New data from on-farm trials shows significant gains for both conventional and organic growers

Cope has launched Cope Nutrition, a crop nutrition programme in partnership with crop nutrition specialist, BioNature, designed to help UK growers achieve higher, more resilient yields. Backed by extensive on-farm trials and award-winning performance, the programme is already delivering strong results across a range of crops and farming systems.

During the 2025 drought, Cope Nutrition achieved an average wheat yield increase of 0.47 t/ha across eight trial farms. The highest-yielding wheat plot delivered an additional 1.5 t/ha, with consistent gains also recorded in barley and oilseed rape. Winter barley delivered the strongest response, with yield increases of up to 39% in some trial blocks.

These results build on previous record-breaking performances. Crops grown using the programme have achieved world records in wheat, barley, oats, potatoes, sugarbeet and oilseed rape, recognised through multiple YEN Gold Awards.

2026 YEN winners using the programme include holder of the oilseed rape world record, Tim Lamyman, achieving YEN Gold Award with a yield of 7.71t/ha. Mark Popplewell secured the highest winter barley yield of 12.62 t/ha, alongside a cereal award with an estimated yield of 70% of 18.0 t/ha. And John Anderson achieved a YEN Gold Award for Merlin spring oats, delivering a yield of 10.9 t/ha.

One of the programme's biggest strengths is its ability to improve nutrient efficiency. Trial data shows:

• Up to 38% higher nitrogen-use efficiency (NUE)
• 27% less nitrogen required per tonne of grain produced

Growers using Cope Nutrition reported crops with:

• Stronger, deeper root systems;
• improved drought and stress tolerance;
• more even, uniform growth;
• improved tiller retention and head fill.

These characteristics were especially valuable during last year's dry conditions, helping crops maintain performance where untreated areas struggled.

Potato trial results

Results from the 2025 potato trials at Dyson Farming Research show a clear yield and value advantage from the Cope Nutrition programme compared with a standard farm programme. In the variety Elland, yields increased from 65.85 t/ha to 87.13 t/ha, a gain of 21.28 t/ha (32.3%), while Caledonian Rose increased from 31.7 t/ha to 45.9 t/ha, a gain of 14.2 t/ha (44.8%).

The improved performance is linked to stronger plant growth and root development, enhanced nutrient uptake and tuber bulking, reduced calcium-related disorders, and more uniform tuber size and improved skin finish - all key factors for processing and premium markets.

Suitable for both conventional and organic systems

For organic farmers, the programme includes Leodita, a product made from 100% natural Leonardite. It supports root development, soil structure and nutrient availability, aligning with organic standards and delivering measurable improvements without synthetic inputs.

For conventional arable farmers, the full Cope Nutrition programme offers a route to higher yield, exceptional ROI and reduced nitrogen loading per hectare.

"Last year I grew Nelson winter wheat for a seed contract on a split field trial," explains Lincolnshire arable farmer, Colin Chappell. "It was drilled late on drought-prone land. It yielded 7.5 t/ha, which was 1.5t/ha higher than the standard programme without Cope Nutrition.

"We did two passes of Delta K at a rate of 2.5 litres per hectare, and two passes of Tip Top micronutrients at a rate of 2.5 litres per hectare, and this gave us the 1.5t/ha yield increase," he says.

Colin says he has seen even greater yield improvements on other wheat crops by adding Xstress - a blend of trace elements and micronutrients including zinc that reduces abiotic (environmental) stress - into the programme. In some milling wheat crops (Loxton yielded 11t/ha), this delivered a 2 t/ha yield increase.

"The nutrition programme allowed me to delay fungicide applications because it helps balance nutrition within the plant, making the crop naturally healthier," Colin explains. "I tissue- and sap-test regularly, and in my experience it works best on strong crops with a good plant stand. The overall benefit is that you end up spending less on expensive fungicides."

Fellow Lincolnshire grower, Mark Popplewell also uses the nutrition programme. "We started using the nutrition programme just over six years ago," he says. "We now use it across the whole of our 2000 hectare farm, covering winter wheat, winter barley, spring barley, record breaking Merlin spring oats, and spring beans."

Tom Siswick, seed production manager at Cope, says:

"Farmers are under pressure to increase output while reducing inputs, and Cope Nutrition is proving it can achieve both. The data shows significant yield gains, stronger crops and more efficient nitrogen use. It's a practical, evidence-backed solution for growers looking to build resilience and profitability into their system."

Farmers can access trial data, product information and support by contacting Cope or visiting the website.