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ENVIRONMENTAL SCHEMES

Countryside Stewardship Higher Tier opens for applications

Defra has confirmed that applications for Higher Tier Countryside Stewardship (CS) are due to open today (15 September), with a supposedly simpler online application process. More than 1,500 farm businesses…

BUSINESS

Cefetra pays first farmers in nature-friendly farming pilot

Grain trader and supplier Cefetra has made its first payments to farmers for carrying out sustainable farming practices, and is working to expand the scheme further. The company launched Cefetra…

PARTNERSHIPS

Farm partnership case shows how clear records are key

The importance of a well-drafted partnership agreement and a clear record of how assets are owned is highlighted by a divorce case in which four adult children in a farming…

MARKETS AND TRENDS

British beef in the spotlight at Miami trade show

British beef exporters have been gearing up to benefit from the Economic Prosperity Deal agreed with the US, showcasing their produce at a key industry event in Miami this week.…

LAND MARKETS

Smaller farms and grassland blocks on offer

Retirement and bereavement see two livestock farms in national parks coming to the market this week. High House Farm, a 230-acre holding at Gawthrop, near Sedbergh, is launching in the…

BUSINESS MANAGEMENT

Mass redundancies as RVT enters administration

Major tractor and machinery dealer Rea Valley Tractors (RVT) has been placed into administration alongside Dunstall Holdings, following weeks of speculation. The firm has made 149 of its 169 employees…

MEAT MARKETS AND PRICES

Breeding ewe sales notice uplift as trade picks up at marts

Annual sales of breeding ewes and shearlings are now in full swing at livestock markets across the UK, with prices seemingly up on last year’s levels. A much needed flush…

TAX

CenTax proposes NIC hikes for farming partnerships

A report from tax consultancy CenTax proposing National Insurance Contributions (NICs) on partnership income could increase financial pressure on farming partnerships already facing multiple challenges.  The proposals come from the…

CROPS MARKETS AND PRICES

Global grain surplus to limit export prospects for UK wheat

A glut of grain globally is weighing on markets and could continue to restrict UK wheat exports and prices in the coming months, according to industry outlooks. The International Grain…

POTATOES

Potato growers squeezed with ex-farm prices under pressure

Free-buy potato prices have slipped sharply in recent months, with plentiful supplies across mainland Europe depressing the market. The UK planted area is estimated to have remained broadly in line…

TAX

Hopes dashed for change of heart on IHT in reshuffle

Hopes that the recent government reshuffle might also signal a change of heart in terms of imposing inheritance tax on family farms appear to have been dashed. Answering MPs questions…

BUSINESS

FW Awards: Meet the 2025 Environmental Champion finalists

Our three finalists are investing in maximising production sustainably by prioritising nature across a beef enterprise, a mixed dairy, beef and arable farm, and a pig unit. Rhian Price, Emma…

BUSINESS

M&S backs British farming with £7m plan

Retailer Marks & Spencer has renewed its commitment to the agricultural industry and launched a new “Plan A” for farming with a focus on British sourcing, sustainability, high standards, and…

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MARKETS AND TRENDS

British beef in the spotlight at Miami trade show

British beef exporters have been gearing up to benefit from the Economic Prosperity Deal agreed with the US, showcasing their produce at a key industry event in Miami this week.…

BUSINESS MANAGEMENT

Mass redundancies as RVT enters administration

Major tractor and machinery dealer Rea Valley Tractors (RVT) has been placed into administration alongside Dunstall Holdings, following weeks of speculation. The firm has made 149 of its 169 employees…

MEAT MARKETS AND PRICES

Breeding ewe sales notice uplift as trade picks up at marts

Annual sales of breeding ewes and shearlings are now in full swing at livestock markets across the UK, with prices seemingly up on last year’s levels. A much needed flush…

TAX

CenTax proposes NIC hikes for farming partnerships

A report from tax consultancy CenTax proposing National Insurance Contributions (NICs) on partnership income could increase financial pressure on farming partnerships already facing multiple challenges.  The proposals come from the…

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PARTNERSHIPS

Farm partnership case shows how clear records are key

The importance of a well-drafted partnership agreement and a clear record of how assets are owned is highlighted by a divorce case in which four adult children in a farming…

BUSINESS MANAGEMENT

How residential landlords can prepare for lettings changes

The country is short of housing and rural properties for rent are in high demand. Those letting rural accommodation are generally aware that change, in the form of the Renters’…

TAX

IHT pitfalls on timing of asset transfers - what to consider

Under changes to the inheritance tax (IHT) regime from April next year, each individual’s estate will have 100% agricultural property relief (APR) or business property relief (BPR), or a combination…

DIVERSIFICATION

FW Awards: Meet the 2025 Diversification Farmer finalists

All of this year's finalists have built up diversified enterprises that complement and add value to their farm businesses.  See also: FW Awards 2025: Meet the finalists Finalists Ben and Fiona…

BUSINESS MANAGEMENT

Gifts with strings attached – how farm wills can go wrong

Cuts to inheritance tax relief due to take effect next April have prompted many new wills to be written and many existing documents to be reviewed. It is not uncommon for…

BUSINESS CLINIC

Business Clinic: Should our dairy business stay as partnership?

Whether 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 sets out considerations on…

BUSINESS CLINIC

Business Clinic: Can we divert a public footpath?

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 in law firm Thrings’ dispute resolution team,…

BUSINESS CLINIC

Business Clinic: What paperwork is needed for new dairy unit?

Whether it’s a legal, tax, insurance, management or land issue, Farmers Weekly’s Business Clinic experts can help. Here, planning expert Nicola Quick, a partner with Carter Jonas, sets out how…

BUSINESS MANAGEMENT

Down the drain: How infrastructure projects can harm farmland

Standing beside a major new infrastructure project in rural Buckinghamshire on a scorching August afternoon, a lack of water seems more of an issue than too much of it. But…

TAX

Court ruling raises need to consider divorce in IHT planning

A recent Supreme Court judgment on the division of assets in a “big money” divorce has been hailed by the legal and accountancy professions as a landmark ruling. While it…

TAX

How IHT exemption for significant heritage property works

The possibility of an exemption from inheritance tax (IHT) on the grounds that land or buildings are of heritage significance has attracted a lot of media attention in the past…

TENANCIES AND RENTS

Advice on passing the tenancy succession livelihood test

Many think, wrongly, that succession to an appropriate tenancy is an entitlement or an automatic process. Only Agricultural Holdings Act (AHA) tenancies granted before 12 July 1984 will automatically carry…

BUSINESS MANAGEMENT

How improved cashflow planning can deliver many benefits

The prospect of the Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) for all English farms falling to just £600 next year should sharpen the need for budgeting and cashflow planning, say advisers. At…

BUSINESS MANAGEMENT

Will reviews: Advice for farmers on priorities and pitfalls

It’s always been good advice to make a will, but the changes coming next April to agricultural and business property relief from inheritance tax (IHT) mean most wills and plans…

BUSINESS CLINIC

Business Clinic: FBT may be ended early - what do we do?

Whether it’s a legal, tax, insurance, management or land issue, Farmers Weekly’s Business Clinic experts can help. Polly Ridgway, legal director at law firm Thrings explains the circumstances in which…

TAX

IHT changes ahead - further options to reduce tax liability

The recent publication of the draft Finance Bill confirmed almost entirely what the Budget set out on reforms to the inheritance tax (IHT) regime for farming and business assets. Nevertheless,…

Business Clinic

BUSINESS CLINIC

Business Clinic: Should our dairy business stay as partnership?

Whether 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 sets out considerations on…

BUSINESS CLINIC

Business Clinic: Can we divert a public footpath?

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 in law firm Thrings’ dispute resolution team,…

BUSINESS CLINIC

Business Clinic: What paperwork is needed for new dairy unit?

Whether it’s a legal, tax, insurance, management or land issue, Farmers Weekly’s Business Clinic experts can help. Here, planning expert Nicola Quick, a partner with Carter Jonas, sets out how…

BUSINESS CLINIC

Business Clinic: FBT may be ended early - what do we do?

Whether it’s a legal, tax, insurance, management or land issue, Farmers Weekly’s Business Clinic experts can help. Polly Ridgway, legal director at law firm Thrings explains the circumstances in which…

 
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Markets and trends

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MARKETS AND TRENDS

British beef in the spotlight at Miami trade show

British beef exporters have been gearing up to benefit from the Economic Prosperity Deal agreed with the US, showcasing their produce at a key industry event in Miami this week.…

MEAT MARKETS AND PRICES

Breeding ewe sales notice uplift as trade picks up at marts

Annual sales of breeding ewes and shearlings are now in full swing at livestock markets across the UK, with prices seemingly up on last year’s levels. A much needed flush…

POTATOES

Potato growers squeezed with ex-farm prices under pressure

Free-buy potato prices have slipped sharply in recent months, with plentiful supplies across mainland Europe depressing the market. The UK planted area is estimated to have remained broadly in line…

BUSINESS

European farmers rally in Brussels against Mercosur deal

European farmers staged a protest in Brussels on Friday (5 September), voicing strong opposition to the proposed EU-Mercosur trade agreement, which they say threatens local agriculture and food security. Organised…

CROPS MARKETS AND PRICES

Oilseed rape falls to £400/t but margins remain for growers

UK oilseed rape prices came under pressure during July and August before settling at roughly £400/t in early September. The domestic trade continues to track wider global oilseed markets, with…

DAIRY MARKETS AND PRICES

Dairy outlook divided as processors send mixed signals

Livestock farmers are likely to notice changes to their milk cheques in the coming months as global dairy markets wake up after a quiet summer. After months of flat prices…

MEAT MARKETS AND PRICES

Small abattoirs must adapt to serve farmers – AHDB

Small abattoirs need to broaden their services and work with other partners to secure their survival, a new report from the AHDB suggests. The study points to ongoing consolidation in…

MEAT MARKETS AND PRICES

Red meat exports grow 10% in first half of year

The value of red meat exports have increased by almost 10% during the first half of 2025, driven by higher farmgate prices. HMRC figures show that UK exports reached £966m…

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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