All from last 24 hours CONTRACTOR COMMENTContractor Comment: New ploughs arrive, Lexion nextA new Lexion combine had been top of Stuart Wilson’s shopping list this winter, but it’s sky-blue implements rather than a green-and-white leviathan currently taking pride of place in his… BOVINE TBBovine TB strategy must progress quicker, Defra toldIndustry leaders are raising concerns about the lack of concrete progress on Defra’s refreshed bovine TB strategy for England. Former farm minister Daniel Zeichner told an NFU reception in London… FARM POLICYNFUS launches manifesto as ‘fragmented’ election loomsNFU Scotland has launched its 2026 election manifesto, setting out a series of clear demands for the next Scottish government amid what political analyst Sir John Curtice described as “unprecedented”… NEWSASF fears collide with import pressures at NFUS conferenceFears over African swine fever (ASF) and the impact of pork imports on Scotland’s pig sector erupted into a tense exchange at NFU Scotland’s annual conference in Glasgow, amid warnings… AGRICULTURAL TRANSITIONSwinney pledges steady support for Scottish agricultureScotland’s first minister John Swinney used his address to the NFU Scotland conference to underline a long-term commitment to direct support for Scottish agriculture. Against a backdrop of volatile weather,… FARM POLICYWelsh suckler herd drops 40% over two decadesWelsh suckler herd numbers have fallen by nearly 40% over two decades to just 6,595 herds in 2023, and the sector needs urgent support, says the NFU Cymru. Launching the… CROP MANAGEMENTPotato expert cultivates soil-led resilience in systemsWhen John Sarup was named Farmers Weekly's 2025 Arable Adviser of the Year, the award recognised more than 40 years at the sharp end of specialist potato agronomy. Four months… SHEEPPractical advice on reducing lamb losses from joint illWashing hands, wearing gloves, and sterilising tubes and taggers are simple steps in maintaining excellent standards of hygiene at lambing. And they could go a long way to protecting flocks… LAND MARKETSLand market in 2025: ScotlandPressure on farm margins heightened price sensitivity in the Scottish farmland market in 2025. While parts of the east coast, including Angus, East Lothian and Fife, saw sale prices well… FARMER FOCUSFarmer Focus: Dairy upgrade begins despite milk price slumpThe dusting of snow we had at the start of the year didn’t affect us much – we have the sea on three sides within just a couple of miles,… ENVIRONMENTLivestock farms could play big part in drive towards net zeroA groundbreaking study by the AHDB and Quality Meat Scotland (QMS) suggests that 14% of farms involved in the pilot may already be operating beyond “net zero” for carbon emissions,… OPINIONEditor's View: Volatility takes toll on long-term dairy planConversation at this week’s Dairy-Tech event at Stoneleigh was understandably dominated by the current market situation. Production volumes are not dropping fast enough to help prices level off. Indeed, a… WILL'S WORLDWill's World: There's (almost) no one like Great GrandmaThe present Mrs Evans recently went away for a fortnight to take part in the Challenge of Rural Leadership course, run by the Worshipful Company of Farmers. Our numerous daughters…
