New science and technology that will help deliver better yields and quality and make more efficient use of inputs is in plentiful supply at Cereals 2014, organisers say.

Many innovations will be demonstrated within the hundreds of crop plots across the event. NIAB TAG asks the question “Farming in 2020 – are you ready?” reflecting the organisation’s renewed emphasis on research and innovation at farm level. It is addressing issues such as pesticide resistance, yield plateau, loss of triazoles, new disease races, changes in EU legislation and climate change.

The stand includes an insight into how pre-breeding research is developing crops to deal with market and environmental challenges. This includes new lines from its superwheat crossing programme, which introduces more genetic diversity from the wild to help improve yield, drought tolerance, disease resistance and input use efficiency.

New research into soils, rotations and cultivations is illustrated by The Hole Story, which among other things demonstrates the impact of winter compaction on the soil profile.

NIAB TAG’s wide-ranging agronomy plots will cover disease management, row width and seed rate research, rotations, blackgrass control and yield management.

In addition to this, HGCA’s theme is national research to deliver local solutions, which encompasses a host of crop management projects. This includes work that aims to crack the blackgrass resistance code and develop essential new management solutions for problematic UK weeds. The role of cover crops in blackgrass control is also examined.

Along with several other exhibitors at the event, HGCA is examining the implications of the recent neonicotinoid insecticide restrictions. It will highlight new research to help growers protect oilseed rape crops this autumn.

Another area will feature the latest from the ‘Auto-N’ project which examines whether precision technologies can react to in-field variability and target optimum N rates.

Other topics include herbicide resistance in broad-leaved weeds, fungicide performance plots in wheat, barley and oilseed rape, and assessing the need for micronutrient applications.

Wheat genetics are a key feature on the Velcourt stand. John Innes Centre research into the yield component of the wheat ear, including grain width, grain length, spikelet number, branched ears, and glume length, is on show. The work could increase winter wheat yields by up to 10%.

Two Cropco hybrid wheats are also featured to see how to maximise wheat yields and capitalise on hybrid vigour to deliver yield in challenging growing conditions.

Stewardship of both triazole and SDHI fungicides will be included in Velcourt’s fungicide feature, looking at ways to help retain their efficacy as long as possible. Potential problems from EU legislation that lie ahead for both groups are also being highlighted.

Other displays include variable rate technology, work with Jordans Oats and Ryvita to improve performance in yield, baking, and end-use quality and Velcourt TSB research projects looking at yield, OSR pathogens and spring barley fusarium. Stand tours can be booked in advance or arranged on the day.