulant formulations in real farm conditions.

AminoA

AminoA has noticed a shift in growers’ mindsets in the past few years, becoming more informed and open to biostimulants, particularly based on trial results and performance data.

At Cereals 2025, AminoA will focus on the importance of foliar feeding and the role of biostimulants in overcoming stressful conditions. Its range of products can stimulate soil microbiology, improve nutrient efficiency, and increase plant resilience, says Richard Phillips, managing director at AnimoA.

“The dry weather pattern seen so far this year is causing deficiencies in nitrogen and potassium, putting crops under pressure,” he notes. “Foliar feeding can play an important role in addressing this by delivering nutrients directly to the leaf, bypassing the soil and helping crops maintain growth and performance.

“Biostimulants can help tackle abiotic stresses by supporting the plants’ natural defences,” he adds. “They help stimulate root development, improve water and nutrient uptake, and support soil microbiology. This makes crops more resilient, even under tough conditions.”

Several monitoring tools and technologies are available, including soil moisture sensors, drone imaging and satellite data. “These help growers assess crop health, nutrient status and stress levels, allowing for more targeted interventions.”