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ENVIRONMENTAL SCHEMES

SFI26: The haves and have-nots

The 2026 Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) created clear winners and losers, with some farmers beaten not by eligibility, but by the clock and the computer. SFI26 Window 2 opened at…

AGRICULTURAL TRANSITION

Allerton Project left in limbo after SFI chaos

A leading farm research project has been left without a clear replacement for its environmental funding after a technical problem prevented it applying for the latest Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI)…

BLUETONGUE

NI farmers warned over rising bluetongue threat

Northern Ireland farmers are being warned to remain vigilant after bluetongue serotype 3 (BTV-3) was detected in the Republic of Ireland, bringing the livestock disease closer to the border than…

ENVIRONMENT

River Wye phosphorus study challenges case for destocking

New farm-level data from the River Wye catchment has challenged assumptions about agricultural phosphorus surpluses, with seven in 10 farms recording a zero or negative balance. The two-year FarmGate Nutrient…

CEREAL DRILLS

CNH adopts Canadian-made Bourgault air seeders

Production of wide-working air seeders at CNH’s factory in Saskatchewan, Canada, is being wound down in favour of a distribution agreement with Bourgault Industries, part of the Linamar group. CNH’s…

MEAT MARKETS AND PRICES

Prime cattle prices rise as autumn demand strengthens

Stronger autumn demand and continued limited availability have driven GB prime cattle prices up another 4p/kg to 615p/kg deadweight in the week ending 12 September. At the same time, steers…

MARKETS AND TRENDS

Improved outlook for wool as 2026 prices rise

Wool prices are averaging £1.70/kg after the first four auctions of the 2026 selling season, up 70p/kg on the same point last year as demand for British crossbred wool strengthens.…

NEWS

Tractor driver jailed for eight years over fatal collision

A tractor driver has been jailed for eight years after a motorcyclist was killed in a collision involving an overloaded straw trailer on the A40 in Herefordshire. Philip Baker, 61,…

ENVIRONMENT

Dairy farms trial 200 measures to cut emissions

Dairy farmers are trialling more than 200 practical measures to cut greenhouse gas emissions through the UK Dairy Carbon Network (UK-DCN), including nutrition, breeding, animal health and nutrient management. The…

NEWS

Food security at stake as NFU presses for Budget support

The NFU has urged the chancellor to make food security a central priority of the Autumn Budget, warning that rising costs, disease, drought and global instability are leaving farm businesses…

COMPLIANCE

Welsh farmers given extra month to spread slurry

Welsh farmers will be given an extra month to spread slurry this autumn, alongside higher advance farm payments following this summer’s drought. Cabinet minister for rural resilience and sustainability Llyr…

HOES

Mechanical weeder market turns sour for Lemken

An expected boom in mechanical weeder sales as a result of growing anti-herbicide sentiment has failed to materialise, according to Lemken, so a multimillion-pound factory purpose-built for its weeder range…

ENVIRONMENTAL SCHEMES

£233m of SFI26 money all spent within matter of hours

Fears that the funds available for Window 2 of the Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) would disappear quickly have come to fruition with all the money now gone, leaving many thousands…

COMPLIANCE

Red Tractor seeks to cut admin burden for livestock and dairy

Farm assurance body Red Tractor is promising a significant reduction in the audit burden for livestock and dairy farmers, but with a number of “added extras” to ensure the scheme…

BUSINESS

NI potato grower and packer enters administration

Northern Ireland potato grower and packer Glens of Antrim Potatoes has entered administration after rising costs and cashflow pressures left the business without a solvent option. Stuart Irwin, Ian Leonard…

MEAT MARKETS AND PRICES

20,000gns Texel tops record £3m Builth ram sale

A 20,000gns Texel shearling led a record £3m-plus trade at the National Sheep Association (NSA) Wales and Border Main Ram Sale at Builth Wells on Monday (21 September). Some 2,857…

PAYMENTS, SCHEMES AND GRANTS

75% of SFI26 money allocated within a matter of hours

Fears that the funds available for Window 2 of the Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) would disappear quickly are coming to fruition with the prospect that many thousands of would-be claimants…

PAYMENTS, SCHEMES AND GRANTS

SFI26 Window 2 opens amid £233m funding scramble

SFI26 Window 2 has opened to applications from farmers and land managers across England, with a £233m budget available but no fixed closing date as concerns grow over how quickly…

TAX

TFA demands tax overhaul in Autumn Budget

​The Tenant Farmers Association (TFA) is demanding sweeping tax reforms ahead of the Autumn Budget, warning that current policies threaten rural investment and land security. ​As speculation mounts over whether…

ATVS AND UTVS

Moto 73 introduces keenly priced QJMotor ATV range

QJMotor is the latest Chinese outfit to target the UK with a range of keenly priced ATVs. The manufacturer, which is part of the Geely Group that includes automotive brands…

NEWS

Activists face trial over alleged theft of Sandringham lambs

Three Animal Rising activists are due to appear at Norwich Crown Court today (Monday 21 September) accused of stealing three lambs from King Charles’s Sandringham Estate. Rose Patterson, 36, Sarah…

ENVIRONMENT

Dartmoor farmers reject overgrazing claims in MPs' evidence

More than 40 Dartmoor farmers and graziers have urged MPs to reject claims that livestock are responsible for environmental decline on the moor, warning that further restrictions on grazing could…

PAYMENTS, SCHEMES AND GRANTS

Welsh farmers offered £15,000 grants for yard roofing

Welsh livestock farmers can apply for government grants of up to £15,000 to roof manure and livestock areas under a new farm infrastructure scheme. The Welsh government opened the Small…

ENVIRONMENT

Scottish livestock cuts debate revived by EV plans

Scotland’s livestock sector could come under renewed pressure to deliver emissions cuts if the UK government waters down electric vehicle targets, the Scottish government has suggested. Gillian Martin MSP, Scotland’s…

TRACTORS

Zetor moves tractor production from Czech to India and China

Tractor maker Zetor has finally acknowledged it can no longer manufacture and assemble its products competitively in the city of Brno, its long-standing home in the Czech Republic. Dwindling sales…

CRIME

Off-roader banned from protected Welsh site

A man has been banned from entering a protected area of Welsh countryside for three years after being convicted of causing serious damage to a site of special scientific interest…

TECHNOLOGY

Horsch invests in spot- and patch-spraying technology

German business Sam-Dimension, which is developing artificial intelligence-assisted weed map generation for spot and patch herbicide spraying, has attracted Horsch as an investor. The two companies have worked together since…

NEWS

This Week in Farming: SFI shortfall and a letter to Burnham

Welcome back to another edition of This Week in Farming, your regular round-up of the best content from Farmers Weekly over the past seven days. First, here’s your markets (opens…

BUSINESS

Northern Pasta ups spelt production after Dragons’ Den deal

Northern Pasta Co is expanding its demand for British-grown spelt after opening a new 1,114sq m pasta production facility in Lancashire. The Carnforth-based business plans to increase production substantially from…

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