British Society of Plant Breeders - BSPB

14/09/2026

Discover how the powerful tool of precision breeding is being put into practice, as researchers, farmers, policymakers and industry leaders share the latest developments and insights at the UK Precision Breeding – Farming Futures Conference.

Amongst the speakers is BSPB Technical Manager, Louise Everest.

https://www.jic.ac.uk/event/uk-precision-breeding-farming-futures-conference/

11/09/2026

Blythe Soper, Trials Co-ordinator at BSPB tells us more about her role, how she came into the role and what inspires her.

Find the full spotlight here:

What does it take to get a new variety to market? Meet the BSPB team member helping guide varieties through VCU trials – and discover what makes the job so rewarding. Q. What is your role at BSPB? “I co-ordinate ...

09/09/2026

Strong, resilient varieties are key for future agriculture.

09/09/2026

It can take 10 - 15 years to develop a new variety and over a £1 million investment. These new varieties are tested to ensure they are bringing something new to the market. They will need to withstand the pests, diseases and weather events that we have been seeing.

07/09/2026

Is consistency and resilience more important that yield?
Read the post harvest blog from our Technical Manager, Louise Everest
https://www.bspb.co.uk/news/its-not-just-getting-drier-or-wetter-seasons-are-becoming-less-predictable/

04/09/2026

ISF are hosting a series on Illegal Seed Practices.

Certified seed assures farmers, growers, and buyers that, through a rigorous process, the seed has been tested and chosen for its properties.

01/09/2026

The BSPB Forage Maize Descriptive Lists have been redesigned for the 2027 growing season, making it easier for growers to identify varieties suited to their farm and growing conditions.

https://www.bspb.co.uk/news/new-maize-descriptive-lists-make-variety-choice-easier-for-2027/

21/07/2026

A visit to a chickpea trial highlighted UK's crop potential. Farmer David White (Cambridgeshire), who is hosting the trials, provided an update to farmers, researchers and industry representatives on the progress of the crop.

Read more, here:

Projects funded through the Defra Farming Innovation Programme and managed by Innovate UK are supporting efforts to establish chickpeas as a viable, climate-resilient crop for UK farmers. As part of this work, Niab and project partners are evaluating chickpea production ...

23/06/2026

This year marks a significant milestone for the British Society of Plant Breeders as we celebrate 60 years of championing innovation, collaboration and excellence in UK plant breeding.

Check out our special newsletter for
🌱plant breeding milestones over the past 60 years
🌱 words from our chair, Jonathan Tann of Limagrain UK Ltd
🌱 variety trails update from Technical Manager, Louise Everest
🌱 end user statements

https://www.bspb.co.uk/news/bspb-celebrates-60-years-of-representing-plant-breeding-in-the-uk/

04/06/2026

Come and say hello to us at Cereals Event next week to take part in our competition and be in with the chance of winning a Schoffel shirt or one of our other prizes!

This will be well worth entering for anybody who was already planning to visit the stands of breeders, merchants and processors across the event.