Articles published in last 7 days

All from last 7 days

Young farmers on tractor run to oppose college closure

Young farmers have taken part in a tractor run to object to the proposed closure of Newton Rigg College. More than 80 tractors converged on the campus near Penrith last…

Defra confirms HLS extension policy to continue for 2021

Farmers with a Higher-Level Stewardship (HLS) agreement expiring in 2021 will be offered a one-year extension by Natural England (NE) if they meet certain conditions, the government has confirmed. Those…

HEALTH AND WELLBEING

Britain's Fittest Farmer 2020 qualifiers: Photos and video

The farming community rallied together at the end of a difficult summer to compete in Farmers Weekly's 2020 Britain's Fittest Farmer competition last weekend (26-27 September). About 80 farmers, farm…

FARMLIFE

NI farmer watching Open golf with his cows goes viral

A County Antrim farmer has gone viral on the internet as he sat in his field watching the Irish Open golf championships surrounded by his cattle. Photos and video footage…

CRIME

Multiple tractor GPS systems stolen in East Yorkshire farm raids

Police are urging farmers in the East Riding of Yorkshire to step up security following a spate of tractor GPS thefts. Thieves broke into more than a dozen tractors across…

SHEEP

How to work out your flock’s trace element requirements

Trace elements are minerals such as copper, selenium, cobalt, iodine, manganese and zinc that are essential for life. Optimal flock performance depends on them being supplied correctly. But how do…

PEST MANAGEMENT

Why wildflowers could cut aphid-spread viruses in potatoes

Wildflowers grown in strips through potato crops could control disease-carrying aphids and may help growers faced with a dwindling number of insecticides. Areas of wildflowers grown in the headlands and…

SHEEP

How ewe liver tissue tests are helping to fine-tune rations

Taking liver biopsies from breeding ewes is helping Welsh sheep farmers to establish the mineral status of their flocks and fine-tune rations. Testing tissue samples from the livers of live…

FARMER FOCUS

Farmer Focus: Silly sale prices look like we need no help

Maize came off on September 10 with a very heavy crop in three out of four fields at about 49t/ha. The smallest field suffered as it got unrotted muck from…

HARVEST

Harvest 2020: Yields hold up as combines almost grind to halt

Graham Furey put the combine to bed at Castleview in Killyleagh, County Down, in the week ending 20 September after finishing his 100ha of combinable crops. “Spring wheat was a…

BUSINESS CLINIC

Business Clinic: Should I respond council's planning request?

Whether you have a legal, tax, insurance, management or land issue, Farmers Weekly’s Business Clinic experts can help. Here, James Cordery of Carter Jonas advises on the process for designating…

ROOT CROP CHASERS

Root crop transfer trailer slashes potato harvesting costs

A Norfolk potato business has purchased a Brettmeister K3 transfer trailer for this year’s harvest in the hope of adding some extra slickness to an already efficient harvesting operation. Over…

YOUNG FARMERS

Amy Eggleston: Let's share the real facts about farming

I drink milk from a cow. Who knew that sentence would ever be so controversial? In 2020, despite everything else going on in the world, it seems this is a…

DRILLING

Rain prompts fears of repeat wet autumn

Rain and stormy weather have prompted concern that UK farmers could be in for a repeat of last year’s wet autumn. Eastern England is experiencing heavy rain and strong winds…

4X4S

On test: Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV

Since its launch in April 2014, Mitsubishi’s Outlander PHEV has been the go-to model for those wishing to dabble in the world of hybrid SUVs. Almost 52,000 have been sold…

BEEF

How and what to record to inform suckler cow culling

Every commercial farm has its own aims and parameters, but there are some key breeding goals and culling criteria to drive suckler herd performance and profit. This is according to…

NEWS

Farmers and consumers are losers in skewed market, says Dyson

Britain’s biggest farmer, Sir James Dyson, has warned that consumers and farmers are both losing out in a market that is “fundamentally skewed”. The entrepreneur said it is retailers who…

NEWS

Opinion: BBC's bias is damaging farming's reputation

Before I morph completely into “Disgusted of Tunbridge Wells”, I'd like to put it on record that I'm a fan of the BBC as a public subscription broadcaster. Having suffered…

TAKING STOCK

Market set for strong autumn calf sales

Suckler farmers are hoping for a very fast weaned calf trade this autumn, providing deadweight prices hold steady. Recent factory price drops have caused some pessimism this week and could…

PULSES

Key tips for growing winter beans after a poor season

Variable yields and dismal quality results saw winter beans become one of the worst-performing crops on many farms this year – a victim of very late drilling in less-than-ideal conditions…

FARMER FOCUS

Farmer Focus: Farming more efficient than broadband firm

Our harvest is now almost complete, with settled weather in September finally allowing some full harvest days. The good conditions allowed us to see the potential of the combine, with…

LIVESTOCK

Scotland to end long journeys for live calf exports

Live calf exports that breach maximum permitted journey times from Scotland to Spain will no longer be accepted, the Scottish government has stated. Following a legal challenge by animal welfare…

CROP MANAGEMENT

Digital tool advises when to spray crops with 85% accuracy

Growers and agronomists have a new digital tool to assess crop pests and diseases and suggest the best time to spray, up to four days in advance, with 85% accuracy.…

BOVINE TB

Awards launched to recognise farmer efforts to tackle TB

The TB Advisory Service (TBAS) has launched an award to recognise farmers who work hard to protect their herds and reduce the risk of the disease. As well as the…