Business top stories LAND MARKETSEstates market faces drop in buyer interestThe raft of new legislation in the rental sector, along with other factors, is stifling buyer interest in farming estates, with some failing to sell and others changing hands at… BUSINESSNew income data confirms squeeze on cereal farmsFarm incomes on cereal farms in England were at their lowest level on record for the year to February 2026, according to new estimates from Defra. Average farm business income… BUSINESSTrewithen Dairy to rebrand as Cornish Dairy CoTrewithen Dairy is to rebrand as the Cornish Dairy Co this April. This will mark a new chapter for the well-known craft dairy producer as it looks to strengthen its… BUSINESSHow diversifying into glamping can boost farm business incomeFarmers are adapting to financial pressures on food production by diversifying into the growth market of glamping, capitalising on their special rural settings to generate a profitable income stream. Data… CROPS MARKETS AND PRICESGrain markets volatile as Iran conflict pushes up costsGlobal grain markets have fluctuated widely in the past week as a result of the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. May 2026 UK feed wheat futures rallied to £175.40/t… STAFF MANAGEMENTWhat’s a farm manager worth? Survey reveals allOne in five UK farm managers receives a total pay and benefits package worth more than £100,000, once non-cash elements are included. The latest survey from the Society of Agriculture… STAFF MANAGEMENTPilgrim’s new butchery academy aims to tackle staff shortageMajor meat processor Pilgrim’s has launched its own butchery academy to attract new entrants into the meat industry and help address a shortage of skilled workers in the sector. Pilgrim’s… PAYMENTS, SCHEMES AND GRANTSScots cabinet secretary commits to early farmer paymentsFarmers in Scotland are set to receive Basic Payment Scheme and greening funding from early September onwards this year, in a bid to help farm businesses plan for the year… MEAT MARKETS AND PRICESScottish cattle numbers still falling but decline slowsQuality Meat Scotland (QMS) has projected that UK beef production could be on course for an 8% decline by 2030, if the domestic beef herd continues to fall. The Scottish… ENVIRONMENTAL SCHEMESExtra funding for Welsh agri-environment schemeWelsh farmers are being offered £5.5m in extra funding over the next two years to sign up to the government’s Ffermio Bro environmental scheme. The scheme is designed to encourage… MEAT MARKETS AND PRICESWelsh levy body sets four-year red meat strategyHybu Cig Cymru (Meat Promotions Wales) has published a new strategic action plan setting out its priorities for the next four years to support the Welsh red meat industry. The… BUSINESS MANAGEMENTHow farmers can avoid mistakes in HMRC tax inspectionsWith HMRC under pressure to increase revenue in the face of rising government borrowing costs, many farmers are likely to get their first-ever tax inspection. Five thousand extra inspectors will… TAXFarm groups seek IHT changes as Finance Bill progressesFarm organisations are pressing for further changes to the government’s farm inheritance tax plans, as the Finance Bill reaches its crucial “report stage” in the House of Commons on Wednesday… BUSINESSHeating oil and haulage hit by Middle East conflictFarmers and rural businesses are facing a surge in fuel and transport costs as the conflict in the Middle East drives volatility in global oil markets, prompting warnings of a… Business newsSee all BUSINESSNew income data confirms squeeze on cereal farmsFarm incomes on cereal farms in England were at their lowest level on record for the year to February 2026, according to new estimates from Defra. Average farm business income… BUSINESSTrewithen Dairy to rebrand as Cornish Dairy CoTrewithen Dairy is to rebrand as the Cornish Dairy Co this April. This will mark a new chapter for the well-known craft dairy producer as it looks to strengthen its… STAFF MANAGEMENTPilgrim’s new butchery academy aims to tackle staff shortageMajor meat processor Pilgrim’s has launched its own butchery academy to attract new entrants into the meat industry and help address a shortage of skilled workers in the sector. Pilgrim’s… MEAT MARKETS AND PRICESGlobal demand for meat set to grow as production risesGlobal meat consumption is expected to increase over the next five years, with demand for red meat and poultry projected to climb. Dr Phil Hadley, secretary general of the International… 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 BUSINESS CLINICBusiness Clinic: How do we convert buildings to residential?Whether it’s a legal, tax, financial or management question, Farmers Weekly’s Business Clinic experts can help. Here, Fred Quartermain, a partner in Thrings’ planning and environment team, sets out the… BUSINESS CLINICBusiness Clinic: Where do we stand on IHT with let farm?Whether it’s a legal, tax, finance or management question, Farmers Weekly’s expert panel can help. Here Kate Bell, a partner in accountant Albert Goodman’s farms and estates team, sets out… BUSINESS CLINICBusiness Clinic: How do we identify disputed boundary?Whether it’s a legal, tax, financial or management issue, Farmers Weekly’s Business Clinic experts can help. Here, Mark Kieras, a partner and head of measured survey at Carter Jonas, explains how… DIVERSIFICATIONHow business rate changes will affect alternative enterprisesDefra estimates about 72% of farm businesses in England had some diversified activity in 2024-25. Farm shops, cafés and specialist dining experiences, storage units and renewable energy were – and… TAXAdvice on improving year-end planning and profit forecastingYear-end planning in farm businesses needs to improve so that investment decisions can be taken in a considered and timely manner, say advisers. Considerations include a careful assessment of any… BUSINESS MANAGEMENT7 ways to beef up your farm’s cybersecurityFarming is a critical part of national infrastructure, yet many farmers still underestimate the risk that cybercrime poses to their businesses. With farms becoming increasingly reliant on digital technology, from… FARM ENERGY10 ways to mitigate April's rising electricity chargesWholesale electricity costs typically make up just one-third of the average electricity bill, with other “non-commodity costs” – in other words, standing charges – comprising more than 60%. These charges… TAXAdvice on minimising IHT impact on pensionsPrivate pension funds inherited between married couples and civil partners will remain free of inheritance tax (IHT) after 6 April 2027, but in other circumstances they may be subject to… STAFF MANAGEMENT4 key steps to support and retain staff on UK farmsA recent survey by land agent Knight Frank has revealed that almost 90% of agricultural estates are struggling to attract competent staff, while 60% of respondents say it is becoming… BUSINESSBusiness Clinic: Rates and EPCs on building conversionsWhether it’s a legal, tax, financial or management issue, Farmers Weekly’s Business Clinic experts can help. Here, chartered surveyor Sam Shaikh from Carter Jonas’ Taunton office explains the business rates… BUSINESS CLINICBusiness Clinic: Advice on first registration of land parcelsWhether it’s a legal, tax, financial or management question, Farmers Weekly‘s Business Clinic experts can help. Here Chloe Cosham, a solicitor in Thrings agriculture team, sets out issues to consider… BUSINESS MANAGEMENTHow to manage farm data to improve profitabilityFarmers can now access data on an unprecedented scale, enabled by robotic milkers, soil sensors, GPS-guided tractors, precision sprayers, drones and automated irrigation systems to name but some of the… BUSINESS CLINICBusiness Clinic: Advice on farming company profit forecastingWhether it's a legal, tax, finance or management question, Farmers Weekly's expert panel can help. Here Kate Bell, a partner in accountant Albert Goodman's farms and estates team, sets out… DIVERSIFICATIONHow robust livery contracts help avoid disputesBusiness cost increases, alongside the rising cost of living, are challenging many alternative enterprises, especially those involving the paying public. There has been a substantial increase in disputes between horse… DIVERSIFICATIONLegal blocks to look for when planning farm diversificationsThose planning a new farm-based venture should check for any legal restrictions first, say advisers. These can include restrictive covenants and historic overage or clawback clauses in sales contracts going… BUSINESS MANAGEMENTWhat farmers can do to protect newly planted treesA record 20,660ha of woodland were created in 2023-24, with more than 20m new trees planted across the UK. But significant tree losses during the early growing phase are slowing… Business Clinic BUSINESS CLINICBusiness Clinic: How do we convert buildings to residential?Whether it’s a legal, tax, financial or management question, Farmers Weekly’s Business Clinic experts can help. Here, Fred Quartermain, a partner in Thrings’ planning and environment team, sets out the… BUSINESS CLINICBusiness Clinic: Where do we stand on IHT with let farm?Whether it’s a legal, tax, finance or management question, Farmers Weekly’s expert panel can help. Here Kate Bell, a partner in accountant Albert Goodman’s farms and estates team, sets out… BUSINESS CLINICBusiness Clinic: How do we identify disputed boundary?Whether it’s a legal, tax, financial or management issue, Farmers Weekly’s Business Clinic experts can help. Here, Mark Kieras, a partner and head of measured survey at Carter Jonas, explains how… BUSINESSBusiness Clinic: Rates and EPCs on building conversionsWhether it’s a legal, tax, financial or management issue, Farmers Weekly’s Business Clinic experts can help. Here, chartered surveyor Sam Shaikh from Carter Jonas’ Taunton office explains the business rates… View all Business Clinic articles Markets and trendsSee all MEAT MARKETS AND PRICESGlobal demand for meat set to grow as production risesGlobal meat consumption is expected to increase over the next five years, with demand for red meat and poultry projected to climb. Dr Phil Hadley, secretary general of the International… MEAT MARKETS AND PRICESScottish cattle numbers still falling but decline slowsQuality Meat Scotland (QMS) has projected that UK beef production could be on course for an 8% decline by 2030, if the domestic beef herd continues to fall. The Scottish… MEAT MARKETS AND PRICESWelsh levy body sets four-year red meat strategyHybu Cig Cymru (Meat Promotions Wales) has published a new strategic action plan setting out its priorities for the next four years to support the Welsh red meat industry. The… BUSINESSHeating oil and haulage hit by Middle East conflictFarmers and rural businesses are facing a surge in fuel and transport costs as the conflict in the Middle East drives volatility in global oil markets, prompting warnings of a… MEAT MARKETS AND PRICESSmall abattoirs at ‘dangerous tipping point’A Welsh abattoir owner has warned the UK’s network of small slaughterhouses is at a “dangerous tipping point”, as rising regulatory costs threaten to force more local facilities out of… BUSINESSDairy sector leads recovery in organic food marketThe UK organic food and drink market has rebounded, achieving growth in both sales volume and value in the past year. Sales of organic food and drink rose by 4.2%… DAIRY MARKETS AND PRICESFarmgate milk prices stabilise as dairy markets improveRenewed optimism in dairy markets has prompted several major milk processors to hold farmgate milk prices at current levels, following successive months of reductions. Wholesale dairy values lifted for the… BUSINESSAuction marts left owed thousands by cull ewe buyersA number of auction markets in the north of England have been caught up in an ongoing bidding war between a handful of major cull ewe buyers operating in 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
