Business top stories FINANCEHow the Universal Credit system is failing farming familiesFalling farm incomes mean that many more people are eligible to receive Universal Credit. For some, it is the stigma associated with claiming that puts them off; for others, it… CROPS MARKETS AND PRICESMiddle East conflict keeps wheat markets elevatedGlobal grain markets remain volatile with heightened tensions in the Middle East adding support to prices, despite large supplies globally. Unlike the disruption at the start of the Ukraine war,… FARM ENERGYSmall wind turbines planning to be axed under new proposalsThe government has proposed removing planning permission requirements for small on-site wind energy projects on farms, in a bid to end dependence on fossil fuel markets. The new proposals from… BUSINESSLong-term farm business plans and investment in goldFor farmers and landowners, long-term thinking is second nature. Decisions aren’t just about the next season, they’re about safeguarding a legacy, building resilience, and protecting what matters for the years… BUSINESS MANAGEMENTFarmers in Wales asked to re-register with Farming ConnectFarmers in Wales who use Farming Connect will need to re-register to continue accessing support services following changes by the Welsh government to the way farmers and rural businesses access… BUSINESSUncertainty and IHT tighten Scotland’s farm letting marketScotland’s agricultural letting sector is contracting further amid rising uncertainty, shorter leases and looming tax changes, according to the Central Association of Agricultural Valuers (CAAV). The CAAV said long‑running pressures… INPUT MARKETS AND PRICESRed diesel prices spike by 60% as supplies remain tightRed diesel prices in the UK have skyrocketed following conflict in the Middle East, with prices lifting by more than 60% in the past month. Prices collected by Farmers Weekly… INPUT MARKETS AND PRICESMixed reaction to £53m heating oil supportFarmers and rural households that rely on heating oil will receive targeted support after the government confirmed a £53m package to help low-income families cope with soaring fuel costs. However,… PLANNING PERMISSIONCompulsory purchase threatened for Oxford-Cambridge corridorCompulsory purchase will be used if land is not offered to develop the Oxford-Cambridge arc, Chancellor Rachel Reeves said in a speech on Tuesday (17 March). Delivering the 2026 Mais… BUSINESS MANAGEMENTSyngenta to build £100m crop science centre in UKGlobal crop protection and seeds firm Syngenta has confirmed it is building a £100m agricultural research facility at its Jealott’s Hill site in Berkshire, which is due to be fully… INPUT MARKETS AND PRICESHeating oil crisis deepens as ministers consider supportThe heating oil crisis affecting rural households and farm businesses has intensified, with the competition watchdog launching an investigation into suppliers and ministers preparing targeted support for those most exposed… PAYMENTS, SCHEMES AND GRANTSWelsh government launches farm loan schemeWelsh farming businesses will be able to access affordable finance to modernise their operations and cut carbon emissions under a new loan scheme launched by the Welsh government and delivered… BUSINESS MANAGEMENTShare farming rises up agenda as a farm structure choiceOnce used mainly in livestock and dairy systems, share farming is now a common joint venture arrangement in arable too, as practical, financial and tax pressures present new challenges to… TAXWhy tax planning is still crucial despite IHT concessionsThere is little doubt that the increases to inheritance tax (IHT) thresholds announced by the government just before Christmas 2025 will take a huge number of farmers out of the… Business newsSee all FARM ENERGYSmall wind turbines planning to be axed under new proposalsThe government has proposed removing planning permission requirements for small on-site wind energy projects on farms, in a bid to end dependence on fossil fuel markets. The new proposals from… BUSINESS MANAGEMENTFarmers in Wales asked to re-register with Farming ConnectFarmers in Wales who use Farming Connect will need to re-register to continue accessing support services following changes by the Welsh government to the way farmers and rural businesses access… BUSINESSUncertainty and IHT tighten Scotland’s farm letting marketScotland’s agricultural letting sector is contracting further amid rising uncertainty, shorter leases and looming tax changes, according to the Central Association of Agricultural Valuers (CAAV). The CAAV said long‑running pressures… INPUT MARKETS AND PRICESRed diesel prices spike by 60% as supplies remain tightRed diesel prices in the UK have skyrocketed following conflict in the Middle East, with prices lifting by more than 60% in the past month. Prices collected by Farmers Weekly… 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 FINANCEHow the Universal Credit system is failing farming familiesFalling farm incomes mean that many more people are eligible to receive Universal Credit. For some, it is the stigma associated with claiming that puts them off; for others, it… BUSINESS MANAGEMENTShare farming rises up agenda as a farm structure choiceOnce used mainly in livestock and dairy systems, share farming is now a common joint venture arrangement in arable too, as practical, financial and tax pressures present new challenges to… BUSINESS CLINICBusiness Clinic: How do we convert buildings to residential?Whether it’s a legal, tax, financial or management question, Farmers Weekly’s Business Clinic experts can help. Here, Fred Quartermain, a partner in Thrings’ planning and environment team, sets out the… BUSINESS CLINICBusiness Clinic: Where do we stand on IHT with let farm?Whether it’s a legal, tax, finance or management question, Farmers Weekly’s expert panel can help. Here Kate Bell, a partner in accountant Albert Goodman’s farms and estates team, sets out… BUSINESS CLINICBusiness Clinic: How do we identify disputed boundary?Whether it’s a legal, tax, financial or management issue, Farmers Weekly’s Business Clinic experts can help. Here, Mark Kieras, a partner and head of measured survey at Carter Jonas, explains how… DIVERSIFICATIONHow business rate changes will affect alternative enterprisesDefra estimates about 72% of farm businesses in England had some diversified activity in 2024-25. Farm shops, cafés and specialist dining experiences, storage units and renewable energy were – and… TAXAdvice on improving year-end planning and profit forecastingYear-end planning in farm businesses needs to improve so that investment decisions can be taken in a considered and timely manner, say advisers. Considerations include a careful assessment of any… BUSINESS MANAGEMENT7 ways to beef up your farm’s cybersecurityFarming is a critical part of national infrastructure, yet many farmers still underestimate the risk that cybercrime poses to their businesses. With farms becoming increasingly reliant on digital technology, from… FARM ENERGY10 ways to mitigate April's rising electricity chargesWholesale electricity costs typically make up just one-third of the average electricity bill, with other “non-commodity costs” – in other words, standing charges – comprising more than 60%. These charges… TAXAdvice on minimising IHT impact on pensionsPrivate pension funds inherited between married couples and civil partners will remain free of inheritance tax (IHT) after 6 April 2027, but in other circumstances they may be subject to… STAFF MANAGEMENT4 key steps to support and retain staff on UK farmsA recent survey by land agent Knight Frank has revealed that almost 90% of agricultural estates are struggling to attract competent staff, while 60% of respondents say it is becoming… BUSINESSBusiness Clinic: Rates and EPCs on building conversionsWhether it’s a legal, tax, financial or management issue, Farmers Weekly’s Business Clinic experts can help. Here, chartered surveyor Sam Shaikh from Carter Jonas’ Taunton office explains the business rates… BUSINESS CLINICBusiness Clinic: Advice on first registration of land parcelsWhether it’s a legal, tax, financial or management question, Farmers Weekly‘s Business Clinic experts can help. Here Chloe Cosham, a solicitor in Thrings agriculture team, sets out issues to consider… BUSINESS MANAGEMENTHow to manage farm data to improve profitabilityFarmers can now access data on an unprecedented scale, enabled by robotic milkers, soil sensors, GPS-guided tractors, precision sprayers, drones and automated irrigation systems to name but some of the… BUSINESS CLINICBusiness Clinic: Advice on farming company profit forecastingWhether it's a legal, tax, finance or management question, Farmers Weekly's expert panel can help. Here Kate Bell, a partner in accountant Albert Goodman's farms and estates team, sets out… DIVERSIFICATIONHow robust livery contracts help avoid disputesBusiness cost increases, alongside the rising cost of living, are challenging many alternative enterprises, especially those involving the paying public. There has been a substantial increase in disputes between horse… Business Clinic BUSINESS CLINICBusiness Clinic: How do we convert buildings to residential?Whether it’s a legal, tax, financial or management question, Farmers Weekly’s Business Clinic experts can help. Here, Fred Quartermain, a partner in Thrings’ planning and environment team, sets out the… BUSINESS CLINICBusiness Clinic: Where do we stand on IHT with let farm?Whether it’s a legal, tax, finance or management question, Farmers Weekly’s expert panel can help. Here Kate Bell, a partner in accountant Albert Goodman’s farms and estates team, sets out… BUSINESS CLINICBusiness Clinic: How do we identify disputed boundary?Whether it’s a legal, tax, financial or management issue, Farmers Weekly’s Business Clinic experts can help. Here, Mark Kieras, a partner and head of measured survey at Carter Jonas, explains how… BUSINESSBusiness Clinic: Rates and EPCs on building conversionsWhether it’s a legal, tax, financial or management issue, Farmers Weekly’s Business Clinic experts can help. Here, chartered surveyor Sam Shaikh from Carter Jonas’ Taunton office explains the business rates… View all Business Clinic articles Markets and trendsSee all INPUT MARKETS AND PRICESRed diesel prices spike by 60% as supplies remain tightRed diesel prices in the UK have skyrocketed following conflict in the Middle East, with prices lifting by more than 60% in the past month. Prices collected by Farmers Weekly… MEAT MARKETS AND PRICESUK finished pig prices fall to three-year lowFinished pig prices have fallen by 13p/kg since the start of the year, reaching their lowest levels since the industry backlogs of 2022. The Standard Pig Price stood at 184.6p/kg… INPUT MARKETS AND PRICESHeating oil crisis deepens as ministers consider supportThe heating oil crisis affecting rural households and farm businesses has intensified, with the competition watchdog launching an investigation into suppliers and ministers preparing targeted support for those most exposed… MEAT MARKETS AND PRICESGlobal demand for meat set to grow as production risesGlobal meat consumption is expected to increase over the next five years, with demand for red meat and poultry projected to climb. Dr Phil Hadley, secretary general of the International… MEAT MARKETS AND PRICESScottish cattle numbers still falling but decline slowsQuality Meat Scotland (QMS) has projected that UK beef production could be on course for an 8% decline by 2030, if the domestic beef herd continues to fall. The Scottish… MEAT MARKETS AND PRICESWelsh levy body sets four-year red meat strategyHybu Cig Cymru (Meat Promotions Wales) has published a new strategic action plan setting out its priorities for the next four years to support the Welsh red meat industry. The… BUSINESSHeating oil and haulage hit by Middle East conflictFarmers and rural businesses are facing a surge in fuel and transport costs as the conflict in the Middle East drives volatility in global oil markets, prompting warnings of a… MEAT MARKETS AND PRICESSmall abattoirs at ‘dangerous tipping point’A Welsh abattoir owner has warned the UK’s network of small slaughterhouses is at a “dangerous tipping point”, as rising regulatory costs threaten to force more local facilities out of… 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: South-east EnglandWhile the market for farmland in the south-east of England is undeniably cautious, land that is well presented and sensibly priced continues to find a buyer. The acreage launched in… 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… Most popular this week
