• Potential for agricultural growth • Year after Labour election victory • Hot issues of IHT and SFI remain The government has received rare praise from farm leaders after including agriculture in its industrial growth strategy. The strategy forms a central pillar of the Labour government’s mission to grow... Read more
Harvesting benefits of positive attitude
Opinion 03/07/2025
Few industries are so dependent on the weather as farming. Not even tourism is so much at the mercy of the elements. If harvest is the end of the farming calendar, then this summer marks the culmination of yet another challenging season – although the weather has been different... Read more
Deal or no deal?
Opinion 10/06/2025
Like it or not, Donald Trump’s tariffs and trade agreements are bad news for British farmers, says Clodhopper What is it about us older farmers? Do we just not understand stuff? Has our thought process slowed down so much we are losing touch with reality? Having briefly read the... Read more
Soil health and economic pressures will be discussed at a dedicated Regenerative Agriculture conference at this month’s Cereals event. Hosted by BASE UK and sponsored by sponsored by Tees Law, the conference will run across both days of the event – held on 11-12 June at Heath Farm, near... Read more
• Latest launch of FETF grants • Six-week application window • Goal to boost farming profits A multi-million-pound fund opens for applications this month to boost farm profitability, productivity and food security. The £46.7 million Farming Equipment and Technology Fund (FETF) offers three types of grant – each worth... Read more
Like it or loathe it, electronic identification in the sheep sector has made monitoring lamb growth rates easier than ever, writes Nerys Wright. Although official aggregated data is unavailable – and much of the research is diet-specific – knowing the daily liveweight gain (DLWG) of your lambs is invaluable... Read more
Sheep farmers are being advised to apply insect growth regulator to flocks amid an increased risk of blowfly strike. The free Blowfly Watch service, run in partnership with NADIS, uses a combination of factors – including soil temperature and humidity – raised its blowfly strike risk warning last month.... Read more
An innovative project aimed at boosting efficiency and productivity in the livestock industry through enhanced water technology is gaining momentum. British agri-tech firm Oxcel has reported successful outcomes from Innovate UK-funded trials, confirming that its nano-oxygen-enhanced water technology delivers significant benefits for both farmers and the environment. The trials... Read more
Significant losses on many farms Four in five UK dairy herds have experienced cryptosporidiosis – with significant financial and welfare implications, say researchers. Some 84% of farmers surveyed by Harper Adams University said they had dealt with outbreaks of the disease, which causes severe watery diarrhoea. Nearly 60% rating... Read more
Net zero beef ‘now a reality’
Livestock 10/06/2025
Four-year trial sees good results Beef cattle reared on a grass-rich regenerative farming system can store more carbon than they emit – helping to mitigate climate change, suggests a study. Results from the McDonald’s-sponsored project at FAI Farms could see farmers and food companies to back up their net zero balance with... Read more