Business top stories BUSINESSHow a dairy farm solved planning permission and successionOne dairy farming family is looking forward to building a new home on their holding in Derbyshire, thanks to the use of planning guidance which requires local authorities to consider… TAXRelief for farmers as IHT threshold rises to £2.5mFamily farming businesses across the UK have been given a major reprieve after the government raised the zero-rate inheritance tax threshold for agricultural and business property reliefs (APR and BPR)… INPUT MARKETS AND PRICESRed diesel prices fall back below 70p/litreFarm businesses may be able to capitalise on lower red diesel prices at present, as prices fell back during December following a dip in global crude oil markets. Prices collected… BUSINESSFarmer anger as Ukrainian cage eggs undercut UK marketUK egg industry representatives and farmers have raised concerns about food safety standards, equivalence, and imports undercutting producers, after a recent shipment from Ukraine showed eggs not meeting UK standards.… MEAT MARKETS AND PRICESUK beef and sheep numbers contract while prices hold upStrong finished beef and lamb prices during the past year have been underpinned by tight supplies, with recent figures published by Defra showing further declines in the number of cattle… TAXDelays announced to 'make tax digital' arrangementsHMRC has made changes to how tax returns will need to be submitted from April next year, however farmers may be entitled to defer until April 2027 following a recent… BUSINESSImproved livestock sales drive profits at H&H GroupProfits at auctioneer and land agency firm H&H Group lifted to a new record high in the past year, with most of the increase coming from the livestock trading business… INPUT MARKETS AND PRICESEU delays regulations on beef and soya imports until late 2026The European Parliament has delayed tougher rules on beef and feed imports linked to deforestation, such as soya, by another year. Regulations are now set to be introduced from 30… BUSINESSFarming partnership prompts move from Hampshire to SomersetBen and Molly Foote made the move from Hampshire to Somerset in October, to start milking on a former dairy farm where they are renovating and adding to the buildings.… CROPS MARKETS AND PRICESWheat margin achievable in 2026 after tough year for growersUK cereals growers have endured a challenging 12 months, with low farmgate prices, weather constraints and a smaller domestic crop. While pressure remains on wheat prices due to a well-supplied… MEAT MARKETS AND PRICESExceptional beef trade holds at £6.60/kg amid tight suppliesFinished cattle prices are still commanding a healthy premium above last year’s levels, with prices up throughout the supply chain, including at retail. Extremely tight supplies of cattle has kept… PLANNING PERMISSIONNew consultation to ease planning rules for agricultureHousing secretary Steve Reed has launched a new consultation on proposals to streamline planning rules which, he says, will make it easier for farmers and rural firms to develop their… DAIRY MARKETS AND PRICESJust 7,000 GB dairy farmers in production as prices slideThe UK dairy sector has seen further consolidation in the past year, as the industry shifts to fewer producers delivering larger volumes of milk. The number of GB dairy farmers… SUCCESSION PLANNINGFarm succession: how to plan for future control and ownershipThere are many ways of achieving the successful transfer of a business. A planned change over time is the ideal, but the last two Budgets have ramped everything up several… Business newsSee all TAXRelief for farmers as IHT threshold rises to £2.5mFamily farming businesses across the UK have been given a major reprieve after the government raised the zero-rate inheritance tax threshold for agricultural and business property reliefs (APR and BPR)… INPUT MARKETS AND PRICESRed diesel prices fall back below 70p/litreFarm businesses may be able to capitalise on lower red diesel prices at present, as prices fell back during December following a dip in global crude oil markets. Prices collected… BUSINESSFarmer anger as Ukrainian cage eggs undercut UK marketUK egg industry representatives and farmers have raised concerns about food safety standards, equivalence, and imports undercutting producers, after a recent shipment from Ukraine showed eggs not meeting UK standards.… MEAT MARKETS AND PRICESUK beef and sheep numbers contract while prices hold upStrong finished beef and lamb prices during the past year have been underpinned by tight supplies, with recent figures published by Defra showing further declines in the number of cattle… 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 BUSINESSHow a dairy farm solved planning permission and successionOne dairy farming family is looking forward to building a new home on their holding in Derbyshire, thanks to the use of planning guidance which requires local authorities to consider… BUSINESSFarming partnership prompts move from Hampshire to SomersetBen and Molly Foote made the move from Hampshire to Somerset in October, to start milking on a former dairy farm where they are renovating and adding to the buildings.… SUCCESSION PLANNINGFarm succession: how to plan for future control and ownershipThere are many ways of achieving the successful transfer of a business. A planned change over time is the ideal, but the last two Budgets have ramped everything up several… LAND MARKETSPlanning consent and lotting - when do they help a farm sale?Maximising the value of your assets is clearly a sensible strategy when preparing to sell your farm, but sometimes the rewards don’t outweigh the time, effort and costs involved. Securing… BUSINESS CLINICBusiness Clinic: Tax advice on sheds let for commercial useWhether 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, explains the many tax… BUSINESS CLINICBusiness Clinic: Are we liable for business rates assessment?Whether it’s a legal, tax, insurance, management or land issue, Farmers Weekly’s Business Clinic experts can help. Here, Richie Rees, legal director in Thrings’ agricultural litigation team, advises on what… BUSINESS CLINICBusiness Clinic: How do we negotiate with a solar developer?Whether it’s a legal, tax, insurance, management or land issue, Farmers Weekly’s Business Clinic experts can help. Here, Mark Charter, head of estate management with Carter Jonas, Oxford, advises on… HEALTH AND SAFETYAdvice on employers' liability, injury and H&S managementEmployers’ liability insurance is a legal requirement for any business using labour. It provides cover for legal liability for injury or illness caused to anyone working on the farm. Businesses… TAXAdvice on keeping accurate accounts to pay the right taxEfficient bookkeeping is fundamental to producing timely and accurate accounts for both tax and management purposes. Many arable farmers have March year ends and are likely to drop out of… BUSINESSExecutors and trustees – their roles and responsibilitiesWith wills being written and reviewed as part of inheritance tax (IHT) and succession planning, it is vital to understand the role of the executor – the person responsible for… BUSINESS CLINICBusiness Clinic: Will known issues derail sale of our farm?Whether it’s a legal, tax, insurance, management or land issue, Farmers Weekly’s Business Clinic experts can help. Here, Andrew Chandler, head of rural agency with Carter Jonas, advises on how… DIVERSIFICATIONWhy story and standards are key in marketing farm produceIt’s clear that social media and digital communications are increasingly important in marketing farm produce and services in diversified businesses. However, it is the story, standards and ethos of a… BUSINESS CLINICBusiness Clinic: Reclaiming VAT on private and business useWhether 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, explains how to approach… BUSINESS CLINICBusiness Clinic: Should I lease my land for battery storage?Whether it’s a legal, tax, insurance, management or land issue, Farmers Weekly’s Business Clinic experts can help. Here, Eve Laws, a partner in Thrings’ agriculture and clean energy teams, advises… PAYMENTS, SCHEMES AND GRANTSStacking income: What is it and how to do it on farmVolatile prices and weather extremes have added risk and uncertainty to farm businesses while dwindling government support has caused a shortfall between pre- and post-Brexit incomes. To make up that… DIVERSIFICATIONTransition webinar: How to start a new farm-based businessIn the latest of our Transition Webinar series, we look at how to diversify into a new farm-based business to help secure a stable income to support the main focus… Business Clinic BUSINESS CLINICBusiness Clinic: Tax advice on sheds let for commercial useWhether 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, explains the many tax… BUSINESS CLINICBusiness Clinic: Are we liable for business rates assessment?Whether it’s a legal, tax, insurance, management or land issue, Farmers Weekly’s Business Clinic experts can help. Here, Richie Rees, legal director in Thrings’ agricultural litigation team, advises on what… BUSINESS CLINICBusiness Clinic: How do we negotiate with a solar developer?Whether it’s a legal, tax, insurance, management or land issue, Farmers Weekly’s Business Clinic experts can help. Here, Mark Charter, head of estate management with Carter Jonas, Oxford, advises on… BUSINESS CLINICBusiness Clinic: Will known issues derail sale of our farm?Whether it’s a legal, tax, insurance, management or land issue, Farmers Weekly’s Business Clinic experts can help. Here, Andrew Chandler, head of rural agency with Carter Jonas, advises on how… View all Business Clinic articles Markets and trendsSee all INPUT MARKETS AND PRICESRed diesel prices fall back below 70p/litreFarm businesses may be able to capitalise on lower red diesel prices at present, as prices fell back during December following a dip in global crude oil markets. Prices collected… BUSINESSFarmer anger as Ukrainian cage eggs undercut UK marketUK egg industry representatives and farmers have raised concerns about food safety standards, equivalence, and imports undercutting producers, after a recent shipment from Ukraine showed eggs not meeting UK standards.… MEAT MARKETS AND PRICESUK beef and sheep numbers contract while prices hold upStrong finished beef and lamb prices during the past year have been underpinned by tight supplies, with recent figures published by Defra showing further declines in the number of cattle… INPUT MARKETS AND PRICESEU delays regulations on beef and soya imports until late 2026The European Parliament has delayed tougher rules on beef and feed imports linked to deforestation, such as soya, by another year. Regulations are now set to be introduced from 30… 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,… MEAT MARKETS AND PRICESLamb trade hits £7/kg despite competition from importsBase prices for finished lambs pushed back above £7/kg deadweight at abattoirs in early December for the first time in several months. Tight supplies and improved demand for lamb throughout… CROPS MARKETS AND PRICESDefra review targets fairer returns for growersArable farmers have been given a “real opportunity to reset the balance of power” in the crops supply chain after Defra launched a consultation on contract fairness across the combinable… DAIRY MARKETS AND PRICESUK farming unions call on milk processors to act fairlyTensions are mounting within the UK dairy sector as processors cut farmgate prices in a bid to curb high milk volumes. Some milk processors are now looking at further measures… 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: 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… LAND MARKETSFarmland in your area 2025: North-east EnglandAgents are reporting an uptick in landowners seeking formal market appraisals of farms and bare land in the north-east of England. Firms operating in the region are confident the market… Most popular this week
