Former science minister George Freeman MP has accused the government of putting food security at risk by prioritising Net Zero over farming. Speaking in the House of Commons, Mr Freeman (pictured right) said swathes of farmland risked being lost under subsidised solar panels generating expensive electricity as the government... Read more
Anger at closure of green scheme Farm leaders have urged the government to renew its commitment to food production and the environment following a series of cuts and tax rises. The warning follows last month’s closure of the Sustainable Farming Incentive to new applications with immediate effect – and... Read more
Farming will survive despite politicians
Opinion 03/04/2025
It’s hard to think of another government in recent memory dishing out so much pain to farmers who feed the nation. Last month’s shock decision by Defra to close the flagship Sustainable Farming Incentive to new applications with immediate effect was as brutal as it was unfair. It was... Read more
Irrigation and weather start-up Sencrop has been acquired by Groupe ISAGRI – one of Europe’s leading companies in digital solutions for field management. The acquisition aims to ensure the continuity of innovation and provide farmers with higher service levels, moving Sencrop from a fledgling company to being part of... Read more
EXPERT VIEW Farming must address the twin challenges of food and water security, says Melvyn Kay. “Water, water everywhere, nor any drop to drink,” wrote English poet Samuel Taylor Coleridge in The Rime of the Ancient Mariner. Penned in 1798, it’s a sentiment that echoes down the ages as... Read more
Funds to protect farm communities Defra plans to review the way it funds flood defences – saying it wants to ensure that farms, rural businesses and local communities are properly protected. It comes after the government unveiled an extra £50m for internal drainage boards (IDBs) – the public bodies... Read more
More than 70 farmers attended the inaugural client conference held by independent agronomy firm Indigro last month. Believed to be the largest one-day event of its kind by a UK-based independent agronomy company, the conference took place on 4 February at Whittlebury Hall, Northamptonshire. The day was themed around... Read more
• Sodden soils after another wet winter • Test properly to assess nutrient status • Take time before drilling spring crops Growers in doubt about the nutritional status of soils this spring should get out in the field and conduct a thorough test, says an agronomist. ProCam agronomist Justin... Read more
• Payments for organic matter test • Increase in nutrient management • More profitable farming practices More farmers are taking advantage of Defra’s Sustainable Farming Incentive to better understand soil health. Defra’s soil testing incentive CSAM1 is part of the wider SFI scheme and offers £6 per hectare and... Read more
• Flexible terms based on cash flow • Reduce greenhouse gas emissions • Remain profitable and sustainable Farmers working to improve soil health can take advantage of a new loan agreement with preferential interest rates. Launched by Oxbury Bank, the Transition Facility aims to help farmers continue farming profitably... Read more