All the latest farming news FARM POLICYBradshaw wins second term as NFU presidentTom Bradshaw has been elected as NFU president for a second term, reaffirming confidence in his leadership during a challenging period for British agriculture. Mr Bradshaw, a fourth-generation arable farmer… CROPS MARKETS AND PRICESGlobal grain markets briefly spike in response to US tariffsWheat markets rallied this week in response to heightened global tensions following the announcement of increased tariffs being imposed by the US. UK feed wheat futures for the May 2026… FLY-TIPPINGFarmers hit as fly-tipping reaches record levelsFarmers across England are facing rising clean-up costs and hazardous waste after 1.26m fly-tipping incidents were recorded in 2024-25, prompting new government advice on vehicle seizures. The new guidance issued… LIVESTOCK DISEASESFarmers warned as foot-and-mouth confirmed in CyprusUK farmers have been warned to remain vigilant to the signs of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) after it was confirmed in cattle and sheep in Cyprus. In response, the government has… MEAT MARKETS AND PRICESStrong beef prices fail to prevent falling cattle numbersExceptionally strong beef prices throughout the past year were not enough to stem a continued decline in cattle numbers, with UK beef production down by 3.5% in 2025. Auctioneers, meat… ENVIRONMENTAL SCHEMESOrganic sector welcomes sustained support through SFI 2026Organic sector representatives have expressed their relief that the revamped Sustainable Farming Incentive for 2026 maintains many of the options available in previous rounds which should encourage future conversions and… LIVESTOCK DISEASESBVD movement restrictions to start in Northern IrelandFarmers in Northern Ireland are being reminded of the impending movement restrictions for breeding‑age females in herds where bovine viral diarrhoea (BVD) has been confirmed. The new measures come into… POULTRYEgg sector in big push to oppose impending cage banThe UK egg sector is mounting a major push to resist government plans to phase out enriched cage systems for laying hens, pullets and breeder layers. The ongoing Defra-led consultation,… FARM POLICYDefra overhauls SFI with £100,000 cap and 71 actionsDefra secretary Emma Reynolds has unveiled a major reset of the Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) for England, capping annual payments at £100,000 and reducing the number of actions from 102… MEAT MARKETS AND PRICESMeat suppliers condemn rise in FSA inspection feesMeat trade body the Association of Independent Meat Suppliers has condemned an imminent hike in official controls charges by the Food Standards Agency, calling for its immediate suspension and a… MARKETS AND TRENDSUK food supply chains at risk of major shocksThe UK food sector could be sleepwalking into major food shocks with vulnerabilities within the current "just in time" logistic system, according to Prof Tim Lang of the University of… FARM POLICYBradshaw defends ‘stay in the room’ farm IHT tacticNFU president Tom Bradshaw has delivered a robust defence of the union’s decision to “stay in the room” over farm inheritance tax, telling members that sustained lobbying secured vital concessions.… NEWSShotgun licensing to be overhauled by governmentThe Home Office has indicated that it intends to make changes to the licensing system for gun ownership, with results of a consultation due to be published “in due course”.… NEWSFarming resilience critical to UK food security – NFU chiefA resilient UK food system is “critical to the nation’s future” and central to tackling inflation, boosting national security and driving economic growth, NFU president Tom Bradshaw will tell delegates… FARM POLICYFUW cautions against tighter air pollution targetsSetting air pollution targets in Wales must not lead to tougher regulations for farming, the Farmers’ Union of Wales (FUW) has warned. Responding to a Welsh government consultation on new… WORKSHOP SKILLSInventions Comp 2026: Contractor builds tine toolbar drillTrivett and Sons’ tine toolbar drill has been highly commended. After battling several challenging autumn campaigns, Lawrence Trivett, brother Alistair and dad Andrew decided to rethink their drilling fleet. That… WORKSHOP SKILLSInventions Comp 2026: Planter cover keeps seed spuds dryCharlie Beattie has won third place in our simple category. One of the many challenges facing Charlie Beattie when planting 250ha of potatoes in Perthshire’s unpredictable weather is keeping seed… BUSINESSFarmers invited to shape £30m collaboration fundA £30m Farmer Collaboration Fund – first recommended in Baroness Minette Batters’ Farming Profitability Review – is moving forward, with farmers now being invited to help shape its final design.… MARKETS AND TRENDSRed meat and dairy enjoy record year for exportsExports of UK dairy and red meat surpassed £4bn in 2025, driven by increased global demand for high-quality produce. HMRC trade figures show UK dairy exports rose by 17% on… BUSINESSFarmers face hedgecutting deadline as 1 March ban loomsFarmers have just days left to complete hedgecutting before the annual closed season begins on 1 March, bringing a halt to most cutting operations until the end of August. In… SUGAR BEETSugar beet growers remain optimistic despite disease risksThe future of British sugar beet looks positive, with domestic demand for sugar expected to stay firm and technologies such as gene editing offering longer-term opportunities. However, in the short… CRIMERural tool theft warning issued to farmersFarmers across the UK are being urged to stay vigilant after research by NFU Mutual showed that tool theft continues to affect tradespeople, farmers and rural communities nationwide. Criminals targeting… WORKSHOP SKILLSInventions Comp 2026: Tramline sprayer kills green wheelingsAndrew Myatt is winner of our simple category. Like many growers, Andrew Myatt has stopped putting in conventional tramlines with the drill, instead using his sprayer’s RTK guidance to follow… WORKSHOP SKILLSInventions Comp 2026: ATV-towed calf catcher improves safetyAaron Scott has won second place in our simple category. Tagging newborn calves in the company of cranky mothers is now a safer affair at Lilburn Estate in Wooler, Northumberland,… LIVESTOCKNFU issues pre-lambing safety adviceThe NFU has issued pre-lambing advice, warning that longer hours, late nights, early starts and fewer breaks, can increase the risk of exhaustion and accidents. Keeping mentally and physically healthy… LAYERSUK egg sector faces housing investment gapThe UK egg sector is facing a serious investment gap in new housing, with ageing sheds and a sharp slowdown in construction raising concerns over future production, according to a… WORKSHOP SKILLSInventions Comp 2026: Mobile race built on a modest budgetAlastair Hall’s mobile race has won third place in the intermediate category. Armed with an old Ifor Williams stock trailer purchased for £700 on eBay and a healthy dose of… WORKSHOP SKILLSInventions Comp 2026: Time-saving all-in-one chipper trailerMike Shrimpton has won our intermediate category. Fed up with hand-loading timber into a biomass chipper, Dorset farmer Mike Shrimpton sought some mechanical assistance. First on his shopping list was a… NEWSThis Week in Farming: Workshops, wet weather and wheatWelcome back to another edition of This Week in Farming, your regular round-up of the best Farmers Weekly content from the past seven days. First up, here are your market… More articles
