All from last 7 days TRACTORSDriver's view: Tom Mixture's John Deere 6R 250Sitting at the apex of John Deere’s “mid-size” tractor line-up, the 6R 250 offers a healthy slug of power in a modestly proportioned chassis. Its versatility in tackling jobs both… FARM POLICYEuropean farmers bring chaos to Brussels over trade fearsEuropean farmers brought chaos to the streets of Brussels on Thursday (18 December), with fire, manure and vegetables targeted at EU buildings where key talks on future trade deals were… NEWSSupermarket veg price war 'risks devaluing food' say farmersWith festive shoppers snapping up carrots, parsnips and Brussels sprouts for as little as 5p a packet, NFU Scotland says the bargains come at a cost to farmers and the… TAXDelays announced to 'make tax digital' arrangementsHMRC has made changes to how tax returns will need to be submitted from April next year, however farmers may be entitled to defer until April 2027 following a recent… BUSINESSImproved livestock sales drive profits at H&H GroupProfits at auctioneer and land agency firm H&H Group lifted to a new record high in the past year, with most of the increase coming from the livestock trading business… NEWSThousands urge action over 'unfair' supermarket buyingMore than 5,000 people across the UK have written to their MPs calling for urgent government action to protect farmers from unfair supermarket buying practices and to safeguard the future… LIVESTOCK DISEASESBluetongue movement rules relaxed in Northern IrelandAnimal movement restrictions linked to bluetongue virus (BTV) will be relaxed within the Temporary Control Zone (TCZ) in Northerrn Ireland following the completion of surveillance testing from today (Friday, 19… OPINIONEditor's View: The Merry Ballad of the Batters ReportThis week I wrapped tinsel around my keyboard, ate four mince pies and summoned my most festive spirit to deliver an editorial of seasonal verse. In tribute to this month's… ARABLEYoung farmers bold move to take on council tenancy pays offJoshua Dennis, a 26-year-old arable farmer from Cambridgeshire, made the bold move to take on a county council tenancy at just 22 years old. Three successful yet challenging harvests later,… FARMER FOCUSFarmer Focus: Easy-calving heifers biggest success of yearIt is hard to believe that we are fast approaching the end of yet another year. Last year was quite a challenging one for us as a family. However, 2025,… WILL'S WORLDWill's World: Christmas ghosts perform a minor miracleI’m not certain why it happens, but it’s hard not to be curmudgeonly as a man when you hit your mid-40s. One minute you’re a ray of youthful sunshine, hopelessly… NEWS12 key takeaways from Batters’ Farm Profitability ReviewThe Farm Profitability Review, led by former NFU president Baroness Minette Batters and commissioned by the UK government, paints a stark picture of a sector under sustained pressure. Rising costs,… CRIMEDog attacks on livestock now carry unlimited finesFarmers will benefit from stronger legal protections against dog attacks on livestock from today (December 18). The Dogs (Protection of Livestock) (Amendment) Act 2025, raises the maximum penalty for livestock… WILDLIFESea eagle funding uncertainty threatens lambing, NFUS warnsNFU Scotland has warned hill farmers and crofters cannot plan for the coming lambing season unless the Scottish government urgently commits to future funding for the Sea Eagle Management Scheme.… NEWSBatters’ Farm Profitability Review finally publishedDefra has published Baroness Minette Batters’ long-awaited Farm Profitability Review, ending months of uncertainty over when the document would see the light of day and reigniting debate over the future… HEALTH AND WELFAREDefra to increase payments for vet visitsPayment rates for government-funded annual vet visits to farms in England will increase by 16% from 22 January 2026. Funding will continue to be available as part of Defra’s Animal… AGRICULTURAL TRANSITIONLeading green groups quit Scottish farm policy boardsScottish Environment Link and RSPB Scotland have resigned from two key government farming policy groups, citing “failures in both the policy development process and the decisions being made”. The organisations… INPUT MARKETS AND PRICESEU delays regulations on beef and soya imports until late 2026The European Parliament has delayed tougher rules on beef and feed imports linked to deforestation, such as soya, by another year. Regulations are now set to be introduced from 30… COMMUNITYFarmers’ ball raises £30,000 for rural charitiesMore than £30,000 was raised for four rural charities when farmers, sponsors and supporters gathered at Ludlow Racecourse in South Shropshire for a charity ball. The Farmers’ Charity Ball was… TRACTORSDriver's view: Robin Ward's Massey Ferguson 8S.305For the Massey Ferguson buyer seeking 300 horses, both the 8S and 9S can deliver the goods. But the former’s blend of power and manoeuvrability made it the sensible choice… BUSINESSFarming partnership prompts move from Hampshire to SomersetBen and Molly Foote made the move from Hampshire to Somerset in October, to start milking on a former dairy farm where they are renovating and adding to the buildings.… LIVESTOCKHow off-farm pursuits are benefiting two livestock farmsA change is as good as a rest, the saying goes, and getting away from the farm to do something completely different is a great way to recharge the batteries.… FARMER FOCUSFarmer Focus: First Christmas tractor run won't be my lastI recently went on my first tractor run. The Ringmer Christmas tractor charity run has been going for a few years, but I'd simply never joined in. However, having been… FARM POLICYFarmers protest as Finance Bill gets second readingFarmers converged on Westminster on 16 December as MPs debated the Finance Bill, staging a noisy protest to oppose proposed inheritance tax reforms affecting family farms and food production. Tractors… CROPS MARKETS AND PRICESWheat margin achievable in 2026 after tough year for growersUK cereals growers have endured a challenging 12 months, with low farmgate prices, weather constraints and a smaller domestic crop. While pressure remains on wheat prices due to a well-supplied… More articles
