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LIVESTOCK

Peak AltaValuepack tops leaderboard in latest genomic ranking

Strong health traits have edged a new young Holstein sire into top place in the latest genomic index ranking, published today (12 August) by the AHDB. Peak AltaValuepack, sired by…

WEATHER

Worsening drought situation triggers fodder fears

The ongoing drought situation across England has been defined as a “nationally significant incident” by the National Drought Group (NDG), with farmers increasingly worried about the fodder situation. Five areas…

MEAT MARKETS AND PRICES

UK pig sector set for expansion as profit margins improve

Lower production costs and consistent farmgate prices in 2025 have helped to restore confidence in the UK pig sector. The latest industry outlook by AHDB anticipates UK pigmeat production to…

DAIRY MARKETS AND PRICES

Trade barriers lifted for UK dairy exports to Egypt

The UK dairy sector is set to benefit from enhanced market access for exports to Egypt from 2026 onwards. Roughly £26m of UK dairy products were exported to Egypt in…

HARVEST

Harvest set to finish ahead of schedule at Sussex estate

Harvest is set to finish more than a month earlier than usual for a West Sussex estate, spurred on by the lack of rain this growing season. Farm manager Mark…

POTATOES

UK hosts AI pilot for regenerative potato systems

The UK is set to be a pilot location for a European potato project designed to validate the impact of regenerative farming practices. The project, led by artificial intelligence pioneer…

HARVEST

Harvest 25: Huge variation with wheats yielding 5.5-12.8t/ha

With the UK wheat harvest half complete according to the latest AHDB harvest report, combining for some farmers in the earlier South is drawing to a close. See also: Harvest…

COMPLIANCE

Meat suppliers claim inspection regime is 'outdated'

Traditional post-mortem meat inspections are not fit for the future and should be replaced by modern technology, according to the Association of Independent Meat Suppliers (Aims). Pointing to faecal detection…

FARM POLICY

Clarkson's bovine TB case exposes testing flaws

Jeremy Clarkson’s revelation that bovine TB has struck his Diddly Squat Farm in Oxfordshire has reignited debate over the government’s handling of the disease. Posting on X on 31 July,…

TAX

Heritage Relief tax deals may exclude tenants from schemes

Tenant farmers could find themselves blocked from key agri-environment schemes as more landlords seek to take advantage of a little-known inheritance tax exemption, the Tenant Farmers Association (TFA) has warned.…

ENVIRONMENT

NAP backlash builds as 3,400 respond to ‘unworkable’ plans

DUP MP Carla Lockhart has called on Daera minister Andrew Muir to “go back to the drawing board” on proposed changes to the Nutrients Action Programme (NAP), warning the department…

POULTRY

Clock is ticking for bird flu insurance, producers warned

Poultry industry representatives are advising egg and meat producers to move quickly if they want to secure bird flu insurance, given the recent escalation in the number of cases. NFU…

MACHINERY

Kidd develops high-output Kombi-Grind static straw processor

Kidd Farm Machinery has drawn on its long-held experience of tractor-mounted straw grinder production to develop a static installation for high-volume processing at rates up to 2t/hour. The Kombi-Grind features…

NEWS

NFU launches crops and sugar programme for farmers under 35

The NFU is calling on the next generation of arable farmers to apply for two of its flagship training initiatives, aimed at developing industry knowledge and leadership skills. Farmers aged…

BIODIVERSITY

Free tools to help farmers monitor habitat and biodiversity

A new freely available app is helping farmers and landowners monitor biodiversity and manage habitat quality. The app, known as e-Surveyor, uses artificial intelligence (AI) to make ecological surveying more…

PLOUGHS

New headstock and transport options for Kuhn Master M ploughs

Kuhn has built on its Master L range of ploughs with the introduction of the Master M, which benefits from new front-end options that ease operation both in the field…

NEWS

Dyson grows sunflower crop for use in its beauty products

The UK’s largest farming business, Dyson Farming, has diversified into growing sunflowers for use as an ingredient in a range of haircare and beauty products under the Dyson Omega brand.…

NEWS

Panel highlights role of farming in Welsh language use

The role of agriculture in promoting the use of the Welsh language was a key focus of a discussion at the 2025 National Eisteddfod. Hosted by the Farmers’ Union of…

NEWS

This Week in Farming: Bluetongue, habitats and home-made kit

Welcome back to This Week in Farming, your round-up of the best Farmers Weekly content from the past seven days. First, here are your markets (opens as PDF). Interesting to…

CULTIVATORS

SMS doubles disc cultivator range with new 4-6m Ontarios

Czech outfit SMS CZ has doubled its range of light disc cultivators with the addition of three tractor-mounted models between 4m and 6m wide. The trio of Ontarios – 400H,…

HARVEST

Wheat yields improve as UK harvest nears 50% completion

With close to half of the UK wheat harvest now complete, yields are improving as combines progress. The AHDB yield report revealed the first 10% of winter wheat crops cut…

AGRICULTURAL TRANSITION

Know your natural habitat data, Welsh farmers urged

Farmers in Wales have been urged to understand their on-farm natural habitat data after a snapshot of woodland, hedgerow and biodiversity survey revealed a mixed distribution, according to Farming Connect.…

CRIME

Hampshire Police raid suspected farm vehicle ring

Police from Hampshire’s Country Watch Rural Crime Task Force led a multi-agency operation on Tuesday 5 August, targeting suspected farm vehicle theft rings. Supported by drone operators, search and firearms teams,…

NEWS

Defra funding gap threatens vital farmland habitats

Vital wildflower habitats and biodiversity areas on English farms are being ploughed up as Defra’s Countryside Stewardship (CS) scheme funding comes to an end for many farmers this December –…

LAND MARKETS

Cornwall and Devon offer choice of farmland properties

New launches in the south-west of England feature this week, including two significant commercial holdings set less than three miles apart in Cornwall. The main farming operations at Pendarves Farm,…

BIODIVERSITY

New habitat mapping tool to baseline biodiversity

A fully automated habitat mapping and site screening tool has been launched this week to deliver rapid ecological assessments in just minutes. Biodiversity mapping data company Gentian announced the launch…

MACHINERY

Eastern Farms to auction Deere X9 combine and two artic RXs

Big-ticket machines with an estimated value of more than £2m will go under the hammer in Cambridgeshire on 10 September following a change of strategy at Eastern Farms. The business,…

MEAT MARKETS AND PRICES

AHDB partners with French butchers to increase lamb exports

The AHDB is working with industry to increase the market offering of British lamb in France. France is already by far the largest export destination for UK sheepmeat and provides…

MEAT MARKETS AND PRICES

Fairer pig supply chain rules to come into force

Defra’s new Fair Dealing Obligations (Pigs) Regulations 2025 come into force on 13 August, aiming to ensure fairer contracts for pig farmers and producers. The rules require written, signed contracts…

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