Business top stories PLANNING PERMISSIONWater neutrality planning takes farm offsetting out of marketRelatively few farmers and landowners have yet had to grapple with the concept of water neutrality, but in parts of Sussex it has been a component of planning applications for… BUSINESSAnalysis: How UK agri-food attachés are expanding tradeWith farmgate margins under pressure, expanding trade worldwide for UK food and drink has seldom been more important. But navigating the complexities of various markets and government regulations remains challenging,… BUSINESSEagle quashes rumours of 'family farm tax' reprieveIn a blunt rebuff to media speculation, Defra farming minister Dame Angela Eagle has ruled out any softening of the government’s controversial inheritance tax (IHT) reforms on farmland and agricultural… BUSINESSBorderway Agri Expo 2025: Making meat and money in farmingBritain’s leading winter livestock showcase returns to Borderway Mart, Carlisle, this autumn for a full day of competition, innovation and industry insight. This year’s theme, “Making Meat and Money,” focuses… MARKETS AND TRENDSWelsh farmers told 'be more competitive' for retail spaceFarmers must become more competitive to secure space on supermarket shelves, the Farmers’ Union of Wales annual general meeting has been told. Held at the National Library of Wales in… LAND MARKETSLincolnshire farms offer choice of size and potentialFarms with both productive agricultural land and diversified income streams are new to the market. Ranging in size from 90 to 255 acres, and each having potential for further diversification,… TENANCIES AND RENTSTenant farmers accuse Starmer of breaking solar farm promiseTenant farmers have accused prime minister Sir Keir Starmer of breaking a personal promise made in 2023 to protect their rights, following a government-backed planning decision in North Yorkshire. Rob… HARVESTScottish growers record bumper crop for 2025 harvestTotal cereals production surpassed 3.2m tonnes in Scotland this year, according to provisional figures published by the Scottish government. This represents an increase of 8% year on year and puts… LAND MARKETSLand market falls as uncertainty delivers buyer cautionThe right farm or land in the right place still commands a good price, but realism is needed on guide prices, say agents. Several farms have been remarketed this year,… GRANTSMore than 8,800 farmers in line for kit and technology grantsDefra has confirmed that more than 8,800 applicants have successfully secured funding through this year’s Farming Equipment and Technology Fund (FETF), with grant funding agreements now sent out. The latest round… BUSINESSProfits lift by 20% at Pilgrims meat processorsPilgrim’s Europe reported a profit after tax of £128.4m for the 2024 financial year, an increase from £106m in 2023. However, total revenue was back marginally on the year at £4bn.… DAIRY MARKETS AND PRICESFalling milk prices leave UK dairy sector under pressureDairy producers are feeling the squeeze after a recent downturn in dairy commodity markets prompted a series of sharp price cuts. Farmgate milk prices are now trading in the region… MARKETS AND TRENDSBuyers compete for wool as prices lift to £1.18kg at auctionBritish Wool recently reported the sharpest increase in wool prices of the past decade, as demand from the UK, Europe and China picks up. Wool prices surged at auction on… BUSINESSMeadow Foods looks to trim 'uneconomic' milk producersMilk processor Meadow Foods has served notice on a number of its farmer suppliers in what it refers to as a “housekeeping” exercise. The company has offered them 12 months… Business newsSee all BUSINESSEagle quashes rumours of 'family farm tax' reprieveIn a blunt rebuff to media speculation, Defra farming minister Dame Angela Eagle has ruled out any softening of the government’s controversial inheritance tax (IHT) reforms on farmland and agricultural… MARKETS AND TRENDSWelsh farmers told 'be more competitive' for retail spaceFarmers must become more competitive to secure space on supermarket shelves, the Farmers’ Union of Wales annual general meeting has been told. Held at the National Library of Wales in… TENANCIES AND RENTSTenant farmers accuse Starmer of breaking solar farm promiseTenant farmers have accused prime minister Sir Keir Starmer of breaking a personal promise made in 2023 to protect their rights, following a government-backed planning decision in North Yorkshire. Rob… HARVESTScottish growers record bumper crop for 2025 harvestTotal cereals production surpassed 3.2m tonnes in Scotland this year, according to provisional figures published by the Scottish government. This represents an increase of 8% year on year and puts… 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 FARM ENERGYAdvice on legal and tax angles for renewables projectsSolar developers continue to look for sites and interested landowners can do much to put themselves in the best position to proceed. Interest in potential wind turbine sites is also… TENANCIES AND RENTSTenancy succession - advice on meeting the suitability testThe suitability test is one of three hurdles to clear in tenancy succession, and the bar was raised in September 2024 alongside other changes to the requirements in England and… LAND MARKETSLand Registry delays improve but process still frustratesAll registration applications are now being processed within 10.9 months of submission, according to new data from the Land Registry. This is ahead of the goal the organisation had set… BUSINESSFarmers Weekly Awards 2025: Farm Manager of the YearRyan McCormack, Dennington Hall Farms, is Farmers Weekly Farm Manager of the Year In just over three years, Ryan has made his mark at Dennington Hall Farms, bringing enthusiasm, energy… BUSINESSFW Awards 2025: Diversification Farmer of the YearThe Marshall family of Marshall’s Farm Shop, Inverurie, are the winners of Farmers Weekly Awards 2025 Diversification Farmer of the Year. From a modest self-service trailer set up 20 years… BUSINESSHow planning can reduce the risk of a challenge to your willThe term contentious probate covers a range of claims that may follow a death. These can include direct challenges to the validity of a will, a claim against an estate… BUSINESS CLINICBusiness Clinic: What's the best way to change accountants?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 for… BUSINESS CLINICBusiness Clinic: Renting a shed to neighbour for youngstockWhether it’s a legal, tax, insurance, management or land issue, Farmers Weekly’s Business Clinic experts can help. Here, Nick Curnock, associate partner, Carter Jonas, advises on a neighbour agreement for… HEALTH AND SAFETYFarm building planning: Health and safety obligationsFarmers planning a building project should check their obligations under the Health and Safety Executive’s (HSE’s) Construction Design and Management (CDM) Regulations 2015. These govern the way all building projects… TAXHow to maximise capital allowances on farm buildingsFarms could be paying more tax than necessary by overlooking or wrongly applying the structures and buildings allowance (SBA), say advisers. This is a capital allowance (CA) of 3% a… BUSINESS MANAGEMENTWhy farm insurance should be more than a once a year thoughtFarm insurance is currently a competitive market, although costs generally are rising at 5% to 10% including indexation, say brokers. There is slight downward pressure on motor premiums. For those… TAXIHT relief cut puts focus on correct valuationsThe proposed cut in inheritance tax (IHT) relief means that there may be closer scrutiny of valuations for probate under the forthcoming regime. Qualifying farmland, buildings and dwellings are currently… PARTNERSHIPSFarm partnership case shows how clear records are keyThe 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 MANAGEMENTHow residential landlords can prepare for lettings changesThe 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’… BUSINESSFW Awards: Meet the 2025 Environmental Champion finalistsOur 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… TAXIHT pitfalls on timing of asset transfers - what to considerUnder 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… Business Clinic BUSINESS CLINICBusiness Clinic: Neighbour may be encroaching on our landWhether it’s a legal, tax, insurance, management or land issue, Farmers Weekly’s Business Clinic experts can help. Here, Jessica Moore, solicitor in Thrings’ agricultural litigation team, advises on how to… BUSINESS CLINICBusiness Clinic: What's the best way to change accountants?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 for… BUSINESS CLINICBusiness Clinic: Renting a shed to neighbour for youngstockWhether it’s a legal, tax, insurance, management or land issue, Farmers Weekly’s Business Clinic experts can help. Here, Nick Curnock, associate partner, Carter Jonas, advises on a neighbour agreement for… BUSINESS CLINICBusiness 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… View all Business Clinic articles Markets and trendsSee all MARKETS AND TRENDSWelsh farmers told 'be more competitive' for retail spaceFarmers must become more competitive to secure space on supermarket shelves, the Farmers’ Union of Wales annual general meeting has been told. Held at the National Library of Wales in… HARVESTScottish growers record bumper crop for 2025 harvestTotal cereals production surpassed 3.2m tonnes in Scotland this year, according to provisional figures published by the Scottish government. This represents an increase of 8% year on year and puts… MARKETS AND TRENDSBuyers compete for wool as prices lift to £1.18kg at auctionBritish Wool recently reported the sharpest increase in wool prices of the past decade, as demand from the UK, Europe and China picks up. Wool prices surged at auction on… MEAT MARKETS AND PRICESMorrisons expands Australian beef lineFears that ongoing beef imports from Australia are undermining UK producers have deepened as retailer Morrisons has extended its Australian beef line across online and in-store outlets. The Limited Edish… LAND MARKETSGovernment plans for new towns: implications for farmlandMany of the 12 sites earmarked for potential new town developments are urban or regeneration sites, including a former military compound. However, four are on greenfield sites and farmland will… BUSINESSHigh-power tractor demand slumps in 2025Demand for high-power tractors has declined compared to the same period last year, caused by a lack of confidence within the industry. About 30% fewer new tractors in the over… CROPS MARKETS AND PRICESMilling wheat premiums slide as global quality increasesMilling wheat premiums have felt the squeeze in recent weeks, reflecting this year’s better quality harvest and improved availability. Based on a Farmers Weekly ex-farm price of £177/t for milling… MEAT MARKETS AND PRICESSplit market for store cattle as short-keep beasts in demandStore cattle continue to meet a buoyant trade with buyers looking to fill their sheds for winter, but with a clear preference for shorter keep animals. Composite data from the… Advertisements Land in your areaSee all LAND MARKETSFarmland in your area 2024: East MidlandsAgents 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 MARKETSFarmland in your area 2024: Yorkshire and HumberPrivate 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 MARKETSFarmland in your area 2024: East of EnglandWhole 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 MARKETSFarmland in your area 2024: South East EnglandSales 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
