Latest stories UMBILICALRetrofit Borger Flowsep extracts small particles from slurryBorger has developed a new separator to remove sand, grit and small glass specks from slurry and digestate. The German firm’s compact and fully enclosed Flowsep assembly is designed to… PIGSWhy outdoor pig breeder plans expansion into rearingPutting plans into action for a new pig rearing enterprise is top of Norfolk pig farmer Mike Durrant’s to-do list this year. Instead of selling all weaners from his 1,700… DIVERSIFICATIONStructural considerations before converting a farm buildingMany 20th-century farm buildings are being repurposed for diversification projects, but their conversion and change of use needs more care and attention at the early stages, advises Savills architect Andrew… PULSESKey bean fungicide timing set for earlier window this seasonThe key bean fungicide timing at the first pod set stage could happen as early as the end of April, according to current crop growth indications. With many bean crops… FARMER FOCUSFarmer Focus: Demise of tree business and Leaf frustrationWith no spring cropping to undertake, and therefore no expensive diesel required, our arable enterprise is currently in a good position. Unfortunately, the same cannot be said for our Sitka… COMMUNITYFarm bluebell walk raises millions for charityAn East Sussex farming family’s one-off fundraiser has blossomed into one of the region’s most enduring rural charity events, now celebrating more than 50 years of success. What began in… TENANCIES AND RENTSAgricultural tenant code of practice launched in WalesGuidance on agricultural tenancy matters between landlords and tenants has been published by the Welsh government. The Agricultural Landlord and Tenant Code of Practice for Wales was convened by the… ARABLEGet ready for harvest with the Plug&Cool Grain Store PlannerAs another harvest season approaches, many farmers will already be thinking about how to prepare their grain stores for the months ahead. Good grain storage is about more than simply… WILL'S WORLDWill's World: Tears, tributes and a little music therapyIt’s nice to be back after a week off. It’s an unusual thing, writing a weekly column for the nation’s favourite farming publication, and people often ask me how I… More articles OpinionSee all OPINIONOpinion: New planning powers may solve farming's ammonia problemAmmonia is a significant source of air pollution in the UK and can have an impact on protected sites. With agriculture representing 87% of total emissions, it is understandable that… OPINIONEditor's View: Maddening Trump tips UK farmers into the redIsn’t it maddening that US decisions that have been taken in the Oval Office, and those that are yet to be taken, will dictate whether a slice of UK farmers… OPINIONOpinion: Lack of opportunity for young farmers blights ScotlandLand and Freedom was the battle cry of the early 1900’s Mexican revolutionary Emilliano Zapata. Still a symbol for Mexico’s farmers today, his words also ring true for UK farming,… OPINIONOpinion: Biostimulants held back by inadequate regulationFor UK wheat producers, weather variability has overtaken traditional agronomy challenges as the biggest threat to crop performance, ahead of disease or weed control. On top of weather challenges, the… Subscribe to Farmers Weekly Save money and never miss an issue. Subscribe ArableSee all PULSESKey bean fungicide timing set for earlier window this seasonThe key bean fungicide timing at the first pod set stage could happen as early as the end of April, according to current crop growth indications. With many bean crops… FARMER FOCUSFarmer Focus: Demise of tree business and Leaf frustrationWith no spring cropping to undertake, and therefore no expensive diesel required, our arable enterprise is currently in a good position. Unfortunately, the same cannot be said for our Sitka… DISEASE MANAGEMENTTargeted virus testing set to modernise seed potato industryScotland’s plant health authorities are introducing targeted post-harvest virus testing in seed potato crops of the variety Cara this year as part of a wider effort to tackle rising virus… ARABLEArable farm management software: The options and pricesFor years, farm management software has been limited mostly to three options, with Gatekeeper and Greenlight Grower Management (GLGM) – also known colloquially as Muddy Boots – by far the… NUTRITION AND FERTILISERAHDB offers fresh advice with updated RB209 ferts guideArable farmers are set to benefit from updated nutrient management guidance designed to help them make the most of organic materials while balancing fertiliser use against cost. The AHDB’s latest… PEST MANAGEMENTWireworm threat highlighted in new Scottish potato surveyLatest research findings have revealed a clear picture of the wireworm species present in Scotland. Agriotes obscurus remains the dominant species affecting Scottish potato crops, with the first independently confirmed… FARMER FOCUSFarmer Focus: Field work and nursery pick-ups keep us busyOur spring drilling campaign began on 16 March, our earliest start in recent memory. Ground conditions have improved significantly since my last update, and any late winter ploughing has started… CROP WATCHCrop Watch: Spring drilling and T1 wheat fungicide strategiesA return to colder temperatures and unsettled weather are adding to challenges of managing forward cereals crops and staying on top of the disease pressure. Our Crop Watch agronomists report… LivestockSee all PIGSWhy outdoor pig breeder plans expansion into rearingPutting plans into action for a new pig rearing enterprise is top of Norfolk pig farmer Mike Durrant’s to-do list this year. Instead of selling all weaners from his 1,700… YOUNGSTOCK MANAGEMENTFeeding calves colostrum: Focus on quality over quantityThe industry must develop a new blueprint for colostrum and transition milk feeding that aligns vets and nutritionists to give calf rearers clarity on early-life nutrition. The industry standard has… FARMER FOCUSFarmer Focus: Pig tent moves perfected with telehandlerThe last of the store pigs from our outdoor unit left in the early part of the week with a much higher-than-expected average weight of nearly 50kg. This was pleasing… LIVESTOCKPoultry housing order to be lifted in England and WalesFree-range poultry producers are being urged to start preparing now for their birds’ impending return to the big outdoors, with Defra signalling an end to the mandatory housing order in… BREEDING AND FERTILITYBenefits of annual testing for bull and ram fertilityIn 2025, 28% of bulls tested at Friars Moor Livestock Health failed their bull breeding soundness examination. By identifying and removing this cohort of subfertile bulls, ahead of them being… DAIRYSpring calving index pivots towards grazing-based systemsPlanned revisions to the spring calving index are expected to change the type of animal dominating the male and female rankings. From April, producers running grazing-based, spring-calving dairy herds will… FARMER FOCUSFarmer Focus: Can I hold out for bulkier first-cut silage?Well, haven’t things changed in five weeks? Trump decides to bomb Iran and act like a petulant child when no one wants to join him. Aside from that, it will… HEALTH AND WELFAREAuctioneer dismay at Holyrood's approach to bluetonguePlans to reintroduce movement restrictions on livestock to Scotland this summer have prompted concern among auctioneers, who warn the measures could disrupt trade during a key period for the sector.… MachinerySee all UMBILICALRetrofit Borger Flowsep extracts small particles from slurryBorger has developed a new separator to remove sand, grit and small glass specks from slurry and digestate. The German firm’s compact and fully enclosed Flowsep assembly is designed to… MACHINERY MAINTENANCEJCB launches website for spare parts, lubricants and fluidsOwners of JCB machinery can now submit out-of-hours orders for service items and genuine spares through a new Parts Online platform. The website allows customers to search for bits, add… TRACTORSFirst impressions: Fresh Fendt 832 puts power to the groundFendt has finally cut all ties with engine manufacturer Deutz. Its new 800-series is the latest to get a heart transplant from sister company Agco Power, and with it comes… CONTRACTOR COMMENTContractor Comment: Static Orkel baler arrives at R&L AnthonyFarmers Weekly heads to the Vale of Glamorgan to meet up withoutfit R&L Anthony Contracting, fronted by David Anthony and wife Emma. We find out about the contractor's main enterprises,… CommunitySee all FARMER FOCUSFarmer Focus: Demise of tree business and Leaf frustrationWith no spring cropping to undertake, and therefore no expensive diesel required, our arable enterprise is currently in a good position. Unfortunately, the same cannot be said for our Sitka… WILL'S WORLDWill's World: Tears, tributes and a little music therapyIt’s nice to be back after a week off. It’s an unusual thing, writing a weekly column for the nation’s favourite farming publication, and people often ask me how I… FARMER FOCUSFarmer Focus: Pig tent moves perfected with telehandlerThe last of the store pigs from our outdoor unit left in the early part of the week with a much higher-than-expected average weight of nearly 50kg. This was pleasing… FARMER FOCUSFarmer Focus: Field work and nursery pick-ups keep us busyOur spring drilling campaign began on 16 March, our earliest start in recent memory. Ground conditions have improved significantly since my last update, and any late winter ploughing has started… BusinessSee all DIVERSIFICATIONStructural considerations before converting a farm buildingMany 20th-century farm buildings are being repurposed for diversification projects, but their conversion and change of use needs more care and attention at the early stages, advises Savills architect Andrew… TENANCIES AND RENTSAgricultural tenant code of practice launched in WalesGuidance on agricultural tenancy matters between landlords and tenants has been published by the Welsh government. The Agricultural Landlord and Tenant Code of Practice for Wales was convened by the… MARKETS AND TRENDSHow tight margins on farm are hitting ag machinery salesMachinery dealers are feeling the pinch as reduced demand from farmers for new kit hits their bottom line. With fewer than 9,000 machines being registered in 2025, the Agricultural Engineers… LAND MARKETSPasture farms lead the sales offering ahead of EasterLivestock farms and holdings with alternative income potential are the main new contributors to the Easter land market as launches gather momentum. In Cumbria, a ring-fenced stock-rearing farm near Roadhead… Careers NEWSSkills shortages threaten future of UK food and farmingA new report released today (28 January) warns that labour and skills shortages are putting UK food security at risk. It calls for the industry, education and government to act… YOUNG FARMERSDyson Farming opens applications for 2026 work experienceDyson Farming has opened applications for its Summer Series 2026 programme, offering an immersive week-long work experience for people aged 18 and over from 6-10 July. The Summer Series will… COMMUNITYEx-military personnel sought for John Deere technical rolesAgricultural equipment manufacturer John Deere is holding a fresh drive to recruit ex-military personnel for its dealership network. It has identified men and women with military experience as the “ideal… POULTRYTips for new entrants from a 16-year-old entrepreneurStarting a new farming enterprise can be challenging at any age. Lewis Thomas was just 13 when he launched his own business, producing free-range eggs from a flock of layers…
