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BUSINESS CLINIC

Business Clinic: How do we set up permissive access?

Whether it’s a legal, tax, financial or management question, Farmers Weekly’s Business Clinic experts can help. Here, Richie Rees, legal director in Thrings’ agricultural litigation team, outlines what's involved in granting…

ENVIRONMENTAL SCHEMES

Defra ignores industry call for paper SFI for commons

A push is under way to address the exclusion of common land from the Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI), six months after a paper-based application system was first requested by farming…

MILK PRICES

Muller puts more milk producers on 12 months' notice

A number of dairy farmers supplying Muller in North Wales and Scotland have been issued with 12 months’ notice to their supply contracts, and been told their last milk collections…

PARTNERSHIPS

Sainsbury's offers five-year supply contracts to more farmers

Supermarket Sainsbury’s is widening the range and extending the number of producers covered by long-term contracts in a move to bring more stability to its supply chain. The multiple retailer…

INPUT MARKETS AND PRICES

Glasshouse growers to be hit by massive hike in electric fees

Vegetable growers are urgently seeking relief from higher electricity standing charges, set to take effect from 1 April 2026. Horticultural businesses are already facing substantial costs due to conflict in…

INPUT MARKETS AND PRICES

Weekly fertiliser data gives farmers granular view of prices

The AHDB has started publishing weekly fertiliser price data following requests from Defra farming minister Angela Eagle and industry representatives. The move comes amid disruption caused by the current crisis…

BUSINESS CLINIC

Business Clinic: Farm's buyer wants pre-exchange inspection

Whether it’s a legal, tax, financial or management issue, Farmers Weekly’s Business Clinic experts can help. Here, Sam Johnson, associate partner with Carter Jonas, Harrogate, sets out how a request for…

BUSINESS

How a Suffolk farm manager is future-proofing business

The technical, practical and environmental elements of the business at Dennington Hall Farms in Suffolk have moved up a gear, while always keeping the medium and long term in focus.…

BUSINESS CLINIC

Business Clinic: Advice needed for farm's new bookkeeper

Whether 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 bookkeeping practice so that year-end information…

MEAT MARKETS AND PRICES

Livestock throughput rises as market turnover tops £3bn

Higher livestock prices and increased throughput across almost all categories has enabled live auction marts to achieve record sales of just over £3bn in 2025. This represents a 22% increase…

LAND MARKETS

Better weather coaxes farms and land to market

The supply of land for sale has been invigorated over the past week, with more settled weather allowing holdings to look better for both brochures and visits. Taking centre stage…

PAYMENTS, SCHEMES AND GRANTS

Farmers face grant delays as advice service hits capacity

Farmers may struggle to access Defra’s £225m Capital Grants scheme after key advisers warned they are already unable to take on new requests as part of the new guidance announced.…

CROPS MARKETS AND PRICES

Ensus bioethanol plant to reopen with £100m funding deal

Farmers are set to regain a significant market for maize and feed wheat, as well as a key source of animal feed in the North East, with the Ensus UK…

CROPS MARKETS AND PRICES

Sugar markets recover from lows as campaign ends

Global sugar markets have rallied in the past month, with prices hitting a five-month high on 24 March. This marks a strong recovery and a significant shift in the market,…

Business news

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ENVIRONMENTAL SCHEMES

Defra ignores industry call for paper SFI for commons

A push is under way to address the exclusion of common land from the Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI), six months after a paper-based application system was first requested by farming…

MILK PRICES

Muller puts more milk producers on 12 months' notice

A number of dairy farmers supplying Muller in North Wales and Scotland have been issued with 12 months’ notice to their supply contracts, and been told their last milk collections…

PARTNERSHIPS

Sainsbury's offers five-year supply contracts to more farmers

Supermarket Sainsbury’s is widening the range and extending the number of producers covered by long-term contracts in a move to bring more stability to its supply chain. The multiple retailer…

INPUT MARKETS AND PRICES

Glasshouse growers to be hit by massive hike in electric fees

Vegetable growers are urgently seeking relief from higher electricity standing charges, set to take effect from 1 April 2026. Horticultural businesses are already facing substantial costs due to conflict in…

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BUSINESS CLINIC

Business Clinic: How do we set up permissive access?

Whether it’s a legal, tax, financial or management question, Farmers Weekly’s Business Clinic experts can help. Here, Richie Rees, legal director in Thrings’ agricultural litigation team, outlines what's involved in granting…

BUSINESS CLINIC

Business Clinic: Farm's buyer wants pre-exchange inspection

Whether it’s a legal, tax, financial or management issue, Farmers Weekly’s Business Clinic experts can help. Here, Sam Johnson, associate partner with Carter Jonas, Harrogate, sets out how a request for…

BUSINESS CLINIC

Business Clinic: Advice needed for farm's new bookkeeper

Whether 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 bookkeeping practice so that year-end information…

DIVERSIFICATION

How padel can make a profitable farm diversification

From the outside, it looks like any other on-farm grain store, but as the door opens, the scene is far from typical. There’s brightly coloured carpet surrounded by glass and…

FINANCE

How the Universal Credit system is failing farming families

Falling farm incomes mean that many more people are eligible to receive Universal Credit. For some, it is the stigma associated with claiming that puts them off; for others, it…

BUSINESS MANAGEMENT

Share farming rises up agenda as a farm structure choice

Once used mainly in livestock and dairy systems, share farming is now a common joint venture arrangement in arable too, as practical, financial and tax pressures present new challenges to…

BUSINESS CLINIC

Business 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 CLINIC

Business 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 CLINIC

Business 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…

DIVERSIFICATION

How business rate changes will affect alternative enterprises

Defra 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…

TAX

Advice on improving year-end planning and profit forecasting

Year-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 MANAGEMENT

7 ways to beef up your farm’s cybersecurity

Farming 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 ENERGY

10 ways to mitigate April's rising electricity charges

Wholesale 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…

TAX

Advice on minimising IHT impact on pensions

Private 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 MANAGEMENT

4 key steps to support and retain staff on UK farms

A 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…

BUSINESS

Business Clinic: Rates and EPCs on building conversions

Whether 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 Clinic

BUSINESS CLINIC

Business Clinic: How do we set up permissive access?

Whether it’s a legal, tax, financial or management question, Farmers Weekly’s Business Clinic experts can help. Here, Richie Rees, legal director in Thrings’ agricultural litigation team, outlines what's involved in granting…

BUSINESS CLINIC

Business Clinic: Farm's buyer wants pre-exchange inspection

Whether it’s a legal, tax, financial or management issue, Farmers Weekly’s Business Clinic experts can help. Here, Sam Johnson, associate partner with Carter Jonas, Harrogate, sets out how a request for…

BUSINESS CLINIC

Business Clinic: Advice needed for farm's new bookkeeper

Whether 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 bookkeeping practice so that year-end information…

BUSINESS CLINIC

Business 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…

 
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Markets and trends

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MILK PRICES

Muller puts more milk producers on 12 months' notice

A number of dairy farmers supplying Muller in North Wales and Scotland have been issued with 12 months’ notice to their supply contracts, and been told their last milk collections…

INPUT MARKETS AND PRICES

Glasshouse growers to be hit by massive hike in electric fees

Vegetable growers are urgently seeking relief from higher electricity standing charges, set to take effect from 1 April 2026. Horticultural businesses are already facing substantial costs due to conflict in…

INPUT MARKETS AND PRICES

Weekly fertiliser data gives farmers granular view of prices

The AHDB has started publishing weekly fertiliser price data following requests from Defra farming minister Angela Eagle and industry representatives. The move comes amid disruption caused by the current crisis…

MEAT MARKETS AND PRICES

Livestock throughput rises as market turnover tops £3bn

Higher livestock prices and increased throughput across almost all categories has enabled live auction marts to achieve record sales of just over £3bn in 2025. This represents a 22% increase…

MEAT MARKETS AND PRICES

Lamb trade breaks £8/kg barrier driven by strong demand

Finished hoggs lifted to £8/kg deadweight at UK abattoirs in March, putting prices 60p/kg up from year-earlier levels. Strong seasonal demand throughout Ramadan and in the build-up to Easter has…

LAND MARKETS

Scottish crofters welcome more supportive land laws

Scottish crofters have welcomed new legislation aimed at simplifying land management rules and easing administrative burdens, following the passage of the Crofting and Scottish Land Court Bill at Holyrood on…

MARKETS AND TRENDS

FSA small abattoir fee cut proposal divides industry

The Food Standards Agency (FSA) has proposed giving the smallest abattoirs in England and Wales up to a 90% discount on official inspection charges, a move aimed at easing regulatory…

INPUT MARKETS AND PRICES

Red diesel prices spike by 60% as supplies remain tight

Red diesel prices in the UK have skyrocketed following conflict in the Middle East, with prices lifting by more than 60% in the past month. Prices collected by Farmers Weekly…

Land in your area

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LAND MARKETS

Farmland in your area 2025: East Midlands

A 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 MARKETS

Farmland in your area 2025: West Midlands

Supplies 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 MARKETS

Farmland in your area 2025: South-east England

While 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 MARKETS

Farmland in your area 2025: North-west England

Sales 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…

 
 
 

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