Business top stories PAYMENTS, SCHEMES AND GRANTSFarmers face SFI payment delays over historic land checksFarmers in England are facing delays in their Sustainable Farming Incentive payments due to a processing error by the Rural Payments Agency (RPA). The issue primarily affects agreements involving SAM3… MARKETS AND TRENDSUK-India trade deal to reshape food exportsThe UK and India have signed a landmark free-trade agreement, the most significant since Brexit, aimed at deepening economic ties between the two nations. For the UK food and farming… DIVERSIFICATIONFruit grower turns waste products into business ventureFarmers Weekly's 2024 Diversification Farmer of the Year winner, Annabel Makin-Jones, has built a sustainable business model, which maximises the use of by-products to reduce costs and waste. The Yorkshire-based… BUSINESSTesco launches low carbon concept farms to boost innovationWorking with farmers to showcase best practice and share practical learnings will help to reduce their environmental impact and support the farming industry’s transition to net zero, believes Tesco. Given… BUSINESS MANAGEMENTHow making time to talk about the farm's future pays offOne of the key aims and benefits of the free business advice offered through Defra’s Future Farming Resilience Fund was to facilitate the start of conversations within farming businesses about… MEAT MARKETS AND PRICESUK beef and pig exports to Canada see major increasesThe value and volume of UK beef and pigmeat exports to Canada has seen an increase in 2024, according to the AHDB. The Canadian market is now the second-biggest export… LAND MARKETSLarge mixed farming estate launched in Welsh national parkOne of the most significant mixed-use farming estates in the Eryri National Park in Wales is on the market at a guide price of £15m. The 3,784-acre Nannau Estate, at… CROPS MARKETS AND PRICESWheat prices hit by weather and currency factorsWheat prices have come under further pressure this week, with futures markets on both sides of the Atlantic hitting new contract lows. London May wheat futures were trading at just… BUSINESSTight beef supply sees deadweight prices soaringTight international and domestic beef supplies are said to be responsible for a near 40% increase in cattle deadweight prices in just nine months, according to Wales’s red meat levy… BUSINESS MANAGEMENTInsolvency risks and mitigation steps for farm businessesA raft of issues including finance, employment and other costs, supply chain problems, climate change and international trade friction all combine to make business increasingly volatile. Challenges can come from within,… DAIRY MARKETS AND PRICESMilk volumes hit record highs as farmgate prices holdGB average daily milk production surpassed 38m litres for the first time in mid-April, with volumes expecting to climb even further as the spring flush approaches in early May. Daily… INPUT MARKETS AND PRICESFertiliser prices climb amid challenging global outlookFertiliser products are becoming less affordable for farm businesses, with input prices climbing faster than most agricultural commodities. That is according to RaboResearch, the knowledge arm of multinational agricultural banking… BUSINESSHCC faces criticism over surplus levy redistributionHybu Cig Cymru (HCC), the body responsible for promoting Welsh red meat, is facing criticism over potential changes in its revised framework agreement with the Welsh government. Under the proposed… BUSINESSUrgent call to address animal welfare in UK trade dealsThe UK risks undermining its animal welfare laws and disadvantaging British farmers if trade deals allow imports from countries with lower standards, a new report has warned. As the UK… Business newsSee all PAYMENTS, SCHEMES AND GRANTSNew Welsh government scheme funds nature-friendly farmingThe Welsh government has launched a new scheme to support farmers working in the country's national parks and national landscapes to support nature recovery. Providing £1.8m to the Ffermio Bro:… BUSINESSTight beef supply sees deadweight prices soaringTight international and domestic beef supplies are said to be responsible for a near 40% increase in cattle deadweight prices in just nine months, according to Wales’s red meat levy… DAIRY MARKETS AND PRICESMilk volumes hit record highs as farmgate prices holdGB average daily milk production surpassed 38m litres for the first time in mid-April, with volumes expecting to climb even further as the spring flush approaches in early May. Daily… BUSINESSHCC faces criticism over surplus levy redistributionHybu Cig Cymru (HCC), the body responsible for promoting Welsh red meat, is facing criticism over potential changes in its revised framework agreement with the Welsh government. Under the proposed… More articles Explore farm management Know How Business advice Essential guides Practical tips Case studies Business management Compliance Payments, schemes and grants Diversification Health and safety Succession planning Road legal Careers and personal development Explore all topics Latest from farm management Know HowSee all DIVERSIFICATIONFruit grower turns waste products into business ventureFarmers Weekly's 2024 Diversification Farmer of the Year winner, Annabel Makin-Jones, has built a sustainable business model, which maximises the use of by-products to reduce costs and waste. The Yorkshire-based… BUSINESS MANAGEMENTHow making time to talk about the farm's future pays offOne of the key aims and benefits of the free business advice offered through Defra’s Future Farming Resilience Fund was to facilitate the start of conversations within farming businesses about… BUSINESS MANAGEMENTInsolvency risks and mitigation steps for farm businessesA raft of issues including finance, employment and other costs, supply chain problems, climate change and international trade friction all combine to make business increasingly volatile. Challenges can come from within,… BUSINESS CLINICBusiness Clinic: Energy compliance in FBT's sublet cottagesWhether it’s a legal, tax, insurance, management or land issue, Farmers Weekly’s Business Clinic experts can help. Here, Nick Curnock, Rural Associate with Carter Jonas, advises on what a new… TAXFarm tax: Opportunities, deadlines and updatesThere is currently a mix of opportunities, deadlines and changes relating to tax for farm businesses. We find out what to be aware of when dealing with your tax responsibilities… AGRICULTURAL TRANSITIONTransition webinar: Renewable energy key points to considerRenewable energy can displace fossil fuel use, cutting input costs and reducing greenhouse gas emissions, according to a Farmers Weekly Transition project webinar panel. But with a number of renewables… AGRICULTURAL TRANSITIONTransition Farmers: Buildings upgrade and new dairy progressFarmers Weekly's Transition project is following a group of farmers on their journey to adapt and meet the challenges of farming. Here, we look at the progress of two farms.… BUSINESS CLINICBusiness Clinic: Can we ask tenant to change way they farm?Whether it’s a legal, tax, insurance, management or land issue, Farmers Weekly’s Business Clinic experts can help. Here Duncan Sigournay, partner and head of Thrings agriculture team, advises on a… AGRICULTURAL TRANSITIONTransition Farmers: Succession focus and investment on holdFarmers Weekly's Transition project is following a group of farmers on their journey to adapt and meet the challenges of farming. Here, we look at the progress of two farms.… PAYMENTS, SCHEMES AND GRANTSSupply chain funding: What's on offer for regen farmingWhile both private and public funding have been available, the recent pausing of the Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) and capital grants by the government is putting the onus on supply… BUSINESS MANAGEMENTHow a data-led approach can manage sub-field costsFarm support is being cut back and the replacement environmental schemes require significant management costs to maintain. It means that even a field-by-field approach to cost management may not ensure… STAFF MANAGEMENTFarm recruitment challenge - how structure and clarity helpHiring farming staff has become ever more difficult, making it all the more important that a farm’s team includes the right mix of people and that they are clear about… TAXHow a company structure could help IHT planningMoving from a sole trader or partnership status to trading as a company needs careful thought across a range of aspects. A corporate structure means more regulatory and reporting requirements,… BUSINESS MANAGEMENTContract farming agreements: Balancing risk and rewardContract farming agreements (CFAs) need to be more tailored than ever, advisers say, reflecting more closely the quality of land and buildings, alongside cropping and environmental measures. While the fierce… BUSINESS MANAGEMENTLegal expenses insurance: What farmers should knowLegal expenses cover is designed to insure against future legal costs and can be bought as a standalone product, although it is commonly available as an addition to combined farm… DIVERSIFICATIONTax and legal considerations for farm diversificationsThe tax and legal considerations for alternative enterprises depend very much on the type of enterprise and how it sits within or separately from the farming business. One of the… Business Clinic BUSINESS CLINICBusiness Clinic: Energy compliance in FBT's sublet cottagesWhether it’s a legal, tax, insurance, management or land issue, Farmers Weekly’s Business Clinic experts can help. Here, Nick Curnock, Rural Associate with Carter Jonas, advises on what a new… BUSINESS CLINICBusiness Clinic: Can we ask tenant to change way they farm?Whether it’s a legal, tax, insurance, management or land issue, Farmers Weekly’s Business Clinic experts can help. Here Duncan Sigournay, partner and head of Thrings agriculture team, advises on a… BUSINESS CLINICBusiness Clinic: Should we switch to a share farming agreement?Whether it’s a legal, tax, insurance, management or land issue, Farmers Weekly’s Business Clinic experts can help. Here, Ted Beale, Associate Partner with Carter Jonas Rural, advises on the merits… BUSINESS CLINICBusiness Clinic: Can wedding traffic go through our yard?Whether it’s a legal, tax, insurance, management or land issue, Farmers Weekly’s Business Clinic experts can help. Here, Polly Ridgway, legal director in Thrings’ agricultural litigation team, advises on a… View all Business Clinic articles Markets and trendsSee all BUSINESSTight beef supply sees deadweight prices soaringTight international and domestic beef supplies are said to be responsible for a near 40% increase in cattle deadweight prices in just nine months, according to Wales’s red meat levy… DAIRY MARKETS AND PRICESMilk volumes hit record highs as farmgate prices holdGB average daily milk production surpassed 38m litres for the first time in mid-April, with volumes expecting to climb even further as the spring flush approaches in early May. Daily… BUSINESSUrgent call to address animal welfare in UK trade dealsThe UK risks undermining its animal welfare laws and disadvantaging British farmers if trade deals allow imports from countries with lower standards, a new report has warned. As the UK… MEAT MARKETS AND PRICESRearing calves selling for £500 plus at auctionBeef finishers in search for replacements have been paying well in excess of £500 a head for rearing calves at livestock markets. The calf trade has been buoyed up throughout… CROPS MARKETS AND PRICESUK oilseeds fluctuate at £450/t due to currency movementsA stronger pound against the US dollar has reduced the relative cost of imports coming into the UK, with most commodities traded globally in dollars. Sterling has rallied against the… MEAT MARKETS AND PRICESFinished pig prices firm in Europe as UK supplies increasePig prices on the Continent have seen a flurry of support in recent weeks, with prices lifting by 10% since the start of April and tightening the gap to the… MEAT MARKETS AND PRICES10-year vision for beef industry aims to increase productionA 10-year vision for the sector has been unveiled by the NFU ahead of Great British Beef Week from 23 to 30 April. It outlines plans to stop the decline… INPUT MARKETS AND PRICESFertiliser shortage hits farms as spring demand picks upExtremely tight supplies of fertiliser in the UK and strong seasonal demand have left farm businesses scrambling for inputs and facing lengthy delivery delays, with some orders not being fulfilled… Advertisements Land in your areaSee all LAND MARKETSFarmland in your area 2024: East MidlandsAgents report a clear growth in the supply of farmland coming to the market in the East Midlands in 2024, a combination of public and private sales that resulted in… LAND MARKETSFarmland in your area 2024: Yorkshire and HumberPrivate sales dominated in the Yorkshire and Humber region in 2024, with some agents reporting that more than two-thirds of transactions took place off the open market, many to cash… LAND MARKETSFarmland in your area 2024: East of EnglandWhole farm and bare land sales in the east of England were at one of their highest ever volumes in 2024, and the majority of sales were to farmers. By… LAND MARKETSFarmland in your area 2024: South East EnglandSales of farmland were up by almost a quarter in the south-east of England in 2024, with a significant number of off-market deals. There seems to be no real trend… Most popular this week
