All the latest farming news

ENVIRONMENT

Tree planting grants raised in Wales

Farmers and landowners in Wales can apply for enhanced tree-planting grants from next Wednesday (4 March), the Welsh government has announced. The latest grants offer up to £13,294/ha, including 12 years…

BUSINESS

Demand for British food continues to grow says Tesco boss

Fresh food sales at Tesco have climbed by 6.6% on the previous year, according to its chief executive, Ashwin Prasad. Mr Prasad stated that demand for “fresh healthy British home-grown…

ENVIRONMENT

Dorset farmer fined over slurry storage breach

A Dorset farmer has been charged a hefty fine at Yeovil Magistrates Court after failing to install adequate slurry storage at his Blandford farm, breaching environmental regulations in a designated…

FARM POLICY

Bradshaw demands urgent bovine TB plan

Farmers need a bovine TB eradication plan they “believe can deliver”, NFU president Tom Bradshaw warned Defra, as frustration boiled over at the union’s annual conference. In a blunt message…

TRACTORS

Punchy new John Deere 8RX 540 maxes out at 634hp

John Deere reckons it has produced the world’s most powerful rigid-frame tractor. The wheeled 8R 540 and four-track 8RX equivalent are rated to a maximum output of 594hp, rising to…

FARM POLICY

Sustainable Farming Scheme application window set to open

Farmers in Wales will be able to apply for funding under the new Sustainable Farming Scheme (SFS) from Monday 2 March. Those seeking direct support in 2026 must decide at…

WORKSHOP SKILLS

Inventions Comp 2026: Low-cost tools and attachments

Farmers have been busy in their workshops getting creative with clever tools and attachments to make life easier and save cash. We round up some of the best of these…

WORKSHOP SKILLS

Inventions Comp 2026: Seed bag lifter speeds drill filling

Hamish Watson has been highly commended. There’s no need to tie up a telehandler during drilling season at Hamish Watson’s farm in Mintlaw, Aberdeenshire, as his tractor has all it…

FARM POLICY

Bradshaw wins second term as NFU president

Tom 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 PRICES

Global grain markets briefly spike in response to US tariffs

Wheat 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-TIPPING

Farmers hit as fly-tipping reaches record levels

Farmers 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 DISEASES

Farmers warned as foot-and-mouth confirmed in Cyprus

UK 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 PRICES

Strong beef prices fail to prevent falling cattle numbers

Exceptionally 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 SCHEMES

Organic sector welcomes sustained support through SFI 2026

Organic 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 DISEASES

BVD movement restrictions to start in Northern Ireland

Farmers 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…

POULTRY

Egg sector in big push to oppose impending cage ban

The 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 POLICY

Defra overhauls SFI with £100,000 cap and 71 actions

Defra 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 PRICES

Meat suppliers condemn rise in FSA inspection fees

Meat 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 TRENDS

UK food supply chains at risk of major shocks

The 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 POLICY

Bradshaw defends ‘stay in the room’ farm IHT tactic

NFU 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.…

NEWS

Shotgun licensing to be overhauled by government

The 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”.…

NEWS

Farming resilience critical to UK food security – NFU chief

A 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 POLICY

FUW cautions against tighter air pollution targets

Setting 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 SKILLS

Inventions Comp 2026: Contractor builds tine toolbar drill

Trivett 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 SKILLS

Inventions Comp 2026: Planter cover keeps seed spuds dry

Charlie 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…

BUSINESS

Farmers invited to shape £30m collaboration fund

A £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 TRENDS

Red meat and dairy enjoy record year for exports

Exports 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…

BUSINESS

Farmers face hedgecutting deadline as 1 March ban looms

Farmers 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 BEET

Sugar beet growers remain optimistic despite disease risks

The 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…

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