This Week in Farming: Royal Welsh, reshuffle and harvest

Welcome back to another edition of This Week in Farming, your one-stop shop for the best Farmers Weekly content from the past seven days.

First, here’s your markets (opens as PDF). Feed wheat has jumped above £180/t and rapeseed has followed crude oil markets higher amid a prolonged resumption of hostilities in the Strait of Hormuz.

Now, on with the show.

Royal Welsh catch-up

A multi-year funding settlement for Welsh farmers was the key farm policy news to come out of the Royal Welsh, setting visiting ministers off on the right foot with attendees.

First minister Rhun ap Iorwerth got a good reception on the NFU Cymru stand (as I expound on in my editorial), even while warning that the nation’s TB eradication target doesn’t currently “feel doable”.

Farming minister Llyr Gruffydd didn’t rule out wildlife control as part of Plaid Cymru’s strategy to grip the issue, while also pledging a broader partnership approach with industry to tackle issues as they arise.

All this has led to a blossoming in confidence, say union leaders, but the tough work of delivery awaits, with a push to tackle a farm paperwork mountain already under way.

Meanwhile, the Welsh YFC federation celebrated its 90th anniversary and the DPJ foundation its 10th. Congratulations to them both.

However, it was the Hawkstone Farmers Choir that stole the show in the main ring, with a brilliant rendition of “Calon Lân” stealing the show.

Back in Westminster

Away from the festivities, new prime minister Andy Burnham was naming his Westminster cabinet and junior ministers, with Angela Eagle coming back to Defra to take the top job.

Emma Hardy, Stephen Morgan and Baroness Sue Hayman stay on, with Jenny Riddell-Carpenter joining the government after catching the eye as one of the prominent members of the backbench Labour Rural Research Group.

Dealership changes

New Holland and Case owner CNH is pressing on with its strategy for dealers to pivot from carrying one brand to both, with major changes reported in Scotland this week as firms get served 12 months’ notice to quit.

In other machinery news, we take a close look at Can-Am’s Outlander electric ATV, the first battery-powered range from a major quad manufacturer.

And BYD has taken the wraps off its first plug-in hybrid pickup truck for the UK market, with the Shark promising 0-62mph in just 5.7 seconds but a maximum towing capacity of only 2.5t.

Harvest update

Harvest has raced along again this week, with some growers now already into their spring barley, while there are more reports of poor yields in the east, with some growers reporting particularly bad output after root crops.

Looking ahead to next season’s varieties, we speak to one independent seed merchant who has picked Elsoms’ Sparkler as a variety that growers should look at for next year.

And deputy editor Emma Gillbard meets Northumberland grower Will Dakin, who says his winter beans have beaten wheat in the gross margin stakes this season.

Who’s up and who’s down?

On the up this week is farmer and beauty pageant winner Clare Hopwood.

She is set to use her appearance at the Miss Great Britain national final in October to promote British farming and challenge outdated stereotypes about women in agriculture.

However, it would be wrong to end without a nod to our lead story this week – the broadening impact of this dry weather on farmers of all types.

Listen to the FW Podcast

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

This week the gang talk harvest fires, the proposed closure of British Sugar’s Cantley factory, the Defra reshuffle and farm safety.

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