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All articles about Opinion

Read our farming columnists’ views beyond the agricultural news headlines. See what they make of farm policy and the big stories of the day on topics from Brexit and food security to farm subsidies and pesticide use. Matthew Naylor, Charlie Flindt and Will Evans are among our regular writers.

Community

YOUNG FARMERS

Mike Neaverson: New tractor prices make me hanker for old kit

I have about as little interest in new tractors as I do in taking horse riding lessons, or operating a cattery. If a machine has tyres of an adequate dimension…

OPINION

Opinion: Outdated attitudes make farmers the 'outsiders'

Week after week, we are reminded of how incredible the farming community is. Whether it’s the hundreds who opened their gates for Open Farm Sunday, or fellow farmers supporting tenant…

Flindt on Friday: Badgers have gone and we're clear of TB

You may find this hard to believe, but we have actually done a bit of farming recently, in among the rain, frost, snow and the endless rows with the RPA…

Will's Way: Three-wheeled muck trailer and a mad motorist

In his latest farm update, ex-Sky reporter-turned-farmer Will Sargent reports on new arrivals on the farm, an unforeseen breakdown and more shooting success. One of the problems with being a…

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Insights

OPINION

Opinion: 'Let them eat bacon,' says David Alvis

Embarrassing as it may be, I am something of a fan of “I’m a Celebrity, get me out of here!” Bizarrely, I never seem to tire of watching C-list celebs…

OPINION

Opinion: None the wiser on post-EU farm support

To the Farmers Club in Whitehall to hear farms minister at Defra (and famous Eurosceptic) George Eustice deliver a talk. As recently as February, Mr Eustice was promising the NFU…

Succession planning: Not easy, but essential

My father and I have finally tackled the thorny matter of succession. I can’t see why most farmers make such a fuss about it – it barely took us a…

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News

OPINION

Editor's View: Industry needs to tackle water issues head on

How should the farming community respond to this week’s news that law firm Leigh Day could bring a multimillion pound legal claim against Avara Foods over its alleged role in…

OPINION

Analysis: What could Johnson’s departure mean for farmers?

Boris Johnson is yesterday’s man. All eyes now are on who will put themselves forward to be the next Conservative Party leader and prime minister. Mr Johnson currently seems determined…

Opinion: What are we allowed to eat these days?

Even by recent standards of confused and contradictory reported advice on healthy eating, it has been a bumper couple of weeks. A glance through the papers and the news channels…

Opinion: What about us English beef and sheep farmers?

The Scots are for it and threatening to make an independence issue of it. I am referring, of course, to the Scottish government’s determined campaign to persuade first Brussels and…

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Opinion

NEWS

Opinion: More inclusivity helps raise farming's productivity

When I was at school and sat in front of the careers advisor, the answer that came from the tick box survey was “veterinary”, which I guess did have some…

NEWS

Opinion: Build fairness in farming from the bottom up

The oddest whinge I received about my last column was that it was easy for me to be opinionated because I don’t rely solely on farming for my income. This…

NEWS

Editor’s View: In praise of average farmers

How do you build a farm business that has the highest possible chance of long-term success? Is it by being a great farmer, or by building a great system where…

NEWS

Opinion: It isn't a binary choice between farming and wildlife

I’ve never thought long and hard about the great bustard, but now is the time. Rewilding enthusiasts have been celebrating news that farms in Wiltshire and Derbyshire are to be…

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Video

OPINION

Will's Way video: New baby, ploughing and pigeon patrol

In his latest update, ex-Sky News reporter-turned farmer Will Sargent talks through a hectic time on the farm cultivating land, protecting oilseed rape crops from pigeon damage and getting ready…

Will's Way video: Pigeons, muckspreading and paperwork

In his latest update, ex-Sky-reporter-turned farmer Will Sargent recounts battles with airborne pests, demolition work and even a bit of harvesting in March. Watch his video diary, see the farm…

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