All the latest farming news NEWSThis Week in Farming: Farm to fork, Welsh policy and diseaseWelcome to another edition of This Week in Farming, your regular round-up of the best content from Farmers Weekly and FWi over the past seven days. Farm to Fork Summit… SPRAYERSBig Amazone Pantera 7004 self-propelled set for UK launchAmazone's latest Pantera self-propelled sprayer will make its UK debut at the Cereals Event in June. Far from being a scaled-up version of the current 4,500-litre model, the Pantera 7004… DISEASE MANAGEMENTGrowers advised to stay vigilant for brown rustFungicide sprays at the T2 timing are being strengthened and spray intervals shortened as brown rust continues to cause concern, after the disease infected crops much earlier than expected this… MEDICINESNew antibiotic rules contain 'loopholes and weaknesses'New rules have come into force for ending routine preventative antibiotic use in farming, but campaigners want the UK government to go further. From Friday 17 May, prophylactic use of… NEWSLancaster University votes to ban meat and dairy from campusA small group of students at Lancaster University has voted to ban meat and dairy products from all campus catering outlets, in a move that will see vegan-only catering by… BOVINE TBWelsh unions welcome on-farm TB slaughter rule changesHeavily in-calf cows that test positive for bovine TB will no longer have to be slaughtered on farm in Wales. Farmers will be able to choose to delay the removal… NUTRITION AND FERTILISERSpring leaf tests highlight key nutrient deficiencies in wheatEarly results from leaf tissue tests have indicated a number of nutrient deficiencies in winter wheat this spring. This means growers should closely monitor crops over the coming weeks and… LAND MARKETSFarmland launches from north of Scotland to Home CountiesThe spring market for farm sales is picking up pace, with several new launches across the UK and more in the pipeline. A sizeable arable farm with several dwellings has… CARBONLevy bodies aim to establish farming's true carbon footprintThe AHDB and Quality Meat Scotland are investing some £2.5m and £375,000 of levy-payers’ money respectively in a major new research project designed to calculate agriculture’s true carbon footprint and… HEALTH AND WELLBEINGNFU leaders pledge to take on farmer mental health trainingIn recognition of Mental Health Awareness Week (13-19 May), NFU president Tom Bradshaw and NFU director general Terry Jones have pledged to undertake farming charity Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institution's (Rabi’s)… NEWSOcado credits Clarkson's Farm for British produce sales spikeConsumer demand for British produce has soared following the release of the new series of Clarkson’s Farm, according to data from online grocery retailer Ocado. Demand data from Ocado has shown… FARM ENERGYGovernment tightens solar panels on prime farmland rulesRishi Sunak’s government has announced plans to clamp down on solar panel installation on prime agricultural land to protect food security. Local councils will be advised by ministers not to… TRACTORSLynx to sell Agribumper high-vis tractor ballast kitsA versatile front ballast system that also makes tractors more visible to other road users forms the Agribumper product range – now being distributed in the UK and Ireland by… COMPLIANCEDeadline looms for NFU members to have a say on farm assuranceNFU members have until Tuesday 21 May to have their say on the future of farm assurance as part of the industry’s independent review of assurance schemes. Farmers are encouraged… NEWSFrustration after Morrisons drops British-only lamb pledgeFarming organisations have expressed huge disappointment after Morrisons dropped its 2017 pledge to only source British lamb. The retailer announced that New Zealand lamb will be sold in 39 of… MEAT MARKETS AND PRICESDefra pledges £3m fund for small abattoirs in EnglandDefra has promised £3m in additional support for new and mobile abattoirs in England through its Farming Investment Fund. The commitment, made by prime minister Rishi Sunak at this week’s… OILSEED RAPERecord levels of light leaf spot found in oilseed rapeOilseed rape growers are advised to check crops for light leaf spot (LLS), as severe outbreaks are being found throughout the country, threatening yields. LLS thrives in the moist, cool… ELMDefra offers flexibility on 'green scheme' requirementsFarmers in England who are signed up to various agri-environment schemes are being offered temporary derogations from the normal compliance rules where wet weather and flooding has stopped them from… NEWSKey takeaways from Farm to Fork 2024Prime minister Rishi Sunak is being challenged by farm leaders to match his warm words on food security with meaningful actions. Mr Sunak hosted almost 100 representatives from the food… CROPS MARKETS AND PRICESEx-farm oilseed prices rally on tight EU supply concernsArable farmers are receiving a better return for oilseed rape, with prices having climbed by more than £30/t since the beginning of the year. Oilseeds markets are looking bullish and… POTATOESWhat the mancozeb withdrawal date means for potato growersUK potato growers are facing yet another hit to production as the withdrawal of mainstay potato blight fungicide mancozeb comes into effect later this year and resistance to alternative actives… BALERS AND WRAPPERSCNH automates tractor speed and steering when big balingInexperienced operators or those who like to chill and drink a coffee while in the driving seat will welcome a new baling automation feature that takes charge of steering and… MEAT MARKETS AND PRICESSummer nerves see beef price fall to 480p/kg deadweightProcessor beef prices fell by 2-4p/kg deadweight this week for many, sparking debate about abattoir kill days, autumn supply and consumer behaviour. Trade sources believe farmers will resist the temptation… TRAILERSRedrock buys assets of financially stricken trailer maker KtwoFarm equipment maker Redrock Machinery has bought the assets of one of its competitors, just four weeks after Ktwo directors appointed an administrator. Redrock says it has acquired the Ktwo… FARM POLICYBaroness Kate Rock appointed to Defra boardDefra has announced the appointment of Baroness Kate Rock, who chaired the Rock Review into the tenanted sector, as a non-executive board member. Non-executive board members are senior figures from… LIVESTOCKIT problems prevent farmers registering cattle movementsComputer problems have been preventing British livestock farmers from registering cattle movements online, Defra has said. Farmers have been reporting issues over the past few days attempting to log on… NEWSFarmers march in Cardiff to highlight threat to food securityFrustrated Welsh farmers have marched in Cardiff to highlight the growing threat to food security by Welsh government “anti-farming” policies. The march on Tuesday (14 May) was organised by grassroots… FARM POLICYWelsh government delays new support scheme for another yearThe roll out of Wales’ controversial new farm support scheme is being put on hold for another year. The Sustainable Farming Scheme (SFS) was due to be phased in from… FARM POLICYSunak to unveil raft of new measures to back British farmersPrime minister Rishi Sunak is set to unveil a raft of new measures to back British farming, including a new UK Annual Food Security Index and plans to “turbocharge” the… More articles
