This Week in Farming: Royal Welsh Show and quad bike caution
© Tim Scrivener Welcome back to another edition of This Week in Farming, the best content from Farmers Weekly over the past seven days.
A change in the weather put harvest on hold earlier this week, but the much-needed rainfall will have been welcomed by many, following an exceptionally dry few months.
Here are this week’s markets (opens as PDF).
Both beef and lamb prices are on the up, which should help drum up some excitement ahead of breeding sales in August.
Grain markets remain challenged, but there is a glimmer of good news with ex-farm feed wheat lifting to £163/t midweek.
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Now, on with the news.
Royal Welsh Show
Great numbers flocked to Builth Wells this week for the Royal Welsh Show, and so did the politicians, who seized the chance to be seen engaging with farmers and stake their claim as “the party of the countryside”.
Wales first minister Eluned Morgan, deputy first minister Huw Irranca-Davies, Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch, shadow Defra secretary Victoria Atkins and Reform UK leader Nigel Farage all made an appearance, hosting briefings and providing a few photo ops.
More information on the Sustainable Farming Scheme (SFS) was unveiled this week, with £33m for preparatory schemes being announced.
The SFS announcements received a cautious welcome from industry at the show, but news of a 40% cut to the Basic Payment Scheme next year was not as well-received as farm leaders met to discuss the new options.
Mrs Morgan spoke to FW chief reporter Philip Case about the “huge value” agriculture offers to the Welsh economy, having previously remarked that the sector contributes less than 1% to the GDP.
Meanwhile, Mr Farage took the opportunity to encourage Welsh farmers to throw their hats in the political ring and stand as Reform UK candidates ahead of next May’s Senedd elections.
Welsh meat levy board Hybu Cig Cymru warned of an alarming fall in Welsh livestock numbers during the past decade.
Mr Irranca-Davies acknowledged the seriousness of the situation regarding livestock numbers and separately urged the Treasury to engage with the farming industry over inheritance tax (IHT) concerns.
Clock ticking on IHT
IHT has once again dominated the farming press this week with draft legislation being unveiled by the Treasury.
Mental health charity the DPJ Foundation says IHT concerns are causing significant family disputes with the pressure to address succession having a negative impact on farming families.
There has also been a rise in let farms being put up for sale as landlords weigh up options ahead of IHT relief changes.
The Treasury has been made to look increasingly out of touch with the struggles farmers face, after a senior civil servant who advised ministers on changes to agricultural property relief was heard bragging after receiving an “Expert of the Year” award for his work.
Further tractor rallies in London later this year look ever more likely, as frustration and concerns for the future continue to burden family farms.
Elsewhere in Westminster, Defra confirmed that just over 50% of funding for capital grants had now been allocated and that the Countryside Stewardship Higher Tier scheme is set to open in September.
Meanwhile, the House of Lords issued a report calling for tighter controls on nitrates and recommended introducing requirements for all slurry stores to be covered by 2027.
Farm Safety Week
This week marked the 13th annual Farm Safety Week, with the industry warning that excessive long hours and high stress could fuel a safety crisis.
A Farm Safety Foundation survey revealed farmers are clocking up some serious overtime, with the average UK farmer now 60 hours a week, while 44% of farmers aged 41-60 reported working more than 81 hours a week.
UK farming unions used the occasion to raise awareness of the dangers of quad bikes and other all-terrain vehicles, following a spate of fatalities in the past year.
Farmers Weekly has partnered with Lantra and AgriKids to launch the Farm Safety Stars campaign, offering a free e-learning course to help protect children on farms.
Stock watch
In the livestock section, the team has issued advice on how to make the most of your farm vet, through on-farm practices and form filling to support grant applications.
FW livestock editor Judith Tooth shared tips on improving productivity of grazed grass.
Tiered outdoor pig standards have been given the green light by Red Tractor, following an industry consultation, potentially offering competition to the RSPCA Assured label.
In Northern Ireland, there will be relief for livestock farmers after three bluetongue vaccines were approved for use on farm.
However, NI farmers will be concerned to learn that analysis has shown the incoming Nutrients Action Programme could cost the agri-food sector more than £1.5bn each year, with dairy, poultry and beef due to be the worst hit.
Harvest highlights
Oilseed growers have experienced a better-than-expected start to harvest with yields slightly up on the year so far, which has led to merchants trying to encourage more OSR growers next year.
The outlook isn’t quite as rosy for potato growers, with crop concerns and low prices creating challenges.
The FW arable desk has been catching up with farmers from across the UK to see how harvest is going.
Rain slowed harvest progress in some parts of the country earlier in week, with crops on heavier land performing better than their lighter land counterparts.
However, harvest has since gathered pace, with oilseed rape yielding well.
Wheat yields are mixed, but grain quality is notably high with strong specific weights and high proteins.
In Hampshire, a large fire destroyed 6ha of crops, highlighting the rising threat of fires on farmland.
Have your say
Finally, if you have any burning questions you would like FW to put directly to Defra minister Daniel Zeichner, please let us know.
A number of readers’ questions will be put to the minister, with responses published in an upcoming issue of Farmers Weekly. Do email philip.clarke@markallengroup.com.
Listen to the podcast
Don’t forget to tune in to the FW podcast, with Johann Tasker, Louise Impey and Hugh Broom.
You’ll find it anywhere you listen to podcasts, or free to listen to on our website.