Business top stories PAYMENTS, SCHEMES AND GRANTSDefra doubles Adopt funding cap to £200,000Defra has doubled the maximum grant available through its Adopt farmer-led innovation programme from £100,000 to £200,000, following industry calls for support for larger and more ambitious on-farm trials. The… BUSINESSFertiliser shock risks 2027 crops, NFU warnsFarmers could scale back planting or cut fertiliser use for the 2027 season unless costs are brought under control, the NFU has warned. In a new Fertiliser Resilience Plan, the… MEAT MARKETS AND PRICESStrong export demand underpins UK beef and sheep pricesA strong appetite for red meat on the Continent is helping to support domestic prices, with export volumes and values up on the year. Europe remains the largest market for… BUSINESSWhy farm diversification plans need early discussion of riskScottish farming is facing a period of profound change. From volatile markets and labour shortages to climate pressures and emerging risks that many farmers may not yet have considered, agricultural… PAYMENTS, SCHEMES AND GRANTSAHDB launches new tool to weigh up SFI optionsFarmers are being encouraged to use a new tool developed by the AHDB to calculate how different actions in the Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) could impact on their businesses. The… ENVIRONMENTAL SCHEMESSFI26: Make the most of some ‘easy wins’, says Ceres RuralWith the new Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI26) set to open at the end of June, farmers in England are being encouraged to familiarise themselves with certain key changes and look… BUSINESSPig sector unnerved as processors end contracts and cut jobsPig producers across Europe continue to face significant challenges, driven by low farmgate prices, contract uncertainty, and structural reforms by processors. While the scale of backlogs of pigs on farm… BUSINESSWhy gifts of farming company shares can lead to a CGT billGifts of shares in farming companies could lead to a capital gains tax (CGT) bill even though no money has changed hands, warn advisers. Some farming families have found out to… BUSINESSCall to ban imports over use of antibiotics as growth promotersIndustry and veterinary leaders have backed calls for a UK import ban on products from animals given growth-promoting antibiotics, citing public health concerns and fairer competition for farmers. The Alliance… BUSINESSDiversified Oxford estate and Caerphilly family farmA ring-fenced farming estate with 810 acres of arable land and 176 acres of pasture, parkland and woodland is being launched for sale in what is described as a “rare… BUSINESS MANAGEMENTHow care with contractor instructions protects both sidesThe costs of failure to properly organise those providing services to the business but not directly on the payroll can be a combination of personal, financial and reputational impacts. See… COMPLIANCEHigh Court finds FSA slaughterhouse charging system unlawfulThe High Court has ruled that the Food Standards Agency (FSA) acted unlawfully in the way it charged slaughterhouses for official food safety controls. The decision was welcomed by meat… CROPS MARKETS AND PRICESRainfall brings relief to parched crops following dry spellGrowers have welcomed widespread rainfall across much of the UK this week, helping to alleviate crop concerns following a remarkably dry spring. This year has been the warmest spring on… MARKETS AND TRENDSFresh produce body warns SPS deal 'shifts' border costsThe UK’s fresh produce sector has warned that the government’s planned sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) agreement with the EU risks shifting more than £300m in border costs onto imports from… Business newsSee all BUSINESSFertiliser shock risks 2027 crops, NFU warnsFarmers could scale back planting or cut fertiliser use for the 2027 season unless costs are brought under control, the NFU has warned. In a new Fertiliser Resilience Plan, the… MEAT MARKETS AND PRICESStrong export demand underpins UK beef and sheep pricesA strong appetite for red meat on the Continent is helping to support domestic prices, with export volumes and values up on the year. Europe remains the largest market for… PAYMENTS, SCHEMES AND GRANTSAHDB launches new tool to weigh up SFI optionsFarmers are being encouraged to use a new tool developed by the AHDB to calculate how different actions in the Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) could impact on their businesses. The… BUSINESSPig sector unnerved as processors end contracts and cut jobsPig producers across Europe continue to face significant challenges, driven by low farmgate prices, contract uncertainty, and structural reforms by processors. While the scale of backlogs of pigs on farm… 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 BUSINESSMobile phone use in farm vehicles - the rules and penaltiesWhether travelling for personal, business or employment reasons, it is illegal to hold and use a phone, satnav, tablet, or any device that can send or receive data, while driving… BUSINESSWhy gifts of farming company shares can lead to a CGT billGifts of shares in farming companies could lead to a capital gains tax (CGT) bill even though no money has changed hands, warn advisers. Some farming families have found out to… BUSINESS MANAGEMENTHow care with contractor instructions protects both sidesThe costs of failure to properly organise those providing services to the business but not directly on the payroll can be a combination of personal, financial and reputational impacts. See… BUSINESS CLINICBusiness Clinic: Advice on selling own units on BNG marketWhether it’s a legal, tax, finance or management question, Farmers Weekly’s expert panel can help. Below, Lucy George, head of sustainability at Carter Jonas, advises on the considerations of undertaking… BUSINESS CLINICBusiness Clinic: How do I plan for tax on retirement farm saleWhether 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 how good planning can help… BUSINESS CLINICBusiness Clinic: Can property with agricultural tie be split?Whether it’s a legal, tax, finance or management question, Farmers Weekly’s expert panel can help. Here, Fred Quartermain, a partner in Thrings’ planning and environment team, advises on how agricultural… BUSINESSHow dog field diversifications can bring in the cash on farmThe UK is home to more than 13m dogs and the rise in ownership has fuelled rapid growth in private dog fields, with thousands now operating on farmland and rural… TAXHow personal items can be sold without attracting CGTMany 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… TAXWhy some farm buildings qualify for faster tax reliefTax 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 SAFETYHow simple steps can protect and save farm lives and othersKnowing 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 MANAGEMENTWhy changes to farm businesses need to heed separation rulesMany 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 MANAGEMENTHow award-winning young farmer is targeting business growthSince 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 CLINICBusiness Clinic: Advice on managing probate sale of farmWhether 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 CLINICBusiness 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 CLINICBusiness 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 MANAGEMENTHow dairy farm’s new staffing model benefits people and cowsLike 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… Business Clinic BUSINESS CLINICBusiness Clinic: Advice on selling own units on BNG marketWhether it’s a legal, tax, finance or management question, Farmers Weekly’s expert panel can help. Below, Lucy George, head of sustainability at Carter Jonas, advises on the considerations of undertaking… BUSINESS CLINICBusiness Clinic: How do I plan for tax on retirement farm saleWhether 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 how good planning can help… BUSINESS CLINICBusiness Clinic: Can property with agricultural tie be split?Whether it’s a legal, tax, finance or management question, Farmers Weekly’s expert panel can help. Here, Fred Quartermain, a partner in Thrings’ planning and environment team, advises on how agricultural… BUSINESS CLINICBusiness Clinic: Advice on managing probate sale of farmWhether 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… View all Business Clinic articles Markets and trendsSee all BUSINESSFertiliser shock risks 2027 crops, NFU warnsFarmers could scale back planting or cut fertiliser use for the 2027 season unless costs are brought under control, the NFU has warned. In a new Fertiliser Resilience Plan, the… MEAT MARKETS AND PRICESStrong export demand underpins UK beef and sheep pricesA strong appetite for red meat on the Continent is helping to support domestic prices, with export volumes and values up on the year. Europe remains the largest market for… BUSINESSPig sector unnerved as processors end contracts and cut jobsPig producers across Europe continue to face significant challenges, driven by low farmgate prices, contract uncertainty, and structural reforms by processors. While the scale of backlogs of pigs on farm… BUSINESSCall to ban imports over use of antibiotics as growth promotersIndustry and veterinary leaders have backed calls for a UK import ban on products from animals given growth-promoting antibiotics, citing public health concerns and fairer competition for farmers. The Alliance… BUSINESSDiversified Oxford estate and Caerphilly family farmA ring-fenced farming estate with 810 acres of arable land and 176 acres of pasture, parkland and woodland is being launched for sale in what is described as a “rare… CROPS MARKETS AND PRICESRainfall brings relief to parched crops following dry spellGrowers have welcomed widespread rainfall across much of the UK this week, helping to alleviate crop concerns following a remarkably dry spring. This year has been the warmest spring on… DAIRY MARKETS AND PRICESFirst Milk invests £16.8m at Lake District CreameryMajor dairy processor First Milk has committed to investing millions in its Lake District Creamery in Cumbria. The co-operative, which is supplied by roughly 700 farmers in the UK, will… INPUT MARKETS AND PRICESEU farmers protest at new Fertiliser Action PlanFarmers 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… 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
