Business top stories 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… TAXFarmer dismay as most Labour MPs back 'family farm tax'Farm leaders and opposition MPs have expressed their dismay at Labour MPs who voted en masse in Westminster last night (2 December) in favour of the “family farm tax”, though… MEAT MARKETS AND PRICESFlying beef trade at Winslow Christmas Primestock ShowChristmas primestock shows have been in full swing at auction markets across the country in the past week, with an already buoyant beef trade receiving a festive uplift. Winslow Christmas… CROPS MARKETS AND PRICESGrain outlook points to larger UK wheat crop next yearAn increased planted area and favourable growing conditions for this year’s wheat crop point towards a potentially larger domestic crop in 2026. At AHDB’s Grain Market Outlook, analysts indicated potential… LAND MARKETSAdlington New Town plan sparks farmer and local oppositionPlans to build a new town of 14,000-20,000 homes on greenfield land in Adlington, Cheshire, have sparked strong opposition from farmers, residents, and rural campaigners. Developer Belport Adlington has submitted… MILK PRICESMilk processors inflict further price cuts on producersAn oversupplied milk market continues to put pressure on farmgate prices, with processors making further cuts into the new year. GB milk volumes are still tracking at roughly 5% above… BUSINESSFarm IHT reforms face fresh scrutiny after deficit shrinksPlans to reform farm inheritance tax (IHT) are facing renewed criticism after reports suggest chancellor Rachel Reeves exaggerated a £22bn ‘black hole’ in public finances to justify tax changes in… 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… CROPS MARKETS AND PRICESSugar beet growers face increased import competitionSugar beet growers will face increased competition from imports with the existing tariff-free quota set to be expanded from the start of next year. The government confirmed its plans to… LAND MARKETSFarmland in your area 2025: Yorkshire and HumbersideGreater numbers of equipped farms and land sales in Yorkshire and Humber are now taking place off-market. Interest from neighbouring landowners with expansion plans, inter-family changes, and tenants buying their… CROPS MARKETS AND PRICESUK wheat markets falter with global supplies set to riseUK feed wheat futures for May 2026 dropped to a contract low of £171.50/t on 26 November, as a stronger pound made domestic wheat less competitive on global markets. The… 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… LAND MARKETSLand reform priorities misaligned with public, say ScotsGovernment priorities on land reform do not reflect public concerns, according to Scottish Land & Estates (SLE), which represents landowners. The organisation was responding to a report from the Scottish… TAXSmall IHT concession in an otherwise damaging BudgetChancellor Rachel Reeves has offered a small concession in her Autumn Budget in relation to inheritance tax on farm assets. She has confirmed the 100% agricultural property relief (APR) threshold… Business newsSee all TAXFarmer dismay as most Labour MPs back 'family farm tax'Farm leaders and opposition MPs have expressed their dismay at Labour MPs who voted en masse in Westminster last night (2 December) in favour of the “family farm tax”, though… MEAT MARKETS AND PRICESFlying beef trade at Winslow Christmas Primestock ShowChristmas primestock shows have been in full swing at auction markets across the country in the past week, with an already buoyant beef trade receiving a festive uplift. Winslow Christmas… CROPS MARKETS AND PRICESGrain outlook points to larger UK wheat crop next yearAn increased planted area and favourable growing conditions for this year’s wheat crop point towards a potentially larger domestic crop in 2026. At AHDB’s Grain Market Outlook, analysts indicated potential… LAND MARKETSAdlington New Town plan sparks farmer and local oppositionPlans to build a new town of 14,000-20,000 homes on greenfield land in Adlington, Cheshire, have sparked strong opposition from farmers, residents, and rural campaigners. Developer Belport Adlington has submitted… 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: 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… TENANCIES AND RENTSAdvice on tax and legal issues when a farm tenancy endsA careful approach is needed where a landlord wants to regain vacant possession of farmland or a tenant wants to surrender the tenancy so that, ideally, the legal and tax… BUSINESS MANAGEMENTHow to start improving on-farm water qualityPutting resilience measures into a farming business is one of the best ways to protect water, prevent pollution and retain more water in the landscape. With many of the major… STAFF MANAGEMENTHow agriculture can beat the labour crisis with new recruitsAgriculture has traditionally recruited workers from within its own ranks. But labour shortages and new farming techniques mean farmers should look beyond established recruitment sources to find the right person… SUCCESSION PLANNINGLifetime gifting: Advice on implications and considerationsGiving away farming and other assets without thinking through the day-to-day and longer term consequences can simply mean swapping a potential tax problem for a raft of other complications, warn… FARM ENERGYAdvice on legal and tax angles for renewables projectsSolar developers continue to look for sites and interested landowners can do much to put themselves in the best position to proceed. Interest in potential wind turbine sites is also… Business Clinic 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… 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… View all Business Clinic articles Markets and trendsSee all MEAT MARKETS AND PRICESFlying beef trade at Winslow Christmas Primestock ShowChristmas primestock shows have been in full swing at auction markets across the country in the past week, with an already buoyant beef trade receiving a festive uplift. Winslow Christmas… CROPS MARKETS AND PRICESGrain outlook points to larger UK wheat crop next yearAn increased planted area and favourable growing conditions for this year’s wheat crop point towards a potentially larger domestic crop in 2026. At AHDB’s Grain Market Outlook, analysts indicated potential… LAND MARKETSAdlington New Town plan sparks farmer and local oppositionPlans to build a new town of 14,000-20,000 homes on greenfield land in Adlington, Cheshire, have sparked strong opposition from farmers, residents, and rural campaigners. Developer Belport Adlington has submitted… MILK PRICESMilk processors inflict further price cuts on producersAn oversupplied milk market continues to put pressure on farmgate prices, with processors making further cuts into the new year. GB milk volumes are still tracking at roughly 5% above… LAND MARKETSLand reform priorities misaligned with public, say ScotsGovernment priorities on land reform do not reflect public concerns, according to Scottish Land & Estates (SLE), which represents landowners. The organisation was responding to a report from the Scottish… DAIRY MARKETS AND PRICESDairy sector plans ahead to manage excess milk volumesAn oversupplied milk market is putting significant pressure on farmgate milk prices, with further cuts expected to be announced by processors next week. Independent dairy analyst Chris Walkland has warned… MARKETS AND TRENDSUK forestry values lift to £19,200/ha in 2025Roughly 9,200ha of forestry land was listed on the market over the past 12 months, with average values per stocked hectare lifting by 3% to £19,200/ha. The UK Forestry Market… CROPS MARKETS AND PRICESSpring barley area set to fall by 15% in 2026 as wheat risesProvisional estimates forecast the total UK barley area will fall next year to the lowest levels since 2010, at below 1m hectares. The spring barley area is expected to fall… Advertisements Land in your areaSee all LAND MARKETSFarmland in your area 2024: East MidlandsAgents report a clear growth in the supply of farmland coming to the market in the East Midlands in 2024, a combination of public and private sales that resulted 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… LAND MARKETSFarmland in your area 2024: East of EnglandWhole farm and bare land sales in the east of England were at one of their highest ever volumes in 2024, and the majority of sales were to farmers. By… LAND MARKETSFarmland in your area 2024: Yorkshire and HumberPrivate sales dominated in the Yorkshire and Humber region in 2024, with some agents reporting that more than two-thirds of transactions took place off the open market, many to cash… Most popular this week
