Menu

Business top stories

BUSINESS MANAGEMENT

Advice on basic cyber security steps for farm businesses

Small things can make a big difference in protecting a business and individuals from cyberattacks, says police Det Supt Patrick Milford. Patrick is director of the South East Cyber Resilience…

BUSINESS MANAGEMENT

Why farming needs to pay more attention to cyberattack risk

Food and farming’s vulnerability to disruption by cyberattack is increasing as more functions and kit are operated remotely and the sophistication of attackers grows. Artificial intelligence (AI) is moving the…

LAND MARKETS

Farmland in your area 2024: N Ireland and Republic of Ireland

A slackening of activity in the farmland market in some UK regions is being felt less keenly in parts of Northern Ireland  where hunger for land continues to fortify demand…

STAFF MANAGEMENT

How the Employment Rights Bill will affect farm businesses

Farmworkers currently have the right to submit a flexible working request from their first day in the job. Proposals in the government’s Employment Rights Bill will make it more difficult…

CROPS MARKETS AND PRICES

Hort and potato growers discuss rising costs with minister

UK growers have faced a plethora of challenges in recent years, leading to a reduced planted area and an increased reliance on imports. Rising production costs, limited access to labour,…

MEAT MARKETS AND PRICES

Smaller breeding flock to keep lamb prices elevated in 2025

Domestic lamb prices are due to remain supported during much of 2025 as a result of fewer breeding ewes and a smaller lamb crop. The UK breeding sheep flock has…

STAFF MANAGEMENT

How the Employment Rights Bill will affect farm businesses

Farmworkers currently have the right to submit a flexible working request from their first day in the job. Proposals in the government’s Employment Rights Bill will make it more difficult…

CROPS MARKETS AND PRICES

Hort and potato growers discuss rising costs with minister

UK growers have faced a plethora of challenges in recent years, leading to a reduced planted area and an increased reliance on imports. Rising production costs, limited access to labour,…

MEAT MARKETS AND PRICES

Smaller breeding flock to keep lamb prices elevated in 2025

Domestic lamb prices are due to remain supported during much of 2025 as a result of fewer breeding ewes and a smaller lamb crop. The UK breeding sheep flock has…

INPUT MARKETS AND PRICES

How the carbon tax on fertiliser will impact farm businesses

A Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (Cbam) is due to be implemented by the government from 1 January 2027, leading to higher fertiliser costs on farm. However, the industry is still…

BUSINESS

Defra secretary Steve Reed backs US trade deal

Defra secretary Steve Reed has thrown his support behind the possibility of a trade deal between the UK and US, despite concerns from British farmers about cheaper American imports undercutting…

MEAT MARKETS AND PRICES

Global pig herd set to grow as producer margins improve

Global pork production is set for a modest increase in 2025 of roughly 1%, with sow herds expanding in China, Mexico, and Brazil, but contracting in the US and EU.…

TENANCIES AND RENTS

Succession tenancies in England and Wales not subject to IHT

Succession tenancies are not subject to inheritance tax (IHT), the Tenant Farmers Association (TFA) has clarified.   Although a tenancy may have statutory succession rights, the tenancies themselves are not…

Business news

See all

SUCCESSION PLANNING

Farm succession support offered by new not-for-profit group

An initiative to support farm succession planning across the UK has been launched by the Succession Alliance. The group aims to help farming families navigate the process of succession against…

BUSINESS MANAGEMENT

Househam Group secures future of Househam Sprayers

Househam Sprayers, which went into administration in early February, has been acquired by Househam Group Ltd, securing the future of the Lincolnshire agri-machinery firm and its team of 47 staff.…

BUSINESS

Arla farmers to receive share of £242m dividend

A supplementary payment of 2.2 euro cents/kg (1.8p/kg) is due to be paid out to farmers supplying Arla, following a strong financial year for the dairy co-operative. It will be…

TAX

NFU's 'clawback' proposal to Treasury could raise £686 million

The NFU’s alternative approach to inheritance tax (IHT) reform, presented to the Treasury this week, could generate between £422m and £686m for the government, the organisation claims. This, it says,…

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 How

See all

BUSINESS MANAGEMENT

Advice on basic cyber security steps for farm businesses

Small things can make a big difference in protecting a business and individuals from cyberattacks, says police Det Supt Patrick Milford. Patrick is director of the South East Cyber Resilience…

STAFF MANAGEMENT

How the Employment Rights Bill will affect farm businesses

Farmworkers currently have the right to submit a flexible working request from their first day in the job. Proposals in the government’s Employment Rights Bill will make it more difficult…

PLANNING PERMISSION

Farm accommodation - the planning options and process

Even as building costs escalate, it is still cheaper, and in many cases more suitable, for farmers to construct a new-build house on their land or convert a redundant barn…

BNG

Biodiversity net gain – how things stand one year on

The biodiversity net gain market has got off to a relatively slow start for a combination of reasons. First, it is a complex and costly new regime. Those involved –…

BUSINESS CLINIC

Business Clinic: Can I put a turbine on green belt land?

Whether it’s a legal, tax, insurance, management or land issue, Farmers Weekly’s Business Clinic experts can help. Here, Philippe Rottner, senior energy specialist with Carter Jonas, advises on the potential…

BUSINESS MANAGEMENT

How life insurance can protect against IHT liability

Many farmers are investigating life insurance in the light of the cut in inheritance tax (IHT) relief which is due to take effect from April 2026. Advisers stress that every…

BUSINESS CLINIC

Business Clinic: Impact of historic rights of way deadline loss

Whether it’s a legal, tax, insurance, management or land issue, Farmers Weekly’s Business Clinic experts can help. Here Richie Rees, senior associate in Thrings’ agricultural litigation team, advises on the…

BUSINESS

Business Clinic: Is farm a partnership asset or personal asset?

Whether it’s a legal, tax, insurance, management or land issue, Farmers Weekly’s Business Clinic experts can help. Here, Neil Berry, tax partner at accountant MHA, advises on the importance of…

SUCCESSION PLANNING

A quarter of farmers have not discussed retirement plans

The government’s inheritance tax changes have thrust succession planning into the headlines. But the financial aspect of succession is only one part of a broad and complex transition process that…

BUSINESS

Advice on asbestos rules and responsibilities for farmers

A quarter of a century since the material was banned, asbestos-related diseases remain the greatest cause of work-related deaths in Britain, accounting for some 5,000 lives a year, according to…

BUSINESS MANAGEMENT

How to bolster financial resilience on farm

Recent Budget changes, including to agricultural property relief (APR) and business property relief (BPR), have only added to the inherent financial stress on farms. Challenges have included reduced Basic Payment…

AGRICULTURAL TRANSITION

Transition webinar: How to control the controllables

Farmers and growers need to focus on controllable challenges to improve their businesses’ resilience, according to a recent Transition webinar. For farms, challenges come from all directions and in greater…

BUSINESS MANAGEMENT

Compulsory purchase reform ahead - what’s planned?

A planning and infrastructure bill is due to be introduced early this year. Alongside other planning reforms, it is proposed to include wider compulsory purchase (CP) powers and restrict compensation…

STAFF MANAGEMENT

Options for employing farm staff from overseas

International workers continue to meet the labour needs of UK agriculture post-Brexit, even though the government has made it more costly to use this employment route. Gemma Robinson, who leads…

BUSINESS

Machinery market trends in a tough 2024

Overall, 2024 was a pretty tough year for the UK machinery market, says the Agricultural Engineers Association (AEA). Poor finances and low farmer confidence, particularly in the arable sector, meant…

BUSINESS CLINIC

Business Clinic: Lifting an agricultural occupancy condition

Whether it’s a legal, tax, insurance, management or land issue, Farmers Weekly’s Business Clinic experts can help. Here, Nick Curnock, associate at Carter Jonas, advises on the options for removing…

Business Clinic

BUSINESS CLINIC

Business Clinic: Can I put a turbine on green belt land?

Whether it’s a legal, tax, insurance, management or land issue, Farmers Weekly’s Business Clinic experts can help. Here, Philippe Rottner, senior energy specialist with Carter Jonas, advises on the potential…

BUSINESS CLINIC

Business Clinic: Impact of historic rights of way deadline loss

Whether it’s a legal, tax, insurance, management or land issue, Farmers Weekly’s Business Clinic experts can help. Here Richie Rees, senior associate in Thrings’ agricultural litigation team, advises on the…

BUSINESS

Business Clinic: Is farm a partnership asset or personal asset?

Whether it’s a legal, tax, insurance, management or land issue, Farmers Weekly’s Business Clinic experts can help. Here, Neil Berry, tax partner at accountant MHA, advises on the importance of…

BUSINESS CLINIC

Business Clinic: Lifting an agricultural occupancy condition

Whether it’s a legal, tax, insurance, management or land issue, Farmers Weekly’s Business Clinic experts can help. Here, Nick Curnock, associate at Carter Jonas, advises on the options for removing…

 
View all Business Clinic articles

Markets and trends

See all

MEAT MARKETS AND PRICES

Depleted NI sheep flock leads to urgent calls for support

The sheep sector in Northern Ireland remains in decline and contracted for the third consecutive year in 2024, prompting calls from the industry for immediate support. There were 930,000 ewes…

CROPS MARKETS AND PRICES

Industry agrees next steps for digital grain passports

A cereals' sector leadership group has reached an agreement on a revised concept for digital grain passports in England and Wales. The group – which includes representatives from the AHDB,…

DAIRY MARKETS AND PRICES

Saputo Dairy serves notice to more than a dozen producers

Major milk processor Saputo Dairy has confirmed to Farmers Weekly that it has served 12 months’ notice to 13 of its dairy producers in the South West. It is understood…

BUSINESS

Muller launches Fast Track producer group to track emissions

Milk processor Muller has signed up 40 of its UK dairy producers to take part in a three-year programme monitoring on-farm emissions. Farmers taking part in the programme will provide…

BUSINESS

US beef and pork exporters target UK market

US meat exporters are pursuing improved access to the UK marketplace for both beef and pork. The US Meat Export Federation (USMEF) anticipates that a potential free trade agreement between…

MEAT MARKETS AND PRICES

Beef finishers chase £6/kg for prime cattle this spring

The beef trade has kicked off to a flying start in 2025 with finished prices skyrocketing at both abattoirs and in the live ring. Deadweight prices have gone from strength…

MARKETS AND TRENDS

Farm leaders give mixed reaction to UK's CPTPP entry

The UK’s official entry into the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) has drawn a mixed response from British farmers, highlighting both opportunities and challenges for the future…

CROPS MARKETS AND PRICES

Scottish arable farming faces pressure from cost-price squeeze

Scotland’s arable farming sector faces increasing financial pressure due to low crop prices, rising costs, and competition from imported wheat, putting growers' profitability at risk. NFU Scotland (NFUS) has raised…

Commodities

Futures markets and commodity risk management online course

Learn all you need to know about the futures markets and how you can benefit from them:

  • Risk management strategies for a more predictable financial performance
  • Educated conversations when collaborating with your advisors
  • Negotiate better prices with your grain merchants

Find out more

 
 

Land in your area

See all

LAND MARKETS

Farmland in your area 2024: East Midlands

Agents report a clear growth in the supply of farmland coming to the market in the East Midlands in 2024, a combination of public and private sales that resulted in…

LAND MARKETS

Farmland in your area 2024: Yorkshire and Humber

Private sales dominated in the Yorkshire and Humber region in 2024, with some agents reporting that more than two-thirds of transactions took place off the open market, many to cash…

LAND MARKETS

Farmland in your area 2024: East of England

Whole farm and bare land sales in the east of England were at one of their highest ever volumes in 2024, and the majority of sales were to farmers. By…

LAND MARKETS

Farmland in your area 2024: South East England

Sales of farmland were up by almost a quarter in the south-east of England in 2024, with a significant number of off-market deals. There seems to be no real trend…

 
 
 

Most popular this week