All from last 24 hours ENVIRONMENTDroughts and floods: Double challenge for farmers everywhereWater management is a mounting challenge for farmers everywhere, with climate change ensuring many have experience of both “too much” and “too little”, sometimes in the same season. Nowhere are… DAIRYAdvice on getting successful inseminations with sexed semenSexed semen has reduced the heifer or bull lottery from inseminating with a conventional straw. But its higher cost means it makes economic sense to be extra diligent with cow… FINANCEBank lending to agriculture rises in mixed outlookParts of agriculture are listed among the business sectors suffering elevated financial stress in the Bank of England’s most recent monthly report. Hospitality, retail, construction and some manufacturers are in… ARABLE3 regen farmers to share expertise at Cereals eventFarmers will be sharing their knowledge and expertise on Base-UK’s regenerative agriculture stage at this year’s Cereals Event, as they discuss ways that rural businesses can grow without government support.… MACHINERYClaas invests in balers; Oxbo shifts merger production to UKProduction of big round and square balers has been given a €3.3m (£2.8m) boost at the Claas factory in Metz-Woippy, north-eastern France. Two new assembly lines are now in operation,… FARMER FOCUSFarmer Focus: Rain welcome but dry spell needed for silageThe last time I wrote, there was the possibility of another drought. Thankfully since then we’ve had nearly the perfect amount of rain for the time of year. Crops and… INPUT MARKETS AND PRICESRed diesel duty to be cut by one-third, says TreasuryFarmers and other red diesel users have been offered some respite from the relentless hike in operating costs, with news that their fuel duty is to be cut by more… BUSINESSFood price cap talks spark farming backlashFarming and retail leaders have reacted angrily to reports the UK government has discussed voluntary supermarket price caps on staple foods such as bread, eggs and milk amid mounting cost-of-living… ARABLEGlyphosate curbs could threaten regen farming, report warnsA new report launched in Parliament has warned that restricting glyphosate use could increase production costs, reduce yields and undermine environmental gains made through conservation and regenerative agriculture. The report… CROPS MARKETS AND PRICESWheat markets hold firm with global crop prospects uncertainGlobal grain markets remain supported following reports last week of tighter wheat supplies heading into the 2026-27 crop marketing year. UK feed wheat futures for the November contract lifted to… INPUT MARKETS AND PRICESEU farmers protest at new Fertiliser Action PlanFarmers from across Europe descended on Strasbourg on 19 May, calling for more support to help businesses deal with exceptionally high input costs, as fuel and fertiliser prices soar. The… NEWSClimate experts urge food stockpiling to avoid shortagesMinisters have been urged to consider “large-scale national food stockpiling” by the influential Climate Change Committee (CCC) to stave off future disruption to supplies. In its Fourth Climate Risk Assessment,… FARM POLICYDon’t rush into SPS deal, industry leaders warn governmentFarm leaders have warned the government not to rush into a sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) agreement with the EU, arguing that securing the “right deal” is more important than meeting… FARM POLICYFood security overhaul urged as volatility is ‘new norm’Farmers and food producers are facing a permanent era of instability driven by energy shocks, climate pressures, cyber threats and escalating global conflict, MPs were warned at an Efra committee…
