All the latest farming news COMPLIANCERed Tractor chief blames poor communication for GFC collapseRed Tractor chief executive Jim Moseley has insisted that the principles behind the now defunct Greener Farms Commitment (GFC) were sound, but the project was scuppered by a combination of… CEREAL DRILLSCataya EcoLine to replace Amazone’s popular AD combi drillAmazone has introduced a bottom-of-the-range replacement for its venerable AD piggyback drill, which was retired at the end of 2023 after a 30-year production run. Its successor, the 3m-wide Cataya… NEWSThis Week in Farming: Contractor charges and beef upheavalWelcome to another edition of This Week in Farming, your regular round-up of the best FW content from the past seven days. But first, how about coming to a brand… TECHNOLOGYClaas rolls out new look Connect digital platformFarmers who are signed up to a new “digital ecosystem” being rolled out this year by Claas will be able to add tractors and other machines to their account simply… 4X4SIsuzu unveils souped-up special edition D-Max pickupsIsuzu has pimped up its D-Max pickup with two special edition models. The first is the Steel, which adds more bling to the top-of-the-range V-Cross but is otherwise identical underneath.… OILSEED RAPEBeekeeper bemoans collapse of OSR acreage in the UKHoneybee colonies are suffering from an early-spring pollen shortage in the farming landscape due to shortages of flowering plants such as oilseed rape, with some colonies facing starvation, say beekeepers.… HEALTH AND SAFETYProbe launched after farmworker dies in machinery accidentAn investigation is under way after a farmworker aged in his 30s died following an accident involving farm machinery in Cornwall. In an initial notification released this week, the Health… PLOUGHSCNH sells off Overum plough businessDuring a period of seemingly never-ending acquisitions, CNH Industrial has gone against the trend by selling off the Overum factory in Sweden, which makes mouldboard ploughs. This business was acquired… COMPLIANCERed Tractor 'a victim of its own success' says chief execRed Tractor farm assurance is a “victim of its own success”, which is why some primary producers have little option but to be members, according to the organisation’s chief executive… TECHNOLOGYLemken-Krone VTE autonomous tractor gains front links and ptoEngineers developing a driverless tractor for arable and grassland field work say they are now moving from the early prototype trials stage to deployments on commercial farms with a near-finished… LAND MARKETSRare mixed farm offering for sale in Vale of GlamorganIt is not often that good-quality commercial farms are offered on the open market in the Vale of Glamorgan, so Stembridge Court Farm is expected to stir a good deal… NEWSFarmers urged to use safety checklist ahead of silage seasonFarmers are reminded to prioritise safety as many prepare to start first-cut silage making, following one of the wettest winters on record. Rural insurer NFU Mutual has released a silage… NEWSRoyal Countryside Fund unveils new £15m farming strategyThe Royal Countryside Fund (RCF) has launched a four-year strategy to extend its support of farming and rural families – which includes raising £15m. Founded by the King, then Prince… NEWSRT sector board requests confidence vote in leadershipA meeting of Red Tractor’s Beef & Lamb sector board was cut short early following a request for a vote of no confidence in the executive, including chief executive Jim… FARM POLICYTime for 'policy reset' as SNP and Scottish Greens part waysScottish farmers and landowners say the end of the power sharing deal between the SNP and the Scottish Greens provides an opportunity for a “policy reset”, to set the agricultural… NEWSCautious welcome for government pledge to review NVZ rulesFarm groups have cautiously welcomed a commitment from the Welsh government to consider looking at alternatives to closed periods for spreading in the planned four-year review of its controversial water… NEWSProfits up at ABF group with improved outlook for ag sectorAssociated British Foods (ABF) is expecting its agricultural businesses to “move forward” as markets improve, after it made a number of acquisitions during the past two years. The ABF group… WILDLIFESea Eagle Management Scheme support extended for 2024Sheep producers who have lost livestock to sea eagles will continue to receive support for 2024, the Scottish government has confirmed. Up to £400,000 has been allocated to the Sea… HEALTH AND SAFETYFarm safety warning issued following 32 fatal injuriesThe NFU is urging all farmers to prioritise safety on farms this spring after figures showed the fatal injury rate in British agriculture has hardly changed in 40 years. Provisional… DAIRY MARKETS AND PRICESFairer dairy contract regulations come into force in JulyMilk processors will be required to begin issuing farmers with new “fairer” dairy contracts from this July. Legislation has been designed to create more price transparency for farmers, as well… CROPS MARKETS AND PRICESWheat surges above £180/t as Black Sea tensions flare upOld-crop and new-crop wheat futures both jumped by £10/t earlier this week in the UK due to increased conflict in Ukraine and reports of poorer crop conditions in the US.… POTATOESTrials show it's safe to use key herbicide on Elland potatoesFarmers growing Elland potatoes are set to benefit from another herbicide option this season, after tests show a key pre-emergence active can be safely used. Metribuzin is key component of… BUSINESSFarmers warned against fraudsters stealing VAT refund cashFarmers are warned to check that HMRC has the correct bank details for VAT refunds. This is because fraudsters are imitating genuine businesses, contacting HMRC to request changes to bank… FARM POLICYDefra minister hears industry fears on visit to NFU HQDespite an unprecedented eight months of extreme weather affecting all farming sectors in England, Defra has no plans to reverse the slide in falling basic payments. Defra secretary Steve Barclay… MEAT MARKETS AND PRICESStore cattle hit £2,000 a head peak at Scots auction martsScottish livestock farmers have been receiving higher returns for store cattle at auction markets so far this year, with prices consistently above the same period in 2023. Store cattle prices… GRANTSDefra announces £1.6m in farm water management grantThe government has released details of a new grant that will be available to farmers to help store water and protect against drought. The £1.6m fund will be used by… GRANTSRoyal Countryside Fund benefits from lottery cashThe Royal Countryside Fund has been awarded £900,000 in funding by the People’s Postcode Lottery to help develop its environmental farming programmes. Funding will be provided as annual payments of… CRIMELabour launches new rural crime strategyThe Labour Party is promising to “take down rural crime gangs” as part of a new rural crime strategy, which it claims will help protect communities from the scourge of… CULTIVATION AND DRILLINGPottinger hoes get slicker Profiline isobus controlEasier implement setting up and operation is promised with the addition of an isobus control option for Pottinger’s Flexcare precision hoes and Terrasem cultivator drills. The Profiline setup gives the… More articles
