News

The UK pig industry has finally returned to a profit after 10 successive quarters of losses, according to figures published by AHDB. During this time, the industry racked up debts estimated to be in excess of £750 million. But AHDB figures show that in the second quarter of 2023, the average net margin was £22/head,…

Farmers have been told to brace for changes in the law which will require them to provide photo ID when purchasing ammonium nitrate (AN) fertilisers from October. Tens of thousands of farming customers could be barred from placing orders of AN as of 1 October 2023 unless they can first submit photo ID to the…

The organisers of the Knaresborough Tractor Run have celebrated a major milestone after raising more than £100,000 for the Yorkshire Air Ambulance charity over the past decade. Members of Knaresborough YFC started the North Yorkshire-based event with just 11 tractors in 2012, and it has since become an annual tradition. The event is now considered…

Growers in Scotland have been given £6m in support over the next two years to help improve the quality, market value and sustainability of their produce. The Scottish government has allocated the funds as part of its extended Fruit and Vegetable Aid scheme, designed to help increase their competitiveness in the supply chain. Co-operatives Scottish…

The government has outlined a raft of measures to improve supply contracts in the dairy sector following concerns that farmers were not being paid a fair price. The new regulations are set to come into force later this year, with an aim to ensure supply contracts in the dairy sector are fair and transparent. The…

UK tractor registrations have risen by 6% in the first half of 2023 as the industry continues to reduce the backlog of order which build up during the pandemic. The latest figures from the Agricultural Engineers Association (AEA) have been published, showing that the tractor market is on the up following a tough few years.…

The government has lifted the Avian Influenza Prevention Zone (AIPZ) for poultry and captive birds, introduced to help stop the spread of bird flu. The risk of avian influenza has now reduced to ‘low’ for all poultry, the government confirmed on Tuesday (4 June). The AIPZ, which consisted of enhanced biosecurity measures, was brought in…

Small and medium sized farms will soon be able to apply to a share of £5m in grant funding to scale up innovation within the British farming industry. Opening later this month, Defra’s Farming Innovation Investor Partnership Competition aims to accelerate agricultural research and development by blending grant funding with private investment. It specifically seeks…

The government is seeking views from farmers on how to best protect and maintain hedgerows in England following Brexit. Defra’s consultation, open from today to respond, aims to ensure hedgerows continue to get the right level of protection as the UK moves away from cross compliance. The government has a target under the Environmental Improvement…

First Milk and Yeo Valley Production have announced a collaboration with an aim to establish a new conventional regenerative milk pool. The new ‘Naturally Better Dairy Group’ will see co-operative First Milk establish a regenerative milk pool in the South West of England. Founded on the principles of regenerative farming, this group will supply Yeo…