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PAYMENTS, SCHEMES AND GRANTS

Defra provides clarity on farming budget spend

Defra has offered clarity on how the agricultural budget for England is being allocated amid concerns from food and farming organisations over a lack of transparency about where the money…

ENVIRONMENTAL SCHEMES

Privately funded natural capital schemes: What to consider

Still in their infancy, most privately funded natural capital schemes involve taking a long-term approach and creating units and credits that can be bought or sold – usually offering farms…

PAYMENTS, SCHEMES AND GRANTS

RPA suffers IT issues on CS 2024 deadline day

The Rural Payments Agency (RPA) has been battling IT computer glitches on deadline day for the 2024 Countryside Stewardship scheme, sparking huge frustration and anxiety for farmers trying to submit…

MEAT MARKETS AND PRICES

Beef and lamb markets well supported into the autumn

A warmer start to September and tighter supplies of stock has helped to strengthen prices for both beef and lamb in recent weeks across the UK. Analysts say the improved…

LAND MARKETS

More land and farms wanted on Scottish market

As in all UK land markets, more supply is needed in Scotland. Anything of quality is generally readily snapped up, with private sales accounting for a good proportion of what…

PLANNING PERMISSION

How changes to permitted development may benefit farmers

The government is exploring a raft of changes that planning experts say could be very positive for farmers and the wider rural economy. Permitted development rights (PDRs) are designed to…

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PAYMENTS, SCHEMES AND GRANTS

£4m Defra funding package to help small abattoirs survive

Defra is to create a £4m fund “by the end of 2023” to help the small abattoir sector invest for the future, and will ease the burden of regulation to…

GRANTS

Defra calf housing grants open for applications

Cattle keepers in England can now apply for their share of £10m to upgrade or build new calf house buildings to improve health and welfare for calves. Defra grants of…

ENVIRONMENTAL SCHEMES

NFU urges Defra to 'do the right thing' and halt BPS cuts

The NFU is demanding that Defra calls a halt to any further cuts to the Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) for English farmers in light of the delays to its replacement…

ENVIRONMENT

Tesco to expand its low-carbon fertiliser trial tenfold

Tesco has announced plans to increase its trials of low-carbon fertiliser products from 1,300ha this year to 13,000ha in 2024. The UK’s largest retailer has also confirmed it will also…

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ENVIRONMENTAL SCHEMES

Privately funded natural capital schemes: What to consider

Still in their infancy, most privately funded natural capital schemes involve taking a long-term approach and creating units and credits that can be bought or sold – usually offering farms…

BUSINESS

FW Awards 2023: Farm Manager of the Year

All three farm manager finalists have responsibility for very different large, complex businesses. They have all also managed much change in their roles. See also: See the full 2023 Farmers…

TENANCIES AND RENTS

Advice and tips on common issues for tenant farmers

Tenants, like all farmers, have many issues to contend with. Common issues that frequently arise include rent rises, changes in tenancy terms and succession. We look at how to deal…

BUSINESS CLINIC

Business Clinic: Can we get business asset disposal relief?

Whether it’s a legal, tax, insurance, management or land issue, Farmers Weekly’s Business Clinic experts can help. Sarah Dodds, partner and agriculture sector lead at accountant MHA addresses a family…

BUSINESS CLINIC

Business Clinic: Will SFI options meet my tenancy terms?

Whether it’s a legal, tax, insurance, management or land issue, Farmers Weekly’s Business Clinic experts can help. Caroline Raspison, associate with Carter Jonas rural, outlines considerations for environmental options on…

BUSINESS CLINIC

Business Clinic: Can we fence public footpath near river?

Whether it’s a legal, tax, insurance, management or land issue, Farmers Weekly’s Business Clinic experts can help. Richie Rees, associate in Thrings' agriculture team, sets out how to address a…

HEALTH AND SAFETY

How to keep lone workers safe on farm

Working alone is taken for granted in farming, and while it is often necessary, a change of attitude could improve not only safety but also the working culture. Oliver Dale,…

BUSINESS

Business Clinic: What insurance do I need as a new employer?

Whether it’s a legal, tax, insurance, management or land issue, Farmers Weekly’s Business Clinic experts can help. Rory Gibson, regional director, Scotland, A-Plan Rural Insurance, explains the areas of insurance…

BUSINESS MANAGEMENT

How prenuptial agreements can help shape family futures

It is important to understand the basic rules to arrive at a secure prenuptial agreement, says lawyer Natasha Grande, a partner at Wilsons Solicitors. “Not all prenups are created equally…

TAX

Advice on tax implications of restructuring a farm business

High land values mean the tax risks of poor planning and rushed decisions can prove very expensive. Poor decisions can arise for many reasons, including family or financial pressure, grudges,…

BUSINESS

Crop buyers' contract terms farmers should be vigilant about

Growers should check the annual terms of trade issued by buyers to make sure they are aware of all requirements and restrictions, say advisers. These terms apply for each crop…

FARM ENERGY

Experts outline on-farm renewable energy options

Renewable energy has become a popular on-farm solution for cutting emissions and reducing bills from mainstream suppliers. So what are the options for renewable energy use on farm? In the…

BUSINESS

NE statutory nutrient mitigation credits - the opportunities

Farmers can be both suppliers and buyers of Natural England’s (NE) statutory nutrient mitigation credits in the Tees catchment.  This is the first area in which NE is offering the…

ENVIRONMENTAL SCHEMES

How to deliver landscape-scale change through farm clusters

Farmer cluster groups are meeting local environmental priorities both on their own farms and beyond their boundaries. The term “cluster” was adopted, because it describes how members of these groups…

AGRICULTURAL TRANSITION

Zero subsidies puts focus on cost control and marketing

Arable grower Matthew Williams farms 1,100ha of rented or contract-farmed land – a situation that has brought profitability, sustainability and input cost control into sharp focus. Shropshire-based Transition Farmer Matthew…

PAYMENTS, SCHEMES AND GRANTS

Rural England Prosperity Fund: What is it and how to access it

The government announced the Rural England Prosperity Fund (REPF) in 2022 as a top-up to the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF). A total of £110m is ringfenced in the REPF…

Business Clinic

BUSINESS CLINIC

Business Clinic: Can we get business asset disposal relief?

Whether it’s a legal, tax, insurance, management or land issue, Farmers Weekly’s Business Clinic experts can help. Sarah Dodds, partner and agriculture sector lead at accountant MHA addresses a family…

BUSINESS CLINIC

Business Clinic: Will SFI options meet my tenancy terms?

Whether it’s a legal, tax, insurance, management or land issue, Farmers Weekly’s Business Clinic experts can help. Caroline Raspison, associate with Carter Jonas rural, outlines considerations for environmental options on…

BUSINESS CLINIC

Business Clinic: Can we fence public footpath near river?

Whether it’s a legal, tax, insurance, management or land issue, Farmers Weekly’s Business Clinic experts can help. Richie Rees, associate in Thrings' agriculture team, sets out how to address a…

BUSINESS

Business Clinic: What insurance do I need as a new employer?

Whether it’s a legal, tax, insurance, management or land issue, Farmers Weekly’s Business Clinic experts can help. Rory Gibson, regional director, Scotland, A-Plan Rural Insurance, explains the areas of insurance…

 
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Markets and trends

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INPUT MARKETS AND PRICES

AIC issues advice on photo ID for fertiliser buyers

The Agricultural Industries Confederation (AIC) has produced a flyer for farmers offering guidance on new fertiliser rules to be introduced this autumn. A change in the law will require farmers…

DAIRY MARKETS AND PRICES

Crediton Dairy invests £20m in site after profitable year

Devon-based Crediton Dairy has committed to a three-year capital investment programme to upgrade its processing capabilities, reduce its carbon emissions, and improve staff facilities. More than £33m has already been…

DAIRY MARKETS AND PRICES

Record UK prices paid for Holsteins at auction

Holstein prices achieved a UK record of 90,000gns at an on-farm auction in Cheshire on 19 August, when cows and heifers from Riverdane Holsteins went under the hammer, attracting buyers…

BOVINE TB

Trade talks on export of bovine TB-vaccinated cattle begin

Discussions to develop a pathway for approving the export of cattle vaccinated with the much-anticipated bovine TB vaccine are already underway – two years before its scheduled rollout. Updates to…

DAIRY MARKETS AND PRICES

Steady profits and higher turnover at First Milk

Higher milk prices and inflation pushed First Milk’s annual turnover up by 38% for the year ending 31 March 2023. Total turnover for the co-operative increased by £125m to £456m…

MEAT MARKETS AND PRICES

Irish grass fed beef close to PGI protected status in EU

Irish farming bodies have welcomed progress in an application to gain Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) status for Irish grass-fed beef. The EU commission has been looking into the proposal and…

DAIRY MARKETS AND PRICES

Dairy contract regulations cautiously welcomed by FUW

Milk producing members of the Farmers' Union of Wales have given a cautious welcome to the new Fair Dealing Obligations Regulations 2023 – currently in draft form – believing they…

MEAT MARKETS AND PRICES

Mules up on the year to average £178 at Thame Sheep Fair

A stronger trade for breeding ewes defied the weaker lamb market at the recent Thame Sheep Fair, with both average prices and numbers up on the year. More than 18,000…

Commodities

Futures markets and commodity risk management online course

Learn all you need to know about the futures markets and how you can benefit from them:

  • Risk management strategies for a more predictable financial performance
  • Educated conversations when collaborating with your advisors
  • Negotiate better prices with your grain merchants

Find out more

 
 

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