Know How latest CEREAL DRILLSHow Limavady farmer built versatile drill on the cheapTired of Limavady’s persistent rainfall hampering the use of his trailed disc drill, Alistair Craig hatched a plan to build a less weather-dependent alternative. Key criteria were that it should… DAIRY6 tips on delivering water for dairy cowsMany dairy farms have outgrown their water supply as they have increased cow numbers. Yet investment in water infrastructure often is not considered until a problem arises. Phil Evans is… OILSEED RAPEOilseed rape grower sees helping hand from SFIHampshire oilseed rape grower Dick Hall is earning £369/ha from environmental payments, allowing the crop to rival winter wheat for profitability and making rapeseed the best break crop he can… LAYERSWhat new RSPCA Assured layer standards mean for farmersProviding a minimum of 3% natural daylight in housing could cost free-range and barn-egg producers at least £1 a bird. Other requirements within the new RSPCA Assured welfare standards require… SHEEPHow a Breckland sheep farm is planning for successionTwo sisters who returned to the family sheep and beef farm with completely different approaches to work have successfully navigated a way to farm together. Katie and Claire Evans both… DISEASE MANAGEMENTWheat rusts an added threat at Crop Doctor site for T2 sprayYellow and brown rust control is set to become more important for winter wheat growers at the key flag leaf fungicide spray timing later this month as septoria is largely… TAXIHT planning: Beware of surprise tax liabilitiesA hasty move or an unexpected event can bring surprise tax liabilities and other complications when planning for the cut in inheritance tax (IHT) reliefs due to take effect from… ARABLEArable Insights farmers weigh up a future without subsidyThis month, our Arable Insights farmers are considering all the options as they ponder the future of farming. With government support for both food production and nature recovery paused in… FARM POLICYNI farm policy shift creates challenges for livestock sectorSupport for farm businesses in Northern Ireland is going through a transition period, away from the old Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) system of support and towards a Farm Sustainability Payment… TENANCIES AND RENTSTenancy model promotes nature's recovery and diversificationAll new farm tenancies on the Crown Estate are to be environmental farm business tenancies with a minimum 15-year term, no open-ended break clauses for the landlord but breaks for… BEEFHow genomics are helping farm target beef to premium marketsGenomic testing is helping Wiltshire farmers Nick and Lucy Tyler – Farmers Weekly's 2024 Mixed Farmers of the Year – match each beef animal to its optimal market and target… DISEASE MANAGEMENTWhy growers need flexible T2 plans as dry spell continuesAs the T2 spray timing approaches, keeping enough flexibility in spray programmes as the dry spell continues is occupying the minds of growers and agronomists alike. With T1 sprays completed… ARABLEHow cultivated margins help rare plants and biodiversityCultivated margins, or areas of fields that are cultivated annually, but not drilled, are one of the best ways of encouraging rare arable plants and the wildlife that depends on… DAIRYLungworm vaccine cuts wormer use by nearly 90%, study showsVaccinating youngstock for lungworm has resulted in an 87% reduction in the use of macrocyclic lactone wormers among dairy farmers who took part in a Welsh study. The trial was… YOUNGSTOCK MANAGEMENTWhy enough space to feed is vital for heifer health and growthPaying attention to feed and water access for replacement heifers is the key to ensuring coccidiosis prevention works – and that youngstock can achieve their growth targets. Adding medicine such… WEED MANAGEMENTTips on weed control in farmyards and near arable buildingsTasks such as weed control around farm buildings, grain dryers and other infrastructure can feel like an inconvenience when farm staff are stretched by core spring activities. But there is… DIVERSIFICATIONFruit grower turns waste products into business ventureFarmers Weekly's 2024 Diversification Farmer of the Year winner, Annabel Makin-Jones, has built a sustainable business model, which maximises the use of by-products to reduce costs and waste. The Yorkshire-based… CONTRACTOR COMMENTContractor Comment: Tough decisions help grow Cornish farmOn our Contractor Comment roster this week are Cornwall-based Josh and Helen Collins, whose extensive machinery fleet is almost exclusively built by Claas. Farmers Weekly catches up with them. See… BUSINESS MANAGEMENTHow making time to talk about the farm's future pays offOne of the key aims and benefits of the free business advice offered through Defra’s Future Farming Resilience Fund was to facilitate the start of conversations within farming businesses about… LIVESTOCK DISEASESFarmers urged to be on alert for bluetongue re-emergenceFarmers are being urged to remain vigilant as temperatures rise and the threat of bluetongue virus re-emerges. The Animal Health and Plant Agency (Apha) has raised concerns that mildly… WEED MANAGEMENTWhy parasitic weeds are a rising arable threatFarmers are advised to be aware of the presence of parasitic weeds, especially if more diverse rotations are in place and legumes have been included in stewardship mixes or as… CROP MANAGEMENTHow integrating livestock in rotations cuts crop inputsAs sustainable farming practices become increasingly important, some agronomists and farmers are exploring how integrating livestock into arable systems can bring both environmental and economic benefits. By combining rotational grazing… PIGS6 ways to manage antibiotics usage in pigsSignificant efforts to reduce antibiotics use in the UK pig herd resulted in a 75% fall between 2015 and 2022. Since then, however, rates have been increasing again – if… BUSINESS MANAGEMENTInsolvency risks and mitigation steps for farm businessesA raft of issues including finance, employment and other costs, supply chain problems, climate change and international trade friction all combine to make business increasingly volatile. Challenges can come from within,… HEALTH AND WELLBEINGHow agriculture can support socialising for the neurodiverseSocial isolation can be a common feature for people with neurodiversities, especially so for children and teenagers. Occasions such as a barn dance or a formal dinner, which are undemanding… ARABLEVelcourt trials reveal distinct benefit of fungicide at T2Independent trials carried out by farming company Velcourt have revealed a distinct benefit from including the fungicide RevyPro at the T2 timing in winter wheat. Initial trial work in 2023… HEALTH AND WELFAREHow data analysis helped dairy herds cut mastitis casesA project involving multiple dairy farms across Wales has demonstrated why collecting data to establish the mastitis “red flags” specific to an individual herd can be key to reducing disease… 4X4SOn test: Revamped Land Cruiser still a true off-roaderIf you want a vehicle that’ll stand the test of time, you won’t go far wrong if there’s a Toyota badge on the tailgate. Team this with the words Land… WHATS IN YOUR LIVESTOCK SHEDWhat’s In Your Livestock Shed? Comfort for 50-point rotaryPrioritising cow comfort and wellbeing in the design of new housing has boosted average annual milk yield by 1,000 litres a head at a Carmarthenshire dairy farm. Features include waterbeds,… BUSINESS CLINICBusiness Clinic: Energy compliance in FBT's sublet cottagesWhether it’s a legal, tax, insurance, management or land issue, Farmers Weekly’s Business Clinic experts can help. Here, Nick Curnock, Rural Associate with Carter Jonas, advises on what a new… TAXFarm tax: Opportunities, deadlines and updatesThere is currently a mix of opportunities, deadlines and changes relating to tax for farm businesses. We find out what to be aware of when dealing with your tax responsibilities… AGRICULTURAL TRANSITIONTransition webinar: Renewable energy key points to considerRenewable energy can displace fossil fuel use, cutting input costs and reducing greenhouse gas emissions, according to a Farmers Weekly Transition project webinar panel. But with a number of renewables… AGRICULTURAL TRANSITIONTransition Farmers: Buildings upgrade and new dairy progressFarmers Weekly's Transition project is following a group of farmers on their journey to adapt and meet the challenges of farming. Here, we look at the progress of two farms.… DAIRYWhy a dairy’s succession plan includes £1.5m of debtGiving the next generation an opportunity, not “a free ride”, by borrowing £1.5m to invest in revamping an autumn block-calving herd, has underpinned succession planning for a Wiltshire family farm.… BUSINESSBetter genetics needed to improve crop and livestock outputFurther genetic improvements are needed to meet the challenges of modern agriculture, according to scientists hosting a Transition Project farm walk. The walk attracted dozens of farmers, growers and Transition… BUSINESS CLINICBusiness Clinic: Can we ask tenant to change way they farm?Whether it’s a legal, tax, insurance, management or land issue, Farmers Weekly’s Business Clinic experts can help. Here Duncan Sigournay, partner and head of Thrings agriculture team, advises on a…
