Business top stories 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… DAIRY MARKETS AND PRICESMilk price rises may be tempered by supply recoveryThe recent recovery in milk prices is continuing, with a number of major processors announcing further increases in payments to producers, as supply and demand achieve a better balance. Arla,… TENANCIES AND RENTSHRH Prince William joins new Duchy tenant on farmTwenty-five-year-old Harry Davies has celebrated his first day as the new tenant of Monkhall Farm in Herefordshire with a visit from his landlord, HRH the Duke of Cornwall. Mr Davies… BUSINESSWhy future farming starts with future skillsFrom prolonged heatwaves and drought warnings to ongoing geopolitical uncertainty, 2026 has provided yet another reminder that resilience is no longer a future challenge for farming, but a present-day necessity.… TAXFarmers devalue holdings over IHT fears, poll findsNearly nine in 10 rural family businesses have paused investment, and some are deliberately shrinking their farms to avoid inheritance tax bills they cannot afford, a new CLA survey of… BUSINESSAHDB extends Farmbench for 12 months in reduced formThe AHDB has reversed its decision to close Farmbench, keeping the benchmarking service live for another 12 months in a reduced form. The levy board had planned to shut the… MEAT MARKETS AND PRICESSteady pig prices reflect sector challengesFour weeks of consecutive increase in the GB EU-spec Standard Pig Price (SPP) ended in the week to 26 September, with prices dropping from 180.84p/kg deadweight to 180.25p/kg dw. As… 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… BUSINESSRed diesel price volatility hits autumn fieldworkFarmers heading into autumn fieldwork are facing renewed uncertainty over red diesel costs, as volatile wholesale markets drive sharp price swings and make purchasing decisions increasingly difficult. UK farmers are… BUSINESSSFI26 attracts just 125 moorland agreementsJust 125 agreements included moorland actions under the Sustainable Farming Incentive 2026 (SFI26), prompting concerns over whether the scheme is reaching large areas of England’s uplands. Newly released Defra data… 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… BUSINESSEagle vows to fix SFI first-come systemDame Angela Eagle has acknowledged the “frustration and anger” caused by the government’s handling of the Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI), pledging to work with the NFU to reform the scheme’s… BUSINESSCross-party MPs demand answers over SFI26 chaosMPs have demanded answers from Defra after the £253m budget for the second window of the Sustainable Farming Incentive 2026 (SFI26) was exhausted in less than six hours. More than… 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 newsSee all DAIRY MARKETS AND PRICESMilk price rises may be tempered by supply recoveryThe recent recovery in milk prices is continuing, with a number of major processors announcing further increases in payments to producers, as supply and demand achieve a better balance. Arla,… TENANCIES AND RENTSHRH Prince William joins new Duchy tenant on farmTwenty-five-year-old Harry Davies has celebrated his first day as the new tenant of Monkhall Farm in Herefordshire with a visit from his landlord, HRH the Duke of Cornwall. Mr Davies… BUSINESSAHDB extends Farmbench for 12 months in reduced formThe AHDB has reversed its decision to close Farmbench, keeping the benchmarking service live for another 12 months in a reduced form. The levy board had planned to shut the… MEAT MARKETS AND PRICESSteady pig prices reflect sector challengesFour weeks of consecutive increase in the GB EU-spec Standard Pig Price (SPP) ended in the week to 26 September, with prices dropping from 180.84p/kg deadweight to 180.25p/kg dw. As… 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 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 MANAGEMENTAdvice on borrowing for farm building projectsBorrowing to fund farm buildings can be done through high street banks or specialist funders and can be though a straightforward loan, hire purchase (HP) or what is commonly termed… FARM ENERGYHow reviewing electricity contracts can bring savingsFollowing the introduction of big increases in electricity standing charges in April, energy contracts should be checked before renewal and any new offers need special scrutiny, warn advisers. With a… TAXWhy a farm machinery sales tax assessment is importantTax isn’t always front of mind when making machinery sales decisions, but getting the timing and a few other factors lined up correctly can make a big difference to the… BUSINESSFW Awards: Meet the 2026 Environmental Champion finalistsThrough initiatives ranging from habitat creation and water protection to carbon reduction and soil health improvements, our finalists are demonstrating how productive farming can deliver lasting environmental gains. See also:… BUSINESSHow planning reforms help farms and rural businessHailed as the biggest planning reform in a generation, the new National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) is more supportive of development by farmers and landowners both in terms of their… BUSINESS CLINICBusiness Clinic: Can you advise on farm’s business structure?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 the… BUSINESS CLINICBusiness Clinic: Advice on AHA partial tenancy surrenderWhether it’s a legal, tax, finance or management question, Farmers Weekly’s expert panel can help. Here, Duncan Sigournay, a partner and head of agriculture at law firm Thrings, and Carter Jonas… AWARDSFW Awards: Meet the 2026 Farm Manager of the Year finalistsThis year’s finalists share a drive to deliver premium produce while managing a large business in a rapidly changing landscape. See also: FW Awards: Meet the 2025 Farm Manager of… TAXIHT refunds and potential CGT savings on inherited assetsThe tax regime doesn’t get any simpler, but there are options for refunds and savings in limited circumstances that may not be widely known. This includes examples where assets in… BUSINESS MANAGEMENTWhy farmland trees need more care and attentionThe owners or occupiers of land have a duty to prevent trees from becoming a danger. The additional stress that this summer’s hot weather is putting on some species, alongside… TAXAdvice on new tax rules that affect farming familiesCuts to agricultural and business property reliefs from inheritance tax (IHT) took effect in April this year, and advisers are warning that HMRC is already asking more questions than previously,… ENVIRONMENTAL SCHEMESBNG update: What the latest rule changes mean for farmersRecent rule changes mean many small building projects will no longer have to comply with the biodiversity net gain (BNG) regime. While this will remove some demand for biodiversity units,… Business Clinic 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 CLINICBusiness Clinic: Can you advise on farm’s business structure?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 the… View all Business Clinic articles Markets and trendsSee all DAIRY MARKETS AND PRICESMilk price rises may be tempered by supply recoveryThe recent recovery in milk prices is continuing, with a number of major processors announcing further increases in payments to producers, as supply and demand achieve a better balance. Arla,… MEAT MARKETS AND PRICESSteady pig prices reflect sector challengesFour weeks of consecutive increase in the GB EU-spec Standard Pig Price (SPP) ended in the week to 26 September, with prices dropping from 180.84p/kg deadweight to 180.25p/kg dw. As… CROPS MARKETS AND PRICESEl Nino points to potential upside in global grain marketGlobal grain markets remain at considerable risk to the effects of the El Nino weather event, according to analysts at the International Grains Council (IGC), who have identified a 90%… BUSINESSRed diesel price volatility hits autumn fieldworkFarmers heading into autumn fieldwork are facing renewed uncertainty over red diesel costs, as volatile wholesale markets drive sharp price swings and make purchasing decisions increasingly difficult. UK farmers are… MEAT MARKETS AND PRICESPrime cattle prices rise as autumn demand strengthensStronger autumn demand and continued limited availability have driven GB prime cattle prices up another 4p/kg to 615p/kg deadweight in the week ending 12 September. At the same time, steers… DAIRY MARKETS AND PRICESStrong trade for dairy replacements, but culls disappointThere is a mixed picture in the cattle trade, with dairy replacement heifers holding firm at more than £3,000/head, supported by stronger milk prices and tight heifer supply. The cull… CROPS MARKETS AND PRICESWheat rally loses momentum as global supply outlook improvesA more comfortable global wheat supply outlook, combined with prospects of better access to Black Sea grain, has led to an easing of UK wheat values from recent highs. The… INPUT MARKETS AND PRICESHay and straw prices hold firm despite slower tradeHay and straw prices are holding firm despite slightly better supplies nationally than last year, with demand now picking up as livestock farmers plan ahead for winter. Prices for both… 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. 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