All the latest farming news LIVESTOCK DISEASESAll-England bluetongue zone to be introduced from 1 JulyDefra has confirmed the bluetongue virus restricted zone will be extended to cover the whole of England from 1 July 2025. The existing zone covers the eastern half of the… CROPS MARKETS AND PRICESUK biofuels sector in jeopardy as US trade deal stingsDomestic wheat growers could be set to lose a vital market if Associated British Foods decides to shut down Vivergo Fuels, its bioethanol plant near Hull, East Yorkshire. The company… MEAT MARKETS AND PRICESFairer supply chain regulations for pig farmers become lawPig farmers are set to gain stronger protections and fairer treatment under new legislation aimed at improving transparency and accountability across the supply chain. Recently signed into law by ministers,… COMPLIANCERed Tractor’s new chairman vows to rebuild farmer trustRed Tractor’s new chairman, Alistair Mackintosh, has vowed to rebuild farmer trust, ease audit pressures, and improve communication at a time of significant scrutiny for the UK’s most widely used… CROP WATCHCrop Watch: Rapid spring growth and weeds in sugar beetSome parts of the UK have seen some welcome rain in the past few days and conditions in the coming weeks will be critical to salvage as much yield potential… CROP MANAGEMENTAutonomous drone spraying poised to become a realityPioneering work by a group of drone experts could soon overcome the regulatory hurdles that have hampered drone use. The work involves allowing beyond-visual-line-of-sight flight, the aerial application of key… POULTRYRed Tractor accused of 'hypocrisy' in poultry farm bust upBroiler grower Paul Stephens says Red Tractor has turned into a “dictatorial quango” as he continues to resist efforts to divide his business into two separate units for auditing purposes.… POTATOESNew guide released to help tackle costly potato pestsTwo potato organisations have jointly published a guide aimed at helping farmers manage a soil pest that results in yield losses estimated to cost the sector as much as £26m/year.… CRIMESurrey farmers warned over illegal livestock slaughteringWarning: This article contains a graphic image that some readers may find disturbing A beef and sheep farming family from Surrey are warning people to check where their meat comes… 401+HPCase IH tweaks Magnum PowerDrive powershift transmissionUpgrades to the PowerDrive full powershift transmission and hydraulics system have been introduced for Case IH Magnum wheeled and Rowtrac semi-tracked tractors, along with a simplified choice of digital tech.… DISEASE MANAGEMENTSpring barley growers face greater ramularia risk this yearSpring barley growers are advised to stay alert for the yield-zapping disease ramularia, as the dry start to the season could make the disease more apparent. “We know ramularia starts… PAYMENTS, SCHEMES AND GRANTSScots upland sheep farmers receive £6m via support schemeMore than 1,000 sheep enterprises in Scotland have received funding through the Scottish Upland Sheep Support Scheme so far this year. Collectively, more than £6.4m worth of funding had been… NUTRITION AND FERTILISERPaul-Tech device monitors soil nitrogen in real timeAn innovative soil nutrient monitoring device has introduced a groundbreaking update, enabling the accurate measurement of nitrogen availability in real time. Precision agriculture company Paul-Tech updated its innovative soil station… LIVESTOCKFarmers urged to use grants for medical-grade vaccine fridgesFarmers in England are being urged to use the latest Farming Equipment and Technology Fund (FETF) grants to part-fund specialist vaccine fridges. The call comes after a study by MSD… 100HPMassey Ferguson unveils diddy MF 1M Series compact tractorsMassey Ferguson has begun the process of replacing its 1500 Series compact tractor range with two new “professional” models – the 20hp MF 1M.20, successor to the 1520, and the… NEWSThis Week in Farming: Ag fabricators, IHT and EU dealWelcome back to another edition of This Week in Farming, the fastest way to find the best Farmers Weekly content from the past seven days. First, here’s your markets (opens… TELEHANDLERSBobcat and MF telehandlers get all-hydraulic transmissionSeamless acceleration to 40kph, improved fuel economy potential and new powertrain control functions come with a more sophisticated all-hydraulic transmission now available in selected Bobcat and Massey Ferguson telehandlers. In… HEALTH AND WELLBEINGRabi to launch new farm medical emergency appThe Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institution (Rabi) is launching a new mobile phone app to help farmers with real-time trauma guidance in the crucial moments following a serious on-farm accident. FarmersAid,… CROP MANAGEMENTInteractive farm performance tool set for launch at CerealsInteractive dashboards that allow farmers to measure key performance indicators (KPIs) will be unveiled at this year’s Cereals event by Ceres Research, in recognition of the financial pressures weighing heavily… CRIMEWelsh rural bodies issue responsible dog walking reminderWith large crowds expected at outdoor attractions this bank holiday weekend – including Pen y Fan, the highest peak in south Wales – three rural organisations have issued a joint… FARM POLICYWales urged to learn lessons from England’s SFI blundersA senior Welsh government civil servant has urged Welsh ministers to learn from the Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) challenges faced in England, stressing the need for better management of the… NEWSJohn Deere mulls Vapormatic closure – 95 jobs at riskOne of the UK’s largest agricultural parts suppliers, Vapormatic, could close its doors within weeks, leaving the future of 95 workers at its Exeter site uncertain. It is understood employees… NEWSSevern Trent to offer farmers free water bowsersLivestock farmers across Shropshire who might be struggling with water supplies are being offered free mobile water bowsers by Severn Trent on a first-come, first-served basis. The water company initiative… CULTIVATORSAmazone adds Flex Ring roller to tine and disc cultivatorsA lightweight roller comprising a series of flexible rings is a new finishing tool for a selection of Amazone tractor-mounted cultivators. Designed to consolidate sandy to loamy soils while leaving… LAND MARKETSStrong commercial farms launch in the South WestGood-quality commercial farms at scale rarely come to the market in Dorset, so this week’s launch of a versatile dairy and livestock holding is set to generate a high level… BUSINESSWinter fuel U-turn sparks hope for farm tax rethinkThe government’s decision to reverse planned changes to winter fuel payments for the elderly has sparked fresh hope that it may also reconsider its controversial inheritance tax (IHT) reforms for… MEAT MARKETS AND PRICESUK pig herd set to grow despite fewer abattoirs remainingThe UK breeding pig herd is projected to reach 337,000 head by June 2025 as it continues to expand year-on-year. Pigmeat production is also forecast to grow. The AHDB projects… NEWSSix injured as train collides with tractor near LeominsterSix people have been injured after a train carrying 66 passengers was in collision with a tractor and trailer at a level crossing near Orleton, just north of Leominster. Emergency… NEWSGraham Wilkinson to step down as AHDB chief executiveAHDB has confirmed that chief executive Graham Wilkinson will step down from his position towards the end of the year. Mr Wilkinson is set to join food processor Sofina Foods… More articles
