All the latest farming news HARVESTHarvest 2025: Harvest slows as weather becomes more unsettledProgress has been steady in some regions due to wet weather, while others are running ahead of schedule. Grain quality appears to be holding up well, and growers remain cautiously… ENVIRONMENTAL SCHEMESDefra to introduce SFI actions to improve water qualityNew actions linked to improving water quality will be made available for farm businesses through the Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) next year, Defra has revealed. The expected reforms to SFI… MARKETS AND TRENDSGood prospects for impending NSA ram salesProspects for the upcoming NSA Wales & Border Early Sales are said to be good, with plenty of choice for buyers. The National Sheep Association (NSA) is holding additional ram… FARM POLICYPresident Trump defends 'death tax' exemptions for farmersThe UK farming sector has heaped praise on US president Donald Trump after he strongly defended the principle of exempting farms from “estate tax” – the US equivalent of inheritance… POULTRYBird flu strikes pheasant shoot in SomersetA game shoot site in Somerset has been struck by avian influenza with about 2,500 nine-week-old pheasants affected. The outbreak near Winsford in the Exmoor National Park was confirmed as… YOUNGSTOCK MANAGEMENTFocus on hygiene bags win for Calf Rearer of the Year 2025Paying thorough attention to detail in all aspects of hygiene has helped Laura Carter win Calf Rearer of the Year at CowManagement’s National Youngstock Conference in Birmingham. The 20-year-old’s view… NEWSWelsh government farm purchase slammed by Senedd committeeThe rushed purchase of Gilestone Farm in the Brecon Beacons by the Welsh government in 2022, to help secure a local music and arts festival, has been strongly criticised by… BNGOff-site BNG priority is key for policy change, says reportBiodiversity net gain (BNG) will be better achieved by a policy change to favour off-site mitigation of the damage done by development rather than the current situation where on-site provision… CRIMEFarmers warned as Toyota Hilux thefts riseToyota Hilux drivers are being urged to ramp up security after new data revealed the pickup is now the most stolen newer vehicle in the UK. Thefts of Hilux models… TRACTORSTrelleborg launches UK Tractor Driver of the Year contestTractor drivers prepared to pit their skills and experience against each other can shoot for success in a new Tractor Driver of the Year contest. The format for Trelleborg’s competition… GRASSLAND AND MAIZE EQUIPMENTScotGrass set to return to Dumfries and Galloway in 2026Grass harvesting machinery, varieties, and all related topics will be covered when the ScotGrass event returns in 2026 after a three-year absence. It will no longer be held at its… HARVESTHarvest 2025: Winter barley harvest 92% completeThis year’s harvest got off to a quick start, but intermittent rainfall last week has caused a noticeable slowdown. One thing is for certain, there is no consistent picture of… COVER CROPSFarmers advised to choose cover crops mixes carefullyFarmers planting cover crops this year are advised to select seed mixes to optimise the compatibility within the rotation and avoid diseases such as clubroot and take-all. Cover crops are… NEWS£20k prize on offer for best regen food initiativeA £20,000 prize is up for grabs for farmers who are driving change in regenerative agriculture. The Food System Prize is open to new or existing businesses, individuals or startups,… ROOT CROP EQUIPMENTStanden imports Hessels webs for production and partsPotato kit firm Standen is seeking a share of the all-makes parts market by becoming a dealer for Hessels Zeefbanden, a Dutch manufacturer of sieve webs. With in-house production and… NEWSThis Week in Farming: Royal Welsh Show and quad bike cautionWelcome back to another edition of This Week in Farming, the best content from Farmers Weekly over the past seven days. A change in the weather put harvest on hold… HARVESTHarvest 25: Winter barley yields well in Northern IrelandDespite the showers, combines are still rolling across the country, with winter barley showing strong quality but variable yields. Oilseed rape and wheat yields are more mixed, although the dry… ROYAL WELSH SHOWFUW honours former president with top awardFormer president of the Farmers’ Union of Wales (FUW) Glyn Roberts has been recognised for his services to Welsh agriculture, being presented with the FUW Internal Award at this week’s… NEWSRecord farm closures amid IHT reforms and rising costsA record 6,365 agriculture, forestry, and fishing businesses closed in the past year, the highest number since quarterly data was first collected in 2017, according to the Office for National… HARVESTVideo: Kent Grower trials Case IH’s new AF10 combineKent farm manager Elliott Waters has trialled the new Case IH AF10 rotary combine, marking the first official UK outing for the machine. Elliott has been pleased with the performance… GRASSLAND MANAGEMENTFarmers can apply for grazing relief amid dry conditionsFarmers in England facing forage shortages this summer can now apply for temporary adjustments to Countryside Stewardship and Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) grazing rules. The Rural Payments Agency (RPA) will… FINANCEFunding facility worth up to £120m opens for on-farm loansA specialist agricultural lender has secured a new £120m funding facility through NatWest Bank and BCI Capital, which could give farmers greater access to competitive lending rates. Rural Asset Finance,… CRIMEMan banned for seven years for dog attacks on sheepA man whose dogs repeatedly chased, mauled and killed sheep in Northamptonshire has been banned from walking any dog near livestock for seven years, following a string of horrific attacks… NEWSFinal chance to apply for Nuffield scholarshipThe deadline to apply for a Nuffield Farming Scholarship is fast approaching, with the window closing next Wednesday (31 July). The scholarship offers individuals the opportunity to explore a topic… LAND MARKETSLandlords weigh options ahead of IHT relief changesA rise in let farms for sale ahead of changes to inheritance tax reliefs is not yet evident but is very much a live option for landlords. GSC Grays director… CEREAL DRILLSHorizon Ag takes mounted MDSX no-till drill to 9mHaving taken the trailed DSX no-till drill to 9m last year, Horizon Agricultural Machinery has followed suit with the mounted variant, now available in 7.5m, 8m and 9m sizes for… FARM POLICYIHT announcements spark talks of new London farmer ralliesFarming campaigners have suggested there could be fresh protests in London this autumn over the government’s controversial inheritance tax (IHT) reforms, calling for a rethink of the policy before further… POULTRYBird flu vaccination trial recommended by task forceA report from the avian influenza vaccination task force, which looked at how best to manage highly pathogenic avian influenza in the UK, has ruled out vaccination for poultry flocks… ENVIRONMENTNutrient Action Plan to put ‘severe strain’ on NI farmersPlans to reduce fertiliser use on farmland included in Northern Ireland’s Nutrient Action Programme (NAP) could cost the agri-food sector more than £1.5bn each year, according to industry reports. 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