All from last 24 hours POULTRYDefra defends poultry stats amid claims 25m birds 'missing'Defra has played down claims that its records of the UK poultry population are “misleading and inaccurate”, insisting its numbers are fit for purpose. The claims are made in a… CROPS MARKETS AND PRICESPotato markets under strain as supply outweighs demandBoth domestic and European potato markets appear under increasing pressure, as subdued demand and ample supplies weigh on prices. European potato futures have fallen sharply again, with prices slipping from… LAND MARKETSFarmland prices robust despite sharp drop in salesThe volume of farmland coming onto the market in England and Wales has fallen sharply at the start of 2026, as uncertainty around politics, the wider economy and global events… ENVIRONMENTDefra urged to implement a new soil resilience schemeThe Central Association of Agricultural Valuers (CAAV) is urging the government to introduce a one-off “soil improvement and resilience scheme” following disruption to fertiliser markets due to the Iran war.… HEALTH AND WELFAREBiosecurity app helps Welsh farms improve animal healthTrials of a new biosecurity app on Welsh livestock farms are helping improve animal health and drive down antibiotics use, according to farmers and vets involved in the project. Around… FARM POLICYMeat processors chief calls for SPS deal and fair standardsThe British Meat Processors Association has called for a comprehensive sanitary and phytosanitary agreement with the EU, and stronger production standards in future trade deals with other countries. John Powell,… LIVESTOCK DISEASESHow timely bluetongue vaccine prevents dummy calvesA bluetongue vaccination uptake of only 50% among the suckler herd clients of a South East vet practice has been followed by several cases of dummy calves in unprotected herds.… BRITAIN'S FITTEST FARMERBritain’s Fittest Farmer judge's no-nonsense training tipsEntries are flooding in for Britain’s Fittest Farmer 2026, and as the competition gears up, head judge Will Arden offers practical, no-nonsense training tips to build the strength, stamina, and… ENVIRONMENT8 ways to prepare for tighter rules on water qualityPrimarily focused on water companies and signalling a major overhaul of England’s water system, the government’s Water White Paper also targets farmers, pledging to hold them strictly accountable for the… CULTIVATORSNew Sumo T-Press combines shallow cultivation and pressingA combination cultivator that brings together spring tines, clod-smashing paddles and seed-bed consolidating discs or rings is Sumo’s latest tillage implement. The Yorkshire-based manufacturer says the T-Press is designed as… FARMER FOCUSFarmer Focus: Why I'm feeling cautiously optimisticCautiously optimistic – that’s how I’m feeling. Optimism is an essential trait if one is not to become consumed by the wacky world around us. Seeing crops flourish this spring…
