All the latest farming news ENVIRONMENTTree planting grants raised in WalesFarmers 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… BUSINESSDemand for British food continues to grow says Tesco bossFresh 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… ENVIRONMENTDorset farmer fined over slurry storage breachA 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 POLICYBradshaw demands urgent bovine TB planFarmers 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… TRACTORSPunchy new John Deere 8RX 540 maxes out at 634hpJohn 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 POLICYSustainable Farming Scheme application window set to openFarmers 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 SKILLSInventions Comp 2026: Low-cost tools and attachmentsFarmers 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 SKILLSInventions Comp 2026: Seed bag lifter speeds drill fillingHamish 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 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… More articles
