Business top stories LAND MARKETSBunch of five farms offers choice under 250 acresA former dairy farm now generating about £165,000/year in rental income launches for sale this week. Gearns Farm is set in 220 acres of ring-fenced arable land, pasture and woodland… HEALTH AND SAFETYFarmers urged to put health and safety first this harvestAs combines prepare to roll into fields across Britain, another harvest season is beginning under the shadow of farm fatalities. More than 30 people lost their lives in farm-related incidents… DIVERSIFICATIONWarehouse boom an opportunity for farmers in prime locationsChanged shopping habits have seen online retail and distribution continue its rapid expansion. The warehousing and logistics sector has grown by 29% between 2010 and 2025. Well-positioned farmland with the… ELM£240m for new SFI scheme 'insufficient' says NFUThe NFU is warning that the £240m being made available by Defra for the new Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) in England is likely to run out quickly, leaving many producers… CROPS MARKETS AND PRICESNFU presses Defra over stalled crops fairness reviewThe NFU has urged Defra to press ahead with its review of fairness in the combinable crops supply chain, arguing that greater transparency and better data are needed to secure… BPSHalf of Welsh farmers stay with BPS over new SFSHalf of Welsh farmers applying for direct support this year have opted to remain in the Basic Payment Scheme (BPS), despite 40% cuts to payments and the launch of the… TAXWhy valuation preparation is key under new IHT relief regimeThe new limits on agricultural property relief or business property relief from inheritance tax mean there’s a lot more valuation work when a death happens than under the previous regime.… PLANNING PERMISSIONPlanning battle threatens future of buffalo farmA Staffordshire farmer says his diversified livestock business faces an uncertain future after failure to secure the necessary planning permissions has left him with six months to remove several buildings… 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… CROPS MARKETS AND PRICESGB OSR and wheat areas recover ahead of harvestThe domestic oilseed rape crop has shown a considerable improvement in the past year, with the cropping area increasing by almost 50% to 358,000ha. Oilseed rape (OSR) production has been… 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 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… 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… Business newsSee all CROPS MARKETS AND PRICESNFU presses Defra over stalled crops fairness reviewThe NFU has urged Defra to press ahead with its review of fairness in the combinable crops supply chain, arguing that greater transparency and better data are needed to secure… BPSHalf of Welsh farmers stay with BPS over new SFSHalf of Welsh farmers applying for direct support this year have opted to remain in the Basic Payment Scheme (BPS), despite 40% cuts to payments and the launch of the… PLANNING PERMISSIONPlanning battle threatens future of buffalo farmA Staffordshire farmer says his diversified livestock business faces an uncertain future after failure to secure the necessary planning permissions has left him with six months to remove several buildings… 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… 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 HEALTH AND SAFETYFarmers urged to put health and safety first this harvestAs combines prepare to roll into fields across Britain, another harvest season is beginning under the shadow of farm fatalities. More than 30 people lost their lives in farm-related incidents… TAXWhy valuation preparation is key under new IHT relief regimeThe new limits on agricultural property relief or business property relief from inheritance tax mean there’s a lot more valuation work when a death happens than under the previous regime.… 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 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… CROPS MARKETS AND PRICESGB OSR and wheat areas recover ahead of harvestThe domestic oilseed rape crop has shown a considerable improvement in the past year, with the cropping area increasing by almost 50% to 358,000ha. Oilseed rape (OSR) production has been… 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… 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
