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FINANCE

Bank lending to agriculture rises in mixed outlook

Parts of agriculture are listed among the business sectors suffering elevated financial stress in the Bank of England’s most recent monthly report. Hospitality, retail, construction and some manufacturers are in…

INPUT MARKETS AND PRICES

Red diesel duty to be cut by one-third, says Treasury

Farmers and other red diesel users have been offered some respite from the relentless hike in operating costs, with news that their fuel duty is to be cut by more…

BUSINESS

Food price cap talks spark farming backlash

Farming and retail leaders have reacted angrily to reports the UK government has discussed voluntary supermarket price caps on staple foods such as bread, eggs and milk amid mounting cost-of-living…

CROPS MARKETS AND PRICES

Wheat markets hold firm with global crop prospects uncertain

Global grain markets remain supported following reports last week of tighter wheat supplies heading into the 2026-27 crop marketing year. UK feed wheat futures for the November contract lifted to…

INPUT MARKETS AND PRICES

EU farmers protest at new Fertiliser Action Plan

Farmers from across Europe descended on Strasbourg on 19 May, calling for more support to help businesses deal with exceptionally high input costs, as fuel and fertiliser prices soar. The…

TENANCIES AND RENTS

Duchy of Cornwall reassures farmers amid estate sale concerns

The Duchy of Cornwall has moved to reassure tenant farmers and rural communities that farming will remain at the heart of the estate, despite plans to sell some assets over…

MEAT MARKETS AND PRICES

Beef sector warns falling prices may lead to fewer cattle

Many livestock farmers are facing losses on finished cattle as beef prices continue to decline. With prime beef dropping to below £6/kg deadweight, finishers who purchased store cattle last year…

BUSINESS

Revenue at Cranswick lifts to almost £3bn

Major meat processor Cranswick has published exceptionally strong financial results with both revenue and profit margins improving in the past year. Total revenue lifted by 9.5% to £2.98bn for the…

BUSINESS

New entrant training fund launched in Scotland

Lantra Scotland has opened applications for its Next Generation Practical Training Fund, offering up to £500 in fully funded training for each course to help new entrants gain skills for…

TAX

How personal items can be sold without attracting CGT

Many farmers may not know that personal items, known as chattels, sold for less than £6,000 do not attract capital gains tax (CGT). In addition, the sale proceeds of certain…

INPUT MARKETS AND PRICES

Farmers demand halt to fertiliser carbon tax plans

The UK government is facing mounting pressure to delay or scrap a planned carbon tax on imported fertiliser, as higher input costs linked to global energy markets and Middle East…

MEAT MARKETS AND PRICES

Further pig contracts at risk as sector struggles with backlogs

Several major processors have served notice to pig producers, either terminating contracts or asking them to provide fewer pigs, as the industry struggles to tackle a growing backlog of pigs…

BUSINESS

Farmers advised to tread carefully on mast site sales

Farmers considering selling land used for telecoms masts have been urged to tread carefully amid growing interest from mobile operators and infrastructure investors in buying the land. Property experts say…

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BUSINESS

Food price cap talks spark farming backlash

Farming and retail leaders have reacted angrily to reports the UK government has discussed voluntary supermarket price caps on staple foods such as bread, eggs and milk amid mounting cost-of-living…

INPUT MARKETS AND PRICES

EU farmers protest at new Fertiliser Action Plan

Farmers from across Europe descended on Strasbourg on 19 May, calling for more support to help businesses deal with exceptionally high input costs, as fuel and fertiliser prices soar. The…

TENANCIES AND RENTS

Duchy of Cornwall reassures farmers amid estate sale concerns

The Duchy of Cornwall has moved to reassure tenant farmers and rural communities that farming will remain at the heart of the estate, despite plans to sell some assets over…

BUSINESS

Revenue at Cranswick lifts to almost £3bn

Major meat processor Cranswick has published exceptionally strong financial results with both revenue and profit margins improving in the past year. Total revenue lifted by 9.5% to £2.98bn for the…

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Latest from farm management Know How

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TAX

How personal items can be sold without attracting CGT

Many farmers may not know that personal items, known as chattels, sold for less than £6,000 do not attract capital gains tax (CGT). In addition, the sale proceeds of certain…

TAX

Why some farm buildings qualify for faster tax relief

Tax relief for investment in farm structures is usually limited to the 3% annual rate offered by the Structures and Buildings Allowance (SBA). At this rate it takes more than…

HEALTH AND SAFETY

How simple steps can protect and save farm lives and others

Knowing what to do in the face of a serious injury helps prevent many deaths from trauma before a casualty reaches hospital. The repercussions of an injury at any level…

BUSINESS MANAGEMENT

Why changes to farm businesses need to heed separation rules

Many farm businesses are undergoing restructuring, and changes must be carefully planned so that tax, succession and family objectives are achieved without unintended consequences. One of these is the possibility…

BUSINESS MANAGEMENT

How award-winning young farmer is targeting business growth

Since winning the 2025 Farmers Weekly Young Farmer of the Year Award, Hampshire livestock farmer Matt Hancocks has expanded his business, increased cattle numbers, and continues promoting agriculture. “It's been…

BUSINESS CLINIC

Business Clinic: Advice on managing probate sale of farm

Whether it’s a legal, tax, finance or management question, Farmers Weekly’s expert panel can help. Below, Andrew Chandler, head of rural agency at Carter Jonas, advises on the ins and outs…

BUSINESS CLINIC

Business Clinic: How do we formalise staff housing rights?

Whether it’s a legal, tax, finance or management question, Farmers Weekly’s expert panel can help. Here, Aiden Wiffen of Thrings’ property litigation team, advises on formalising employee accommodation agreements in light of…

BUSINESS CLINIC

Business Clinic: What is most tax-savvy option for farm?

Whether it’s a legal, tax, finance or management question, Farmers Weekly’s expert panel can help. Here, Kate Bell, of Albert Goodman chartered accountants, advises on the tax implications of four business scenarios…

BUSINESS MANAGEMENT

How dairy farm’s new staffing model benefits people and cows

Like many other UK dairy businesses, Steve and Carolyn Cope’s Bawhill Farm in Shropshire relied on a steady flow of Eastern European workers to milk the cows. But Brexit rules…

PLANNING PERMISSION

What new planning framework means for farmers

The final version of a new National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) is due to be published in the summer and should set a smoother path for both farming developments and…

BUSINESS MANAGEMENT

Expert advice on managing arable fixed costs

A greater focus on labour and machinery costs, including depreciation, will potentially lead to a better arable net margin.     With no standard format for labour and machinery costs they often…

DIVERSIFICATION

Structural considerations before converting a farm building

Many 20th-century farm buildings are being repurposed for diversification projects, but their conversion and change of use needs more care and attention at the early stages, advises Savills architect Andrew…

TAX

Why a check on trading activity could preserve IHT relief

Lower farming incomes and profits, alongside the search for alternative incomes to make up for this, mean more businesses are moving closer to the point where they will be judged…

BUSINESS CLINIC

Business Clinic: How do we set up permissive access?

Whether it’s a legal, tax, financial or management question, Farmers Weekly’s Business Clinic experts can help. Here, Richie Rees, legal director in Thrings’ agricultural litigation team, outlines what's involved in granting…

BUSINESS CLINIC

Business Clinic: Farm's buyer wants pre-exchange inspection

Whether it’s a legal, tax, financial or management issue, Farmers Weekly’s Business Clinic experts can help. Here, Sam Johnson, associate partner with Carter Jonas, Harrogate, sets out how a request for…

BUSINESS CLINIC

Business Clinic: Advice needed for farm's new bookkeeper

Whether it’s a legal, tax, finance or management question, Farmers Weekly’s expert panel can help. Here, Kate Bell, of Albert Goodman chartered accountants, advises on bookkeeping practice so that year-end information…

Business Clinic

BUSINESS CLINIC

Business Clinic: Advice on managing probate sale of farm

Whether it’s a legal, tax, finance or management question, Farmers Weekly’s expert panel can help. Below, Andrew Chandler, head of rural agency at Carter Jonas, advises on the ins and outs…

BUSINESS CLINIC

Business Clinic: How do we formalise staff housing rights?

Whether it’s a legal, tax, finance or management question, Farmers Weekly’s expert panel can help. Here, Aiden Wiffen of Thrings’ property litigation team, advises on formalising employee accommodation agreements in light of…

BUSINESS CLINIC

Business Clinic: What is most tax-savvy option for farm?

Whether it’s a legal, tax, finance or management question, Farmers Weekly’s expert panel can help. Here, Kate Bell, of Albert Goodman chartered accountants, advises on the tax implications of four business scenarios…

BUSINESS CLINIC

Can FW's Business Clinic experts solve your farming problem?

Business Clinic is a free service for readers, offering expert advice on legal, tax, finance, farm and land management issues from law firm Thrings, accountant Albert Goodman and land agent…

 
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Markets and trends

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INPUT MARKETS AND PRICES

EU farmers protest at new Fertiliser Action Plan

Farmers from across Europe descended on Strasbourg on 19 May, calling for more support to help businesses deal with exceptionally high input costs, as fuel and fertiliser prices soar. The…

INPUT MARKETS AND PRICES

‘Seismic waves’ on the way for farming as Iran war persists

UK farmers are being warned of a “seismic impact” from the ongoing war in the Middle East, with “crops rotting in the fields” and significant areas left unplanted this autumn.…

MARKETS AND TRENDS

FMD outbreak in China raises concerns for global trade

Recent cases of foot-and-mouth disease in China have prompted renewed calls for farmers to remain vigilant for signs of infection, and could have potential implications for international trade. A preliminary…

DAIRY MARKETS AND PRICES

Global demand for dairy set to grow as supplies slow

Advisers from across the European dairy sector forecast that global dairy demand will increase in the coming years. Speakers at the Dairy Industry Newsletter conference in London on 7 May…

INPUT MARKETS AND PRICES

'Cost of farming crisis' is emerging, farmers warned

British farmers are facing “one of the most challenging margin environments in years” as the gap between rising input costs and falling output widens, suggesting that a “cost of farming…

MEAT MARKETS AND PRICES

Fantastic trade for quality stock at Stirling Bull Sales

Strong demand from buyers for high-quality bulls led to a tremendous trade at the Stirling Bull Sales on 3 and 4 May, with exceptional prices paid for both pedigree and…

CROPS MARKETS AND PRICES

Growers face tough negotiations after losses at ABF sugar

Sugar beet growers face difficult contract negotiations this spring after Associated British Foods (ABF) reported sustained losses in its sugar division, driven by lower selling prices in Europe and higher…

CROPS MARKETS AND PRICES

Potato markets under strain as supply outweighs demand

Both domestic and European potato markets appear under increasing pressure, as subdued demand and ample supplies weigh on prices. European potato futures have fallen sharply again, with prices slipping from…

Land in your area

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LAND MARKETS

Farmland in your area 2025: East Midlands

A 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 MARKETS

Farmland in your area 2025: West Midlands

Supplies 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 MARKETS

Farmland in your area 2025: South-east England

While 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 MARKETS

Farmland in your area 2025: North-west England

Sales 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…

 
 
 

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