Business top stories LAND MARKETSFarm values: Buyers and sellers cautious in tricky marketThere is plenty of money looking for decent-sized commercial farms, but buyers are choosy and easily put off by any problems such as difficult access, buildings needing investment and public… MEAT MARKETS AND PRICESBeef prices hold firm as cattle supplies tightenFinished cattle prices remain strong, moving up across most categories in early July, before stabilising again by the middle of the month. At the same time, slaughtering numbers are down,… MEAT MARKETS AND PRICESTighter supplies underpin summer lamb pricesReduced stocking densities and tighter domestic demand are supporting lamb prices, despite the usual seasonal drop in values as new-season lamb enters the market. “Supply has been quite tight in… CROPS MARKETS AND PRICESWheat futures gain £10/t on the week as prices firmGrain markets are having a bullish week amid ongoing turmoil in the Middle East and Ukraine, alongside continued hot weather affecting crops across much of the northern hemisphere. London’s November… ENVIRONMENTAL SCHEMESCost of errors in farm support schemes jumps 82% to £73mErrors and non-compliance in farm support schemes almost doubled last year in England, with Defra unable to say whether its planned Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) reforms will reduce the problem. … FARM ENERGY'Prioritise farm self-sufficiency over grid exports'Farmers should focus on meeting their own energy needs first before looking to export renewable electricity to the National Grid, says NFU Energy. Joshua Robinson, head of contract sales at… PAYMENTS, SCHEMES AND GRANTSAdvice on preparing for September's SFI26 application windowThe Sustainable Farming Incentive 2026 has now been opened to applications from smaller farms and those without a current ELM agreement for almost a month, following last year’s abrupt closure… TENANCIES AND RENTSTFA warning to Burnham as security of tenure plummetsThe Tenant Farmers Association (TFA) is urging the newly-formed Andy Burnham government to address the lack of security for tenant farmers, as new industry data shows a slump in the… PAYMENTS, SCHEMES AND GRANTSSurrey farmers offered £35,000 innovation grantsSurrey farmers and growers are being offered 100% county council grants worth up to £35,000 as part of a scheme aimed at encouraging on-farm innovation. Surrey County Council has £500,000… BUSINESSFrom soil to shelf: How supply chain partnerships add valueScale, co-operation, efficiency and resilience across the supply chain can yield dividends for everyone involved, a Transition Project supply chain visit has heard. The whole supply chain was represented on… DIVERSIFICATIONFW Awards: Diversification Farmer of the Year 2026 finalistsEach of this year’s finalists have developed successful diversified enterprises that complement their existing farming operations and enhance their overall business. See also: FW Awards 2026: Meet the finalists Finalists… TAXSDLT charges on asset transfers – what farmers need to knowThe degree of change to business structures that is being undertaken in order to line up succession and reduce potential inheritance tax (IHT) liabilities means that decisions are sometimes taken… LAND MARKETSClutch of south-west farms and Cumbria holding hit marketThe south-west of England offers the pick of this week’s new launches, including a livestock farm with a sizeable range of accommodation. Meare Court Farm, near Taunton, is a highly… CROPS MARKETS AND PRICESWheat prices show welcome signs of improvementFeed wheat prices have shown an encouraging upturn in recent days, prompted by tightening supply predictions and interruptions to shipping in the Black Sea region. Latest reports from the US… Business newsSee all MEAT MARKETS AND PRICESBeef prices hold firm as cattle supplies tightenFinished cattle prices remain strong, moving up across most categories in early July, before stabilising again by the middle of the month. At the same time, slaughtering numbers are down,… MEAT MARKETS AND PRICESTighter supplies underpin summer lamb pricesReduced stocking densities and tighter domestic demand are supporting lamb prices, despite the usual seasonal drop in values as new-season lamb enters the market. “Supply has been quite tight in… CROPS MARKETS AND PRICESWheat futures gain £10/t on the week as prices firmGrain markets are having a bullish week amid ongoing turmoil in the Middle East and Ukraine, alongside continued hot weather affecting crops across much of the northern hemisphere. London’s November… ENVIRONMENTAL SCHEMESCost of errors in farm support schemes jumps 82% to £73mErrors and non-compliance in farm support schemes almost doubled last year in England, with Defra unable to say whether its planned Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) reforms will reduce the problem. … 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 PAYMENTS, SCHEMES AND GRANTSAdvice on preparing for September's SFI26 application windowThe Sustainable Farming Incentive 2026 has now been opened to applications from smaller farms and those without a current ELM agreement for almost a month, following last year’s abrupt closure… DIVERSIFICATIONFW Awards: Diversification Farmer of the Year 2026 finalistsEach of this year’s finalists have developed successful diversified enterprises that complement their existing farming operations and enhance their overall business. See also: FW Awards 2026: Meet the finalists Finalists… TAXSDLT charges on asset transfers – what farmers need to knowThe degree of change to business structures that is being undertaken in order to line up succession and reduce potential inheritance tax (IHT) liabilities means that decisions are sometimes taken… BUSINESS MANAGEMENTHow to manage commercial construction contracts on farmsConstruction on farms is covered by a raft of legislation, not only on health and safety and work quality standards, but in the case of substantial contracts, payment obligations of… PLANNING PERMISSIONHow to maximise permitted development rights on farmClass Q permitted development rights, which were introduced in April 2014, were designed to increase the supply of rural housing by allowing redundant agricultural buildings to be converted into homes… BUSINESS MANAGEMENTFarm management challenges demand radical business reviewsSome farming businesses are going to have to radically review what they do, says farm business consultant Andersons in its latest assessment of the outlook. The firm runs several farm… FARM ENERGYSmall-scale wind: How proposals could encourage farm projectsNew onshore wind development in England virtually ground to a halt after the Conservative government imposed strict planning restrictions in 2015, focusing instead on other renewable technologies, such as solar,… TAXRollover relief pitfalls: What farm businesses need to knowBusiness asset rollover relief allows capital gains tax to be deferred when selling land, buildings or fixed plant and machinery by buying a new qualifying asset. It is available only… BUSINESS CLINICBusiness Clinic: Can we reinstate old field access?Whether it’s a legal, tax, finance or management question, Farmers Weekly’s expert panel can help. Here, Kiran Maher an associate in Thrings' planning and environment team, advises on what is… BUSINESS CLINICBusiness Clinic: Best route to market for large farm sale?Whether it’s a legal, tax, finance or management question, Farmers Weekly’s expert panel can help. Here, Taunton based Jack Mitchell, a partner in Carter Jonas, advises on the different methods of land… BUSINESS CLINICBusiness Clinic: Can I claim my late husband's IHT relief?Whether it’s a legal, tax, finance or management question, Farmers Weekly’s expert panel can help. Below, Kate Bell, partner, Albert Goodman farms and estates team, advises on inheritance tax. See also:… BUSINESS3 farm diversification options with low capital demandWith many conventional crops and livestock enterprises facing tricky times, other markets may be worth considering, as some can bring in additional cash without a great deal of investment. We… BUSINESS MANAGEMENTWhy people insurance should be in the farm business planMore farmers are insuring against death and illness, whether for themselves and their families or for employees, or for both. The inheritance tax relief (IHT) changes have prompted many with… 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… Business Clinic BUSINESS CLINICBusiness Clinic: Can we reinstate old field access?Whether it’s a legal, tax, finance or management question, Farmers Weekly’s expert panel can help. Here, Kiran Maher an associate in Thrings' planning and environment team, advises on what is… BUSINESS CLINICBusiness Clinic: Best route to market for large farm sale?Whether it’s a legal, tax, finance or management question, Farmers Weekly’s expert panel can help. Here, Taunton based Jack Mitchell, a partner in Carter Jonas, advises on the different methods of land… BUSINESS CLINICBusiness Clinic: Can I claim my late husband's IHT relief?Whether it’s a legal, tax, finance or management question, Farmers Weekly’s expert panel can help. Below, Kate Bell, partner, Albert Goodman farms and estates team, advises on inheritance tax. See also:… 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… View all Business Clinic articles Markets and trendsSee all MEAT MARKETS AND PRICESBeef prices hold firm as cattle supplies tightenFinished cattle prices remain strong, moving up across most categories in early July, before stabilising again by the middle of the month. At the same time, slaughtering numbers are down,… MEAT MARKETS AND PRICESTighter supplies underpin summer lamb pricesReduced stocking densities and tighter domestic demand are supporting lamb prices, despite the usual seasonal drop in values as new-season lamb enters the market. “Supply has been quite tight in… CROPS MARKETS AND PRICESWheat futures gain £10/t on the week as prices firmGrain markets are having a bullish week amid ongoing turmoil in the Middle East and Ukraine, alongside continued hot weather affecting crops across much of the northern hemisphere. London’s November… INPUT MARKETS AND PRICESRed diesel prices climb after Trump renews Gulf hostilitiesFresh hostilities in the Gulf have sent crude oil prices back up to four-week highs, with the number of tankers passing through the Strait of Hormuz reportedly falling to two-month… MEAT MARKETS AND PRICESDefra minister rejects call for targeted pig supportDefra farming minister Stephen Morgan has rejected calls for targeted support for beleaguered pig producers, insisting current market difficulties do not warrant any government intervention. The case was made by… LAND MARKETSFarmland sales rise despite political uncertaintyPolitical uncertainty is continuing to shape England’s farmland market, despite more farms coming up for sale than at any time in almost 20 years. While the government’s Farming Roadmap has… DAIRY MARKETS AND PRICESRetailers accused of hoarding dairy marginsAs dairy producers exit the industry due to low margins, retailers are putting their milk supplies at risk by not passing on lower prices to their consumers, analysts have warned.… BUSINESSCash pressures steer farmers towards smaller tractorsConstrained finances in the arable sector appear to be influencing tractor-buying decisions, with farmers opting for smaller machines despite an overall rise in registrations. Latest figures from the Agricultural Engineers… 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
