Cereal Killers

Dr. Russell Sharp explains why his company doesn’t sell microbial products, citing viability, supply-chain dilution and poor-quality suppliers that damage the sector’s reputation. He announces a free service for regenerative farmers: send recent microbial products to Eutrema for microscopy, staining and culture tests to verify identity, viability and concentration, with results shared to help clea...

Dr. Russell Sharp explores perennial arable crops such as kernza, perennial rice, and sorghum; discussing their advantages (reduced tillage, deeper roots, soil health), current commercial status, and practical challenges such as lower yields, pests, and multi-year management. The episode also covers breeding and gene-editing targets to improve traits, global research efforts, and the potential for...

Dr. Russell Sharp examines fertiliser products that claim to contain dozens to 90+ chemical elements, using the periodic table to show why many of those claims are impossible, radioactive, or potentially toxic. He explains that plants only need around a dozen essential nutrients (plus a few beneficials), points out which elements can’t realistically be present, and urges listeners to question manu...

In this episode Dr. Russell Sharp explains trehalose 6‑phosphate (T6P) as a plant sucrose‑status signal and its potential to boost wheat yields. He compares products from SugarRox and Unium, discusses trial evidence, ROI claims, and the challenges of bringing a single‑compound biostimulant to market. Dr. Sharp also covers intellectual property and public‑sector spinouts, the need for larger indepe...

Dr. Russell Sharp examines the severe crop losses in Latvia caused by heavy spring and late-season rainfall, flooding and seed washout that destroyed vegetables like onions, carrots, cabbages and potatoes. He explains how these conditions have left farmers facing large economic losses and likely increased imports and prices. The episode contrasts Latvia’s wet, unstable “climate frontline” with the...

Dr. Russell Sharp revisits previous claims about ICL (formerly Israel Chemicals Limited), clarifying that there is no evidence they manufacture white phosphorus but detailing findings that ICL supplies white phosphorus to the US Army and onward to Israel, who use White Phosphorus against civilian populations. The episode also examines ICL’s sponsorship ties to an IDF battalion that has been filmed...

In this engaging episode, Dr. Russell Sharp delves into the intricate world of chelation, uncovering its crucial role in agriculture and hydroponics. Explaining the process of nutrient bonding, Dr. Sharp highlights the common misconceptions and misleading products in the market, particularly focusing on iron and boron management. Listeners will discover the groundbreaking developments from the Utr...

Welcome back to Cereal Killers, the podcast dedicated to exploring the challenges faced by arable crops, including pests, diseases, and environmental stresses. In this episode, we delve into the intricate topic of water deficits, debunking the common association with drought and focusing on the scientific perspective. Discover how water deficits affect plant yield and growth and learn about innova...

In this episode of Cereal Killers, we dive into the evolving world of agriculture as we explore the transition from chemical-based agrochemicals to biological solutions. Discover how a comprehensive biological program for cereals can be adapted for other crops, offering a way to improve plant health while supporting sustainable farming practices. From the benefits of seaweed extracts and beneficia...

Welcome to our latest episode of Cereal Killers, where we tackle the critical issue of carcinogenic fertilizers in agriculture. Discover the alarming truth about fertilizers containing harmful heavy metals such as cobalt and nickel, which are widely recognized as carcinogens. These substances pose significant health risks as they persist in soil and can linger in the lungs, raising concerns about...

Join us for an engaging episode of "Cereal Killers," the podcast that delves into the fascinating world of arable crop management. This instalment features an insightful talk from the Farming Innovation Forum at Lancaster University, exploring the critical topic of protecting soil biology on regenerative farms. Dr Russell Sharp shares his journey from studying ornamental plants to focusing on arab...

In this episode of Cereal Killers, we delve into the intriguing world of agricultural diseases, focusing specifically on the Sharp Eyespot. This fungal disease, affecting a variety of crops including cereals, is dissected to uncover its symptoms, global impact, and differentiation from its better-known cousin, the Eyespot. Learn about the conditions favouring its growth, its potential to cause yie...

Check out Hydroponics daily by clicking the link below: https://open.spotify.com/show/207T7p7fw9sPjINfSjVXW2   Dr Russell Sharp Eutrema Ltd

Do you consider yourself a regenerative agriculture expert? Take our quiz and find out:  https://eutrema.co.uk/agriculture-expert/ Let us know how you got on! Dr Russell Sharp Eutrema Ltd

It was about time we recorded a podcast on flooding and waterlogging, seeing how 2024 has been a wash out of a year! In this podcast we do a deep dive into all aspects of flooding; causes, effects on plants, positive effects, and how to solve issues around clay soils impeding drainage.   For more details on Eutrema's Liquid Gypsum please visit: https://eutrema.co.uk/shop/soil-conditioners/liquid-g...

Welcome to a special Halloween edition of Cereal Killers, the podcast dedicated to the pests and diseases affecting cereal crops. In this episode, we delve into the fascinating world of the ghost moth, scientifically known as Hepialis humuli. Discover the intriguing history and biology of this moth, from its misleading scientific name to its unique mating dance known as "lekking." Learn about the...

In this episode of Cereal Killers we focus on the notorious Barley Yellow Dwarf Virus (BYDV). As farmers brace themselves for the upcoming season, we explore the impact of this virus on winter wheat and barley, where it can lead to staggering yield losses of up to 60% and 50% respectively. Join us as Russell discusses the intricacies of controlling BYDV, including the role of aphids as vectors, an...

In this episode, Josie and Russell dive deep into the world of the small but mighty flea beetle, a pest with over 100 species that wreaks havoc on crops like oilseed rape and brassicas. Learn about the life cycle of these beetles, their impressive jumping abilities, and the significant impact they have on crop yields. Discover the challenges of controlling flea beetles, from insecticides to innova...

In this episode, Josie and Russ tackle the troublesome weeds; couch grass and onion couch grass. Also known as twitch grass or quack grass, couch grass has a multitude of common names. Its scientific name, Elymus repens, hints at its creeping nature. This weed is a significant issue in horticulture and gardens, and it can be particularly tricky to control once its roots get intertwined with your p...

In this episode we chat about chocolate spot—a serious fungal disease affecting field and broad beans. While the name might sound delicious, chocolate spot is anything but tasty. The discussion covers the causes, symptoms, and impacts of this disease, as well as effective methods for control. Learn about the differences between Botrytis fabiae and Botrytis cinerea, and why crop rotation and debris...

Meadow grasses, specifically Poa annua (annual meadow grass) and Poa trivialis (rough meadow grass). Whilst these weeds may not pose a significant threat to crop yields, they present unique biological traits and can become pesky nuisances in certain conditions. Discover the fascinating details about Poa annua, its misleading name, and how it thrives in various environments, including its impact in...

We discuss the intriguing and troublesome life cycle of wireworms, from their beginnings as eggs to their transformation into click beetles. Discover why wireworms pose such a significant threat to crops like beetroot, cereals, and oilseed rape, and learn about their unique defense mechanism—a clicking noise designed to startle predators. The conversation also touches on effective control methods,...

Black Grass Biology Group 2024 progress report   On-farm trials This year we partnered with 16 farms to run commercial-scale trials to assess the potential for applying fungal spores to help with the control of black grass. Most of the trials were 50-150 hectares in size. Below is a summary of our findings so far this year: 32% of the farms running trials reported observing either an effect on bla...

The main way of correcting phosphorus deficiency in soils is to add a phosphorus-containing fertiliser. However, your current situation will determine the actual form you should opt for. This post is solely focused on these phosphorus-containing fertilisers. We will be publishing additional blog posts about the symptoms and challenges of phosphorus deficiency, and also on how to release phosphorus...

In this week's episode we delve into the issues around filter and nozzle blockages. We pay particular attention to the problems that can arise when mixing various biological products and how to overcome them.   Fish-based organic fertiliser Most commonly extracted using phosphoric acid. Phosphorus often reacts with soluble calcium to form insoluble calcium phosphate. Once this forms, it isn’t goin...