All from last 24 hours GRANTSDefra reintroduces £150m of capital grants in EnglandCapital grants are being reintroduced by Defra for farmers in England, after the scheme was unexpectedly closed last November, providing £150m in funding for 78 specified items. The new package… CROPS MARKETS AND PRICESStanding straw auctions kick off season on a highAuctioneers have reported exceptional demand for standing straw ahead of harvest, although there seems to be a great deal of variation between locations. A “tremendous” trade was observed by auctioneering… FARM POLICYDrop in livestock numbers threatens Welsh economyA drop in livestock numbers would have devastating consequences for the Welsh economy and the supply chain, the Economy, Trade and Rural Affairs (Etra) committee in the Welsh parliament heard… COMMUNITY400hp Massey Ferguson 8S tractor tackles rally-raidAfter eight days blasting along rough, rock-strewn tracks and scrabbling for grip scaling tall sand dunes, a much-modified farm tractor completed a gruelling rally-raid motorsport event for the first time.… VARIETY SELECTIONBedford grower assesses new varieties to replace ExtaseMatt Fuller is set to switch to two new milling wheat varieties this autumn to replace much of his Extase area if the Group 2 millers fulfil their promise on… DAIRYFW Awards: Meet the 2025 Dairy Farmer of the Year finalistsTheir farming systems are very different, but production efficiency and vision are the common denominators that link these three highly successful dairy enterprises. Finalists Dan Lovatt, New Grange Farm, Staffordshire… PARTNERSHIPSCommon farm partnership accounts errors and how to avoid themMany farming partnership accounts contain errors which cause complications, cost and stress when there is a change, such as a death or retirement from the business, or a dispute. As… FARMER FOCUSFarmer Focus: Maize set to be 'neck-high by 4 July'We have been lucky with rain in June, receiving 52mm. This was a little too late for the early maturing wheats, as they have gone downhill fast. The spring wheat…
