This Week in Farming: Glyphosate, rural crime and NI special

Welcome back to another edition of This Week in Farming, your regular round-up of the best Farmers Weekly content from the past seven days.

First up, here are your market prices (opens as PDF).

Feed wheat has finally started to show some improvement, with prices rising to almost £180/t, providing some optimism for growers.

Meanwhile, red diesel remains above £1/litre, continuing to put pressure on farm margins.

Now, on with the news…

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Glyphosate restrictions

Concerns around potential restrictions on the use of glyphosate have hit the headlines this week, with farming groups warning that it could impact production.

Campaigners, including the Soil Association, are calling for the government to ban the use of glyphosate as a pre-harvest drying agent.

However, research by United Oilseeds warns that a glyphosate ban could drive up food prices.

Talking of higher food prices, the Bank of England is predicting food price inflation to climb by 6-7% during 2026, driven by higher energy, fuel and fertiliser costs.

The catch? Farmers are unlikely to see much of it, with the NFU saying the gap between “retail prices and farmgate returns is becoming increasingly acute”.

In FW editor Andrew Meredith’s editorial this week, he suggests that a ban on glyphosate is a matter of “when, not if”, with it likely to be banned as a result of the forthcoming dynamic alignment deal with the EU.

Northern Ireland

This week’s magazine features a Northern Ireland special, taking a look at the big issues currently affecting farmers across the country, including TB, planning constraints and environmental regulations.

The special also provides a round-up of what government support schemes are available to farm businesses and a preview of the Balmoral Show.

Weather woes

A dry spring may have helped the outdoor lambers, but crops in the ground are now starting to feel the strain.

Maize growers are urgently waiting for rain to secure crop establishment with newly drilled crops desperate for rain.

Specialists have reminded growers that although exceptionally warm conditions in March and early April provided an opportunity to get ahead with maize establishment, the impact on crops of any subsequent drop in soil temperature must not be ignored.

Despite a dry April, disease pressure is high in winter wheat crops, and growers are advised to protect the flag leaf at the critical T2 spray timing.

Winter wheat is generally looking in better shape than last year, with roughly three-quarters of the crop rated as either good or excellent.

That said, the recent dry spell is starting to have an impact and could potentially limit straw and forage supplies later in the year.

Bulls and bears

There was a fantastic trade at the Stirling Bull Sales this week, with Limousins averaging close to £9,500 a head, despite a slightly more bearish beef trade generally with finished steers dipping to 620p/kg deadweight in early May.

Turning to dairy, several processors have committed to milk price rises in May and June. While it may be too early to say markets are looking bullish, it is good to see some optimism returning to the sector.

One thing that is definitely on the up is farm input costs, with consultant Andersons pointing to and “agflation” rate of 8.4% in April, due to the Middle East conflict.  

Rural crime

Fly-tippers could face losing their driving licences under new powers designed to curb illegal dumping across England.

Concerningly, an Essex farmer who has suffered more than 200 hare coursing incidents in eight months says he fears for his safety after a series of violent encounters.

Big tech

The FW Arable desk has been exploring useful tech options to help on farm, including three technologies to measure farm soil health and function, and a free crop rotation planning tool.

Freelance reporter Mike Abram has also looked into which machines, technology and software farmers find invaluable.

Meanwhile, the machinery team has been testing electric UTVs for use on farm and looking at Ford’s new “tax-friendly” two-seat Ranger Double Cab pickup.

Best of the rest

• Why changes to farm businesses need to heed separation rules
• How Scottish secure tenancy sales will test the market
• Velcourt machinery up for auction after major restructure
• AHDB shutting down Farmbench data service in September
• Winners announced at National Women in Agriculture Awards 2026

Listen to the FW Podcast

Don’t forget to listen to the latest Farmers Weekly Podcast, with Johann Tasker, Louise Impey and Hugh Broom.

You’ll find it anywhere you get your podcasts, or listen free on the FW website.