All the latest farming news INPUT MARKETS AND PRICESMole Valley Farmers sells off fertiliser site to Thomas BellMole Valley Farmers has agreed to sell its fertiliser storage and blending facility at Newport in Wales to Lincolnshire-based fertiliser importer Thomas Bell and Sons. Following the sale, it is… BUSINESSGEA Farm Technologies acquires South West Dairy ServicesDairy equipment specialists GEA Farm Technologies has acquired South West Dairy Services, expanding its presence further in the region. Devon-based South West Dairy Services has already been operating as one… FARM POLICYWelsh policy roundtable to review 10% tree cover plansControversial plans to make every farm in Wales plant at least 10% of their productive land with trees are likely to be revised, with the government announcing a new SFS… HEALTH AND SAFETYKent beef farm fined £12k for safety breachesA farming business in Kent has been fined £12,000 for multiple, serious health and safety breaches. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) said Seymour Stevens Ltd, which operates a beef… BOVINE TBPembrokeshire dairy farmer loses 53 more cows to bovine TBA Pembrokeshire dairy farmer has lost 53 more cows to bovine TB and slammed the Welsh government for its ongoing failure to tackle the disease in all areas. Steve Evans… LAND MARKETSArable and mixed farms with development potential hit marketAfter poor weather delayed photographs and marketing plans for farm sales in the first four months of the year, the pace is picking up on new launches. Carter Jonas and… NEWSFarm to Fork summit returns to Downing Street in MayPrime minister Rishi Sunak will welcome farmers and industry representatives to 10 Downing Street on Tuesday 14 May for the second UK Farm to Fork Summit. Last year's event was… NEWSUlster Farmers Union elects new president and top teamWilliam Irvine has been elected as the new president of the Ulster Farmers Union (UFU), taking over from David Brown. Mr Irvine, a dairy farmer from County Armagh, will take… HEALTH AND SAFETYHSE under fire over decision to stop farm inspectionsIndustry leaders have raised serious concerns over the Health and Safety Executive’s decision to stop farm safety inspections. The Farm Safety Partnership (FSP) fears this decision will put workers in… BREXITNew border controls 'woeful' say farm groupsNFU Scotland has warned that livestock farmers remain exposed to unacceptable levels of risk from imported animal disease, despite this week’s implementation of physical and paper checks on some goods… BUSINESSTop third of Welsh suckler herds cut costs to below 140p/kgThe top third of beef suckler herds in Wales had total costs of 139.2p/kg in 2022/23, which was less than half of those in the bottom third of producers, according… TELEHANDLERSGrower helps develop Teli-squeeze grab for veg boxesA purpose-built box grab has enabled a large-scale pumpkin grower to save time, improve safety, and reduce the number of tractors needed when moving wooden crates. Warwickshire-based outfit DJ Beards… CRIMENFU calls for action on rural crime ahead of PCC electionsThe NFU is calling for farmers to support its campaign by signing an open letter to every newly elected Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC), urging them to prioritise rural crime… NUTRITION AND FERTILISERGrowers warned tough year to meet milling wheat protein specWith milling premiums currently above £60/t, wheat growers are being advised to beef up their crop nutrition plans in the coming weeks to ensure they meet milling specifications. Experts warn… NEWSRSPB trials 'no fence' grazing to benefit ground-nesting birdsA new project is being trialled at RSPB Geltsdale, in Cumbria, using a flock of Herdwick sheep and “Nofence” collars to restore ground-nesting bird populations. The flock of 22 sheep… COMMUNITYRSABI and Farmers' Choir release new cover of 'Stand by Me'As many farming families continue to battle the difficult spring weather, Scottish farming charity RSABI has released a newly recorded song with the Farmers’ Choir to raise the community’s spirits.… NEWSRetailers tell Efra MPs seasonal labour is ‘biggest issue’Supermarket senior executives and suppliers are seeking clarity from the UK government over its future plans for farm labour, with the Seasonal Worker Scheme for horticulture due to end this… DAIRY MARKETS AND PRICESMilk prices keep climbing with spring peak likely to be lowFarmgate milk prices have continued to rise in May and June, with total production volumes running well below last year’s levels as the sector approaches its annual peak. Dairy processors… BOVINE TBDefra extends bovine TB consultation on targeted cullingCattle farmers and industry representatives have been given more time to respond to a bovine TB consultation on proposals for a “targeted badger intervention policy” in England. Defra has announced… BREXITNI farmers face severe lack of vet products, inquiry findsAn inquiry by the House of Lords has found that about a third of veterinary medicines used in Northern Ireland could be discontinued, creating critical challenges for farm businesses and… CRIMEFarm shop owners warned to stay vigilant amidst crime riseFarm shop owners are being warned to remain vigilant after a survey of rural retailers revealed that more than one-third have suffered from crimes in the past 12 months. The… NEWSFarmers to march in Cardiff over food security concernsFrustrated farmers are planning a march in Cardiff to highlight the threat to the UK’s domestic food security posed by government anti-farming policies. Welsh Farmers Unite, a newly formed grassroots… TRACTORSNew Holland set to build two-millionth tractor at BasildonNew Holland has unveiled a psychedelic, 1960s-inspired T7.300 wrap to mark 60 years of tractor production at its Basildon factory. The 40ha south Essex site, which has been the birthplace… NEWSFarmer fears worst for spring barley after delugeA Lincolnshire arable farmer and contractor faces an anxious wait to see if his newly drilled crop of spring barley has survived an April deluge. Malcolm Parr, director of CJ… BREXITMPs fear border weaknesses as physical food checks loomWith physical checks on food and agricultural goods coming into the UK from the EU due to start on Tuesday (30 April), MPs on the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs… MEAT MARKETS AND PRICESLidl commits to British pork and cost of production contractsDiscount retailer Lidl has introduced new contracts for pork producers that guarantee a margin for farmers above the cost of production. It will invest £500m through this new initiative and… PAYMENTS, SCHEMES AND GRANTSNew 'safety net' farm support for NI to start in 2025Farmers in Northern Ireland will receive a new Farm Sustainability Transition Payment in 2025 to replace the Basic Payment Scheme, with the full Farm Sustainability Payment coming into operation in… CRIMEEight arrests made at illegal farm rave in SuffolkEight people have been arrested after police closed down an illegal rave on farmland in East Anglia. Suffolk Police were called just after 2.15am on Sunday 28 April to reports… AIR AND WATERWelsh government unveils £20m funding for slurry managementThe Welsh government has unveiled a multimillion-pound funding package to help farmers improve slurry storage infrastructure on farms to comply with air and water regulations. In total, £20m has been… More articles
