All the latest farming news ENVIRONMENTGovernment plan gives push to onshore wind farmsThe government unveiled its new Clean Power 2030 Action Plan on Friday (13 December) including ambitious targets for both wind and solar projects during the next five years, with land… BROILERSAppeals judge throws out case against modern broiler rearingThe Court of Appeal in London has dismissed a case brought by animal activists that, had it been successful, could have forced the poultry sector to cease using “fast-growing” broilers… TAXSuffolk County Council opposes ‘Family Farm Tax’Suffolk County Council has become the latest to formally oppose the Labour government’s plans to impose 20% inheritance tax (IHT) on farm assets of above £1m. The motion was proposed… ENVIRONMENTEnvironmental baselining project pushes forward on GB farmsLivestock and arable farms across England, Scotland, and Wales will begin taking carbon measurements in December as part of an industry-leading baselining project. The AHDB are working alongside Quality Meat… BIODIVERSITYLottery grant to help northern farmers realise natural capitalA group supporting farmers in the north of England to capture income from natural capital markets has secured £100,000 to fund catchment-scale conservation work. Wensleydale & Swaledale Environmental Farmers (Swef)… CROPS MARKETS AND PRICESScottish arable farming faces pressure from cost-price squeezeScotland’s arable farming sector faces increasing financial pressure due to low crop prices, rising costs, and competition from imported wheat, putting growers' profitability at risk. NFU Scotland (NFUS) has raised… MEAT MARKETS AND PRICESFestive trade on fire at Christmas fatstock showsFinished cattle achieved exceptional prices at Christmas fatstock shows and sales across the country in December, lifting the trade to new record highs. Regular buyers were joined by butchers and… CRIMEIllegal livestock imports put NI at risk of bluetongueLivestock imports entering Northern Ireland from Great Britain are putting the country at risk of bluetongue, according to the Ulster Farmers’ Union (UFU). Northern Ireland has been free of bluetongue… FARM POLICYFarmers stage tractor rally in York to demand fair treatmentFarmers from across North Yorkshire staged a lively tractor rally in York city centre, demanding fairer policies and protesting proposed changes to inheritance tax. The rally was organised by seven… COMMUNITYCharity Tractor of Lights parade cancelled on police adviceThe first ever Tractor of Lights parade through Dartmouth has been cancelled at the last minute following an about-turn from Devon and Cornwall Police. The charity event, organised by the… AIR AND WATERWater companies offer premiums to Wildfarmed wheat growersFour water companies in England are to pay regenerative wheat growers up to £200/ha, in some cases more, if they don’t use pesticides and adopt practices shown to reduce soil… CEREAL DRILLSOne-pass Katara combination drill added to Bednar line-upThe already comprehensive seed drill portfolio developed by Czech manufacturer Bednar is being further expanded with a new one-pass drilling combination. Based on the company’s Kator KN rotary power harrow… TAXCAAV set to step up its estimates of numbers to be hit by IHTFresh analysis by the Central Association of Agricultural Valuers (CAAV) shows that even more farmers will be affected by the government’s planned changes to inheritance tax (IHT) than originally claimed… COMMUNITYIn pictures: 600 tractors take part in London protestWith more than 600 tractors descending on London and many more farmers in noisy attendance, MPs were left in no doubt as to the strength of feeling and anger that… FARM POLICYTractors take over London as farmers ramp up protestsLondon witnessed an extraordinary spectacle on Wednesday 11 December as more than 600 tractors rolled into Westminster in a dramatic protest against the Autumn Budget’s impact on farming. Organised by… NEWSNFU Scotland announces five presidential candidates for 2025NFU Scotland has announced five candidates competing for the roles of president and vice president ahead of the union’s AGM on 7 February 2025. The current vice presidents, Andrew Connon… FARM POLICYFarmers frustrated by limited Defra support schemesFarmers across England are raising concerns over the limited scope of Defra’s funding schemes, with many feeling sidelined unless they focus on woodland creation. Despite recent government claims of record… NEWS‘Decline’ in support for Scottish produce in supermarketsNFU Scotland's latest ShelfWatch results reveal a decline in the availability of Scottish-branded produce across major supermarkets, with Aldi showing the biggest drop in support since the last quarter. Phase… CROPS MARKETS AND PRICESLacklustre wheat markets discourage farmer sellingVery little grain is being sold off farm at present as uninspiring wheat prices encourage arable enterprises to hold on in hope of better returns in the new year. Ex-farm… INPUT MARKETS AND PRICESFertiliser prices steady as concerns mount over future taxGB fertiliser markets have remained flat for the majority of 2024 with limited demand on-farm, but tighter supplies both in the UK and across Europe plus higher gas bills may… NEWSImported food found to carry higher pesticide residuesImported cereals, fruit and vegetables have been found to carry residues from 48 pesticides which British farmers are banned from using. New government testing has also found twice as many… ARABLEMore than 20% farmers using variable rate spraying techFarmers across the UK are extensively using digital technology to help them run their businesses now and in the way they plan to run their businesses in the future. This… PAYMENTS, SCHEMES AND GRANTSChanges to Scots' suckler beef scheme 'damaging'Scottish livestock marts and abattoirs say they are at risk of closure if the government presses ahead with its intention to require all suckler beef producers to have a maximum… FARM POLICYBudget increase for Welsh agriculture welcomedAgriculture in Wales is set to receive millions of pounds of extra funding in the next financial year. The Welsh government’s draft budget for 2025-26 was announced on Tuesday (10… MEAT MARKETS AND PRICESFine margins for pig producers as finished prices waverFinished pig prices have been steadily falling throughout 2024 and have fallen by more than 7p/kg since the beginning of the year. The EU-spec standard pig price (SPP) has been… FARM POLICYFarmers rally in Melton Mowbray against ‘family farm tax’Farmers and supporters gathered in Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire, on Monday 9 December, to protest the government’s “family farm tax” and other damaging anti-farming policies. Central to their concerns was Labour’s… NEWSIndustry letter urges PM to pause 'family farm tax' plansA coalition of leading farming organisations has called on prime minister Sir Keir Starmer to pause and consult on Labour’s proposed inheritance tax (IHT) reforms, warning of potentially devastating consequences… AIR AND WATERKeep methane inhibitors in the toolbox, says Lords reportAdding methane inhibitors to ruminant rations has “significant potential” for mitigating emissions of this gas from agriculture and should be monitored closely, says a new House of Lords report published… DAIRY MARKETS AND PRICESMona Dairy aims to relaunch and secure producers next yearThe owners of Mona Dairy have confirmed plans to recommence operations at its processing site in Anglesey by the end of February next year. Mona Dairy went into administration back… More articles
