Business top stories MARKETS AND TRENDSHow British agriculture is helping China to feed itselfChina bought £173m of British pigmeat last year, making it the UK’s biggest market outside Europe. Chinese consumers also provide a lucrative outlet for products such as offal and feet,… CROPS MARKETS AND PRICESOSR prices pressured by global supply and fund sellingOilseed rape futures have been broadly steady, with geopolitical uncertainty and concerns over European crop establishment providing support, while ample global supplies and fund selling have limited gains. The May… BUSINESS MANAGEMENTFarmers offered little in Chancellor Healey's first BudgetChancellor John Healey has offered a few titbits to farmers and rural businesses in his first Budget on Wednesday (28 October), but came up well short of the big asks… BUSINESSBuilding a local rural business with purposeBecoming a self-employed Agent of NFU Mutual offers the opportunity to grow a local business with the support of an established organisation. For Matthew Gummerson, the role combines commercial responsibility… CROPS MARKETS AND PRICESWheat prices fall as global supply weighs on marketsUK wheat prices have come under pressure from improving global supply prospects and hopes of progress in Russia-Ukraine peace talks, although renewed Black Sea disruption has limited the downside. London… CROPS MARKETS AND PRICESPotato growers urged to stand firm as European yields fallPotato growers are being urged to resist pressure to accept lower prices as reduced European yields support the market, despite subdued demand across several UK sectors. The Ulster Farmers’ Union… BUSINESSDefra under scrutiny over £1.94m Rothbury Estate pledgeDefra has faced questions from MPs over the signal it is sending to farmers after pledging £1.94m towards a major nature recovery project, weeks after thousands of farmers missed out… PAYMENTS, SCHEMES AND GRANTSDefra knew SFI budget wouldn’t meet demand, MPs toldDefra knew the budget for the second Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) window was unlikely to meet farmer demand, but pressed ahead with a first-come, first-served application process, MPs have been… INPUT MARKETS AND PRICESFertiliser tariff cuts will barely ease farm costs, NFU saysThe government’s decision to remove import tariffs on some fertilisers will do little to reduce costs on farm, the NFU has warned, as it urged ministers to use the Budget… AGRICULTURAL TRANSITIONHow Transition Farm businesses are adapting to changeWhether it’s a different direction, a new business arrangement or a shift in focus, farms across the country are making changes to the way that they are structured and run.… PLANNING PERMISSIONPylon pressure on farmland to ease under proposed cable plansFarmers could see fewer overhead power lines crossing their land under Welsh government proposals to make underground cables the default requirement for new electricity infrastructure. A consultation, launched on Friday… BUSINESSSeed wholesaler invests in expansion and European partnershipSeed wholesaler All Things Rural is investing £3m in its site as it rebrands as ATR Seed Limited and establishes a strategic partnership with German supplier Feldsaaten Freudenberger. The internally… BUSINESSHow to put nature on the balance sheetNature is an asset, not an add-on, and its value must be recognised in making farm businesses cost less to run, while also helping them access new income streams. Far… BUSINESS MANAGEMENTConfidence and skills gaps holding back farm AI uptakeA lack of confidence, limited training and uncertainty over the benefits of artificial intelligence (AI) could be preventing farming businesses from making the most of the technology. Speaking during a… Business newsSee all CROPS MARKETS AND PRICESOSR prices pressured by global supply and fund sellingOilseed rape futures have been broadly steady, with geopolitical uncertainty and concerns over European crop establishment providing support, while ample global supplies and fund selling have limited gains. The May… CROPS MARKETS AND PRICESWheat prices fall as global supply weighs on marketsUK wheat prices have come under pressure from improving global supply prospects and hopes of progress in Russia-Ukraine peace talks, although renewed Black Sea disruption has limited the downside. London… CROPS MARKETS AND PRICESPotato growers urged to stand firm as European yields fallPotato growers are being urged to resist pressure to accept lower prices as reduced European yields support the market, despite subdued demand across several UK sectors. The Ulster Farmers’ Union… PAYMENTS, SCHEMES AND GRANTSDefra knew SFI budget wouldn’t meet demand, MPs toldDefra knew the budget for the second Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) window was unlikely to meet farmer demand, but pressed ahead with a first-come, first-served application process, MPs have been… 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 MANAGEMENTHow to measure farm business resilienceTransition experts are urging farmers and growers to think again about the data they use to gauge the health of their businesses. In addition to the conventional performance measures they… AGRICULTURAL TRANSITIONHow Transition Farm businesses are adapting to changeWhether it’s a different direction, a new business arrangement or a shift in focus, farms across the country are making changes to the way that they are structured and run.… BUSINESSHow to put nature on the balance sheetNature is an asset, not an add-on, and its value must be recognised in making farm businesses cost less to run, while also helping them access new income streams. Far… FINANCEAdvice on options to manage farm cashflow pressureManaging cash to keep things going is a challenge for many farm businesses, but there are things that can be reviewed to improve matters without borrowing more, says Mark Chatterton,… BUSINESS CLINICBusiness Clinic: Should an overage clause be included?Whether it’s a legal, tax, finance or management question, Farmers Weekly’s expert panel can help. Here, Harvey Davies, head of natural capital at law firm Thrings, gives advice on the potential… BUSINESS MANAGEMENTHow hot dry harvest will help shape plansThe early start to harvest caught many by surprise. The weeks of hot dry weather that followed without a rain break for the vast majority was just as much a… BUSINESS MANAGEMENTWhy mediation can be a good way to resolve farming disputesSuccession, partnership issues, boundary arguments, how to treat inherited land – these and many other matters are familiar and fertile ground for dispute. When it’s personal and involves the business… BUSINESS MANAGEMENTHow outside help can smooth the path for farm business adminThe increasing burden of compliance in general and the pressure to fulfil regulatory requirements such as tax and other official business online means more farm businesses are likely to need… BUSINESS MANAGEMENTInheritance disputes: How to avoid broken promise claimsThe value of farms and changes to inheritance tax (IHT) relief have prompted much discussion and advice about succession and inheritance. When expectations are not met it can lead to… LAND MARKETSBarn conversions: Still worth the effort in a tricky market?Mike Taylor, senior partner at Shropshire-based Barbers Rural, doesn’t pull his punches when asked for his opinion on farmyard barn conversions. “Quite frequently we have clients who are thinking of… BUSINESS MANAGEMENTHow farmers can qualify for free septic tank upgradeFarmers in certain parts of England may not know they qualify for a free septic tank replacement. Since a ruling in 2019 by the European Court of Justice, about 15%… BUSINESS MANAGEMENTTenancy surrender negotiations: How deals can be doneCommon reasons for a tenancy surrender include retirement, poor health, the loss of land to development, the need for investment in farm infrastructure and a lack of successors. Landlords seeking… BUSINESSBudget countdown: What farm businesses should review nowWith public finances under pressure, the impetus to complete transactions and asset transfers in the next four weeks has ramped up, in case of further unfavourable tax changes. While there… BUSINESS CLINICBusiness Clinic: Can we bring in partners but retain control?Whether it’s a legal, tax, finance or management question, Farmers Weekly’s expert panel can help. Here, Andrew Morris, a partner in Thrings agriculture team, gives advice on how to bring in… BUSINESS CLINICBusiness Clinic: Should we sell solar income for lump sum?Whether it’s a legal, tax, finance or management question, Farmers Weekly’s expert panel can help. Here, Carter Jonas associate Will Hunt of the firm’s mergers and acquisitions department, gives advice… BUSINESS CLINICBusiness Clinic: How should I respond to HMRC inquiry letter?Whether it’s a legal, tax, finance or management question, Farmers Weekly’s expert panel can help. Here, Kate Bell, a partner in Albert Goodman’s farms and estates team, advises on how… Business Clinic BUSINESS CLINICBusiness Clinic: Should an overage clause be included?Whether it’s a legal, tax, finance or management question, Farmers Weekly’s expert panel can help. Here, Harvey Davies, head of natural capital at law firm Thrings, gives advice on the potential… BUSINESS CLINICBusiness Clinic: Can we bring in partners but retain control?Whether it’s a legal, tax, finance or management question, Farmers Weekly’s expert panel can help. Here, Andrew Morris, a partner in Thrings agriculture team, gives advice on how to bring in… BUSINESS CLINICBusiness Clinic: Should we sell solar income for lump sum?Whether it’s a legal, tax, finance or management question, Farmers Weekly’s expert panel can help. Here, Carter Jonas associate Will Hunt of the firm’s mergers and acquisitions department, gives advice… BUSINESS CLINICBusiness Clinic: How should I respond to HMRC inquiry letter?Whether it’s a legal, tax, finance or management question, Farmers Weekly’s expert panel can help. Here, Kate Bell, a partner in Albert Goodman’s farms and estates team, advises on how… View all Business Clinic articles Markets and trendsSee all CROPS MARKETS AND PRICESOSR prices pressured by global supply and fund sellingOilseed rape futures have been broadly steady, with geopolitical uncertainty and concerns over European crop establishment providing support, while ample global supplies and fund selling have limited gains. The May… CROPS MARKETS AND PRICESWheat prices fall as global supply weighs on marketsUK wheat prices have come under pressure from improving global supply prospects and hopes of progress in Russia-Ukraine peace talks, although renewed Black Sea disruption has limited the downside. London… CROPS MARKETS AND PRICESPotato growers urged to stand firm as European yields fallPotato growers are being urged to resist pressure to accept lower prices as reduced European yields support the market, despite subdued demand across several UK sectors. The Ulster Farmers’ Union… INPUT MARKETS AND PRICESUS farmers welcome $8bn diesel relief package from TrumpAmerican farm leaders have applauded a new $8bn (£6bn) relief package from Washington, designed to help the sector deal with sky-high diesel prices. The package was announced earlier this week… INPUT MARKETS AND PRICESPolitics continues to drive soya markets upwardsRegulation and geopolitical tensions are shaping feed prices, with uncertainty over deforestation rules providing particular support to soya values. The EU’s Deforestation Regulation, which is due to take effect from… MARKETS AND TRENDSSimmental and Charolais bulls reach 30,000gns at StirlingA vibrant trading atmosphere saw buyers flocking from across the UK to Stirling Bull Sales on 18-19 October. Simmental and Charolais bulls commanded the top prices of the day, achieving… INPUT MARKETS AND PRICESGovernment presses on with fertiliser import taxFarmer hopes that the planned carbon tax on fertiliser imports could be abandoned or delayed in next week’s Budget appear to have been dashed, as the government ploughs on with… MEAT MARKETS AND PRICESFood consortium seeks targeted support for local abattoirsLighter regulation and more targeted funding for local abattoirs are needed to fend off the threat of further closures. The demands are contained in a letter to prime minister Andy… 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
