All from last 24 hours PAYMENTS, SCHEMES AND GRANTSNFU demands Defra clarity on SFI timetableFarm leaders say they have been left in the dark by Defra on when the application windows for the 2026 Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) will open in England, despite a… INPUT MARKETS AND PRICESGrowers squeezed as input costs soar while grain prices lagArable farmers are facing tightening margins as rising input costs continue to outpace gains in grain prices, with the conflict in the Middle East having a significant impact on costs… BUSINESSFarm viability under mounting pressure, MPs toldUK farming is approaching a critical pressure point this summer, as soaring fuel, fertiliser and energy prices threaten production decisions and the sector’s longer-term viability, industry leaders have warned. Giving… NEWSFW Podcast Ep 301: Clarkson speaks out over soaring costsCelebrity farmer Jeremy Clarkson speaks out as soaring fuel and fertiliser costs force arable growers to rethink autumn cropping plans. MPs urge Kier Starmer to help reduce red diesel prices… BIODIVERSITYTraders anticipate 'massive increase' in BNG demandTraders and brokers are anticipating a “massive increase” in demand for biodiversity net gain (BNG) units, following confirmation by Defra that the requirement to deliver environmental improvements is being extended… NEWSMPs question supermarket watchdog powersMPs have questioned whether farmers are too afraid to raise complaints about supermarkets, amid concerns that the Groceries Code Adjudicator (GCA) may not be acting often enough to deter poor… ARABLEWhy SFI26 doesn’t stack up for Herefordshire farmerHerefordshire farm manager Chris Greenaway has reservations on the new Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) 2026 offer, due to payment cutbacks and the reduced number of options available. Garnstone Farms has… BUSINESS CLINICBusiness Clinic: How do we formalise staff housing rights?Whether it’s a legal, tax, finance or management question, Farmers Weekly’s expert panel can help. Here, Aiden Wiffen of Thrings’ property litigation team, advises on formalising employee accommodation agreements in light of… CROP WATCHCrop Watch: South lacks rain as disease bites in ScotlandFarmers across the UK are seeing huge contrasts this spring. Concerns are growing in the South and East, where some rain is needed, while in Scotland, it’s the opposite problem… FARMER FOCUSFarmer Focus: Pig price has hit us harder than fuel crisisIt has been a busy few weeks since my last piece – and the contrast between ground conditions from then to now is staggering. I was rather frustrated that we… AGRICULTURAL TRANSITIONTransition Farmer: Slurry lagoon gets the go-aheadEngaging with the Environment Agency (EA) has helped tenant dairy farmers Richard and Rachel Risdon find a way forward after unexpected challenges around creating slurry storage on a new holding. … FARM MAINTENANCEFarmer develops efficient solar-powered fencing stationNorfolk farmer and regular Farmers Weekly contributor Rob McGregor is now selling the solar-powered fencing station he originally devised for his pig unit. The maintenance-free Stock-Aid Solar Fence Station is…
