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CRIME

Hare coursing sentencing rules to consider harm to farmers

Courts will be required to take greater account of the impact of hare coursing on farmers, rural communities and the countryside under new sentencing guidelines published this week. The Sentencing…

NEWS

Significant sheep losses in Shropshire lorry crash

A lorry carrying about 450 sheep overturned on a Shropshire road, leaving the driver trapped and killing a significant number of animals. Emergency services were called to the A489 near…

ENVIRONMENT

Exmoor white-tailed eagle plans raise farmer fears

Natural England has approved plans to release up to 20 white-tailed eagles on Exmoor over the next three years, prompting concerns from farming groups over the potential impact on livestock…

CROP WATCH

Crop Watch: BYDV strategy needs rethink and wheat T2 sprays

Barley yellow dwarf virus is becoming evident in cereals crops, resulting from the high aphid pressure being seen this spring.  Also this week, our agronomists discuss T2 fungicide options in…

FARM POLICY

Major setback as farmers’ inheritance tax challenge dismissed

Farming families have suffered a major setback after the High Court rejected a legal challenge to controversial inheritance tax reforms that many fear could force the break-up of long-established family…

CROPS MARKETS AND PRICES

Bullish wheat markets push new crop above £190/t

Arable farmers were presented with a potential selling opportunity this week, as wheat markets rallied in response to the latest US Department of Agriculture (USDA) global crop estimates. UK feed…

INPUT MARKETS AND PRICES

‘Seismic waves’ on the way for farming as Iran war persists

UK farmers are being warned of a “seismic impact” from the ongoing war in the Middle East, with “crops rotting in the fields” and significant areas left unplanted this autumn.…

MEAT MARKETS AND PRICES

Morrisons’ abattoir serves notice to pig producers

Woodheads abattoir in Lincolnshire, owned by the supermarket chain Morrisons, has given notice to a significant number of pig producers, citing a “challenging economic climate”. Some producers are expected to…

NEWS

Advertising watchdog backs AHDB Let's Eat Balanced campaign

The Advertising Standards Authority has backed the AHDB’s Let’s Eat Balanced campaign after complaints made by broadcaster and environmental campaigner Chris Packham. The complaint focused on a series of television,…

NEWS

Rail giant backs farmer-led flood prevention scheme

Network Rail and other major infrastructure operators are investing more than £3m into a farmer-led landscape recovery scheme in the Cotswolds aimed at reducing flood risk and protecting rail lines,…

BUSINESS

Fresh AF programme opens applications for young farmers

Young farmers and agri-professionals across the UK are being encouraged to apply for a fully funded development programme designed to build skills, industry knowledge, and business confidence. Member-owned co-operative AF…

MACHINERY

Robotic tractor makers struggle as commercial reality bites

Pioneers of farm robotics technologies are finding out the hard way that the road to commercial success is paved with often insurmountable challenges. We take a look at the fortunes…

FARM POLICY

Trade, water and energy reforms expected in King’s Speech

Farmers 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…

NEWS

Clarkson’s Farm returns for fifth series in June

From 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 TRENDS

FMD outbreak in China raises concerns for global trade

Recent 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…

ENVIRONMENT

NFU warns cattle permits could curb farm investment

The 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…

NEWS

Welsh farmer charged £20k for SSSI damage

A 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.…

MUCKSPREADERS

Bergmann offers new tyre option to minimise spreader width

Wider 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…

DAIRY MARKETS AND PRICES

Global demand for dairy set to grow as supplies slow

Advisers 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 TRENDS

British Wool expects farmers to be paid £1/kg for 2026 clip

As 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…

CRIME

Two arrests after stolen tractor driven into house

A tractor stolen from a farm in Yarm, North Yorkshire, was allegedly driven into a house in Middlesbrough in the early hours of Saturday morning, prompting a major police investigation.…

NEWS

Organic sector growth highlights policy divide across UK

Organic farmland in the UK reached its highest level in more than a decade in 2025, driven largely by a sharp rise in land conversion in Scotland, according to new…

CRIME

Lincolnshire farmer jailed for stealing sheep from marts

A Lincolnshire farmer has been jailed for four-and-a-half years after being convicted of stealing hundreds of sheep from livestock markets across England over a seven-year period. Peter Parker, 60, of…

HEALTH AND SAFETY

Six farm deaths in six weeks raise alarm over safety

Farm safety campaigners have renewed calls for greater awareness of workplace risks after two more fatal incidents involving agricultural workers were reported by the Health and Safety Executive. Jill Hewitt,…

AIR AND WATER

NI Water scheme rewards farmers who reduce water pollution

Farmers operating in the Seagahan catchment in County Armagh are being offered funding to help protect drinking water supplies, retain valuable soil and nutrients, and improve farm sustainability over the…

MACHINERY

NAAC contractor price guide 2026-27

Farm 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…

COMBINES

Mitas offers lug choice with new HC3000 harvester tyre

It’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…

NEWS

This Week in Farming: Glyphosate, rural crime and NI special

Welcome back to another edition of This Week in Farming, your regular round-up of the best Farmers Weekly content from the past seven days. First up, here are your market…

LAND MARKETS

Choice of commercial farms on market expands

Top 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…

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