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WEATHER

Somerset farmers battle worsening flood crisis

Somerset farmers are fighting to save crops and livestock after weeks of relentless rain left large swathes of the Levels underwater, cutting off access routes and turning productive farmland into…

CROPS MARKETS AND PRICES

Oilseeds prices rally to near £450/t

Oilseeds markets have rallied over the past month, both globally and in the domestic markets, underpinned by a stronger soybean complex and favourable currency movements. UK oilseed rape has lifted…

ENVIRONMENT

No impact study on cattle pollution permits plan

The government has not assessed how many cattle farms could be affected by plans to extend environmental permitting rules to dairy and intensive beef operations in England, it has emerged.…

ENVIRONMENT

Stirling University casts doubt on full value of tree planting

Planting trees might not be the silver bullet often hoped for when it comes to storing carbon, according to Stirling University. Published in Global Change Biology, the commentary from Prof…

WEATHER

Warmer UK climate raises risk of new pests

Rising UK temperatures are increasing the likelihood of new plant pests establishing nationwide, threatening agriculture and forestry, the Met Office has warned. The forecaster said the UK reached an annual average…

TENANCIES AND RENTS

TFA invites tenant farmers to take part in sector survey

The Tenant Farmers Association (TFA) is encouraging tenants, landlords, agents and advisers to complete a new Defra survey designed to gauge awareness of the Agricultural Landlord and Tenant Code of…

MEAT MARKETS AND PRICES

Cull ewe trade lifts ahead of Ramadan

Cull ewes have been achieving strong prices at auction, with buyers keen to secure supplies and demand likely to remain firm in the build up to Ramadan. Cull ewes averaged…

WEED MANAGEMENT

Advice on sugar beet weed control for summer 2026

Good crop ground cover will be key to managing herbicide costs in sugar beet this year, after dry conditions affected weed control programmes in 2025. Sugar beet growers should have…

LAMBING

How to minimise bacteria build-up in the lambing shed

A clean, dry floor in the lambing shed is a simple, essential step for a successful lambing season – and is best achieved when it is not left until the…

STAFF MANAGEMENT

4 key steps to support and retain staff on UK farms

A recent survey by land agent Knight Frank has revealed that almost 90% of agricultural estates are struggling to attract competent staff, while 60% of respondents say it is becoming…

DAIRY

Is there a future for spring milk in the UK?

A dairy consultant is warning that if the industry is to avoid worsening supply imbalances, spring milk production must evolve to create flatter production profiles. Current UK processing capacity is…

FARMER FOCUS

Farmer Focus: Relief as scan percentage up despite drought

Lambing looms – and this year, the scans tell a better story. After such a dry summer, and with plenty of reports of flocks scanning lower than normal, expectations were…

HEALTH AND WELLBEING

New suicide prevention training targets farming crisis

A new suicide prevention training programme for farmers has been launched to address suicide rates in agriculture across the UK. The initiative, led by the Farm Safety Foundation, also known…

HEALTH AND WELLBEING

Farmer walks 142 miles to highlight mental health pressures

A Herefordshire farmer has begun a 142-mile walk to London to raise awareness of mental health pressures in farming, highlighting isolation and the need for stronger support in rural communities.…

CEREAL DRILLS

Versatile 3m He-Va G-Drill sows grass and grain

Farmers looking for a do-it-all drill might find what they’re looking for in the latest He-Va catalogue, which now includes the 3m G-Drill. It comes with two rows of versatile…