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CROP MANAGEMENT

On-farm vining pea trials aim to tackle UK virus losses

A new research project investigating the threat of viruses in UK vining pea crops hopes to provide pea growers with clearer information on when and how to implement control measures.…

CEREAL DRILLS

Pottinger downsizes Aerosem F seed drill with new 3m toolbar

Dividing the weight of a seed drill by carrying the hopper up front and the coulters out back produces a more balanced and manoeuvrable outfit than when everything is concentrated…

NEWS

This Week in Farming: EU deal, Defender and dairy costs

Welcome back to another edition of This Week in Farming, your one stop-shop for the best Farmers Weekly content of the past week. First, here are your markets (opens as…

TRACTORS

Trelleborg offers 5,000-hour guarantee for Fendt front tyres

Monitoring of front axle tyre wear is behind the decision of agricultural tyre maker Yokohama TWS to offer a 5,000-hour performance guarantee for selected Trelleborg tyres when factory-installed on the…

BUSINESS

Farmers challenge rule changes to phone mast deals

Changes to mobile phone mast regulations risk driving thousands of rural landowners away from co-operation with network operators, threatening both farm incomes and the UK’s wider mobile coverage. The changes,…

FARM POLICY

Defra silent on impact of EU reset on farmers

Defra has refused to say whether it has assessed the impact on British farmers of losing key plant protection products as part of its post-Brexit reset negotiations with the EU.…

INPUT MARKETS AND PRICES

Ag inflation at highest rate since invasion of Ukraine

Agricultural input inflation - agflation - is now rising at its fastest rate since early 2022, with the war in the Middle East signalling an even tighter squeeze on margins…

ENVIRONMENTAL SCHEMES

Farmers to share in £4.5m grant for wetting lowland peats

Farmers and landowners across England can apply for new funding launched by the Environment Agency to improve water management in lowland peat areas. Up to £4.5m is available through the…

BUSINESS

M&S offers farmers decade-long contracts for beef and sheep

Retail giant M&S has announced a £2.1bn investment in its British lamb and beef supply chain, aiming to provide long-term certainty for thousands of farmers amid ongoing industry pressures. The…

NEWS

Solar farm approved despite farmland concerns

A major solar farm approved by the government on Wednesday, 8 April, is set to power thousands of homes, but concerns remain over its impact on agricultural land in Lincolnshire.…

TRACTORS

Arable farmers struggle to invest in new tractors

Arable farming regions of the UK are lagging behind the rest of the country in terms of new tractor purchases, as rising costs and stagnant prices continue to squeeze margins.…

LAND MARKETS

Farms and bare land launch from Northumberland to Devon

A range of bare blocks of land and smaller holdings are the bulk of new launches this week. But one farm is larger in scale and offers a blank canvas…

TRACTORS

Mitas creates Granterra tyre for low-speed, high-torque needs

A heavy-duty tyre developed by Mitas is designed for larger tractors, from around the 200hp mark upwards, undertaking heavy cultivation. The Granterra meets the criteria for the industry’s VF category.…

CROPS MARKETS AND PRICES

UK wheat futures fall to £173/t in response to Iran ceasefire

The provisional agreement of a two-week ceasefire between the US and Iran and the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz shipping route has weighed on global commodity prices this week.…

ENVIRONMENT

Farmers in Wales encouraged to seek advice before river work

Farmers and landowners in Wales are being urged to seek expert advice before working in rivers, as poorly planned activity can cause environmental damage, legal issues and significant financial costs.…

ENVIRONMENT

Flawed peat map risks land use and funding mistakes

Concerns are mounting after farmers highlighted significant inaccuracies in a national peat map produced by Natural England, with potential implications for land use, environmental policy and farm incomes. The map,…

MARKETS AND TRENDS

Organic producers gain access to Japan’s booming market

British organic producers have gained new access to Japan’s fast-growing market after the UK and Japan mutually recognised organic livestock standards from 1 April 2026, reducing trade barriers. The agreement…

FARM POLICY

Rural resilience promised in Plaid Cymru election manifesto

Plaid Cymru has launched its manifesto for the Welsh Senedd election, pledging to tackle climate change and biodiversity loss while prioritising energy independence, food security and the resilience of rural…

FARM POLICY

Seed royalty rule change challenged by farmers

Farmers are questioning a recent technical amendment to farm-saved seed (FSS) royalty rules, claiming they may have been overcharged for several years due to ambiguity over the “small farmer exemption”. Under the Plant…

CROPS MARKETS AND PRICES

Sugar beet growers offered sustainability payments

British Sugar has launched a new voluntary scheme, which will financially incentivise sugar beet growers to reduce carbon emissions on farm. The initiative will offer growers financial rewards for carrying…

CRIME

Farmer fury as travellers start building illegal site at Easter

Farmers and residents of a Hertfordshire village have been left feeling vulnerable and frustrated after illegal construction activities linked to an unauthorised encampment took place at speed and scale over…

MEAT MARKETS AND PRICES

Dairy accounts for growing share of cull cow market

Poorer returns for dairy farmers throughout the winter have prompted an increase in the number of dairy cows being culled, while culls from the suckler beef herd appear more stable.…

CROP WATCH

Crop Watch: Flowering OSR sprays and septoria in wheat

This week is set to see the hottest weather of the year so far, with temperatures into the 20s for some parts of the UK. Oilseed rape is now in…

TRACTORS

Nexat wide-span tractor sows 200ha per fill with 28m drill

German manufacturer Nexat and its gantry-style field tractor continue to make headlines as the machine gets new capabilities and early adopters discover its potential. The wide-span vehicle uses a growing…

COMMUNITY

Farm shops and butchers to feature in Great British Beef Week

Farm shops and local butchers will be at the forefront of this year’s Great British Beef Week, as organisers highlight their role in supporting farmers and maintaining strong local supply…

LIVESTOCK

Top-ranking bull Lorenzo offers strong health and longevity

Peak Powerhouse, the top proven Holstein sire © Lea Jordan/Cybil Fischer Photography A lifespan index 174 days longer than the average and a strong lameness advantage have earned new entrant…

INPUT MARKETS AND PRICES

Farm suppliers group lobbies for action on fertiliser

The Agricultural Industries Confederation (AIC) has written to Defra ministers demanding government action to ensure the sector can remain resilient despite global supply chain disruption. Fertiliser markets were thrown in…

MARKETS AND TRENDS

Fairness expected as supermarket watchdog moves to Defra

Oversight of supermarket watchdog, the Groceries Code Adjudicator (GCA), is transferring from the Department of Business and Trade to Defra from 1 July in a move the government says will…

ARABLE

Gene editing gains momentum with field trials and new approval

Field trials of a gene-edited barley crop designed to improve livestock feed efficiency and cut methane emissions are now under way on farms in England. Developed by scientists at Rothamsted…

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