News
- Australian beef output poses risk to UK as trade deal begins June 2, 2023Farmers Weekly Beef supply in Australia is forecast to increase by 7% over the next 12 months, according to global co-operative bank Rabobank, raising the prospect of more shipments to the UK. The free-trade agreement between the UK and Australia came into effect on 31 May, and higher beef production in Australia is likely to […]Charlie Reeve
- Northern Ireland lifts compulsory bird flu biosecurity rules June 2, 2023Farmers Weekly Mandatory biosecurity measures for poultrykeepers in Northern Ireland are being relaxed as of Friday (2 June), with the lifting of the Avian Influenza Prevention Zone (AIPZ). The move follows the downgrading of the bird flu risk in NI to “low”. See also: Avian influenza prevention tips and how to handle an outbreak While […]Phillip Clarke
- Irish dairy herd set to be cut 10% under government plans June 2, 2023Farmers Weekly The Irish government is considering an initiative to significantly reduce the number of dairy cows in order to reach its climate change targets. A target of reducing emissions from farming in Ireland by a quarter by 2030 has been set by government. One proposal to achieve this is by reducing the national dairy […]Charlie Reeve
- Natural England proposes one-year stewardship rollover for Dartmoor June 2, 2023Farmers Weekly Natural England has written to farmers on Dartmoor to propose a one-year extension to existing stewardship agreements, with no reduction in livestock numbers for most areas. This would be followed by a four-year extension to agreements that would take into consideration the findings of an independent review into the management of Dartmoor, overseen […]Philip Case
- New Jag 980 arrives as contractor Jim Watt rues cashflow challenges June 1, 2023Farmers Weekly Jim Watt of East Kilbride, South Lanarkshire runs a busy contracting firm focusing on baling and forage harvesting. Cashflow is one of the biggest challenges facing his business as farmers’ margins tighten and prices become more volatile. Despite the challenges though, if the weather plays along and work goes according to plan, he […]oli mark
- Soil virus prompts move to resistant winter barley variety June 1, 2023Farmers Weekly Soil-borne viruses have pushed a light land Somerset farm into growing only one variety of winter barley and one of winter wheat, which are resistant to the yield-damaging mosaic virus, after suffering big yield losses. Winter barleys in patches of the farm were seeing yield reduction of up to 50%, and the patches […]David Jones
- Business Clinic: Can I put land and buildings into a pension fund? June 1, 2023Farmers Weekly Whether it’s a legal, tax, insurance, management or land issue, Farmers Weekly’s Business Clinic experts can help. Neil Berry, partner at MHA, offers advice on how land and buildings can be put into a pension fund. See also: Top tips for farmers on avoiding inheritance tax pitfalls Q: I’ve heard that I can buy […]Suzie Horne
- Farmer Focus: Cut barley to save money on finishing bulls June 1, 2023Farmers Weekly With lambing finished, things have become a bit less hectic here. It has gone well, with the weather in our favour. Lambing everything outside certainly leaves us vulnerable on this front, but it’s the right system for us – and good weather can tip the balance of enjoyment. See also: How finishing bulls […]Michael Priestley
- Will’s World: Baleful effort from No 10 could be last straw June 1, 2023Farmers Weekly “If you can keep yourself from growing sour, surly, bitter and cynical, man you’ve got it half licked,” wrote Henry Miller in his seminal 1972 book On Turning Eighty. I think about this a lot, as it’s difficult, as you get older, not to become cynical. You’ve seen it all before, modern life […]Emma Northam
- Mixed farm shows how to add value using British wool June 1, 2023Farmers Weekly The wool trade once formed the historic backbone of the British economy, with fleeces sold overseas to foreign merchants, however, in recent times its value has taken a tumble. See also: Charles III: Advocate of traditional family farming and King The latest announcement from the wool board revealed payouts of just 75p/fleece, despite shearing […]Matilda Mcculloch-Bovingdon