HowellP

Home-grown soybean is difficult. Hottest UK summer on record. In foreground maturity group ‘0000’ variety starting to split pods tho seed still slightly chewy and first pods touching soil. In background typical US variety with big biomass, but barely started flowering here

Shed some blood, sweat and tears setting up then working at Whittlesford, good times. Best wishes to the WW (and GBMA WB) teams

35 yrs ago I went on a formative field trip to West Wales with ⁦@MickyLachmann⁩, @dave_baxter⁩ etc; transect all day and pub all night. Last week we learned Micky died in a climbing accident, so I raise a commemorative Double Dragon to him and to youthful optimism 🍻

Miss you, Mac

@KamounLab @wheatpath I recently gave a talk about wheat pre-breeding that mentioned (genetic) diversity so many times in such positive terms that I expected a SWAT team to swing in through the windows and take me out

Perhaps we should avoid using military metaphors in our papers... "The FBI said authorities found a scientific article on Liu’s phone that was titled, “Plant-Pathogen Warfare under Changing Climate Conditions.”" theguardian.com/us-news/2025/j…

This #InternationalPotatoDay let’s get behind the great research that’s going into making the crop more resistant to pests and diseases ⁦@niabgroup⁩ ⁦@cupgra⁩ ⁦@jonathandgjones⁩

Privileged to be one of two ⁦@niabgroup⁩ keynote speakers alongside Ji Zhou at a ⁦⁦@novonordiskfond⁩ project meeting in sunny Denmark

Great day at @niabgroup Cambridge today to see official seed testing and field trials for new crop varieties @DefraGovUK @APHAgovuk

Fancy working on practical soultions to combat a fascinating fungal disease? Great new 4-year PhD opportunity @niabgroup & @plantsci but skates on, it's a short deadline! Unfortunately this is only open to UK applicants. See link in original post for details

@Jes_Squirrell @allohexaploid @KertonMC Any correlation with previous crop?

@allohexaploid @KertonMC @breederphil Certain areas of fields are starting to look very shabby. Doesn’t seem to be any rhyme or reason why, but earlier sown are worse

Seriously bad infestation of gout fly in the wheat trials. All I can do is score the damage and wait for the drop in yield. @allohexaploid @breederphil

@KertonMC @allohexaploid Spring onions! Another hard pest to breed for resistance as it’s so sporadic

@allohexaploid What a gift! Meant to be the longest single word palindrome ! Careful of the couch and bindweed….

I got a rotavator for my birthday 😍😍😍. Apparently it’s a modern version of the sought after Merry Tiller. Maybe for my 40th I’ll get an actual tractor 😍😍 🚜 🚜

@Marta_S_Lopes @bramaccimmyt Found this a few times over the years but it never breeds true, just a glitch in the time-space continuum. Do have some lines with heritable branched ears but fertility is very poor

Nature always finds a way to surprise. Stumbled upon some conjoined wheat spikes. (Foto credit Maria Brezeanu)

#Niab is part of an @appg_agscience exhibit in Parliament this week, showcasing cutting edge agriscience innovation to MPs, Peers and staff. @JohnInnesCentre @roslininstitute @Rothamsted @LIATLincoln #SupportingAgriscience

Are you ready to lead operations at our Hereford Regional Centre? Join #Niab and you will manage field crop trials focusing on cereals, oilseed rape, pulses, and forage crops. Full info and apply ➡️ow.ly/S7O850UQnhL #NowHiring #Vacancy

New #Vacancy: If you’re an expert in statistical analysis with a passion for applying data to real-world agricultural challenges, this is your chance to lead, influence, and drive impact on both a national and international scale. Full info and apply➡️ ow.ly/S97p50UV1tn

Niab will be giving birds a safe home this year thanks to the installation of some new nestboxes – built and painted by local schoolchildren➡️ow.ly/elxH50UUYFb

Pulses are rich in protein, fibre & minerals, and require few inputs, boost soil fertility & help pollinators. Niab researches improved genetics, pathology & agronomy in pea, faba, lentil, chickpea, phaseolus & soybean, plus non-UK cowpea and Bambara Groundnut. #WorldPulseDay!

This week's @appg_agscience week in Parliament showcased UK taxpayer-funded research and innovation and included the launch of a new innovation agenda for UK agriculture➡️ ow.ly/FuCE50URawB @JohnInnesCentre @roslininstitute @Rothamsted @LIATLincoln #SupportingAgriscience

@ADB0806 It started with some quiet civilised drinks in a cosy Norfolk pub. What could possibly go wrong? In my head I haven’t changed a bit, but most of that hair has gone! Also note the @FitzwilliamColl rugby shirt I was proudly wearing, long since disintegrated

Found some photos from my stag night over 30 years ago. ⁦@breederphil⁩ how young do we look!!!