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All the latest agricultural news for the arable and livestock farming sectors across the UK. Keep up up-to-date with farming policy from Defra and the devolved governments, agricultural subsidies and grants, farm compliance, farming business news and rural issues.

Advice and tips

TENANCIES AND RENTS

How to become a county council farm tenant

County council farms provide a great opportunity for people looking to reach the first rung in the farming ladder and many holdings are designed specifically with new entrants in mind.…

NEWS

Farm security advice to combat rural crime

Countryside criminals are becoming more brazen and farmers are having to go to extra lengths to ramp up security and protect their livelihoods. Some farmers are turning their farmyards into…

NEWS

NFU practical farm advice for dealing with activists

This month has seen an unparalleled step up in activist activity on farm and online, coinciding with the dairy industry’s #Februdairy promotional campaign. Reports of trespassing, threats of violence and…

NEWS

9 tips to combat farm theft during darker nights

Police and insurers are warning farmers to remain vigilant as darker evenings create opportunities for thieves to target rural properties. Vehicles and equipment stored in outbuildings are particularly vulnerable to…

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Archive

OPINION

Opinion: Time to address the gender imbalance in farm unions

I went along to our local NFU Scotland annual general meeting recently. The meeting was very good but, unfortunately, the experience only served to remind me of how antiquated the…

OPINION

Opinion: ‘End of an era’, as Helen Ghosh heads to Oxford

We are soon to have a change of landlady. No, not the lovely Jo at the Jolly Flowerpots; Dame Helen Ghosh is moving on from being head of the National…

OPINION

Opinion: Politicians need to champion, not chastise, farmers

With conference season in full swing the “buzzword bingo” cards are fervently being marked. For those not familiar with buzzword bingo, it’s a game you play with a handful of…

OPINION

Opinion: Fight the vegan attack on our Christmas dinner

What will you be serving for Christmas lunch this year? For me it must be the same every year: turkey covered in streaky bacon, pigs in blankets, sprouts with chestnuts,…

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Case studies

NEWS

Farmers Weekly Awards – Young Farmer finalists 2018

Young farmers are the future of the agricultural sector and are coming into the industry by working on family farms, starting new businesses and competing for tenancies. Some sell themselves…

NEWS

Mooing cattle recorded in bitter row over noise

Mooing cattle on a Yorkshire farm will be recorded for a year in a bid to end a bitter planning row between an organic beef farmer and his neighbour. The…

AWARDS

FW Awards winners – on farming, winning and judging

With just two weeks to go until the closing date, if you haven’t already entered or nominated someone for a Farmers Weekly Award this year, there’s no better time to…

NEWS

Video: How Gloucs farmers are working to prevent flooding

Farmers and landowners in Gloucestershire’s Upper Thames area are working together to manage the land to provide catchment-scale solutions to prevent future floods while making businesses resilient.  When storms Eva…

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Community

OPINION

Opinion: Never mind Brexit, what about my meniscus?

Neighbour: "Did you properly check your meniscus?" Me: "I didn't know I had one." This has been the flavour of the farming conversation round these parts throughout April and May.…

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Insights

WEATHER

How farmers coped in the drought of 1976

With the dry weather continuing to affect much of the country and water levels falling, comparisons have inevitably been made with the “great” drought of 1976. But how bad was…

ENVIRONMENTAL SCHEMES

Farmers ahead of the game on conservation

“Farmers are the original friends of the Earth; they know that we cannot have a healthy economy, healthy society or healthy individuals unless we have a healthy environment.” So begins…

NEWS

Analysis: What the Brexit White Paper means for farmers

Government plans for the UK’s future relationship with the EU, based on a free-trade area for goods, have come under sustained attack from across the political spectrum, raising questions about…

BREXIT

Analysis: What the Chequers agreement means for farmers

The cabinet consensus on the Chequers proposals lasted just 48 hours and ended with the shock resignation of Brexit secretary David Davis late on Sunday evening (8 July). It remains…

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News

BREXIT

Farm leaders voice concern over 'no-deal' Brexit

Farm leaders have voiced growing concern over the prospect of a no-deal Brexit and the effect it will have on UK agriculture. Northern Ireland’s beef, sheep and hill farming sectors…

WEATHER

Early BPS payments for weather-hit Scottish farmers

Loan payments are expected be made from early October to farmers in Scotland battling months of challenging weather conditions. Payments of up to 90% of the Basic Payment Scheme value…

NEWS

Sussex farmer 'trampled to death by cattle'

A Sussex farmer who died while feeding his livestock may have been trampled by his own cattle, according to police. The body of Stephen Sandys, 64, was found by his partner, Christine, in…

FARM POLICY

More crops will rot without workers scheme, warns NFUS

Crops will be left to rot in the fields again this autumn unless the UK government introduces a seasonal agricultural workers scheme, Scottish farmers have warned. Tonnes of soft fruit…

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Opinion

NEWS

Opinion: Memories of 1976 show progress has been made

I was only five at the time of last drought. I know – it’s hard to believe. No, not that I am nearing 50… rather that it has taken 42…

BREXIT

Opinion: Cheap food after Brexit is an illusion

Brexit creating strong opinions is nothing new. Yet in food, we continue to see some exaggerated statements when it comes to the potential impact on prices. Yes, part of the…

YOUNG FARMERS

Opinion: New approach needed for NFYFC convention

After 50 years, the National Federation of Young Farmers’ Clubs’ (NFYFC) annual convention is coming to an end. This is a brave decision and I applaud the NFYFC council –…

NEWS

Opinion: How innovation could reduce ordering drudgery

Like most people, I guess, I am a big fan of anything that simplifies my life while simultaneously saving me money. Which is why I am particularly pleased with the…

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Test and reviews

16 essential farming apps for 2014

Smart phones have revolutionised how farmers run their businesses, with apps doing anything from identifying weeds to recording and managing grazing platforms. There’s an amazing array of apps on the…

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Video

WEATHER

Video: Drought-hit dairy farmers determined not to sell cows

Two Anglesey dairy farmers who have been among the hardest-hit by the drought are determined to spend their way out of trouble instead of selling cattle. Business partners Johnjo Roberts…

WEATHER

Video: Farmers trade water in battle to save crops

The Environment Agency says it will fast-track applications from drought-hit growers who want to trade water with other farmers in a bid to save crops. Agency team leader Jonathan Thompson…

NEWS

Video: How Next Generation network is helping young farmers

The next generation of farmers are young, passionate, experimental and brave – but most importantly, they are succeeding. The Exmoor Hill Farming Network is one organisation that has prioritised supporting…

NEWS

Video: Farmer's camera catches fly-tipper in the act

A dairy farmer is appealing to the public to help identify a shameless woman caught on camera appearing to fly-tip on his land. Joe Tucker, 19, installed a small camera…

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