Latest stories 4X4SBedeo develops retrofit battery and kit for old DefendersLand Rover Defender 90s and 110s can now be electrified with in-wheel motors thanks to a retrofit kit from electric drivetrain specialist Bedeo. The “Reborn Electric: Icons” series will eventually… FEED AND NUTRITIONHow to assess farm mineral status after high rainfallProlonged rainfall has led to concerns about mineral supplementation on farm, due to leaching from the soil. A mineral audit may be a better investment than reaching straight for boluses,… COMMUNITY90 and Counting: 92-year-old Fred Campling's farming lifeIn the first of our series, "90 and Counting", celebrating the enduring nature of farming generations through the decades since FW’s first issue, we talk to 92-year-old Fred Campling. Watch… MACHINERYCereals 2024: Zone tine drill offers adaptable seedingPacking five rows of interchangeable seeding elements, the Zone direct tine drill from Bramleys Seed Establishment can be quickly adapted to suit different conditions. In its simplest form, the toolbar-style… FARMER FOCUSFarmer Focus: Rejected heifers appear to show a trendExciting times ahead? We have welcomed two new members of staff to the team. Both of them have livestock and tractor/machinery experience, and we hope they will enjoy their new… MEAT MARKETS AND PRICESRed meat exports add billions to value of UK livestockThe crucial role exports play in supporting farmgate prices for red meat has been highlighted by the latest trade figures, which show beef, pork and lamb exports worth £1.7bn last… BUSINESSTories and Labour clash on farm inheritance tax claimsThe Conservatives have accused Labour of planning a £1bn inheritance tax raid on UK family farms, putting the UK’s food security at risk. Defra secretary Steve Barclay has warned Labour… CROP SELECTIONPlant breeders fear gene editing could be "derailed" by electionPlant scientists are demanding the next government prioritise the introduction of gene editing, to help accelerate the development of crops with increased yields, improved climate resilience and reduced environmental footprints.… BROILERSTesco moves to lower stocking rates for fresh chickenSupermarket giant Tesco is joining Waitrose, M&S and Sainsbury’s in requiring its chicken producers to stock their birds at a 20% lower rate than the industry standard. The move, which… More articles OpinionSee all NEWSOpinion: Farmers' attitudes to adversity makes them winnersIn what has been described locally as “the biggest scandal since the horse meat fiasco”, I was given the Beef Farmer of the Year award last year. Whether it was… NEWSOpinion: Why we need to invest in agri-tech innovationJust as farming covers a multitude of different products, systems and business types, so the term “agri-tech” has expanded. For many, it perhaps conjures up drones and robots, but for… NEWSOpinion: Blackpool YF minority demonstrate 'toxic culture'Photos of young farmers at Blackpool were all over my social feed the week I was at a conference in Amsterdam about the future of food. I was listening to… OPINIONEditor's View: Battle lines being drawn for autumn drillingBad generals, it is said, are always at risk of attempting to win a conflict by using the same tactics that won the last war. At Cereals this week, it… Subscribe to Farmers Weekly Save money and never miss an issue. Subscribe ArableSee all CROP SELECTIONPlant breeders fear gene editing could be "derailed" by electionPlant scientists are demanding the next government prioritise the introduction of gene editing, to help accelerate the development of crops with increased yields, improved climate resilience and reduced environmental footprints.… CROP WATCHCrop Watch: OSR pod sealants and foliar N in wheatThe weather remains unsettled with disease pressure staying high. For example, the showery weather as resulted in rhynchosporium starting to develop in spring barley crops in the west. This changeable… FARMER FOCUSFarmer Focus: Throwing it all at our fight against grassweedsOur farming system revolves around ryegrass seed production for four key reasons: successful yields, straw sales to North Island dairy farmers, the restorative function within our rotation and the lambs… OTHER CROPSCereals 2024: Project seeks to find UK chickpea varietyA new research project aims to explore the potential for domestic production of chickpeas by developing the UK’s first breeding programme. The Cicero project is a two-year feasibility study led… VARIETY SELECTIONAfter 80 years, where next for the Recommended List?The future direction of the AHDB’s Recommended List (RL) and the need for it to reflect the move to more sustainable farming systems was the focus at Cereals 2024, as… FARMER FOCUSFarmer Focus: Feeling excited at the prospect of harvestWhat a roller coaster the 2023-24 growing season has been. Crops have picked up hugely over the past six weeks and for the first time this year I’m starting to… ARABLECereals 24: Sprayer closed transfer system starts UK rolloutGrowers will soon benefit from a much trailed quicker, safer and environmentally friendly sprayer filling system, backed by 13 chemical manufacturers. The Closed Transfer System, easyconnect, reduces sprayer operator exposure… SOILSCereals 2024: Soil sensors target fast testing and nutrient useTwo high-tech soil sensors were on show at this year’s Cereals event, putting speed, nutrient use efficiency and microbial populations at the core of tests. Paul-Tech soil station A soil… LivestockSee all FEED AND NUTRITIONHow to assess farm mineral status after high rainfallProlonged rainfall has led to concerns about mineral supplementation on farm, due to leaching from the soil. A mineral audit may be a better investment than reaching straight for boluses,… FARMER FOCUSFarmer Focus: Rejected heifers appear to show a trendExciting times ahead? We have welcomed two new members of staff to the team. Both of them have livestock and tractor/machinery experience, and we hope they will enjoy their new… BROILERSTesco moves to lower stocking rates for fresh chickenSupermarket giant Tesco is joining Waitrose, M&S and Sainsbury’s in requiring its chicken producers to stock their birds at a 20% lower rate than the industry standard. The move, which… DAIRYAdvice for managing a split-block calving herdHistorically, savings made from efficient block-calving outweighed seasonality penalties. Yet many contracts have tempted farms into going split block. Herds that move to split-block calving to satisfy milk buyer requirements… DAIRYHow self-feed silage allowed autumn-block herd to expandAn autumn block-calving herd has moved to a new site on farm, replaced a mixer wagon with self-feed silage and increased herd size by 120 cows. Cost of production for… FARMER FOCUSFarmer Focus: Yield up 6 litres with 365-day housingWe’ve worked towards housing the cows all year round for a number of years, and after completing the cubicle shed last autumn, we have done just that. From a production… LIVESTOCKBenefits of cell grazing for efficiency and farm successionSuccession planning has prompted a Welsh upland farm to switch from suckler beef production on a set stocking system, to growing Wagyu cattle on an intensive form of rotational grazing.… LIVESTOCK DISEASESDiseases pose worrying risk to UK livestock this summerDiseases such as bluetongue and African swine fever (ASF) pose potential risks to UK livestock this summer, according to veterinary professionals. The prevalence of these diseases in UK herds would… MachinerySee all 4X4SBedeo develops retrofit battery and kit for old DefendersLand Rover Defender 90s and 110s can now be electrified with in-wheel motors thanks to a retrofit kit from electric drivetrain specialist Bedeo. The “Reborn Electric: Icons” series will eventually… MACHINERYCereals 2024: Zone tine drill offers adaptable seedingPacking five rows of interchangeable seeding elements, the Zone direct tine drill from Bramleys Seed Establishment can be quickly adapted to suit different conditions. In its simplest form, the toolbar-style… MACHINERYCereals 2024: Horsch rejigs Avatar no-till disc drillIt’s almost as though drill makers had to have a mounted toolbar model in their line-up in order to get a stand at this year’s Cereals event. One of the… MACHINERYBurke Trophy up for grabs in Normac innovation competitionThe prestigious Burke Trophy for machinery innovation will be up for grabs at this month’s Royal Norfolk Show. A clutch of mainstream manufacturers will be competing for the prize, which… CommunitySee all COMMUNITY90 and Counting: 92-year-old Fred Campling's farming lifeIn the first of our series, "90 and Counting", celebrating the enduring nature of farming generations through the decades since FW’s first issue, we talk to 92-year-old Fred Campling. Watch… FARMER FOCUSFarmer Focus: Rejected heifers appear to show a trendExciting times ahead? We have welcomed two new members of staff to the team. Both of them have livestock and tractor/machinery experience, and we hope they will enjoy their new… FARMER FOCUSFarmer Focus: Throwing it all at our fight against grassweedsOur farming system revolves around ryegrass seed production for four key reasons: successful yields, straw sales to North Island dairy farmers, the restorative function within our rotation and the lambs… FARMLIFE FRAMEDPhoto of the Week: When a combine cost just over £2,000This fabulous old photo of a combine from the 1960s was sent into us by Jemima White. “Hard to believe that this new McCormick Harvester was purchased by the G… BusinessSee all MEAT MARKETS AND PRICESRed meat exports add billions to value of UK livestockThe crucial role exports play in supporting farmgate prices for red meat has been highlighted by the latest trade figures, which show beef, pork and lamb exports worth £1.7bn last… BUSINESSTories and Labour clash on farm inheritance tax claimsThe Conservatives have accused Labour of planning a £1bn inheritance tax raid on UK family farms, putting the UK’s food security at risk. Defra secretary Steve Barclay has warned Labour… BUSINESSVAT and diversification - beware the pitfallsDiversification raises many tax issues, among them the differences in how VAT is accounted for compared with traditional farm produce sales. Accountant Julie Butler of Butler & Co says VAT… PARTNERSHIPSPartnership court case clarifies inheritance issueFarming partnership and inheritance issues continue to lead to stressful, expensive and lengthy legal proceedings. Partnerships are still governed by Victorian legislation – the Partnership Act 1890 – points out… BUSINESSJob losses as Lincs potato packer goes into administrationLincolnshire potato packer and supplier QV Realisations – part of the AH Worth Group of agri-businesses – has been placed in administration following two years of trading losses. Joint administrator… LAND MARKETSFarms for sale offer diversification opportunity at all scalesDiversification opportunities are a key feature of farms coming to the market for sale or to let this week. Ellacott, a 320-acre farming and sporting property at Bratton Clovelly, near Okehampton… BUSINESSWelsh government vetting in spotlight after dairy collapsesDairy insiders have questioned the Welsh government’s vetting processes for investment in the sector, after Mona Island Dairy collapsed into administration. This is the third processor which has received public… BUSINESS MANAGEMENTHow a business LPA can provide farming continuityA lasting power of attorney (LPA) allows a trusted person (or a group of people) to make certain decisions on your behalf if you are unable to. There are two… Futures prices Updated end of day Copyright © 2019. All market data is provided by Barchart Solutions. Futures: at least 10 minute delayed. Information is provided 'as is' and solely for informational purposes, not for trading purposes or advice. To see all exchange delays and terms of use, please see disclaimer. Careers CAREERS AND PERSONAL DEVELOPMENTFree sustainable farming course now open for applicationsTesco is partnering with the Harper Adams University School of Sustainable Food and Farming to help farmers learn how they can implement sustainable agriculture practices and protect biodiversity. The Future… LIVESTOCKHow swapping jobs with dairy farm owner helped a new entrantAn owner and farmworker have swapped places on a dairy farm on the Welsh Borders. The reversal of roles for semi-retired farmer Philip Davies and his former herd manager, Hannah… LIVESTOCKValuable business skills courses for dairy farmersMany dairy farmers tend not to be driven by profit: satisfaction comes from a herd of fine cows, full clamps or milk in the tank. But being good at milking… POULTRYAdvice on developing a well-trained poultry teamA team can make or break any business, and a poor poultry team can affect production as well as efficiency. NFU Poultry Board member Will Lea helps deliver staff training…
