All from last 24 hours FARM ENERGYNorfolk solar will ‘industrialise’ countryside, warn criticsRural campaigners and MPs have warned that a wave of giant solar projects proposed across Norfolk could “industrialise” thousands of acres of productive farmland and reshape large areas of countryside… TENANCIES AND RENTSDuchy of Cornwall reassures farmers amid estate sale concernsThe Duchy of Cornwall has moved to reassure tenant farmers and rural communities that farming will remain at the heart of the estate, despite plans to sell some assets over… NEWSTesco opens applications for 2026 agri-tech challengeTesco has opened applications for its 2026 Agri-tech Challenge, inviting innovators to submit technologies that help farmers improve resilience, productivity and sustainability across the food supply chain. Launched in partnership… CROPS MARKETS AND PRICESGovernment questioned on grain imports to Ensus plantProcurement of wheat and maize for the Ensus UK bioethanol plant in Teesside has come under scrutiny, after reports that some of the grain was being imported from France. Questions… MEAT MARKETS AND PRICESBeef sector warns falling prices may lead to fewer cattleMany livestock farmers are facing losses on finished cattle as beef prices continue to decline. With prime beef dropping to below £6/kg deadweight, finishers who purchased store cattle last year… BUSINESSRevenue at Cranswick lifts to almost £3bnMajor meat processor Cranswick has published exceptionally strong financial results with both revenue and profit margins improving in the past year. Total revenue lifted by 9.5% to £2.98bn for the… BUSINESSNew entrant training fund launched in ScotlandLantra Scotland has opened applications for its Next Generation Practical Training Fund, offering up to £500 in fully funded training for each course to help new entrants gain skills for… FEED AND NUTRITIONTop quality forage minimises feed costs in autumn-block herdStocking the milking platform at 5.5 livestock units a hectare is challenging. But with good grass management and making quality silage at 12MJ of metabolisable energy/kg dry matter and 16%… MAIZEBiostimulants show potential for UK maize growersOxfordshire farmer Mark Viner has seen promising results from using biostimulants to support maize crops under challenging growing conditions. Smokedown Farm, near Faringdon, moved from dairying into a large-scale calf-rearing… TAXHow personal items can be sold without attracting CGTMany farmers may not know that personal items, known as chattels, sold for less than £6,000 do not attract capital gains tax (CGT). In addition, the sale proceeds of certain… FARMER FOCUSFarmer Focus: Winter oats are best-looking crop on farmWe have finished planting the potatoes, and the main fertiliser applications are now complete. Our focus shifts to preparing for the harvest season. It is a busy time with spraying,… UMBILICALScotGrass: Walrus slurry pump trailer offers high-outputThe latest Walrus engine driven pumping trailer from Northumberland outfit Wox Agri Services is loaded with kit to ease the burden of high-output slurry application. Key components include a four-… RAKES AND MERGERSScotGrass: Roc mergers get more tech and bigger bedsA major redesign of Roc’s trailed mergers should see them cover ground quicker and, with the addition of isobus control, make life easier for operators. Both newcomers – the three-belt… ARABLEHigh output or early harvest? New KWS wheats at CerealsGrowers weighing up feed wheat options for the season ahead will be able to compare two different offers from KWS at Cereals 2026. One aimed at maximum output, the other… OPINIONOpinion: Muck to become more valuable as the climate changesA pattern of wet winters followed by dry springs seems to be emerging – the wet winters leading to poorly rooted crops and the following dry springs leaving crops unable…
