This Week in Farming: UTV reviews, Ensus latest and harvest
© MAG/Oliver Mark Welcome back to This Week in Farming, your one-stop shop for the best Farmers Weekly content from the past seven days.
First, here are your markets (opens as PDF), where the summer lull is still mostly in full swing, although there’s been a sharp dip in liveweight lamb prices and another fall in the value of red diesel.
Our Arable Input Prices table has also been updated for the month.
Now, on with the show.
Harvest latest
As more growers give the combine a final blow-down after a rapid harvest, information continues to emerge about the enormous yield variation across the country, with comments this week from Tyneside and Bedfordshire typical of the spread.
As AHDB releases revised national wheat yield forecasts, following its data error last week, it appears that they still believe the overall picture is just 3.5% below the five-year average.
But prices remain stubbornly low, amplifying concerns about the loss of domestic bioethanol production, with Ensus in discussions with officials from the Department of Business and Trade.
David Richardson tribute
The outpouring of respect that marked the announcement of the passing of David Richardson – Norfolk farmer, broadcaster and Farmers Weekly columnist (among many other things) – is testament to his reach and legacy.
In my editorial this week, I salute his contribution to agriculture and remark that he would have had plenty to say about this week’s news.
UTVs on test
Our machinery team have put four cut-price UTVs from less well-known manufacturers on test this week:
And we also have a full buyer’s guide with prices for all UTV models currently on the market.
Milk optimism
Dairy farmers fretting about sufficient forage supplies to see them through winter may at least be pleased that signs point to farmgate milk prices rising as we head towards autumn, as commodity markets look bullish.
The hot summer will have taken a toll on cows as well as the ground, and in this piece we look at the benefits of sufficient shade from trees to avoid yield penalties.
And it’s the sight no-one ever wants to see: a downer cow. Deputy livestock editor Shirley Macmillan spoke to experts on how to plan to avoid them in the first place and spring into action when they do regrettably occur.
Who’s up and who’s down?
Based on their most recent financials, most, but not all, grain buyers will have been feeling glum lately amid a downturn in the performance of their businesses.
Markets editor Charlie Reeve digs into grain numbers with the help of veteran market watcher Richard Whitlock.
But feeling cheerful is this veteran Norfolk farmer who has just celebrated his 77th harvest at the grand age of 82.
Listen to the podcast
Don’t forget to tune in to the Farmers Weekly podcast, with Johann Tasker, Louise Impey and Hugh Broom.
This week, the gang return to the topic of cattle traceability after some reader feedback and discuss David Richardson’s contribution to British agriculture.
You’ll find it anywhere you listen to podcasts, or listen free on the FW website.