Business top stories BUSINESSSporting rights and changes in land use - what to considerIssues can arise where development is planned on farmland when the sporting rights are owned by or let to a third party. In some cases a cash payment is made… FINANCENew calculator helps assess rising farm business energy costsThe NFU and NFU Energy have launched a free calculator to help farmers understand how rising Transmission Network Use of System (TNUoS) charges will affect their energy costs. Last September,… LAND MARKETSLand market: South-west EnglandQuality, sizeable commercial farms in the south-west of England saw greater demand than market availability throughout 2025. Buyer interest was strongest among the lifestyle demographic with diversification or environmental ambitions,… BUSINESSSupporting farmers through change when diversifyingDiversification is becoming increasingly important as farming families plan for the future. To understand how these changes play out in practice, we spoke to Leonie King, agent of NFU Mutual… FINANCEAlmost three-quarters of farms diversify to subsidise incomeDefra’s farm accounts in England revealed a significant shift in income sources, with less revenue coming from traditional support payments and a greater reliance on agricultural activity, diversification, and agri-environmental… PARTNERSHIPSAppeal Court upholds farm business buyout in partnership caseA Court of Appeal judgment confirming an earlier High Court decision creates a precedent allowing an order to be made that in certain partnership dissolution circumstances, one partner can buy… TENANCIES AND RENTSTenanted farm sector slows as short lets persistUK farm letting activity slowed sharply in 2024, with short tenancies dominating the sector across the UK, according to the Central Asociation of Agricultural Valuers' (CAAV) annual land occupation report.… BUSINESSPartnership approach brings dividends for farmersStronger partnerships across the supply chain are vital to securing a better future for farming, delegates heard at the Farmers Weekly Transition Network annual dinner, held earlier this month in… BUSINESS MANAGEMENTABP confirms more than 330 jobs at risk in Northern IrelandMajor meat processor ABP has confirmed plans to “consolidate and reduce” the number of retail packing facilities it operates across the UK. ABP has announced its intention to cease operations… MARKETS AND TRENDSFalling farmgate values fail to ease latest food inflation hikeFood price pressures have intensified despite falling returns at farm level, highlighting growing instability across the food supply chain. While some farmgate values have fallen in recent months amid climate… TENANCIES AND RENTSCase shows livelihood test prep crucial for tenancy successionA recent tribunal decision highlights the importance of understanding and properly preparing an Agricultural Holdings Act tenancy succession application. Anthony Thomas applied to succeed to the tenancy of a farm… DAIRY MARKETS AND PRICESDairy farmers losing thousands as price collapse bitesDairy producers are starting to feel the impact of sharp reductions in milk prices as cuts by processors begin to filter through to farm level. A significant proportion of businesses… FINANCEPhone mast income ruling hits farmers and landownersA 2025 Upper Tribunal ruling has confirmed that landowners are not entitled to payments from mobile phone mast site sharing, reducing income for farmers and other rural landowners across the… NVZSSlurry spreading rules highlighted as season reopensNatural Resources Wales (NRW) has reiterated pollution prevention rules as farmers across Wales prepare for the January reopening of the organic manure spreading season following winter restrictions. Measures introduced over… Business newsSee all FINANCENew calculator helps assess rising farm business energy costsThe NFU and NFU Energy have launched a free calculator to help farmers understand how rising Transmission Network Use of System (TNUoS) charges will affect their energy costs. Last September,… FINANCEAlmost three-quarters of farms diversify to subsidise incomeDefra’s farm accounts in England revealed a significant shift in income sources, with less revenue coming from traditional support payments and a greater reliance on agricultural activity, diversification, and agri-environmental… TENANCIES AND RENTSTenanted farm sector slows as short lets persistUK farm letting activity slowed sharply in 2024, with short tenancies dominating the sector across the UK, according to the Central Asociation of Agricultural Valuers' (CAAV) annual land occupation report.… BUSINESS MANAGEMENTABP confirms more than 330 jobs at risk in Northern IrelandMajor meat processor ABP has confirmed plans to “consolidate and reduce” the number of retail packing facilities it operates across the UK. ABP has announced its intention to cease operations… 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 BUSINESSSporting rights and changes in land use - what to considerIssues can arise where development is planned on farmland when the sporting rights are owned by or let to a third party. In some cases a cash payment is made… BUSINESS MANAGEMENTHow to assess farm values and avoid being underinsuredUnderinsurance is a persistent problem in farming and rural businesses. This means not only that the full cost of replacing a building, livestock or other assets will not be met,… BUSINESS MANAGEMENTNorth West pipeline project: Why farmers need to engage earlyThe Peak Cluster project is an underground pipeline running for almost 200km onshore, taking captured carbon dioxide from four cement and lime works to storage in former gas fields under… BUSINESS CLINICBusiness Clinic: Should we undo inheritance plans?Whether it’s a legal, tax, insurance, management or land issue, Farmers Weekly’s Business Clinic experts can help. Here, Harriet Neusinger, a partner in Thrings’ succession and tax team, advises on the… BUSINESS CLINICBusiness Clinic: Film location offer - is there potential?Whether it’s a legal, tax, insurance, management or land issue, Farmers Weekly’s Business Clinic experts can help. Here, Lucinda Brooks, a partner in Carter Jonas’ estate management department, advises on… BUSINESS MANAGEMENTHow focus on 'cost of doing work' lifts dairy efficiencySteep milk price cuts after better returns in the first half of the current milk year mean budgeting, cost management and cashflow forecasting need extra attention. Many dairy businesses, especially… BUSINESS CLINICBusiness Clinic: We can't find cash to pay January tax billsWhether 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, advises on an issue… 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… Business Clinic BUSINESS CLINICBusiness Clinic: Should we undo inheritance plans?Whether it’s a legal, tax, insurance, management or land issue, Farmers Weekly’s Business Clinic experts can help. Here, Harriet Neusinger, a partner in Thrings’ succession and tax team, advises on the… BUSINESS CLINICBusiness Clinic: Film location offer - is there potential?Whether it’s a legal, tax, insurance, management or land issue, Farmers Weekly’s Business Clinic experts can help. Here, Lucinda Brooks, a partner in Carter Jonas’ estate management department, advises on… BUSINESS CLINICBusiness Clinic: We can't find cash to pay January tax billsWhether 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, advises on an issue… 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… View all Business Clinic articles Markets and trendsSee all MARKETS AND TRENDSFalling farmgate values fail to ease latest food inflation hikeFood price pressures have intensified despite falling returns at farm level, highlighting growing instability across the food supply chain. While some farmgate values have fallen in recent months amid climate… DAIRY MARKETS AND PRICESDairy farmers losing thousands as price collapse bitesDairy producers are starting to feel the impact of sharp reductions in milk prices as cuts by processors begin to filter through to farm level. A significant proportion of businesses… MARKETS AND TRENDSBritish wool values lift to 10-year highs at auctionAverage prices for greasy wool have climbed by 30% at auction over the past four months and are currently trading at their highest levels for almost 10 years. Roughly 1,200t… CROPS MARKETS AND PRICESLarger UK wheat crop may drive exports and weigh on pricesThe expectation of a larger domestic wheat crop this year could leave the UK having to compete more on global export markets, according to grain industry specialists. A panel discussion… BUSINESSEU-Mercosur deal signed amid farmer outcryAfter more than two decades of negotiations, the EU has formally signed a trade agreement with the Mercosur bloc of Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay and Paraguay, creating one of the world’s… BUSINESSScotch Beef finds new markets in SwedenQuality Meat Scotland (QMS) is preparing for a landmark moment in international foodservice with the launch of its Scotch Beef Club in Sweden later this month, marking the initiative’s first… MARKETS AND TRENDSTractor registrations lowest since records beganDemand for tractors over 50hp has recorded its lowest number in almost a decade, with total figures at their worst since registrations began, says the Agricultural Engineers Association (AEA). The… LAND MARKETSFarmland prices fall 5% as confidence wanesThe average price of bare agricultural land across England and Wales fell by an average of 5% in 2025, though the signs are that the market did flatten 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
