All from last 7 days TAXScotland's first minister calls farm tax grab 'unacceptable'Scotland’s first minister, John Swinney, has attacked the recent decision by chancellor Rachel Reeves to restrict agricultural property relief (APR) on inheritance tax as “unacceptable”, while future funding for Scottish… PAYMENTS, SCHEMES AND GRANTSDefra to bankroll delayed payments for flood-hit farmersThe UK government is ramping up support for flood-hit farmers with new investments, including significant funds for internal drainage boards (IDBs) and a refreshed approach to funding distribution. Defra’s Farming… CEREAL DRILLSUltimate Guide to buying a direct tine drill 2025New drills, and all-new drill ranges, are among the headlines for this year’s Ultimate Guide to direct drills sporting tine coulters. Bramleys Seed Establishment and Grange Machinery feature as seeder… YOUNGSTOCK MANAGEMENTAdvice on minimising disease risks in market-bought calvesCalf rearers buying stock from the mart should accept that the disease risk will be high and plan with their vet to create a farm-specific approach to calf health. There… BARLEYNew winter malting barley variety gets full brewing approvalHigh-yielding winter barley variety Buccaneer has gained full approval for brewing – a welcome addition to what was an otherwise limited approved malting variety list. Buccaneer now joins Craft, Electrum… CROP WATCHCrop Watch: Dry spell sees farmers catch up with drillingThe spell of dry but dull weather has allowed farmers to catch up with wheat drilling, with some November seed-beds looking better than those last month. This week, our agronomists… MACHINERYValtra dealers have stock tractors available right NOW!Your compact farm hero If you are looking for a compact tractor that delivers big productivity and all-day comfort, look no further than the A Series. The cab is ergonomic… FARMER FOCUSFarmer Focus: Maize safely in after dodging scrap metalEarly November saw the last of the land work finished, with the last 5ha (12 acres) of wheat drilled on 3 November. The rest of the maize came off early… LIVESTOCKBluetongue control zone extended in England, lifted in WalesThe bluetongue restriction zone has been extended in England to include the Isle of Wight after the disease was identified in a cow on the island, but in Wales controls… CROPS MARKETS AND PRICESOSR plantings at 40-year low as sector looks for solutionsThe viable UK rapeseed area for 2024-25 is forecast to be the smallest in the past four decades, with industry estimates pegging it at 215,000ha ahead of next year’s harvest.… COMMUNITYOFC 2025: Campaigner to shine a light on food povertyThe Oxford Farming Conference returns in January , with Farmers Weekly as the media partner. Here we talk to speaker, food poverty campaigner Dominic Watters Dominic Watters lives in Canterbury,… NEWSPolice appeal after suspected hare coursers ram farmersA police investigation has been launched after suspected hare coursers carried out a disturbing attack on a farm near Amesbury, Wiltshire. The suspects reportedly rammed the farmer’s vehicle multiple times,… NEWSFormer Labour aide says UK ‘doesn’t need farmers’The proposal to scale back inheritance tax (IHT) relief on farmland is mired in fresh controversy, with a former Labour special adviser insisting that farming is an industry “we could… DAIRYAmazon boss injects £7.3m into cattle methane vaccine projectAmazon founder Jeff Bezos has invested millions of pounds into a pioneering project aimed at developing a vaccine that would reduce methane emissions from cattle. Researchers at the Pirbright Institute… BPSBPS cuts 'probably' needed to save farming budget - BradshawSteep cuts in direct payments to farmers in England are probably the price that had to be paid for Defra to be able to maintain the agricultural budget, NFU president… 4X4SContractor transforms Hilux trucks into lightweight sprayersThe 1980s can keep its big hair and shoulder pads, but the 4x4-based, low-ground-pressure sprayer could be a trend worth reviving. One Lincolnshire contractor certainly thinks so. Only this time… YOUNGSTOCK MANAGEMENT7 ways to lower the risk of 'rumen drinking'How quickly calves consume milk and at what height they drink could be contributing to calf mortality on dairy farms and calf-rearing enterprises, according to Scottish data. Rumen drinking is… NEWSSummary: Farmer demos and petitions against Budget measuresBritish farmers are organising a series of tractor demonstrations and rallies to protest against recent government measures they view as detrimental to the UK food and farming sector. The action… TAXCLA modelling shows dire financial impact of IHT changesFinancial modelling on the proposed changes to UK farmland inheritance tax (IHT) suggests a typical 200-acre arable farm could be forced to sell 20% of its land solely to settle… PULSESGenetic ‘off switch’ and zinc find could promote N fixationA genetic “off switch” that shuts down nitrogen fixation when soil nitrate levels are high has been identified by a global group of scientists. The regulator gene was successfully removed,… FARMER FOCUSFarmer Focus: Budget taxes small businesses out of viability Over the weekend our farm shop and tearoom closed its doors. Several reasons led to the decision, but a big reason is we need to get a balance back to… NEWSFW Podcast 229: Budget uproar - call for peaceful protestIn this episode, industry leaders urge farmers not to take direct action following the government’s decision to impose inheritance tax on farmland. Thousands of farmers are expected to descend on… NEWSOpinion: Eyewatering kit prices should prompt buying reviewWe have some amazing video footage of our farm that my grandmother took on cine film in the 1959-60 season. It is a fascinating and valuable record of the farm… COMMUNITYKnitters raise awareness for Scots rural charity RsabiA church-based knitting group is producing dozens of woolly hats for farmers this winter, to keep them warm and provide a point of contact to a Scottish agricultural charity. Members… COMMUNITYFarmers thank public for support at Lord Mayor’s paradeBritish farmers and growers have thanked the public for their support in the annual Lord Mayor’s Show, with a parade through central London highlighting their essential role in food production… More articles
