Farming news from the last 24 hours ARABLESyngenta to reduce plant breeding programme in UKMajor crop protection and seeds firm Syngenta has confirmed it is to move its hybrid plant breeding operations out of the UK to western Europe. The commercial decision was made… PAYMENTS, SCHEMES AND GRANTSFarming budget slashed as Defra fine print reveals cutsDefra’s Farming and Countryside Programme budget will drop sharply to £2.32bn in 2026-27, as more details emerge following chancellor Rachel Reeves’ Spending Review. Analysis by consultancy firm Andersons suggest this… MEAT MARKETS AND PRICESFSA discount decision threatens small abattoirsThe future of the remaining 47 small abattoirs in England and Wales hangs in the balance as the Food Standards Agency (FSA) debates whether to continue the Small Abattoir Discount… FARM POLICYSustainability index needed to aid 'more from less' agendaDesigning a new Sustainable Efficient Production index that can help policymakers and food producers track progress towards more environmentally friendly food production is key to improving the nation’s food security.… BUSINESS MANAGEMENTAg management app adds staff timesheets and tracks fuel useMeritAgCheck, a farm management and safety platform, has expanded its product offering to provide worker timesheets, manage fuel usage and stocks, and track full vehicle service history, all through its… CEREAL DRILLSAlpego returns with Dtek power harrow combi drillOpico has relaunched Alpego’s Dtek power harrow drill following increased demand for the improved weight distribution of a front-and-rear combination. The 350hp-rated power harrow unit comes with quick-fit, drop-forged tines… CROP WATCHCrop Watch: Weeds in variable maize and blight risk growsPlenty of sun is forecast this week, which will help with grain fill in winter wheat crops. The key issues being discussed by our agronomists this week include pests in… VARIETY SELECTIONCereals 2025: New hybrid barley Quantock offers more yieldSyngenta used the Cereals Event to launch its new hybrid barley, Quantock, the joint highest yielding six-row hybrid on the AHDB Recommended List 2025-26. With a UK yield of 109%… PEST MANAGEMENTCereals 2025: Send in aphid samples, growers urgedRothamsted Research appealed for growers and agronomists to send in aphid samples taken from wheat crops at Cereals 2025. Researchers developing species-specific pest management solutions are building a picture of… COMMUNITYPembrokeshire tractor run raises £5k for charitiesMore than 260 tractors turned up for the Welsh National Tractor Road Run (WNTRR) in Pembrokeshire for its 13th anniversary on Sunday 15 June. They raised over £5,000 for the…
