Inside the Pod

In this episode of Inside the Pod, we’re joined by Charlotte Apsey, a PhD student at the University of Cambridge whose research gets right to the heart of one of the biggest questions facing pulse growers. How can we improve field bean yields while working with nature rather than against it.Charlotte’s work focuses on pollination in field beans and, specifically, the role wildflower margins can play in attracting pollinators into crops. Speaking to episode host, Ben Pike, she explains why beans are more reliant on insect activity than many growers might assume, what happens when pollinators are encouraged to spend more time in and around bean crops, and how relatively simple habitat features could make a measurable difference to performance.A major part of Charlotte’s research involves on farm trials during the bean flowering period. These trials involve counting pollinators visiting flowers and linking that activity back to yield data. The aim is practical, grower relevant insight that supports productive and sustainable farming systems.Charlotte is now looking for farmers who can help host trials in the 2026 season. She is keen to hear from anyone growing field beans, either spring or winter drilled, particularly where there is an existing wildflower margin alongside the crop or where a margin could be established. Access to the field during flowering would be needed for a short period, along with basic yield information at harvest. Where possible, comparison with a similar bean field without a wildflower margin would add even more value to the work.Disruption to the crop is kept to an absolute minimum. Trial areas are clearly marked and removed afterwards, and all findings are shared with the host farm.If you are growing field beans and would like to be involved, or simply want to find out more, you can contact Charlotte directly by emailing cmea3@cam.ac.uk. Farmers can also register interest via PGRO at www.pgro.org, who are supporting the project and helping to connect growers with the research.This episode is a must listen for anyone interested in beans, pollinators and the real world impact of agri environment features on crop performance.

PGRO has unveiled its 2026 Descriptive List for pulses, which contains 11 new pea and bean varieties. Joining Ben Pike in today's special episode of Inside the Pod is Dr Chris Judge, who goes through the new varieties from this year's list, which contains seven new combining peas, two winter beans, and two spring beans.Chris also talks to us about how the Descriptive List trials performed this season, after contending with drought conditions across much of the country and a small number of trial sites failing.The Descriptive List gives growers the opportunity to compare different varieties and evaluate which will suit their situation. You can read the 2026 Descriptive List in full at pgro.org, or you can watch the full launch and presentation presented by Chris on the PGRO YouTube channel.

In this Supply Chain Focus edition of Inside the Pod, host Matt Webster speaks to George Goodwin, the managing director of Senova, a private and independent seed marketing and crop development company with an innovative approach.In this episode Matt and George discuss what companies such as Senova are looking to achieve from their breeding programs, and what's coming down the innovation pipeline, as well as looking at what products and pulse varieties Senova have to offer to growers in the industry, and Senova's working relationship with the PGRO.

In this episode of Inside the Pod, host Ben Pike sits down with pulses trader James Ormerod from Bunge UK to unpack the current dynamics shaping the UK pulse market. James offers a trader’s view of supply and demand, exploring how policy, global competition, and shifting domestic priorities are influencing bean and pea prices.UK bean production has halved in recent years, falling from around 800,000 tonnes to nearer 400,000 tonnes. James attributes much of this decline to SFI (Sustainable Farming Incentive) payments, which have encouraged growers to take land out of production for guaranteed returns. Although Defra’s latest figures suggest a slight recovery in area, the long-term trend remains downward — a concern for both traders and processors.James also discusses how competing protein sources such as soya and rapeseed meal are setting a tough benchmark for beans in feed markets, while export demand has weakened. Still, there are bright spots: the UK’s fish feed sector and poultry market continue to provide strong outlets, and the nation’s reputation for producing high-quality feed beans remains solid.Despite short-term uncertainty, James remains hopeful that renewed policy focus on homegrown protein and sustainable cropping could help pulses reclaim their place in British agriculture — vital for food security, soil health, and reducing reliance on imported soya.For more information read the latest PGRO Pulse Market Update for September/October 2025 (pgro.org). Pea Bruchid is still a hot topic at the moment, and PGRO is still urging growers to remain vigilant and report any signs of infestation. For more information about Pea Bruchid you can listen to this episode of Inside the Pod featuring Dr Becky Howard at https://open.spotify.com/episode/7pTmSTMK7oldn4cg6ISL7e?si=B2VjTE0XQEq5IgvTxEJWsg

In this episode of Inside the Pod from the Processors and Growers Research Organisation (PGRO), host Ben Pike is joined by Dr. Becky Howard from PGRO and Joe Martin from Corteva Agriscience to discuss responsible use of propyzamide, the active ingredient in Kerb® and Kerb® Flo, a key herbicide for grassweed control in winter beans.Becky and Joe explain why propyzamide remains a crucial tool for managing resistant blackgrass and other grass and broadleaf weeds, thanks to its unique mode of action and effectiveness in cooler, moist soils. However, they also stress that increasing environmental scrutiny, particularly around water contamination risks, means good stewardship is essential to keep this vital active available.The conversation covers best practice for application timing (typically late October to December), field selection, and measures to reduce runoff, such as avoiding waterlogged soils, minimizing compaction, and maintaining buffer zones near watercourses. Joe highlights Corteva’s stewardship initiatives, including collaboration with water companies and grower support through the Kerb Weather Data app and online CPD training resources.Listeners are encouraged to visit corteva.co.uk/propyzamide for stewardship advice and weather guidance to ensure safe and effective use of propyzamide this drilling season.

In this episode of Inside the Pod, Emily Scaife speaks to John McArthur, Managing Director at McArthur BDC, about his involvement in the NCS Project.

In this episode of Inside the Pod, Ben Pike speaks to Dr Becky Howard about the recent confirmation of the presence of pea bruchid in a UK-grown commercial pea crop for the first time.Ben and Becky discuss what to look out for, how to prevent infestation, and what to do should pea bruchid be found in your crop.For more information about the recent pea bruchid discovery, you can read the recent press release at https://www.pgro.org/first-occurrence-of-pea-bruchid-in-uk-commercial-crop-confirmed/For more details on the life cycle of the pea bruchid, read pages 8 and 9 of the Summer 2023 edition of The Pulse Magazine at https://www.pgro.org/downloads/summer-Pulse-2023.pdfAn assessment of risk to UK pea production was produced by PGRO for the HDC Factsheet, which can be read at https://www.pgro.org/downloads/PeabruchidanassessmentofrisktoUKpeaproduction.pdf

In this extended episode of Inside the Pod, Matt Webster and Emily Scaife speak to PGRO's experts from the 2025 Pulse Open Day, discussing the various crops, projects and trials on show including the NCS Project, the Descriptive List, Lentils, Lupins, and more.

In this episode of Inside the Pod, Matt Webster and Emily Scaife speak to Simon Jackson, Field Technical Manager at Syngenta, about the company's work in developing biostimulants for the pulse market.

The latest Pulse Market Update from the Processors and Growers Research Organisation.

In this extended episode of Inside the Pod, we speak to the PGRO team from their stand at the 2025 Cereals, speaking to Pulse Pioneer Bryony Graham about her involvement in the NCS Project, Erin Matlock gives her top tips to those who are either growing pulses for the first time or getting back to pulses after a long time away, and Roger Vickers and Dr. Chris Judge talk us through the PGRO stand and trial plots on show at Cereals.

In this episode of Inside the Pod, Ben Pike and Emily Scaife speak to Tom Astill, Market Development Representative from Bayer, and Dr Becky Howard from PGRO about Bayer's work on crop protection and insecticides for pulse crops, including their newest product, Sivanto Prime.

In this episode of Inside the Pod, Ben Pike and Emily Scaife are joined by Iain Ford, Business Development Manager for Agricultural Solutions at BASF to discuss the newly released Pea Growth Guide, helping growers with the best ways to get the best out of their peas.

In this episode of Inside the Pod, we take a look at the latest pulse market update for April 2025.

In this episode of Inside the Pod, we take a look at the latest Pulse Market Update for March 2025, in which the UK's pulse markets have continued to be quiet since the turn of the year, and overall export demand has been much lower since the last harvest.

In this Supply Chain Focus edition of Inside the Pod, we speak to Mark Herriman, Head of Sales and Corporate Operations at PheroSyn, a start-up company spun out of Rothamsted Research supporting a new method of pest control in crops - pheromone-based monitoring, with the aim of reducing pesticide use in agriculture.

In this extended episode of Inside the Pod, we take a look at the From Soya to Sustainability conference held in January by the NCS Project partners.Ben Pike speaks to a variety of speakers and attendees from the conference, including Philip Lymbery from Compassion in World Farming, Gemma Hoskins from Mighty Earth, and Pulse Pioneers John Seed and Rob Waterston, plus more, about the importance of home grown pulses in replacing imported soya and creating a more sustainable food system.

In this extended episode of Inside the Pod, we look at the 2025 Descriptive List for Pulses which was unveiled by PGRO at CropTec 2024.We speak to PGRO Chief Technical Officer Dr Chris Judge who talks us through what's new on the list, as well as representatives from two of the breeders who have varieties on this year's list, Heather Oldfield from Limagrain and Michael Shuldham from NPZ.

In this episode of Inside the Pod, Ben Pike takes a look at the highlights from this year's Pea and Bean Conference, run by the British Growers Association, which took place in Lincolnshire earlier this month.It was a full day with speakers such as Simon Conway from Horticulture Crop Protection Ltd, Sam Trevey, the Fresh Produce Technical Manager from Red Tractor, the Lincolnshire Rural Support Network, and Hatch PR, who are behind the Yes Peas campaign, all speaking at the event.

In this episode of Inside the Pod, we speak to Agrii Agronomist Todd Jex who has recently achieved a bean crop yield of over 8-tonnes per hectare on one of his farms, an exciting development that we want to get to the bottom of.