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FARM POLICY

NFU holds day of unity to pressure government on IHT plans

The NFU has staged a nationwide day of unity, intensifying pressure on the UK government to reconsider proposed changes to inheritance tax (IHT) that could severely impact family farms. Towns…

POULTRY

Bird flu prevention zone imposed in England and Scotland

An avian influenza prevention zone (AIPZ) has been declared across the whole of England and Scotland in response to escalating cases of bird flu. Starting on Saturday 25 January 2025,…

BOVINE TB

Severe mental health toll of bovine TB revealed in report

A newly commissioned report by The Farming Community Network (FCN) highlights the severe health and wellbeing effects of bovine tuberculosis on farmers across the UK. Based on contributions from more…

BUSINESS MANAGEMENT

Three leading UK pig groups announce merger

Pig marketing groups Thames Valley Cambac, Scotlean, and Scottish Pig Producers have announced merger plans to create the United Pig Cooperative. Votes by members of the three groups on the…

NEWS

QMS launches play to showcase succession and tax planning

Red meat levy board Quality Meat Scotland (QMS) is taking the show on the road, putting on its own play that showcases how different family farm businesses tackle difficult conversations.…

SLURRY TANKERS

Betec trailing shoe disc promises faster slurry absorption

By incorporating a disc into a trailing shoe assembly, Slovenian firm Betec claims it can achieve far higher levels of penetration than a conventional setup. This is because it cuts…

PARASITIC DISEASES

Liver fluke treatment must be priority industry groups warn

Cattle and sheep farmers and vets are being urged to prioritise liver fluke over rumen fluke when making treatment decisions, as the latter rarely causes disease despite its increasing presence…

DISEASE MANAGEMENT

Cereal growers gain new azole fungicide mix this spring

Wheat and barley growers have an extra option for their fungicide programmes this spring, with the approval of a two-azole mix. RevyPro contains the newest azole (mefentrifluconazole) partnered with prothioconazole,…

NEWS

This Week in Farming: Assurance, ploughing and Transition

Welcome back to This Week in Farming, the best place to check you’re up to date on the best Farmers Weekly content from the past seven days. First, here’s your…

MUCKSPREADERS

Grippier lug for Agriflex+ 377XT spreader tyre

Lugs with a ledge is a key visual feature of a new tyre from Alliance designed primarily for self-propelled sprayers, and lime, fertiliser and manure spreaders needing a combination of…

NEWS

NFU leaders deliver 270,000-strong petition to Downing St

NFU president Tom Bradshaw and NFU Cymru president Aled Jones, representing the four UK farming unions, have handed over a petition at 10 Downing St, signed by more than 270,000…

LAND MARKETS

Fewer farm tenancies agreed as rents increase in England

The number of farm tenancy agreements in England fell by 5% during the 2023-24 financial year, compared with the previous year. In total, roughly 83,000 agreements were signed, which comprised…

FARM POLICY

Efra chairman urges PM to review family farm tax plans

Liberal Democrat MP Alistair Carmichael has urged the government to broaden its consultation on changes to farm inheritance tax, calling for a “sensible debate” to protect family farms while targeting…

NEWS

UK considers deal to reduce EU trade barriers

The UK government has opened the door to a potential deal with the EU that could see it rejoin a tariff-free trade bloc for food and farming products, raising hopes…

FARM POLICY

Government urged to support UK growers due to brassica shortage

Potential shortages of cauliflower and broccoli this spring have left the Labour government facing calls to provide more support to UK growers. During a debate in the House of Lords…

TRAILERS

Lamma 2025: Weeks name revived for lower-cost trailers

Richard Western has revived the Weeks brand for use on a lower-spec trailer that’s kinder on the pocket. Much of the design is based on the firm’s popular Suffolk model,…

ENVIRONMENT

Cost a major barrier to cutting farm GHG emissions

Cutting excess nitrogen use and minimum tillage are seen as most effective ways to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, according to a farmer survey. The survey, carried out by Agri-food…

ATVS AND UTVS

Lamma 2025: Boss to import budget Aodes UTVs and ATVs

Petrol-powered quads and buggies from Chinese firm Aodes are now available through Staffordshire outfit Boss Off Road Vehicles, with a selection of electric models set to follow. See also: First drive:…

ARABLE

Defra denies request for neonics use on sugar beet

An emergency application for the use of a neonicotinoid pesticide on sugar beet in England has been denied by the UK government, in another crushing blow to farmers from the…

FARM ENERGY

Government eases planning process for wind farms

The government is set to ease the approval process for major infrastructure projects, including wind farms, railway lines, and power stations, by reducing legal challenges that have previously delayed their…

COMPLIANCE

Review calls for overhaul of Red Tractor leadership approach

The UK’s leading farm assurance scheme, Red Tractor, is facing further scrutiny after an independent review called for an overhaul of its leadership and governance. Commissioned by the AHDB and…

FARM POLICY

OBR casts doubt on government’s farm IHT figures

The Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) has raised concerns over the UK government’s controversial plan to introduce farm inheritance tax, suggesting that the proposed policy may not generate the revenue…

CROPS MARKETS AND PRICES

UK wheat imports hit highest volumes for 30 years

UK wheat imports have been at the highest volumes since records began almost 30 years ago, so far for the 2024-25 crop year. Wheat imports totalled 1.45m tonnes during the…

CRIME

Three men arrested for concealing waste in bales

Three men have been arrested in connection with a large-scale, organised waste disposal operation, which involves the alleged concealment of rubbish inside bale wrap. The arrests, on Tuesday 21 January,…

NEWS

Animal rights group and shoppers clash in supermarket

Activists from animal rights group Animal Rising have staged a series of protests in supermarkets in England, calling for the RSPCA Assured scheme to be dropped. However, shoppers at a…

ATVS AND UTVS

Lamma 2025: TGB releases punchy 83hp Landmax SE UTV

Off the back of the success of its budget ATVs, Taiwanese brand TGB has introduced its first UTV. The Landmax SE packs a pokey 1,000cc V-twin petrol engine that develops…

FARM POLICY

Realistic payment methodology vital for SFS, says FUW

The Farmers’ Union of Wales (FUW) has praised the collaborative approach to farming policy in Wales, highlighted during a stakeholder breakfast in Cardiff. The event, which marked the FUW’s 70th…

NEWS

Migrant farmworkers to protest outside Home Office

Migrant farmworkers from the Seasonal Worker Scheme (SWS) will protest outside the Home Office in London on Friday 24 January, to demand an end to exploitation in UK agriculture. The…

MEAT MARKETS AND PRICES

Beef prices rocket in Scotland as destocking takes its toll

The impact of a declining beef herd in Scotland has been felt by the trade, with fewer store and finished cattle coming forward. Scottish government figures show that the total…

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