More than 350 exhibitors and hundreds of speakers will attend Groundswell next month – as the two-day festival hosts its most expansive programme yet. Farmers, scientists, food businesses and environmental campaigners will gather at Lannock Farm near Hitchin to debate regenerative agriculture, soil health and sustainable food production. Groundswell... Read more
What to expect at Groundswell 2026
News 03/06/2026
Groundswell 2026 will take place on 1-2 July at Lannock Farm, near Hitchen, Hertfordshire, about an hour north of London. The event opens from 7am until midnight on both days, with camping available from the evening of 30 June. Organisers provide shuttle buses from Stevenage station and expect thousands... Read more
Harvest traffic sparks rural road warning
News 03/06/2026
Road safety campaigners are warning of a “perfect storm” this summer with accidents involving agricultural vehicles expected to rise sharply. NFU Mutual data shows collisions between agricultural vehicles and third parties are 56 per cent more likely between May and September than during the rest of the year. The... Read more
Management training provider MDS has launched a new agri-food apprenticeship programme for college and sixth form leavers aged 18 and over. The Fresh Futures Programme offers a direct route into the agriculture and food industry and a practical alternative to university. It follows 40 years of developing industry talent... Read more
The farmland market in England held steady during the first three months of the year 2026 – despite a cautious mood across the sector. Just over 7,000 acres were publicly marketed in the first quarter, according to the latest figures from Strutt & Parker. That is 3,300 acres fewer... Read more
New technology is helping to optimise fertiliser applications as growers strive to offset rising nitrogen prices caused by turmoil in the Middle East. A 34% spike in the price of granular fertiliser has put a serious dent in arable budgets – with the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board citing... Read more
A bumper line-up of speakers has been confirmed for this month’s Pig and Poultry Fair, which takes place on 13-14 May at the NEC, Birmingham. Key issues addressed by speakers from across the supply chain will help to give producers the confidence to invest their businesses – with a... Read more
This month I want to highlight a useful prediction tool that has been made available on the SCOPS website: the blowfly forecast, writes Nerys Wright. After discussing the Nematodirus forecast last month, it feels timely to turn our attention to flystrike, particularly as parasites continue to change in response... Read more
A dip in cattle prices is prompting beef producers to scrutinise performance at grass and tackle losses that often go unnoticed within herds. While values remain firm by long-term standards, GB deadweight prices have slipped compared with a year ago. Steers are down 54.2p/kg, while heifers have fallen by... Read more
A host of new equipment and attachments will be launched by Weaving for visitors to see at its stand (747) at Cereals. A new one-pass cultivator – the Raptor – will headline the Weaving stand. The company will also launch the next generation of high-output, low-disturbance seed drill, although... Read more