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BUSINESS CLINIC

Business Clinic: Can wedding traffic use our right of way?

Whether it’s a legal, tax, insurance, management or land issue, Farmers Weekly’s Business Clinic experts can help. Here, Polly Ridgway, legal director in Thrings’ agricultural litigation team, advises on a…

BUSINESS

FSA’s 25% meat inspection fee hikes set to take effect

The Food Standards Agency (FSA) is set to impose at least a 25% increase in meat inspection fees at abattoirs in England and Wales from 1 April 2025, adding more…

LAND MARKETS

Tree planting at high level despite subdued forestry market

The year ending in March 2024 saw the highest level of tree planting in the UK since the 1990s.  Planting in Scotland rose by 84% and in England by 76%…

BUSINESS CLINIC

Business Clinic: Are farm and land sale fees a business cost?

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 how farm or…

LAND MARKETS

Land and farms on offer from East Anglia to Aberdeenshire

While relatively little has been brought to the market so far this spring, there are contrasting opportunities launched this week. Retirement brings a 415-acre arable farm with diversifications to the…

BUSINESS MANAGEMENT

Renters' Rights Bill: What it means for rural landlords

The Renters’ Rights Bill (RRB) is making its way through Parliament, including much of what was laid out by the previous government in its Renters’ (Reform) Bill, which never made…

BUSINESS

Red Tractor pledges major reform after farmer backlash

Red Tractor, the UK’s largest farm assurance scheme, has vowed to implement sweeping reforms after facing intense criticism from farmers who feel the scheme’s standards place unnecessary burdens on them…

BUSINESS MANAGEMENT

Renters' Rights Bill: What it means for rural landlords

The Renters’ Rights Bill (RRB) is making its way through Parliament, including much of what was laid out by the previous government in its Renters’ (Reform) Bill, which never made…

MEAT MARKETS AND PRICES

Spring lambs sell for £180 a head at auction markets

The first spring lambs have started to come forward at auction markets and, so far, have been selling to a decent trade. Bridgnorth Livestock Market had its first batch of…

PAYMENTS, SCHEMES AND GRANTS

Scottish government spends £200m on IT for farming payments

More than £200m has been spent by the Scottish government since 2016 on external consultants to run the farming subsidy system, it has been revealed. Over the past nine years,…

BUSINESS

Red Tractor pledges major reform after farmer backlash

Red Tractor, the UK’s largest farm assurance scheme, has vowed to implement sweeping reforms after facing intense criticism from farmers who feel the scheme’s standards place unnecessary burdens on them…

CROPS MARKETS AND PRICES

Grain markets fall in anticipation of new Black Sea deal

Global grain markets have slipped further following news that Russia may look to restart the Black Sea Grain Initiative, which previously allowed the safe passage of Ukrainian grain through the…

CROPS MARKETS AND PRICES

Sugar markets start to firm as 2024-25 beet campaign ends

Global sugar prices have started to pick up since the start of 2025 due to increased demand and lower production forecasts across Asia, Brazil and Europe. Industry forecasts suggest the…

BUSINESS

Treasury quashes rumours of red diesel tax hike

The Treasury has dismissed growing concerns about a potential increase in tax on red diesel used by farmers, reassuring agricultural businesses that no such change will be made in the…

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FINANCE

Business cost increases set to impact farms in April

Farm businesses are set to be hit by a flurry of new tax measures from 1 April onwards, which are expected to leave many worse off and put further pressure…

MEAT MARKETS AND PRICES

Meat processor Pilgrim’s scales up lamb production for Easter

Pilgrim’s Europe has confirmed it will be ramping up production at its sites in order to meet retail demand for lamb in the run-up to Easter on 20 April. The…

MEAT MARKETS AND PRICES

Spring lambs sell for £180 a head at auction markets

The first spring lambs have started to come forward at auction markets and, so far, have been selling to a decent trade. Bridgnorth Livestock Market had its first batch of…

PAYMENTS, SCHEMES AND GRANTS

Scottish government spends £200m on IT for farming payments

More than £200m has been spent by the Scottish government since 2016 on external consultants to run the farming subsidy system, it has been revealed. Over the past nine years,…

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Latest from farm management Know How

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BUSINESS CLINIC

Business Clinic: Can wedding traffic use our right of way?

Whether it’s a legal, tax, insurance, management or land issue, Farmers Weekly’s Business Clinic experts can help. Here, Polly Ridgway, legal director in Thrings’ agricultural litigation team, advises on a…

BUSINESS CLINIC

Business Clinic: Are farm and land sale fees a business cost?

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 how farm or…

BUSINESS MANAGEMENT

Renters' Rights Bill: What it means for rural landlords

The Renters’ Rights Bill (RRB) is making its way through Parliament, including much of what was laid out by the previous government in its Renters’ (Reform) Bill, which never made…

BUSINESS CLINIC

Business Clinic: Who maintains trees next to utility cables?

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

PAYMENTS, SCHEMES AND GRANTS

Advice on preparing early for new grant funding applications

A new round of standalone Countryside Stewardship (CS) Capital Grants 2025-26 will open this summer worth £45m and funding a significant proportion of the cost of a wide range of…

BUSINESS CLINIC

Business Clinic: Can I sell for a song to avoid inheritance tax?

Whether it’s a legal, tax, insurance, management or land issue, Farmers Weekly’s Business Clinic experts can help. Here, Euan Fernie, a partner at accountant MHA, advises on the HMRC anti…

BUSINESS CLINIC

Business Clinic: Advice on budgeting for farm system change

Whether it’s a legal, tax, insurance, management or land issue, Farmers Weekly’s Business Clinic experts can help. Here, Tom Hind, an associate with Carter Jonas Rural, advises on the consideration…

DIVERSIFICATION

Farm-based holiday providers face a tough 2025

Farm-based holiday providers are dealing with a significant shift in market dynamics because of a combination of tax and regulatory reforms, and a change in the shape of demand. Short…

TAX

Farm tax tips for 31 March accounting year-end and beyond

With 31 March soon approaching, we speak to tax experts on understanding your tax liabilities when running a farm business and changes coming to the current tax regime. See also:…

BUSINESS MANAGEMENT

Advice on basic cybersecurity 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 Clinic

BUSINESS CLINIC

Business Clinic: Can wedding traffic use our right of way?

Whether it’s a legal, tax, insurance, management or land issue, Farmers Weekly’s Business Clinic experts can help. Here, Polly Ridgway, legal director in Thrings’ agricultural litigation team, advises on a…

BUSINESS CLINIC

Business Clinic: Are farm and land sale fees a business cost?

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 how farm or…

BUSINESS CLINIC

Business Clinic: Who maintains trees next to utility cables?

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

BUSINESS CLINIC

Business Clinic: Can I sell for a song to avoid inheritance tax?

Whether it’s a legal, tax, insurance, management or land issue, Farmers Weekly’s Business Clinic experts can help. Here, Euan Fernie, a partner at accountant MHA, advises on the HMRC anti…

 
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Markets and trends

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MEAT MARKETS AND PRICES

Meat processor Pilgrim’s scales up lamb production for Easter

Pilgrim’s Europe has confirmed it will be ramping up production at its sites in order to meet retail demand for lamb in the run-up to Easter on 20 April. The…

MEAT MARKETS AND PRICES

Spring lambs sell for £180 a head at auction markets

The first spring lambs have started to come forward at auction markets and, so far, have been selling to a decent trade. Bridgnorth Livestock Market had its first batch of…

CROPS MARKETS AND PRICES

Sugar markets start to firm as 2024-25 beet campaign ends

Global sugar prices have started to pick up since the start of 2025 due to increased demand and lower production forecasts across Asia, Brazil and Europe. Industry forecasts suggest the…

BUSINESS

Treasury quashes rumours of red diesel tax hike

The Treasury has dismissed growing concerns about a potential increase in tax on red diesel used by farmers, reassuring agricultural businesses that no such change will be made in the…

MEAT MARKETS AND PRICES

Sainsbury’s aims for 'net-zero' pork range by 2030

Sainsbury’s has announced plans to work with its suppliers to deliver a “net-zero” fresh pork range on shelves by 2030. It hopes this will be achievable by utilising more sustainable…

DAIRY MARKETS AND PRICES

Yew Tree Dairy producers losing money due to poor milk price

Farmers supplying milk to Yew Tree Dairy in Lancashire have spoken out in frustration after being paid well below the market rate, with many receiving about 35p/litre. This is roughly…

LAND MARKETS

Landowners alarmed by Scotland's Land Reform Bill progress

Considerable improvements are needed to make Scotland’s Land Reform Bill more workable, according to a report from Holyrood’s net zero, energy and transport committee. The biggest issues are around how…

MEAT MARKETS AND PRICES

Auction markets see uptick in buyers as heifers near £4/kg

Exceptional demand for beef has led to an increase in the number of buyers at Scottish livestock markets, as processors look to secure greater numbers of prime cattle. Heifers have…

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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