This Week in Farming: Budget worries, volatile markets and shiny new kit

Welcome to the latest edition of This Week in Farming, our weekly round-up of the biggest stories to grace our website over the past seven days.

In some ways, this week has been the “calm before the storm”, with everyone waiting to see what next week’s Budget has in store.

But, while policy has been on hold for weeks, farmers have had to get on with the day job of producing food in what is a challenging situation.

The Budget

With less than a week to go until chancellor Rachel Reeves reveals all, speculation (and fear) about what her 30 October Budget might have in store for farmers is reaching fever pitch.

Industry leaders are urging the chancellor to avoid cuts to the agricultural Budget and preserve agricultural property relief on inheritance tax, as farmers grapple with extreme weather, lower arable prices and high input costs.

NFU president Tom Bradshaw spelled out the implications in greater detail in a pre-Budget Talking Point, urging Labour to “put its money where its mouth is”.

It’s not just farmers and landowners, who are worried. The UK agri-tech sector is also deeply concerned about potential cuts to research spending.

But as our Transition editor Johann Tasker explains in his analysis piece, it is hill farmers who are probably most at risk as the Budget looms.

Up horn, down corn

It’s been another week of mixed fortunes in the farm output markets, with exceptional beef demand holding finished cattle above £5/kg. 

Recent improvements in milk prices have benefited the dairy sector, with most farms set to return to profit during the current milk year, according to consultants. 

The Campbell family from Cally Mains Farm look particularly well set, having increased fat and protein content from 754kg to 1,000kg a cow since 2016.

But grain markets remain lacklustre, especially for barley, which is now trading below £150/t ex-farm – at more than a £30t discount to feed wheat.

Animal disease

The wellbeing of livestock continues to make the headlines, with bluetongue a particular concern – so much so that the English Winter Fair, originally scheduled for 16-17 November, has been cancelled.

And, while the spread in cases has definitely slowed, Defra has taken the decision to extend the availability of the three bluetongue vaccines, granting a general licence for the whole of England. 

Bluetongue is not the only challenge, of course, and there are reports of rising numbers of haemonchus cases in sheep. Livestock reporter Michael Priestley shares advice on how to combat this blood-sucking worm.

The role of gene editing is also considered by Dr Craig Lewis as a means of controlling disease in pigs. He will have more to say on the matter at next year’s Oxford Farming Conference. 

Meanwhile, Defra has launched a consultation on easing marketing restrictions for poultry which have to be housed for more than 12 weeks in the event of an avian influenza outbreak.

Machinery

Looking for a new combine harvester for 2025? Well, don’t place an order until you’ve checked out our latest “ultimate guide” compiled by freelancer Peter Hill, who takes a look at the top combines from all the big manufacturers. 

And in a week for “ultimates,” Mr Hill also delivers the “ultimate guide to buying a round baler 2025.” Or if it’s a square baler you’re after… 

On a different note, Machinery editor Oli Mark checks out the “diddy” JCB 530-60 telehandler, which, he says, packs quite a punch. 

And how about this seasonal “hulk” – a bespoke harvester from Lincolnshire grower David Bowman, capable of lifting 70,000 pumpkins a day. Spooky! 

‘In my opinion…’

As ever, the website has been full of farmers’ opinion from our regular team of columnists and Farmer Focus writers.

Will Evans explains why he has made a temporary return to tillage – to deal with brome and to “reset” the ground after months of torrential rain.

New “young farmer” columnist Fergus MacGregor also reflects on his crop establishment experience, while long-time columnist Stephen Carr reflects on Dyson Farming’s accounts. 

 Last, but not least, FW editor Andrew Meredith shares his thoughts on…. the Budget.

Listen to the podcast

Don’t forget to tune into this week’s FW podcast, with Johann Tasker and guests.

You’ll find it anywhere you listen to podcasts, or free to listen to on our website.