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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

COP29: 7 key points for farmers and growers

The 2024 United Nations Climate Change Conference – also known as the 29th Conference of the Parties, or COP29 – took place in Baku, Azerbaijan, last November. Professor Michael Lee,…

LAND MARKETS

Fewer farm tenancies agreed as rents increase in England

The number of farm tenancy agreements in England fell by 5% during the 2023-24 financial year, compared with the previous year. In total, roughly 83,000 agreements were signed, which comprised…

PAYMENTS, SCHEMES AND GRANTS

Welsh Sustainable Farming Scheme: All you need to know

A year later than expected, the stage is now set for a 2026 launch of the Sustainable Farming Scheme (SFS) in Wales. Beset by delays and a not insubstantial measure…

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…

FARM ENERGY

Government eases planning process for wind farms

The government is set to ease the approval process for major infrastructure projects, including wind farms, railway lines, and power stations, by reducing legal challenges that have previously delayed their…

LAND MARKETS

Uncertain times produce mixed outlook for land market

Average farmland values are predicted to be static or to rise slowly this year and next, despite strong demand. However, agents’ views are very mixed on likely supply, with some…

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BUSINESS

Crown Estate reveals £20m boost for Rural Environment Fund

The Crown Estate has doubled its annual Rural Environment Fund to £20m to help tenant farmers meet its ambitious biodiversity targets, marking a significant step in its nature recovery approach.…

TRACTORS

Up horn, down corn in UK tractor market

Areas of the country where cereal growing and dairying dominate experienced a bigger slump in new tractor registrations than in livestock grazing areas in 2024, reflecting the different conditions in…

BUSINESS

New chief executive announced for troubled Welsh levy body

Welsh red meat levy body Hybu Cig Cymru – Meat Promotion Wales (HCC) has appointed a new chief executive. Taking over the reins from interim-chief executive Heather Anstey-Myers is José…

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…

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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…

FINANCE

Tips on navigating machinery finance options

Hire purchase is still the most common way to finance farm machinery, offering the ability to claim capital allowances and a full VAT reclaim at the start of the agreement.…

BUSINESS CLINIC

Business Clinic: Succession options to consider post-Budget

Whether it’s a legal, tax, insurance, management or land issue, Farmers Weekly’s Business Clinic experts can help. Here Karen Perugini, a partner in Thrings’ succession and tax team, advises on…

BUSINESS CLINIC

Business Clinic: Succession decisions raise family concerns

Whether it’s a legal, tax, insurance, management or land issue, Farmers Weekly’s Business Clinic experts can help. Here, Joe Spencer, a partner at accountant MHA, advises on succession issues aimed…

BUSINESS MANAGEMENT

Global farming: Contrasts and shared concerns

Kevin Davies and his wife Jenni farm near York in Western Australia, with their son Alex and his wife Shannen. The family has been farming in the area since the…

BUSINESS MANAGEMENT

Tips to improve farm office efficiency

An office littered with random piles of paper and general clutter is not uncommon in farming, but it is an environment that doesn’t inspire productivity and can mean costly mistakes…

STAFF MANAGEMENT

Advice on common farm employment issues

From correctly issuing employment contracts to having the right paperwork in order, getting staffing right from the very start will not only rule out problems further down the line but…

STAFF MANAGEMENT

Proactive approach required by new harassment laws

Farm employers now have a legal duty to proactively prevent sexual harassment from occurring in the workplace since new legislation came into force on 26 October 2024. The Worker Protection…

BUSINESS

Budget highlights need for inheritance document housekeeping

Regardless of the final outcome of the Budget, there are housekeeping steps that should be taken by farming businesses to ensure things are in place so that when succession, gifting…

BUSINESS CLINIC

Business Clinic: Valuing minority shareholding in company

Whether it’s a legal, tax, insurance, management or land issue, Farmers Weekly’s Business Clinic experts can help. Here, Sarah Dodds, a partner and head of agriculture at MHA, advises on…

Business Clinic

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: Succession options to consider post-Budget

Whether it’s a legal, tax, insurance, management or land issue, Farmers Weekly’s Business Clinic experts can help. Here Karen Perugini, a partner in Thrings’ succession and tax team, advises on…

BUSINESS CLINIC

Business Clinic: Succession decisions raise family concerns

Whether it’s a legal, tax, insurance, management or land issue, Farmers Weekly’s Business Clinic experts can help. Here, Joe Spencer, a partner at accountant MHA, advises on succession issues aimed…

BUSINESS CLINIC

Business Clinic: Valuing minority shareholding in company

Whether it’s a legal, tax, insurance, management or land issue, Farmers Weekly’s Business Clinic experts can help. Here, Sarah Dodds, a partner and head of agriculture at MHA, advises on…

 
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Markets and trends

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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…

BUSINESS

£80m uplift for British pork as China lifts export ban

British pork is back on Chinese menus as the UK government announces the end of Covid-era restrictions on unprocessed pork exports to China, unlocking an estimated £80m revenue boost for…

DAIRY MARKETS AND PRICES

Arla faces backlash over trials with methane reducing Bovaer

Direct milk sellers have taken to social media to distance themselves from Arla Foods and its trial of the feed additive Bovaer on UK supplier farms after a consumer backlash…

MEAT MARKETS AND PRICES

Trade at livestock markets thriving despite bluetongue zones

Auction marts have seen a flying trade for both beef and lamb, despite the logistical challenges posed by the bluetongue restriction zone covering half of the country. Buyers still appear…

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

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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…

 
 
 

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