Business top stories MEAT MARKETS AND PRICESOutlook 2026: Consolidation poses threats to pork sectorAre integrated supply chains good for the industry? And who actually controls the UK’s pig supply chain? As we look towards a further year of uncertain financial stability in the… BUSINESSChafer and Horstine rescued from administrationBritish crop sprayer manufacturer Chafer Machinery is being revived by new owners who hope to get production under way again early next month. Chafer and sister company Horstine were placed… STAFF MANAGEMENTAg businesses compete to hire skilled farm managersA shortage of experienced farm managers has left businesses trying to outbid each other in order to attract the best staff. Agricultural recruitment consultancy De Lacy Executive has noticed a… MARKETS AND TRENDSOutlook 2026: Poultry assessment may help safeguard futureThe past 12 months have seen a significant turnaround for the UK poultry sector, for both meat and eggs. Most poultry businesses are now turning some form of quantifiable profit… BUSINESS MANAGEMENTNew body seeks chartered status for consultants and managersA new body, which brings together the Institute of Agricultural Management (IAgrM) and the British Institute of Agricultural Consultants (BIAC), is seeking chartered status for consultants and managers. The Society… BUSINESS MANAGEMENTDefra and NFU kick off 2026 with farm business eventsFarmers across England have a packed calendar of opportunities in early 2026 to meet Defra representatives and hear from industry experts on farm business and environmental issues. Defra’s strategic engagement… MEAT MARKETS AND PRICESOutlook 2026: Sheep market strong but expansion unlikelyFor the second year in a row, we have seen the UK breeding flock decrease, with Defra’s December 2024 survey reporting a 5% fall to 13.1 million ewes. That is… MEAT MARKETS AND PRICESOutlook 2026: Cautious optimism for beef sectorAfter several years of volatility, the UK beef sector entered the new year with prices holding firmer than many observers expected, says Andersons consultant Charlotte Dun. GB deadweight cattle prices… BUSINESSMilk processors start 2026 with further sharp price cutsBritish dairy farmers have been hit with a further round of price cuts as the sector battles to control large volumes of milk. Farmgate milk prices dropped sharply throughout the… MEAT MARKETS AND PRICESUK beef granted reciprocal access to US marketA quota for UK beef exports to the US has been introduced by the Office of the United States Trade Representative, allowing up to 13,000t of British beef a year… BUSINESSOutlook 2026: Dairy sector to see continued price pressureThe UK dairy sector is reflecting on a year of contrasts, with localised forage shortages, a once-again volatile milk price and a widening gap between milk contracts in terms of… CROPS MARKETS AND PRICESOutlook 2026: Sugar beet faces lower prices, increased costsIt was written last year that despite the 17.5% price reduction to a headline £33/t, the 2025-26 sugar beet campaign would produce returns for growers that compared favourably to alternative… CROPS MARKETS AND PRICESOutlook 2026: Potato price pressure mountsThe optimism of the sector experienced over the past two years has been dampened by the finish to the marketing of the 2024 harvest, due to oversupply as old crop… BUSINESSOutlook 2026: Farm support disparities and uncertainty growsAfter four years of agricultural transition under the Environmental Land Management (ELM) model, the sudden closure of the Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) in March 2025 has signalled a policy “reset”.… Business newsSee all BUSINESS MANAGEMENTNew body seeks chartered status for consultants and managersA new body, which brings together the Institute of Agricultural Management (IAgrM) and the British Institute of Agricultural Consultants (BIAC), is seeking chartered status for consultants and managers. The Society… BUSINESSMilk processors start 2026 with further sharp price cutsBritish dairy farmers have been hit with a further round of price cuts as the sector battles to control large volumes of milk. Farmgate milk prices dropped sharply throughout the… MEAT MARKETS AND PRICESUK beef granted reciprocal access to US marketA quota for UK beef exports to the US has been introduced by the Office of the United States Trade Representative, allowing up to 13,000t of British beef a year… LAND MARKETSWelsh government group explores Crown Estate takeoverA new working group set up by the Labour-run Welsh government has had its first meeting, exploring ways of exerting control over the Crown Estate’s land in Wales and redirecting… More articles Explore farm management Know How Business advice Essential guides Practical tips Case studies Business management Compliance Payments, schemes and grants Diversification Health and safety Succession planning Road legal Careers and personal development Explore all topics Latest from farm management Know HowSee all BUSINESSHow a dairy farm solved planning permission and successionOne dairy farming family is looking forward to building a new home on their holding in Derbyshire, thanks to the use of planning guidance which requires local authorities to consider… BUSINESSFarming partnership prompts move from Hampshire to SomersetBen and Molly Foote made the move from Hampshire to Somerset in October, to start milking on a former dairy farm where they are renovating and adding to the buildings.… SUCCESSION PLANNINGFarm succession: how to plan for future control and ownershipThere are many ways of achieving the successful transfer of a business. A planned change over time is the ideal, but the last two Budgets have ramped everything up several… LAND MARKETSPlanning consent and lotting - when do they help a farm sale?Maximising the value of your assets is clearly a sensible strategy when preparing to sell your farm, but sometimes the rewards don’t outweigh the time, effort and costs involved. Securing… BUSINESS CLINICBusiness Clinic: Tax advice on sheds let for commercial useWhether it’s a legal, tax, insurance, management or land issue, Farmers Weekly’s Business Clinic experts can help. Here, Kate Bell, a partner with accountant Albert Goodman, explains the many tax… BUSINESS CLINICBusiness Clinic: Are we liable for business rates assessment?Whether it’s a legal, tax, insurance, management or land issue, Farmers Weekly’s Business Clinic experts can help. Here, Richie Rees, legal director in Thrings’ agricultural litigation team, advises on what… BUSINESS CLINICBusiness Clinic: How do we negotiate with a solar developer?Whether it’s a legal, tax, insurance, management or land issue, Farmers Weekly’s Business Clinic experts can help. Here, Mark Charter, head of estate management with Carter Jonas, Oxford, advises on… HEALTH AND SAFETYAdvice on employers' liability, injury and H&S managementEmployers’ liability insurance is a legal requirement for any business using labour. It provides cover for legal liability for injury or illness caused to anyone working on the farm. Businesses… TAXAdvice on keeping accurate accounts to pay the right taxEfficient bookkeeping is fundamental to producing timely and accurate accounts for both tax and management purposes. Many arable farmers have March year ends and are likely to drop out of… BUSINESSExecutors and trustees – their roles and responsibilitiesWith wills being written and reviewed as part of inheritance tax (IHT) and succession planning, it is vital to understand the role of the executor – the person responsible for… BUSINESS CLINICBusiness Clinic: Will known issues derail sale of our farm?Whether it’s a legal, tax, insurance, management or land issue, Farmers Weekly’s Business Clinic experts can help. Here, Andrew Chandler, head of rural agency with Carter Jonas, advises on how… DIVERSIFICATIONWhy story and standards are key in marketing farm produceIt’s clear that social media and digital communications are increasingly important in marketing farm produce and services in diversified businesses. However, it is the story, standards and ethos of a… BUSINESS CLINICBusiness Clinic: Reclaiming VAT on private and business useWhether it’s a legal, tax, insurance, management or land issue, Farmers Weekly’s Business Clinic experts can help. Here, Kate Bell, a partner with accountant Albert Goodman, explains how to approach… BUSINESS CLINICBusiness Clinic: Should I lease my land for battery storage?Whether it’s a legal, tax, insurance, management or land issue, Farmers Weekly’s Business Clinic experts can help. Here, Eve Laws, a partner in Thrings’ agriculture and clean energy teams, advises… PAYMENTS, SCHEMES AND GRANTSStacking income: What is it and how to do it on farmVolatile prices and weather extremes have added risk and uncertainty to farm businesses while dwindling government support has caused a shortfall between pre- and post-Brexit incomes. To make up that… DIVERSIFICATIONTransition webinar: How to start a new farm-based businessIn the latest of our Transition Webinar series, we look at how to diversify into a new farm-based business to help secure a stable income to support the main focus… Business Clinic BUSINESS CLINICBusiness Clinic: Tax advice on sheds let for commercial useWhether it’s a legal, tax, insurance, management or land issue, Farmers Weekly’s Business Clinic experts can help. Here, Kate Bell, a partner with accountant Albert Goodman, explains the many tax… BUSINESS CLINICBusiness Clinic: Are we liable for business rates assessment?Whether it’s a legal, tax, insurance, management or land issue, Farmers Weekly’s Business Clinic experts can help. Here, Richie Rees, legal director in Thrings’ agricultural litigation team, advises on what… BUSINESS CLINICBusiness Clinic: How do we negotiate with a solar developer?Whether it’s a legal, tax, insurance, management or land issue, Farmers Weekly’s Business Clinic experts can help. Here, Mark Charter, head of estate management with Carter Jonas, Oxford, advises on… BUSINESS CLINICBusiness Clinic: Will known issues derail sale of our farm?Whether it’s a legal, tax, insurance, management or land issue, Farmers Weekly’s Business Clinic experts can help. Here, Andrew Chandler, head of rural agency with Carter Jonas, advises on how… View all Business Clinic articles Markets and trendsSee all MEAT MARKETS AND PRICESUK beef granted reciprocal access to US marketA quota for UK beef exports to the US has been introduced by the Office of the United States Trade Representative, allowing up to 13,000t of British beef a year… LAND MARKETSWelsh government group explores Crown Estate takeoverA new working group set up by the Labour-run Welsh government has had its first meeting, exploring ways of exerting control over the Crown Estate’s land in Wales and redirecting… INPUT MARKETS AND PRICESRed diesel prices fall back below 70p/litreFarm businesses may be able to capitalise on lower red diesel prices at present, as prices fell back during December following a dip in global crude oil markets. Prices collected… BUSINESSFarmer anger as Ukrainian cage eggs undercut UK marketUK egg industry representatives and farmers have raised concerns about food safety standards, equivalence, and imports undercutting producers, after a recent shipment from Ukraine showed eggs not meeting UK standards.… MEAT MARKETS AND PRICESUK beef and sheep numbers contract while prices hold upStrong finished beef and lamb prices during the past year have been underpinned by tight supplies, with recent figures published by Defra showing further declines in the number of cattle… INPUT MARKETS AND PRICESEU delays regulations on beef and soya imports until late 2026The European Parliament has delayed tougher rules on beef and feed imports linked to deforestation, such as soya, by another year. Regulations are now set to be introduced from 30… LAND MARKETSFarmland in your area 2025: West MidlandsSupplies of farmland in the West Midlands have bucked the national trend with the number of acres marketed in 2025 among the highest for five years. According to rural agents,… MEAT MARKETS AND PRICESLamb trade hits £7/kg despite competition from importsBase prices for finished lambs pushed back above £7/kg deadweight at abattoirs in early December for the first time in several months. Tight supplies and improved demand for lamb throughout… Advertisements Land in your areaSee all LAND MARKETSFarmland in your area 2025: East MidlandsA slowdown in new instructions and completed sales in the East Midlands was evident in the spring and summer. The combination of downward pressures of extreme weather, economic challenges, crop… LAND MARKETSFarmland in your area 2025: West MidlandsSupplies of farmland in the West Midlands have bucked the national trend with the number of acres marketed in 2025 among the highest for five years. According to rural agents,… LAND MARKETSFarmland in your area 2025: North-west EnglandSales of smaller blocks of bare land have been the most common feature in market activity in the north-west of England in 2025. This is a development which agents say… LAND MARKETSFarmland in your area 2025: North-east EnglandAgents are reporting an uptick in landowners seeking formal market appraisals of farms and bare land in the north-east of England. Firms operating in the region are confident the market… Most popular this week
