All from last 7 days NEWSCharity criticises legal ruling on Australia trade challengeEnvironmental charity Feedback has condemned a legal ruling that could derail their ongoing challenge to the UK-Australia trade agreement, warning it sets a dangerous precedent for access to environmental justice… BOVINE TBWelsh TB strategy is working, claim government officialsWales is making positive progress in addressing the bovine tuberculosis crisis through its TB eradication programme, the Welsh government has announced today (13 May). Through partnership working and changes to… POULTRYBird housing order to be lifted in EnglandMandatory housing measures for poultry and captive birds across England, some of which have been in place since December 2024, are set to be lifted from Thursday (15 May) over… MARKETS AND TRENDSUS ag secretary seeks additional access to UK for exportersUS agriculture secretary Brooke Rollins says the trade deal struck between the UK and US creates a massive opportunity for her country’s cattle ranchers, while ensuring that British consumers will… MARKETS AND TRENDSWool prices up, but farmers say it’s still not enoughWool prices have reached their highest levels since 2018, but sheep farmers warn the modest recovery still leaves them operating at a loss, with shearing costs outstripping returns. British Wool… NEWSWell-known farmer John Charles-Jones to quit farmingWell-known Nottinghamshire arable farmer John Charles-Jones has announced he is retiring from farming, and the farm is up for sale. Woodborough Park, which has been home to John and Cathy… CEREAL DRILLSHow Limavady farmer built versatile drill on the cheapTired of Limavady’s persistent rainfall hampering the use of his trailed disc drill, Alistair Craig hatched a plan to build a less weather-dependent alternative. Key criteria were that it should… DAIRY6 tips on delivering water for dairy cowsMany dairy farms have outgrown their water supply as they have increased cow numbers. Yet investment in water infrastructure often is not considered until a problem arises. Phil Evans is… AGRICULTURAL TRANSITIONFarm futures at risk: Why succession talks can’t waitFarm succession has become a hot political issue after chancellor Rachel Reeves’ Autumn Budget revealed plans to cap agricultural property relief at £1m from April 2026. The change has intensified… CROP WATCHCrop Watch: Dry weather prompts T2 fungicide queriesThe T2 flag leaf fungicide spray is now the focus for winter wheat crops. Dry conditions over the last month have kept disease pressure low, so much so that product… FARMER FOCUSFarmer Focus: A pleasure to see yellow OSR fields againMy yellow block of oilseed rape is now fading, but it was a pleasure to see it again. This is helped no doubt by the low numbers of cabbage stem… OPINIONOpinion: The farmer 'strike' was a flawed idea from the startSo, how did the call to stop loading milling wheat and leave our customers without hot cross buns over Easter go? Not only were there plenty of hot cross buns… NEWSDefra blunder leaves thousands of farmers in SFI limboDefra has apologised to farmers after a technical error in the 2024 Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) application process left thousands of applicants facing uncertainty. The department has admitted that outdated… CROPS MARKETS AND PRICESUK bioethanol firms ‘under threat’ from US trade dealThe UK biofuels industry has warned that domestic bioethanol production could be at risk if tariffs are removed on imports as part of the US-UK trade deal. Vivergo and Ensus,… NEWSMPs clash over IHT impact on farmer suicidesConservative shadow environment minister Victoria Atkins has been accused of “weaponising” farming suicides in a row over inheritance tax proposals, as she called for Defra secretary Steve Reed to change… NEWSFood security fears as East Yorkshire solar farm approvedFears have been raised over food security after the government approved one of the country’s largest solar farms on fertile East Yorkshire farmland, sparking outrage from campaigners and local leaders.… NEWSFW Podcast Ep 253: What next for SFI?In this episode we look at the future of the Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) agri-environment scheme. Natural England head of agriculture Peter Craven tells us the scheme will return –… HEALTH AND WELFARECranswick pig farm suspended after welfare abuse claimsMeat processor Cranswick is carrying out a detailed investigation at one of its pig farms and has suspended all staff at the location, after significant animal welfare concerns were exposed.… OILSEED RAPEOilseed rape grower sees helping hand from SFIHampshire oilseed rape grower Dick Hall is earning £369/ha from environmental payments, allowing the crop to rival winter wheat for profitability and making rapeseed the best break crop he can… LAYERSWhat new RSPCA Assured layer standards mean for farmersProviding a minimum of 3% natural daylight in housing could cost free-range and barn-egg producers at least £1 a bird. Other requirements within the new RSPCA Assured welfare standards require… AGRICULTURAL TRANSITIONSecure your family land and generate income with solarOwning and managing land in today’s financial landscape can be challenging – costs are high, margins are tight, and the future is uncertain. Leasing your land for a solar project… YOUNG FARMERSAlasdair Boden: Countryside Stewardship gives me a headacheI’m dyslexic. I have a low attention span, I am highly energetic and I enjoy being active outdoors. But I do not handle paperwork well – particularly details and numbers.… CEREAL DRILLSHorizon adds 3m and 4m rigid-frame DSX direct drillsGrain and oilseeds growers – as well as contractors – operating in smaller fields and across fewer hectares are being catered for by 3m and 4m rigid-frame additions to Horizon… PARASITIC DISEASESCryptosporidiosis impacts four in five dairies, study findsA recent study has highlighted that four in five dairy farms have experienced cryptosporidiosis in their herds, which has had significant financial and welfare implications. The study investigated the effects… FARMLIFE FRAMEDPhoto of the Week: Good day for spraying T1 winter wheatThe weather has been kind for farmers spraying their cereal crops this year, as this photo – taken towards the end of April - shows. The scene was captured by… More articles
