Business top stories PAYMENTS, SCHEMES AND GRANTSAnalysis: What SFI26 offer means for farm businessesAfter months of limbo, Defra has finally outlined the framework and actions for the 2026 Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI26) – indicating that this is the foundation of the offer for… INPUT MARKETS AND PRICESFuel and fertiliser prices soar as Middle East tensions riseFarmers are struggling to obtain key farm inputs, including red diesel and fertiliser, as major global supply-chain disruption hits the agricultural sector. Conflict in the Middle East has caused a… DAIRY MARKETS AND PRICESFarmgate milk prices stabilise as dairy markets improveRenewed optimism in dairy markets has prompted several major milk processors to hold farmgate milk prices at current levels, following successive months of reductions. Wholesale dairy values lifted for the… GRANTSFarmers advised to act fast on FETF 2026 schemeFarmers in England are being urged to act quickly as the latest round of the Farming Equipment and Technology Fund (FETF 2026) opens on 17 March, with £50m available to… BUSINESS CLINICBusiness Clinic: How do we convert buildings to residential?Whether it’s a legal, tax, financial or management question, Farmers Weekly’s Business Clinic experts can help. Here, Fred Quartermain, a partner in Thrings’ planning and environment team, sets out the… BUSINESSShearer visa crisis leaves Defra official blindsidedA senior Defra official has admitted he is unaware of any contingency plans to address a looming shortage of sheep shearers in the UK, sparking fresh criticism that the department… BUSINESSAuction marts left owed thousands by cull ewe buyersA number of auction markets in the north of England have been caught up in an ongoing bidding war between a handful of major cull ewe buyers operating in the… INPUT MARKETS AND PRICESMiddle East turmoil pushes up farm inputs and grain pricesGlobal commodity markets have spiked in response to attacks across the Middle East, with oil refineries and shipping vessels targeted by drone strikes. Brent crude oil lifted above $82 (£61)… MEAT MARKETS AND PRICESTories pledge to close Union Flag labelling loopholeThe Conservative Party has set out plans to close what it calls the “flag loophole” on food labelling, pledging reforms it says would better protect British farmers and improve transparency… BUSINESS CLINICBusiness Clinic: Where do we stand on IHT with let farm?Whether it’s a legal, tax, finance or management question, Farmers Weekly’s expert panel can help. Here Kate Bell, a partner in accountant Albert Goodman’s farms and estates team, sets out… MEAT MARKETS AND PRICESFirst tariff-free shipment of UK beef arrives in USThe Defra secretary and NFU president are visiting Washington DC this week as the first tariff-free shipment of British beef arrives on US shelves under a new quota deal. Emma… MARKETS AND TRENDSBritish wool mattresses agreements boost farmer cashflowA UK bed manufacturer has launched a 100% British wool mattress range to address low fleece prices, improve supply chain transparency and provide sheep farmers with faster, fixed payments. The… BUSINESS CLINICBusiness Clinic: How do we identify disputed boundary?Whether it’s a legal, tax, financial or management issue, Farmers Weekly’s Business Clinic experts can help. Here, Mark Kieras, a partner and head of measured survey at Carter Jonas, explains how… MILK PRICESArla holds its farmgate milk price after months of fallsMilk processor Arla will hold its farmgate milk price at 33.98p/litre for a standard manufacturing litre in March, following six consecutive monthly price reductions. The processor says there are indications… Business newsSee all DAIRY MARKETS AND PRICESFarmgate milk prices stabilise as dairy markets improveRenewed optimism in dairy markets has prompted several major milk processors to hold farmgate milk prices at current levels, following successive months of reductions. Wholesale dairy values lifted for the… GRANTSFarmers advised to act fast on FETF 2026 schemeFarmers in England are being urged to act quickly as the latest round of the Farming Equipment and Technology Fund (FETF 2026) opens on 17 March, with £50m available to… BUSINESSShearer visa crisis leaves Defra official blindsidedA senior Defra official has admitted he is unaware of any contingency plans to address a looming shortage of sheep shearers in the UK, sparking fresh criticism that the department… BUSINESSAuction marts left owed thousands by cull ewe buyersA number of auction markets in the north of England have been caught up in an ongoing bidding war between a handful of major cull ewe buyers operating in the… 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: How do we convert buildings to residential?Whether it’s a legal, tax, financial or management question, Farmers Weekly’s Business Clinic experts can help. Here, Fred Quartermain, a partner in Thrings’ planning and environment team, sets out the… BUSINESS CLINICBusiness Clinic: Where do we stand on IHT with let farm?Whether it’s a legal, tax, finance or management question, Farmers Weekly’s expert panel can help. Here Kate Bell, a partner in accountant Albert Goodman’s farms and estates team, sets out… BUSINESS CLINICBusiness Clinic: How do we identify disputed boundary?Whether it’s a legal, tax, financial or management issue, Farmers Weekly’s Business Clinic experts can help. Here, Mark Kieras, a partner and head of measured survey at Carter Jonas, explains how… DIVERSIFICATIONHow business rate changes will affect alternative enterprisesDefra estimates about 72% of farm businesses in England had some diversified activity in 2024-25. Farm shops, cafés and specialist dining experiences, storage units and renewable energy were – and… TAXAdvice on improving year-end planning and profit forecastingYear-end planning in farm businesses needs to improve so that investment decisions can be taken in a considered and timely manner, say advisers. Considerations include a careful assessment of any… BUSINESS MANAGEMENT7 ways to beef up your farm’s cybersecurityFarming is a critical part of national infrastructure, yet many farmers still underestimate the risk that cybercrime poses to their businesses. With farms becoming increasingly reliant on digital technology, from… FARM ENERGY10 ways to mitigate April's rising electricity chargesWholesale electricity costs typically make up just one-third of the average electricity bill, with other “non-commodity costs” – in other words, standing charges – comprising more than 60%. These charges… TAXAdvice on minimising IHT impact on pensionsPrivate pension funds inherited between married couples and civil partners will remain free of inheritance tax (IHT) after 6 April 2027, but in other circumstances they may be subject to… STAFF MANAGEMENT4 key steps to support and retain staff on UK farmsA recent survey by land agent Knight Frank has revealed that almost 90% of agricultural estates are struggling to attract competent staff, while 60% of respondents say it is becoming… BUSINESSBusiness Clinic: Rates and EPCs on building conversionsWhether it’s a legal, tax, financial or management issue, Farmers Weekly’s Business Clinic experts can help. Here, chartered surveyor Sam Shaikh from Carter Jonas’ Taunton office explains the business rates… BUSINESS CLINICBusiness Clinic: Advice on first registration of land parcelsWhether it’s a legal, tax, financial or management question, Farmers Weekly‘s Business Clinic experts can help. Here Chloe Cosham, a solicitor in Thrings agriculture team, sets out issues to consider… BUSINESS MANAGEMENTHow to manage farm data to improve profitabilityFarmers can now access data on an unprecedented scale, enabled by robotic milkers, soil sensors, GPS-guided tractors, precision sprayers, drones and automated irrigation systems to name but some of the… BUSINESS CLINICBusiness Clinic: Advice on farming company profit forecastingWhether it's a legal, tax, finance or management question, Farmers Weekly's expert panel can help. Here Kate Bell, a partner in accountant Albert Goodman's farms and estates team, sets out… DIVERSIFICATIONHow robust livery contracts help avoid disputesBusiness cost increases, alongside the rising cost of living, are challenging many alternative enterprises, especially those involving the paying public. There has been a substantial increase in disputes between horse… DIVERSIFICATIONLegal blocks to look for when planning farm diversificationsThose planning a new farm-based venture should check for any legal restrictions first, say advisers. These can include restrictive covenants and historic overage or clawback clauses in sales contracts going… BUSINESS MANAGEMENTWhat farmers can do to protect newly planted treesA record 20,660ha of woodland were created in 2023-24, with more than 20m new trees planted across the UK. But significant tree losses during the early growing phase are slowing… Business Clinic BUSINESS CLINICBusiness Clinic: How do we convert buildings to residential?Whether it’s a legal, tax, financial or management question, Farmers Weekly’s Business Clinic experts can help. Here, Fred Quartermain, a partner in Thrings’ planning and environment team, sets out the… BUSINESS CLINICBusiness Clinic: Where do we stand on IHT with let farm?Whether it’s a legal, tax, finance or management question, Farmers Weekly’s expert panel can help. Here Kate Bell, a partner in accountant Albert Goodman’s farms and estates team, sets out… BUSINESS CLINICBusiness Clinic: How do we identify disputed boundary?Whether it’s a legal, tax, financial or management issue, Farmers Weekly’s Business Clinic experts can help. Here, Mark Kieras, a partner and head of measured survey at Carter Jonas, explains how… BUSINESSBusiness Clinic: Rates and EPCs on building conversionsWhether it’s a legal, tax, financial or management issue, Farmers Weekly’s Business Clinic experts can help. Here, chartered surveyor Sam Shaikh from Carter Jonas’ Taunton office explains the business rates… View all Business Clinic articles Markets and trendsSee all DAIRY MARKETS AND PRICESFarmgate milk prices stabilise as dairy markets improveRenewed optimism in dairy markets has prompted several major milk processors to hold farmgate milk prices at current levels, following successive months of reductions. Wholesale dairy values lifted for the… BUSINESSAuction marts left owed thousands by cull ewe buyersA number of auction markets in the north of England have been caught up in an ongoing bidding war between a handful of major cull ewe buyers operating in the… INPUT MARKETS AND PRICESMiddle East turmoil pushes up farm inputs and grain pricesGlobal commodity markets have spiked in response to attacks across the Middle East, with oil refineries and shipping vessels targeted by drone strikes. Brent crude oil lifted above $82 (£61)… MEAT MARKETS AND PRICESTories pledge to close Union Flag labelling loopholeThe Conservative Party has set out plans to close what it calls the “flag loophole” on food labelling, pledging reforms it says would better protect British farmers and improve transparency… MEAT MARKETS AND PRICESFirst tariff-free shipment of UK beef arrives in USThe Defra secretary and NFU president are visiting Washington DC this week as the first tariff-free shipment of British beef arrives on US shelves under a new quota deal. Emma… MARKETS AND TRENDSBritish wool mattresses agreements boost farmer cashflowA UK bed manufacturer has launched a 100% British wool mattress range to address low fleece prices, improve supply chain transparency and provide sheep farmers with faster, fixed payments. The… MILK PRICESArla holds its farmgate milk price after months of fallsMilk processor Arla will hold its farmgate milk price at 33.98p/litre for a standard manufacturing litre in March, following six consecutive monthly price reductions. The processor says there are indications… MARKETS AND TRENDSScotland supermarket produce is only 26% Scottish, says NFUSNFU Scotland has revealed that, on average, just 26% of own-label products on supermarket shelves in Scotland are Scottish, despite retailers’ public commitments to local sourcing. Publishing its ShelfWatch: Year… 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
