All the latest farming news LIVESTOCK DISEASESJersey avoids bluetongue with 100% vaccination policyVaccinating all livestock against bluetongue virus serotypes 3 (BTV-3) and 8 (BTV-8) has kept Jersey bluetongue-free. A mandatory centralised vaccination policy was implemented, resulting in no clinical cases being… TECHNOLOGYMilk Sustainability Center offers easier data crunchingA free cloud-based service commissioned by John Deere and DeLaval is aiming to help dairy farmers improve the efficiency of their operations. Up until July this year, the Milk Sustainability… NEWSThis Week in Farming: Politics, markets, kit and cowsWelcome to another edition of This Week in Farming, your regular round-up of all that is best from FWi over the past seven days. First, here are your markets (opens as… TRACTORSNew Holland adds 110hp model to base spec T5S tractor rangeThe revamp of New Holland’s T5 tractor range has continued, with the basic "S" derivatives the latest to receive some attention. There are now three models in the Turkish-built line-up,… FARM POLICYScots government boosts nature-friendly farming supportThe Scottish government has announced a package of funding and policy measures to strengthen nature-friendly farming and rural resilience, agriculture and connectivity minister Jim Fairlie revealed this week. Speaking at… TRACTORSSupersized Case IH Optum gets 435hp and 60kph top speedCase IH has added to its heavy-duty Optum tractor line-up with a trio of higher horsepower models that top out at 435hp. This substantial hike puts them on an equal… HARVESTGrain markets unmoved by Defra's dismal harvest dataGrain markets remain muted, despite latest data from Defra pointing to a smaller crop in England than the AHDB and most traders were expecting. According to the Defra report, England… ENVIRONMENTFarmers win three-year battle to dredge River WinsterA group of 49 farmers has won a long battle to clear the River Winster, after the Cumbrian town of Grange-over-Sands suffered 10 years of “avoidable” flooding. Several local farming… NEWSTwo hare coursers banned from farmland in landmark rulingTwo men have been banned from setting foot on private or agricultural land across England and Wales for three years, following a landmark police crackdown on hare coursing in Cambridgeshire.… BUSINESSHigh-power tractor demand slumps in 2025Demand for high-power tractors has declined compared to the same period last year, caused by a lack of confidence within the industry. About 30% fewer new tractors in the over… FARM POLICYMuirburn licensing delayed until autumn 2026New licensing rules for muirburn, originally due to take effect from September 2025 under the Wildlife Management and Muirburn (Scotland) Act, have been postponed until autumn 2026. The Scottish government… LAND MARKETSWide geographic spread and farmland types on offerA Welsh livestock farm which generates an alternative income from a two-mile vehicle racing track is new to the market, launching at a guide price of £3.5m. The current owner… POTATOESHot summer increases risk of potato dormancy breakDormancy break in potatoes is predicted to occur two to four weeks earlier than usual this year, prompting growers to be extra careful monitoring crops during storage. Independent potato agronomist… NEWSHope for Treasury shift on IHT after year of farming pressureHopes have been raised of a possible change to the inheritance tax plans set out at the last Budget, with the Treasury said to be considering alternative proposals. Co-organiser of… FARM POLICYSenedd votes down Tory bid to scrap SFSA Welsh Conservative motion to scrap the Welsh government’s proposed Sustainable Farming Scheme (SFS) was rejected in the Senedd yesterday, with Labour and Plaid Cymru members voting against the proposal.… INPUT MARKETS AND PRICESTraders see more upside in steady fertiliser marketUK farmers are being urged to consider placing orders early for their spring fertiliser supplies, rather than risk facing a logjam early in the new year and the potential for… AIR AND WATERNew Wales task and finish group to address agri-pollutionThe Welsh government is establishing a new task and finish group to support the tackling of agricultural pollution and implement the recommendations from the review of the Control of Agricultural… ATVS AND UTVSCan-Am Traxter UTV gets new engine and uprated chassisFizzier performance from an all-new Rotax engine is promised for the latest Can-Am Traxter UTV, complemented by suspension and chassis upgrades, and a tad more comfort in the cab. The… NEWSQMS defends the inclusion of red meat in children's dietsQuality Meat Scotland (QMS) has emphasised the importance of including red meat as part of a balanced diet for children, following a report that suggested a reduction is necessary to… FARM POLICYWelsh Conservatives call for SFS to be scrappedThe Welsh Conservatives have called for the upcoming Sustainable Farming Scheme (SFS) to be scrapped, citing last week’s economic impact assessment published by the Welsh government. According to the economic… CROPS MARKETS AND PRICESMilling wheat premiums slide as global quality increasesMilling wheat premiums have felt the squeeze in recent weeks, reflecting this year’s better quality harvest and improved availability. Based on a Farmers Weekly ex-farm price of £177/t for milling… MEAT MARKETS AND PRICESSplit market for store cattle as short-keep beasts in demandStore cattle continue to meet a buoyant trade with buyers looking to fill their sheds for winter, but with a clear preference for shorter keep animals. Composite data from the… ENVIRONMENTMajor river pollution lawsuit targets poultry firmsNearly 4,000 residents, businesses and river users have launched what is believed to be the UK’s largest environmental pollution lawsuit, targeting Avara Foods, Freemans of Newent and Welsh Water over… BUSINESSBursary pays farming university degree course feesFarm students are invited to apply for a bursary worth more than £27,000 to help fund their course. The John Innes Foundation (JIF) Undergraduate Bursary Award Scheme supports one UK… CROP WATCHCrop Watch: Pre-em strategies in wheat, turnip sawfly in OSRThis week, our agronomists consider pre-emergence herbicide programmes in winter wheat and the rising prest threat. Turnip sawfly larvae is affecting some oilseed rape crops in the East and with… NEWSMemorial service for Norfolk farming great David RichardsonA memorial service celebrating the life and extraordinary career of Norfolk farmer, broadcaster, and journalist David Richardson will take place at 1pm on Friday 14 November at the Norfolk Events… DAIRY MARKETS AND PRICESDairy accused of 'protecting margins' with price changesMidlands-based Wells Farm Dairy has been accused of sending out “conflicting narratives” after dropping the price paid to farmer suppliers just weeks after passing on price increases to consumers. The… FARM POLICYTories declare farm crisis and concede ‘we made mistakes’Conservative shadow ministers have conceded that mistakes were made on agricultural policy when the Tories were in government, even as they declared a “food and farming emergency” at the party’s… NEWSGove admits Tory trade deals failed to protect UK farmersFormer Defra secretary Michael Gove has admitted for the first time that the Australian trade deal negotiated by the previous Conservative government did not adequately protect UK farmers. The controversial… More articles
