All from last 7 days FARM POLICYVideo: 600 tractors make a statement against farm tax policyMore than 600 tractors sent a message to MPs on Wednesday 11 December as farmers continued in their efforts to change the government's inheritance tax and business property relief policies.… MEAT MARKETS AND PRICESFestive trade on fire at Christmas fatstock showsFinished cattle achieved exceptional prices at Christmas fatstock shows and sales across the country in December, lifting the trade to new record highs. Regular buyers were joined by butchers and… CRIMEIllegal livestock imports put NI at risk of bluetongueLivestock imports entering Northern Ireland from Great Britain are putting the country at risk of bluetongue, according to the Ulster Farmers’ Union (UFU). Northern Ireland has been free of bluetongue… DAIRYWhy low-mastitis herd helps keeps tabs on medicines cabinetThe downside of a dairy herd with less than 5% mastitis is having to maintain a stock of in-date antibiotics. This is the case for the Hodginkson family, who run… FARM POLICYFarmers stage tractor rally in York to demand fair treatmentFarmers from across North Yorkshire staged a lively tractor rally in York city centre, demanding fairer policies and protesting proposed changes to inheritance tax. The rally was organised by seven… COMMUNITYCharity Tractor of Lights parade cancelled on police adviceThe first ever Tractor of Lights parade through Dartmouth has been cancelled at the last minute following an about-turn from Devon and Cornwall Police. The charity event, organised by the… NEWSHow farmers can engage the public with agricultureFrom social media to farm walks, creative initiatives are bridging the gap between agriculture and the public. The fallout from October’s controversial Budget has amplified the pressures on British farmers,… FARMER FOCUSFarmer Focus: Death duties are abandoned in New ZealandMy father, along with others of his generation, speak of the impacts of Death Duties on farming families in this country, so we watch with sadness at the political changes… STAFF MANAGEMENTAdvice on common farm employment issuesFrom correctly issuing employment contracts to having the right paperwork in order, getting staffing right from the very start will not only rule out problems further down the line but… AIR AND WATERWater companies offer premiums to Wildfarmed wheat growersFour water companies in England are to pay regenerative wheat growers up to £200/ha, in some cases more, if they don’t use pesticides and adopt practices shown to reduce soil… COMMUNITYFarmer on mission to raise awareness of neurodiversity in agStaffordshire dairy farmer Liz Haines is on a mission to raise awareness about neurodiversity in the agricultural community, and hopes her speaking slot at the Oxford Farming Conference (OFC) will… CEREAL DRILLSOne-pass Katara combination drill added to Bednar line-upThe already comprehensive seed drill portfolio developed by Czech manufacturer Bednar is being further expanded with a new one-pass drilling combination. Based on the company’s Kator KN rotary power harrow… TAXCAAV set to step up its estimates of numbers to be hit by IHTFresh analysis by the Central Association of Agricultural Valuers (CAAV) shows that even more farmers will be affected by the government’s planned changes to inheritance tax (IHT) than originally claimed… AGRICULTURAL TRANSITIONWhy farmers should plan for profitability, not taxThe Budget's proposed inheritance tax (IHT) reform has understandably sparked outrage among farmers who fear the increased financial burden will result in the need to sell land to meet tax… COMMUNITYIn pictures: 600 tractors take part in London protestWith more than 600 tractors descending on London and many more farmers in noisy attendance, MPs were left in no doubt as to the strength of feeling and anger that… FARM POLICYTractors take over London as farmers ramp up protestsLondon witnessed an extraordinary spectacle on Wednesday 11 December as more than 600 tractors rolled into Westminster in a dramatic protest against the Autumn Budget’s impact on farming. Organised by… NEWSNFU Scotland announces five presidential candidates for 2025NFU Scotland has announced five candidates competing for the roles of president and vice president ahead of the union’s AGM on 7 February 2025. The current vice presidents, Andrew Connon… FARM POLICYFarmers frustrated by limited Defra support schemesFarmers across England are raising concerns over the limited scope of Defra’s funding schemes, with many feeling sidelined unless they focus on woodland creation. Despite recent government claims of record… NEWS‘Decline’ in support for Scottish produce in supermarketsNFU Scotland's latest ShelfWatch results reveal a decline in the availability of Scottish-branded produce across major supermarkets, with Aldi showing the biggest drop in support since the last quarter. Phase… CROPS MARKETS AND PRICESLacklustre wheat markets discourage farmer sellingVery little grain is being sold off farm at present as uninspiring wheat prices encourage arable enterprises to hold on in hope of better returns in the new year. Ex-farm… INPUT MARKETS AND PRICESFertiliser prices steady as concerns mount over future taxGB fertiliser markets have remained flat for the majority of 2024 with limited demand on-farm, but tighter supplies both in the UK and across Europe plus higher gas bills may… NEWSImported food found to carry higher pesticide residuesImported cereals, fruit and vegetables have been found to carry residues from 48 pesticides which British farmers are banned from using. New government testing has also found twice as many… ARABLEMore than 20% farmers using variable rate spraying techFarmers across the UK are extensively using digital technology to help them run their businesses now and in the way they plan to run their businesses in the future. This… MACHINERYRound-up: Non-blower straw bedding machine specs and pricesDuring winter months, when straw supplies and prices will be at a premium following wet spells over the harvest season, anything that helps minimise consumption while maintaining a comfortable, absorbent… PAYMENTS, SCHEMES AND GRANTSChanges to Scots' suckler beef scheme 'damaging'Scottish livestock marts and abattoirs say they are at risk of closure if the government presses ahead with its intention to require all suckler beef producers to have a maximum… More articles
