All the latest farming news CROP MANAGEMENTAHDB trials to give farmers independent biofungicide dataIndependent data on biofungicide performance will be available to farmers, thanks to a series of AHDB-funded pilot trials. The replicated field trials will test the effectiveness of biofungicides against Septoria… HOESKV bolsters mechanical weeder range with 12.2m ArcadiaA 12.2m Arcadia harrow is the latest addition to Kverneland’s growing mechanical weeder portfolio, which also includes the Helios rotary hoes and Onyx inter-row cultivators. It is armed with 480… NEWSThis Week in Farming: Eagle, Deere and a tenant commissionerWelcome back to another edition of This Week in Farming, the fastest way to get the best bits of Farmers Weekly from the past seven days. First, here are your… TELEHANDLERSSunward debuts 25hp ultra-compact wheeled loaderAn ultra-compact wheeled loader with agricultural work potential has been added to the light construction equipment range produced by Chinese manufacturer Sunward. The SL12W is powered by a 25hp Kubota… COLLEGESAg college celebrates 180th anniversary with 65kg cakeThe oldest agricultural college in the English-speaking world – the Royal Agricultural University (RAU) at Cirencester, Gloucestershire – has celebrated its 180th anniversary with the creation of a giant cake.… FARM POLICYTrailer of Truth protest gears up for Labour conferenceFrustrated farmers are preparing to deliver a blunt message to Sir Keir Starmer’s Labour government this weekend – enough is enough on anti‑farming policies. Tractors, banners and mounting anger will… TENANCIES AND RENTSLaidlaw confirmed as England's tenant farming commissionerFormer chief executive of the Royal Highland and Agricultural Society of Scotland, Alan Laidlaw, has been confirmed as the first Commissioner for the Tenant Farming Sector in England – fulfilling… WILDLIFEThink tank disputes government data on farmland bird declineA major government report suggesting UK farmland bird populations are in serious decline has been strongly challenged by the Science for Sustainable Agriculture (SSA) think tank, which says the data… TELEHANDLERSNew Holland unveils Forage Power version of W170D+ loaderNew Holland has bolstered its range of loading shovels with two new Italian-built models – one of which it hopes will challenge JCB’s popular 435S. The Forage Power derivative of… LIVESTOCK DISEASESBluetongue cases rise sharply, despite drop in temperatureThe incidence of bluetongue virus (BTV-3) has risen sharply in England, with 10 new cases confirmed on Tuesday (23 September) taking the total for the current 2025-26 vector season to… LAND MARKETSLincs coast farm launches alongside smallholdings and woodlandThe pace and scale of property coming to the market is showing its seasonal easing, with a number of smaller launches this week. Beaconsfield Farm, due for launch shortly, is… CRIMEFarmer recovers £22k after elaborate tractor buying scamA farmer has recovered more than £22,000 after falling victim to an elaborate online tractor buying scam that cost him nearly £30,000 and left his business reeling. Richard Bennett, 61,… TENANCIES AND RENTSTenant farmers urged to resist unfair rent hikes this autumnTenant farmers are being urged to push back against unjustified rent increases this autumn, as landlords seek higher payments despite falling farm business incomes and rising costs. With many rent… BUSINESS MANAGEMENTFalling profits to up pressure on diversified income in 2026With profits across the crop and livestock sectors predicted fall in 2026, farmers will need to rely more heavily on their diversified income. This is according to findings from the… MARKETS AND TRENDSWaitrose pledges 100% free-range British pork by 2027Waitrose has announced a commitment to selling only 100% free-range own-label British pork by 2027, in partnership with Pilgrim’s Europe and UK pig farmers. From 15 October 2025, all Waitrose… AIR AND WATERFarmers form water abstraction group to protect suppliesFarmers in North Shropshire have formed a new water abstraction group amid growing pressures on supplies in the area. The aim of the Shropshire Severn Water Abstraction Group (Sswag) is… FARM POLICYWater Summit convened to address agricultural pollutionWales deputy first minister Huw Irranca-Davies is calling for more collaborative action across sectors to tackle agricultural pollution and improve water quality. Speaking ahead of a Water Summit to be held… LIVESTOCKVoluntary gamma testing now live in high-risk TB areasFrom 1 September 2025, a significant expansion of voluntary interferon-gamma blood testing has been available to cattle keepers in parts of England affected by bovine tuberculosis (TB). However, the rollout… FORAGE WAGONSPottinger develops multi-use Liquido F silage additive tankA productive brainstorming session at Pottinger has resulted in the neat idea of a silage additive tank for use with balers and forage wagons that can fulfil at least two… CROPS MARKETS AND PRICESGrowers squeezed as EU sugar markets come under pressureLower global sugar prices could lead to smaller margins for sugar beet growers on index-linked contracts. EU white sugar futures stood at $460/t (£340/t) on 23 September for the December… HEALTH AND SAFETYSlurry mixing warning ahead of closed spreading seasonFarmers are being reminded of the dangers of poisonous slurry gas, and the importance of following the slurry mixing code, ahead of the closed period starting on 15 October Just… BUSINESSProfits up at agronomy and fertiliser firm Origin EnterprisesOrigin Enterprises, parent company to agronomy firm Agrii and fertiliser specialist Origin Soil Nutrition, increased its profit before tax by almost 11% to €79m (£69m). Group revenue increased by 3%… HEALTH AND WELFARESedating calves for disbudding hits growth rates, study findsResearchers at the Royal Veterinary College (RVC) are urging vets to reconsider sedating calves when carrying out disbudding, raising concerns over its effectiveness and wider health impacts. The research, which… CRIMEFarmer jailed after 455 animals found in squalid conditionsA Nottinghamshire farmer has been jailed and banned from keeping animals for life after more than 450 neglected animals were rescued from his farm during a major multi-agency operation in… FARM POLICYDame Angela Eagle's first farm visit signals fresh startDame Angela Eagle made her first farm visit as farming minister this week, touring NFU member Marion Regan’s soft fruit farm in Kent. Mrs Regan is the fifth-generation owner of… INPUT MARKETS AND PRICESFeed and forage supplies set to tighten into 2026Livestock farmers are being urged to plan ahead for feed requirements well into spring 2026, with UK supplies already tight. A combination of geopolitical events, a challenging UK harvest, and… MEAT MARKETS AND PRICESSuperb trade at NSA ram sale as average tops £1,000 a headAn average price of £1,044 a head was paid for tups at the NSA Wales & Border main sale on 22 September, up by 50% on the previous year. Sale… BUSINESS MANAGEMENTNew owners for struggling Oxfordshire abattoir MutchmeatsOxfordshire-based abattoir Mutchmeats of Witney has been sold to SMS Food Group – a company “connected to the previous management” – in a “pre-pack deal” after being put in administration.… BUSINESSNew Association of Dairy Producer Organisations launchedRoughly 2,000 GB dairy farmers will be represented by a new industry body, which seeks to provide a stronger voice for farmers during negotiations with milk buyers. The Association of… More articles
