All the latest farming news HARVESTHarvest 2025: OSR yields variable but good oil levelsAs harvest progresses across the country, winter barley is generally performing well with good specific weights, and merchants are beginning to see the first loads of wheat and oilseed rape. … HARVESTCambs OSR crop yields over 4.2t/ha despite droughtCambridgeshire-based farmer Philip Allen kicked off his oilseed rape harvest on 9 July, 10 days earlier than last year with a seed crop of Pi Pinnacle coming off at 9%… HARVESTYields down but quality firm in unexpected wheat harvestIt was an unexpected early start to winter wheat harvest for Cambridgeshire farmer John Jefferies, who started cutting his milling crop on 12 July. “Yields are down on what we… FARM POLICYWelsh government targets BPS with final SFS descriptionThe Welsh government has released details of the final Sustainable Farming Scheme (SFS), which will replace the current Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) from next year. Announcing the new scheme, which… TENANCIES AND RENTSTenant farmers voice concern over National Trust job cutsTenant farmers have expressed deep concern over the National Trust’s plans to cut around 550 jobs, warning the restructuring could weaken vital relationships between the conservation charity and the farmers… MEAT MARKETS AND PRICESGlobal food output set to surge by 2034 as prices declineGlobal meat production is expected to climb by 13% over the next decade, fuelled by increased output across Asia and Latin America. A joint report issued by the Organisation for… POULTRYAnti-broiler chicken group accused of 'intimidating' farmersAnimal welfare group the Humane League has been accused of “intimidating farmers” and “stoking fear and confusion” after it wrote to broiler growers saying they may be breaking the law… NEWSClarkson hits out at Hawkstone beer advert banJeremy Clarkson has hit out at UK advertising regulators after his latest Hawkstone lager advert was pulled from broadcast. The ex-Top Gear presenter, who now farms the 400ha Diddly Squat… TRACTORSXtra models supersede 205-305hp Massey 8S tractorsMassey Ferguson is to replace its standard 2020-launched 8S range with a series of “Xtra” tractors that cover the same power outputs. The changes sound more sweeping than they are,… HARVESTHarvest 2025: Early wheat yields ‘better than expected’Arable fields are being cleared weeks ahead of schedule, with early wheat yields holding up well despite England facing its driest spring since 1893 and record-breaking heat in recent weeks.… INPUT MARKETS AND PRICESRetailers press for clarity on feed and beef importsRetailers are urging the UK government to act more swiftly and fully implement new regulations restricting imports of certain feed products from deforested areas of the globe. The UK Forest… HARVESTHarvest 25: Fastest start to harvest for 19 years, says AHDBLong dry spells in the spring and recent hot temperatures have resulted in the fastest start to harvest since 2006, according to the AHDB. The first harvest report of the… NEWSCall to protect farmland from mega solar expansionA new report from countryside charity CPRE warns that nearly a third of England’s mega solar farms are being built on the country's highest-quality farmland, raising urgent concerns over food… LIVESTOCKWales eases bluetongue rules for English slaughter lambsChanges to bluetongue regulations in Wales mean that from 14 July animals can be moved from the Restricted Zone (RZ) in England to a bluetongue approved “red market” in Wales.… SHEEPProject successfully reduces lameness in Welsh sheep flocksUsing a “treat, cull, avoid, quarantine, and vaccinate” approach to prevent lameness in sheep flocks has yielded welcome results on 10 Welsh sheep farms. The success comes on the back… WEATHERHarvest fire risk advice issued as fields stand tinder dryHot dry conditions across the UK have increased the risk of harvest fires, with fire services and farming groups warning farmers to take caution. Combines and standing crops have already… RAKES AND MERGERSPottinger adds Isobus automation to simple Top VT grass rakeIsobus automation and other handy electronic control features are now available on Pottinger’s otherwise “simple spec” four-rotor grass rake. In standard form, the Top VT 12540 C offers 10-12.5m of… LIVESTOCK DISEASESOne in 10 heifers calving with high cell count, shows dataMore than 10% of heifers calved in with a high somatic cell count at their first milk recording, according to data from herds using the Mastitis Pattern Analysis Tool. See… NEWSThis Week in Farming: Balers, bluetongue and dairy beefWelcome back to another edition of This Week in Farming, your one-stop shop for the best Farmers Weekly content from the past seven days. First, here are your markets (opens… MARKETS AND TRENDSNew tractor sales slump while second-hand kit sells wellRegistrations of larger tractors have fallen by more than one-third during the first half of 2025, as farm businesses try to keep a control on costs. Tight margins for arable… MACHINERYRazorback to import GreenTec hedgecutters and sawsVegetation management machinery specialist Razorback is supplementing its own reach and rotary mower ranges by importing complementary products from GreenTec of Denmark. GreenTec manufactures hedge and verge cutters, and four-blade… TENANCIES AND RENTSPowys County Council calls halt to farm sell-offPlans to sell county council farms in Powys to boost a £10m annual assets sale target have been scrapped. The council came under fire in May when it made moves… COMMUNITYBest of Welsh food and farming on show at Royal Welsh 2025The very best of Welsh agriculture, food and culture, will be on display when the Royal Welsh Show opens its gates to the public on Monday 21 July, with Caernarfonshire… ARABLEAdas to pull plug on cereal and oilseed YENsCrop consultancy Adas has announced it will cease facilitation of the Cereal and Oilseeds Yield Enhancement Networks (YENs) – a move prompted by declining sponsorship. Founded in 2012, YEN has… ENVIRONMENTAL SCHEMESNSA seeks early access to Countryside Stewardship groundWith many parts of the country struggling with exceptionally dry weather, the National Sheep Association (NSA) has requested an urgent temporary derogation for grazing certain environmental land options that are… HEALTH AND SAFETYAgriculture remains Britain’s most dangerous industryFigures from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) confirm that agriculture, forestry and fishing continues to be the most hazardous sector for workers in Great Britain. Between April 2024 and… NEWSGovernment commits to ban lead in shotgun cartridgesShotgun cartridges containing lead shot will be banned for game shooting, following an industry wide consultation. A three-year transition period will begin next summer, with it becoming an offence to… ENVIRONMENTFarmland bird count shows success of farmer-led conservationThe results of the 2025 Big Farmland Bird Count show some red- and amber-listed species on the rise, emphasising the success of farmer-led agri-environmental schemes. The encouraging figures make a… NEWSCouncil’s vegan meal policy sparks hypocrisy rowOxfordshire County Council is under fire for hypocrisy after admitting to serving imported fruit at vegan-only lunches, despite its own policies calling for reduced “food miles” to combat climate change.… More articles
