Serving the Farming Industry across the Midlands for 35 Years
Good harvest yields reported for maize
Early indications suggest a bumper harvest for maize production this year with high yields of good quality material that should clamp and feed well. Fears that the relatively cold, wet spring and challenging drilling conditions could result in later maturing crops for many growers have been largely abated, says... Read more
Farmers need to produce food
Politicians seem to think the countryside is for anything but food production, says Clodhopper. The Labour government’s attack on farmers is often assumed to be a class war being waged against wicked wealthy landowners – and I think I know why. This belief persists despite the fact most working... Read more
5 steps to reduce your inheritance tax risk
EXPERT VIEW Farming families still have time to act before new tax rules kick in, says Toby Tallon. Farming families should take action ahead of changes to agricultural and business property relief. Inheritance tax is now a key consideration before new rules come into effect in April 2026. When... Read more
‘No stone unturned’ in farm profit review
• Goal to make farming more viable • Six months to find Defra answers • No ‘silver bullet’ to boost incomes Former NFU president Minette Batters has pledged to leave no stone unturned after being appointed to lead a Defra review of farm profitability.  Announced last month, the six-month... Read more
AD plants could help ensure energy security
Support for anaerobic digestion could help ensure energy security – and meet the UK’s net zero ambitions, says an industry body. The Anaerobic Digestion and Bioresources Association (ADBA) says it has written to Chancellor Rachel Reeves – urging her to support the sector and its potential to produce clean,... Read more
‘Huge potential’ for UK agritech sector
Agritech worth £13bn to economy Farmers need more support to harness the benefits offered by agri-technology and innovation, says a report. While six in ten farmers plan to adopt technological innovations, they are not being provided with the support needed, despite its potential to improve productivity and bottom lines,... Read more
Satellites measures wheat nitrogen in the field
Scientists have developed an accurate method for using satellite imagery to test nitrogen concentrations in wheat. Hyperspectral satellite crop analysis has successfully used to test nitrogen concentrations in thousands of wheat samples in the field. The samples were measured by agri-tech start-up Messium and verified by Eurofins Agro Testing.... Read more
Defra grants help farmers ADOPT new technology
• Farmer-led funding now available • Support for projects big and small • Goal to support farm productivity Grants are now available for farmers who want to improve their productivity and increase their business resilience. The ADOPT £20.6m fund supports the introduction of innovative technologies aimed at improving productivity,... Read more
How to navigate changes in parasite controls
I have become increasingly interested in why people do – or don’t do – certain things, writes Nerys Wright. Why, for example, do some people embrace change while others struggle? I recently read a book called ‘Switch – How to Change Things When Change is Hard.’ it was a... Read more
Almost nine out of 10 sheep flocks have been subjected to a dog attack within the last 12 months, suggests a survey. Ignorant owners stubbornly refuse to control pets An ongoing failure of UK dog owners to recognise the threat their pet animals pose to farm livestock continues to... Read more
In the Sugar Beet Zone at Cereals 2025
Anyone growing sugar beet in the world today will be familiar with varieties from SesVanderHave and Hilleshog. Year after year, sugar beet remains a significant and reliable break crop delivering increased yields despite increasingly extreme climate events. “Last year, British Sugar and NFU Sugar announced ground breaking changes that... Read more