All from last 7 days FARM POLICYTrade, water and energy reforms expected in King’s SpeechFarmers will be watching closely as King Charles delivers his speech in Westminster on Wednesday (13 May), with several proposed laws expected to have significant implications for agriculture, trade, energy… NEWSClarkson’s Farm returns for fifth series in JuneFrom extreme weather and bovine TB restrictions to political anger over government farming policy, Jeremy Clarkson faces fresh challenges when Clarkson’s Farm returns for its fifth season in June. Amazon… MARKETS AND TRENDSFMD outbreak in China raises concerns for global tradeRecent cases of foot-and-mouth disease in China have prompted renewed calls for farmers to remain vigilant for signs of infection, and could have potential implications for international trade. A preliminary… ENVIRONMENTNFU warns cattle permits could curb farm investmentThe NFU has warned that extending Environmental Permitting Regulations (EPR) to cattle farms could damage confidence and investment in the livestock sector, after receiving hundreds of survey responses from beef… VARIETY SELECTIONGuide to which OSR varieties to drill in summer 2026A good selection of new and existing winter oilseed rape varieties is being matched by renewed enthusiasm for growing the crop, with better yields, reduced pest pressure and stronger prices… PIGS5 steps to achieve good pig farm biosecurityGiven the ever-present threat of notifiable disease African swine fever, Young National Pig Association members have made a range of pledges to help improve biosecurity on pig farms. Everyone has… GRASSLAND MANAGEMENTTips on pre-mowing grazing paddocks with poor residualsPaddocks with poor residuals after the first two grazing rounds can be reset now by pre-mowing before the grass plant gets into its reproductive phase. Wet ground conditions, over allocation… NEWSWelsh farmer charged £20k for SSSI damageA farming company in west Wales has been charged nearly £20,000 after a court convicted it of harming a protected wildlife site by repeatedly violating environmental regulations over eight years.… MUCKSPREADERSBergmann offers new tyre option to minimise spreader widthWider row-crop tyres with a bigger rubber-to-soil contact patch have been squeezed on to Bergmann low-bed manure spreaders for growers and contractors who need a narrow overall width configuration. Alliance… OPINIONOpinion: Government consultations can be a smokescreenTaking part in government consultations is, I imagine, a bit like consulting your teenager on a reasonable bedtime. The teen thinks midnight is “fine”, but you have other ideas. So… DAIRY MARKETS AND PRICESGlobal demand for dairy set to grow as supplies slowAdvisers from across the European dairy sector forecast that global dairy demand will increase in the coming years. Speakers at the Dairy Industry Newsletter conference in London on 7 May… MARKETS AND TRENDSBritish Wool expect farmers to be paid £1/kg for 2026 clipAs shearing gets under way across the UK, wool prices are at the strongest they have been for some time with prices 70% higher than last year. British Wool has… CRIMETwo arrests after stolen tractor driven into houseA tractor stolen from a farm in Yarm, North Yorkshire, was allegedly driven into a house in Middlesbrough in the early hours of Saturday morning, prompting a major police investigation.… NEWSOrganic sector growth highlights policy divide across UKOrganic farmland in the UK reached its highest level in more than a decade in 2025, driven largely by a sharp rise in land conversion in Scotland, according to new… CRIMELincolnshire farmer jailed for stealing sheep from martsA Lincolnshire farmer has been jailed for four-and-a-half years after being convicted of stealing hundreds of sheep from livestock markets across England over a seven-year period. Peter Parker, 60, of… HEALTH AND SAFETYSix farm deaths in six weeks raise alarm over safetyFarm safety campaigners have renewed calls for greater awareness of workplace risks after two more fatal incidents involving agricultural workers were reported by the Health and Safety Executive. Jill Hewitt,… AIR AND WATERNI Water scheme rewards farmers who reduce water pollutionFarmers operating in the Seagahan catchment in County Armagh are being offered funding to help protect drinking water supplies, retain valuable soil and nutrients, and improve farm sustainability over the… MACHINERYNAAC contractor price guide 2026-27Farm contracting prices have increased by an average of 4.84% in the past year, according to the latest survey by the National Association of Agricultural Contractors (NAAC). Its yearly round-up… HEALTH AND WELLBEINGFarmers encouraged to take action on mental health this MayFarmers and rural communities are being encouraged to take practical steps to support mental wellbeing as Mental Health Awareness Week returns from 11-17 May with the theme “Action”. The Mental… DAIRYSmart dairy investments when cashflow is tightOperating in a tight financial climate means double-checking planned investments are really worth the money. Before parking this year’s building (or maintenance) project because escalating input costs are squeezing the… BUSINESSHow OSR breeding is shifting from peak yield to resilienceWhile oilseed rape has faced several challenging seasons, breeders have continued to back the crop’s long-term potential, with new variety development focused on reducing risk through stronger disease resistance, establishment… FARMER FOCUSFarmer Focus: Iran war shapes next year's cropping plansWe finally had some meaningful rain over the bank holiday weekend. The winter wheat crops were starting to show signs of stress on the shallow soils with substantial amounts of… YOUNG FARMERSDaisy Wood: Farmers must remain centre stage at GroundswellWhile some are gearing up to queue for overpriced falafel at a festival, farmers are readying themselves for the busiest time of the year. But it doesn’t have to be… HEALTH AND WELLBEINGStress, support and survival: One young farmer's journeyA young farmer who took on major responsibility for his family’s livestock business as a teenager has spoken openly about the pressures that pushed him to breaking point. Joe Barker… OILSEED RAPEWhy Devon farmer is growing oilseed rape againOilseed rape crops across parts of the UK started flowering a month ahead of usual, following favourable autumn weather and mild winter conditions. For Devon farmer Joe Mawle and his… More articles
