Business top stories LAND MARKETSEarly summer sees wave of larger farm launchesMidsummer sees a flurry of significant launches including a coastal arable estate, an established arable and livestock farm and a Welsh dairy holding that was home to one of the… ELMSFI relaunch risks ‘car crash’ as funding fears mountDefra’s relaunched Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) risks becoming a “car crash” if demand for agreements outstrips the funding available, a former senior government adviser has warned. Geoff Sansome, Natural England’s… BUSINESSCornwall Councill advised not to sell off 4,400ha farm estateAn inquiry looking at the future of Cornwall Council’s farming estate has recommended that it should retain the land rather than sell it off. The recommendations have brought some relief… BUSINESSNFU Scotland demands agricultural wages board axeNFU Scotland has called for the Scottish Agricultural Wages Board (SAWB) to be scrapped within 12 months, arguing the system is undermining the competitiveness of Scottish farming. The demand was… AGRICULTURAL TRANSITIONBiomethane backed as rural growth engine in ScotlandScotland could unlock £10bn of economic value and create about 8,000 jobs by dramatically expanding biomethane production, according to a new industry-backed report. Launched at the Royal Highland Show at… BUSINESSScottish farmers face autumn wait for FFIS 2026 detailsScottish farmers hoping for fresh details on the Future Farming Investment Scheme (FFIS) at this week’s Royal Highland Show have been left disappointed after ministers confirmed an announcement is still… MEAT MARKETS AND PRICESScottish beef and lamb sector eyes £350m growth boostScottish livestock producers could help generate an additional £350m in output and £100m in economic value by 2032, according to new research highlighting strong consumer support for home-produced red meat.… 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… INPUT MARKETS AND PRICESFuel and fertiliser prices drop on possible US-Iran dealGlobal commodity markets have gone into overdrive this week following news of a potential US-Iran deal to end the war. The deal, which could result in the reopening of the… MARKETS AND TRENDSFarmers to be paid more as wool prices climbSheep farmers are set to receive better returns for fleeces this year, with wool prices up considerably as a result of tight global supplies. Wool values lifted more than 10%… CROPS MARKETS AND PRICESVolatile markets put grain-selling tactics in the spotlightAn increasingly volatile global marketplace can have a considerable impact on farm profitability, with huge swings in wheat prices seen throughout the past year. Ex-farm feed wheat values collected by… COMPLIANCEMeat suppliers say FSA ignoring High Court ruling on chargesMeat suppliers have accused the Food Standards Agency of being “in denial” of a recent High Court ruling that some of its charges are unlawful, criticising it for pressing ahead… COMPLIANCEHigh levels of trust in UK food, Red Tractor survey revealsBritish consumers continue to place high levels of trust in UK food and farming, but most admit they do not fully understand how food is produced, according to the latest… BUSINESSSevern Trent offers farmers new water quality grantsWater company Severn Trent Water has launched a new round of grant funding for farmers, aiming to improve use efficiency and help protect local water quality. The Severn Trent Environmental… Business newsSee all BUSINESSCornwall Councill advised not to sell off 4,400ha farm estateAn inquiry looking at the future of Cornwall Council’s farming estate has recommended that it should retain the land rather than sell it off. The recommendations have brought some relief… BUSINESSNFU Scotland demands agricultural wages board axeNFU Scotland has called for the Scottish Agricultural Wages Board (SAWB) to be scrapped within 12 months, arguing the system is undermining the competitiveness of Scottish farming. The demand was… AGRICULTURAL TRANSITIONBiomethane backed as rural growth engine in ScotlandScotland could unlock £10bn of economic value and create about 8,000 jobs by dramatically expanding biomethane production, according to a new industry-backed report. Launched at the Royal Highland Show at… BUSINESSScottish farmers face autumn wait for FFIS 2026 detailsScottish farmers hoping for fresh details on the Future Farming Investment Scheme (FFIS) at this week’s Royal Highland Show have been left disappointed after ministers confirmed an announcement is still… 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 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… 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 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 BUSINESSCornwall Councill advised not to sell off 4,400ha farm estateAn inquiry looking at the future of Cornwall Council’s farming estate has recommended that it should retain the land rather than sell it off. The recommendations have brought some relief… MEAT MARKETS AND PRICESScottish beef and lamb sector eyes £350m growth boostScottish livestock producers could help generate an additional £350m in output and £100m in economic value by 2032, according to new research highlighting strong consumer support for home-produced red meat.… INPUT MARKETS AND PRICESFuel and fertiliser prices drop on possible US-Iran dealGlobal commodity markets have gone into overdrive this week following news of a potential US-Iran deal to end the war. The deal, which could result in the reopening of the… MARKETS AND TRENDSFarmers to be paid more as wool prices climbSheep farmers are set to receive better returns for fleeces this year, with wool prices up considerably as a result of tight global supplies. Wool values lifted more than 10%… CROPS MARKETS AND PRICESVolatile markets put grain-selling tactics in the spotlightAn increasingly volatile global marketplace can have a considerable impact on farm profitability, with huge swings in wheat prices seen throughout the past year. Ex-farm feed wheat values collected by… 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… 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
