What next for British farmers?
Opinion 07/08/2025
Farming has a future – let’s not waste it, says Clodhopper Much of my time over recent months has been spent thinking or writing about farming families and their struggle to keep their chins and bank balance above water. With an ageing and declining farming population, we overlook the... Read more
• Big implications for UK growers • Challenge for seasonal workers • Cost of recruitment could soar Requiring growers to cover all costs associated with seasonal workers under the Seasonal Worker Scheme would pose a huge challenge, says the NFU. The warning follows a review into the Employer Pays... Read more
An innovative camera and AI system is helping dairy farmers improve productivity and cow health. The system uses a camera fitted to the parlour or race, allowing a bird’s-eye view of the cows as they pass underneath. It assesses mobility and body condition score (BCS), which the farmer can... Read more
• Thousands of visitors expected to attend • Showcase of best British dairy sector • Exhibitors from UK and overseas Final touches are being put to this year’s UK Dairy Day event, which takes place next month at the International Centre, Telford, Shropshire. The dedicated annual event for the... Read more
A planning overhaul is needed to secure a better future for pig production, industry leaders have told the government. The National Pig Association made the plea in response to Defra’s review of farming profitability. Other recommendations include a clampdown on disease risk, better trade agreements and easier access to... Read more
Farmer leader Tom Bradshaw has urged Keir Starmer to hold firm on poultry production standards when negotiating trade deals. The NFU has written to the Prime Minister calling for the government to continue its balanced approach to trade and to protect UK standards as trade negotiations progress with the... Read more
Specialist technical advice is key Hatchery managers are being encouraged to carry out regular hygiene audits to support their biosecurity protocols. Hatcheries present unique hygiene challenges compared to other farm settings, operating more like food factories which require significantly higher cleanliness standards, says Rob Hallewell, hatchery hygiene expert at... Read more
• Good showing for dairy farmers • Growing momentum for organic • Big range in performance levels The last milk year was positive for dairy producers, with continued improvements in cow health and growing momentum in the organic milk sector, according to the latest annual report from Kingshay Dairy... Read more
More than 10,000 visitors attended last month’s Groundswell 2025 event, held on 1-3 July at Lannock Farm, near Hitchin, Hertfordshire. The sell-out regenerative agriculture festival included over 400 speakers from around the world – among them Prince William and the American “godfather of regenerative agriculture” Gabe Brown. Visitors... Read more
A Cambridgeshire farmer has scooped a prestigious award for integrating arable production and nature to create a profitable business. David Felce received the 2025 Rawcliffe Bridge Award for Sustainability at a special ceremony last month. The award was organised by BASF, in partnership with the Andersons Centre, Country Trust... Read more