Latest stories FARM POLICYTrade, water and energy reforms expected in King’s SpeechFarmers will be watching closely as King Charles delivers his speech in Westminster on Wednesday (13 May), with several proposed laws expected to have significant implications for agriculture, trade, energy… NEWSClarkson’s Farm returns for fifth series in JuneFrom extreme weather and bovine TB restrictions to political anger over government farming policy, Jeremy Clarkson faces fresh challenges when Clarkson’s Farm returns for its fifth season in June. Amazon… MARKETS AND TRENDSFMD outbreak in China raises concerns for global tradeRecent cases of foot-and-mouth disease in China have prompted renewed calls for farmers to remain vigilant for signs of infection, and could have potential implications for international trade. A preliminary… ENVIRONMENTNFU warns cattle permits could curb farm investmentThe NFU has warned that extending Environmental Permitting Regulations (EPR) to cattle farms could damage confidence and investment in the livestock sector, after receiving hundreds of survey responses from beef… VARIETY SELECTIONGuide to which OSR varieties to drill in summer 2026A good selection of new and existing winter oilseed rape varieties is being matched by renewed enthusiasm for growing the crop, with better yields, reduced pest pressure and stronger prices… PIGS5 steps to achieve good pig farm biosecurityGiven the ever-present threat of notifiable disease African swine fever, Young National Pig Association members have made a range of pledges to help improve biosecurity on pig farms. Everyone has… GRASSLAND MANAGEMENTTips on pre-mowing grazing paddocks with poor residualsPaddocks with poor residuals after the first two grazing rounds can be reset now by pre-mowing before the grass plant gets into its reproductive phase. Wet ground conditions, over allocation… NEWSWelsh farmer charged £20k for SSSI damageA farming company in west Wales has been charged nearly £20,000 after a court convicted it of harming a protected wildlife site by repeatedly violating environmental regulations over eight years.… MUCKSPREADERSBergmann offers new tyre option to minimise spreader widthWider row-crop tyres with a bigger rubber-to-soil contact patch have been squeezed on to Bergmann low-bed manure spreaders for growers and contractors who need a narrow overall width configuration. Alliance… More articles OpinionSee all OPINIONOpinion: Government consultations can be a smokescreenTaking part in government consultations is, I imagine, a bit like consulting your teenager on a reasonable bedtime. The teen thinks midnight is “fine”, but you have other ideas. So… OPINIONOpinion: Realignment with EU is about outcomes, not politicsThere is something quietly revealing about the latest reports of an imminent sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) trade deal between the UK and the EU. We are told that easing checks,… OPINIONOpinion: Work experience shouldn't just be for youngstersWhen I was younger, I thought I could explore a career in midwifery. Why? Because I could lamb a sheep. Solid logic, right? Wrong. After spending a few days in the… OPINIONEditor's View: Glyphosate's loss is a matter of when not ifThe Soil Association’s latest broadside against the pre-harvest use of glyphosate this week is a canny piece of campaigning. The practice – particularly common in wetter areas – is likely… Subscribe to Farmers Weekly Save money and never miss an issue. Subscribe ArableSee all VARIETY SELECTIONGuide to which OSR varieties to drill in summer 2026A good selection of new and existing winter oilseed rape varieties is being matched by renewed enthusiasm for growing the crop, with better yields, reduced pest pressure and stronger prices… FARMER FOCUSFarmer Focus: Iran war shapes next year's cropping plansWe finally had some meaningful rain over the bank holiday weekend. The winter wheat crops were starting to show signs of stress on the shallow soils with substantial amounts of… OILSEED RAPEWhy Devon farmer is growing oilseed rape againOilseed rape crops across parts of the UK started flowering a month ahead of usual, following favourable autumn weather and mild winter conditions. For Devon farmer Joe Mawle and his… FARMER FOCUSFarmer Focus: Reminiscing now I'm back in the sprayer cabFor the past couple of weeks, I have found myself on the seat of the sprayer while our regular operator takes a well-earned holiday before he gets very busy. With… POTATOESElicitors offer fresh thinking amid blight control complexityLate blight control in potatoes is becoming an increasingly complex balancing act, as growers face a shrinking fungicide armoury and an evolving, aggressive pathogen that leaves little margin for error.… FARMER FOCUSFarmer Focus: It’s going to be ‘death by houmous’With spring drilling now complete, our attention has been diverted to inter-row hoeing our organic winter crops and mowing fertility leys for the first time to knock a few overzealous… CROP WATCHCrop Watch: Struggling beet and yellow rust in the SouthWinter crops on light land and spring crops are suffering in the dry conditions. In the East, one agronomist described sugar beet as having a “torrid time” with some fields… ARABLERow intensifies over pre-harvest glyphosate useCampaigners are stepping up pressure on the government to ban the use of glyphosate as a pre-harvest drying agent, as farmers warn the move could hit UK food production. The… LivestockSee all ENVIRONMENTNFU warns cattle permits could curb farm investmentThe NFU has warned that extending Environmental Permitting Regulations (EPR) to cattle farms could damage confidence and investment in the livestock sector, after receiving hundreds of survey responses from beef… PIGS5 steps to achieve good pig farm biosecurityGiven the ever-present threat of notifiable disease African swine fever, Young National Pig Association members have made a range of pledges to help improve biosecurity on pig farms. Everyone has… GRASSLAND MANAGEMENTTips on pre-mowing grazing paddocks with poor residualsPaddocks with poor residuals after the first two grazing rounds can be reset now by pre-mowing before the grass plant gets into its reproductive phase. Wet ground conditions, over allocation… DAIRYSmart dairy investments when cashflow is tightOperating in a tight financial climate means double-checking planned investments are really worth the money. Before parking this year’s building (or maintenance) project because escalating input costs are squeezing the… FARMER FOCUSFarmer Focus: Dock spraying delayed by late first cutIn the past couple of weeks we’ve finally started to see the sunshine and enjoy some heat. We’ve certainly had to be patient this year, but thankfully all spring crops… PIGSHow to make biosecurity effective on pig farmsThe government’s consultation on a compulsory porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus control and eradication scheme, for farms in England with more than 50 pigs, will soon close. Alongside a… FARMER FOCUSFarmer Focus: Finding cost-effective maize ground isn't easyIt’s been a busy few weeks at Newlands. We had our annual TB test, which I’m pleased to say was clear. It’s always a huge relief when the last animal… GRASSLAND MANAGEMENTHow to start rotational grazing with beef and sheepBetter grazing management has allowed the Berry family to expand their sheep and beef enterprise without the need to take on additional land. A series of measures, including rotational grazing… MachinerySee all MUCKSPREADERSBergmann offers new tyre option to minimise spreader widthWider row-crop tyres with a bigger rubber-to-soil contact patch have been squeezed on to Bergmann low-bed manure spreaders for growers and contractors who need a narrow overall width configuration. Alliance… MACHINERYNAAC contractor price guide 2026-27Farm contracting prices have increased by an average of 4.84% in the past year, according to the latest survey by the National Association of Agricultural Contractors (NAAC). Its yearly round-up… COMBINESMitas offers lug choice with new HC3000 harvester tyreIt’s fairly commonplace for trailer, tanker and spreader tyres to be available with different tread designs, and Mitas now offers similar choice for its latest harvester tyre, the VF category… MACHINERYLister refines shearing comb design for better controlWith Lister’s latest shearing combs, the devil is very much in the detail when it comes to the refinements aimed at improving entry into the fleece, flow through long runs… CommunitySee all HEALTH AND WELLBEINGFarmers encouraged to take action on mental health this MayFarmers and rural communities are being encouraged to take practical steps to support mental wellbeing as Mental Health Awareness Week returns from 11-17 May with the theme “Action”. The Mental… FARMER FOCUSFarmer Focus: Iran war shapes next year's cropping plansWe finally had some meaningful rain over the bank holiday weekend. The winter wheat crops were starting to show signs of stress on the shallow soils with substantial amounts of… YOUNG FARMERSDaisy Wood: Farmers must remain centre stage at GroundswellWhile some are gearing up to queue for overpriced falafel at a festival, farmers are readying themselves for the busiest time of the year. But it doesn’t have to be… HEALTH AND WELLBEINGStress, support and survival: One young farmer's journeyA young farmer who took on major responsibility for his family’s livestock business as a teenager has spoken openly about the pressures that pushed him to breaking point. Joe Barker… BusinessSee all MARKETS AND TRENDSFMD outbreak in China raises concerns for global tradeRecent cases of foot-and-mouth disease in China have prompted renewed calls for farmers to remain vigilant for signs of infection, and could have potential implications for international trade. A preliminary… DAIRY MARKETS AND PRICESGlobal demand for dairy set to grow as supplies slowAdvisers from across the European dairy sector forecast that global dairy demand will increase in the coming years. Speakers at the Dairy Industry Newsletter conference in London on 7 May… MARKETS AND TRENDSBritish Wool expect farmers to be paid £1/kg for 2026 clipAs shearing gets under way across the UK, wool prices are at the strongest they have been for some time with prices 70% higher than last year. British Wool has… LAND MARKETSChoice of commercial farms on market expandsTop end commercial farms are launching across several counties this month, including a 966-acre prime arable estate in Northumberland, with four dwellings and diverse income sources. The Wark Estate, near… Careers NEWSSkills shortages threaten future of UK food and farmingA new report released today (28 January) warns that labour and skills shortages are putting UK food security at risk. It calls for the industry, education and government to act… YOUNG FARMERSDyson Farming opens applications for 2026 work experienceDyson Farming has opened applications for its Summer Series 2026 programme, offering an immersive week-long work experience for people aged 18 and over from 6-10 July. The Summer Series will… COMMUNITYEx-military personnel sought for John Deere technical rolesAgricultural equipment manufacturer John Deere is holding a fresh drive to recruit ex-military personnel for its dealership network. It has identified men and women with military experience as the “ideal… POULTRYTips for new entrants from a 16-year-old entrepreneurStarting a new farming enterprise can be challenging at any age. Lewis Thomas was just 13 when he launched his own business, producing free-range eggs from a flock of layers…
