All the latest farming news

HARVEST

Harvest 2025: OSR yields variable but good oil levels

As 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. …

HARVEST

Cambs OSR crop yields over 4.2t/ha despite drought

Cambridgeshire-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%…

HARVEST

Yields down but quality firm in unexpected wheat harvest

It 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 POLICY

Welsh government targets BPS with final SFS description

The 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 RENTS

Tenant farmers voice concern over National Trust job cuts

Tenant 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 PRICES

Global food output set to surge by 2034 as prices decline

Global 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…

POULTRY

Anti-broiler chicken group accused of 'intimidating' farmers

Animal 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…

NEWS

Clarkson hits out at Hawkstone beer advert ban

Jeremy 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…

TRACTORS

Xtra models supersede 205-305hp Massey 8S tractors

Massey 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,…

HARVEST

Harvest 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 PRICES

Retailers press for clarity on feed and beef imports

Retailers 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…

HARVEST

Harvest 25: Fastest start to harvest for 19 years, says AHDB

Long 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…

NEWS

Call to protect farmland from mega solar expansion

A 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…

LIVESTOCK

Wales eases bluetongue rules for English slaughter lambs

Changes 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.…

SHEEP

Project successfully reduces lameness in Welsh sheep flocks

Using 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…

WEATHER

Harvest fire risk advice issued as fields stand tinder dry

Hot 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 MERGERS

Pottinger adds Isobus automation to simple Top VT grass rake

Isobus 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 DISEASES

One in 10 heifers calving with high cell count, shows data

More 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…

NEWS

This Week in Farming: Balers, bluetongue and dairy beef

Welcome 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 TRENDS

New tractor sales slump while second-hand kit sells well

Registrations 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…

MACHINERY

Razorback to import GreenTec hedgecutters and saws

Vegetation 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 RENTS

Powys County Council calls halt to farm sell-off

Plans 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…

COMMUNITY

Best of Welsh food and farming on show at Royal Welsh 2025

The 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…

ARABLE

Adas to pull plug on cereal and oilseed YENs

Crop 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 SCHEMES

NSA seeks early access to Countryside Stewardship ground

With 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 SAFETY

Agriculture remains Britain’s most dangerous industry

Figures 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…

NEWS

Government commits to ban lead in shotgun cartridges

Shotgun 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…

ENVIRONMENT

Farmland bird count shows success of farmer-led conservation

The 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…

NEWS

Council’s vegan meal policy sparks hypocrisy row

Oxfordshire 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.…

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