Farm contracting charges for individual operations have risen by up to 15 per cent following cost increases caused by the Iran war. Results from the latest survey by the National Association of Agricultural Contractors (NAAC) show that prices have generally risen a few per cent higher than 2025 –... Read more

Weaning should not be driven by the calendar – but by what the flock is telling us through lamb performance, ewe body condition and grazing availability, writes Nerys Wright. Many flocks may wean at a similar point each year, but the right timing can shift depending on the season,... Read more

Wool prices for the 2026 cut could rise by a further 25p-30p/kg, suggests British Wool – meaning some wool could realise prices more than £1 per kilo. With the shearing season underway, the forecast has prompted suggestions from clipper manufacturer Heiniger that there has seldom been a better opportunity... Read more

Pig producers remain well-placed to meet consumer needs – despite a challenging market which has seen some farmers served notice on their contracts. The decision by retailer Morrisons to call time on an unspecified number of contracts cast a shadow over last month’s Pig & Poultry Fair. But a... Read more

A Northamptonshire beef and arable farmer has halved his feed costs by switching to home-grown cereals. Harry Brown, who farms 1,700 acres at Potcote Farm, near Towcester, said rising production costs and weak grain markets pushed him to rethink his feeding strategy. Instead of selling more oats and barley... Read more

Growers are being urged to consider under-sowing maize with grass – and reap the benefits of better soil health. Retention of important nutrients, reduced topsoil loss and improved harvestability are just some of the benefits – but timing and species selection are crucial, says David Linton, commercial manager for... Read more

A farmer-led project is testing a smartphone tool which makes it easier to measure the dry matter yield of herbal leys – helping to boost pasture performance. The multiple benefits herbal leys bring to productivity, soil health, biodiversity and improved resilience are well recognised, but there are few ways... Read more

This month I want to highlight a useful prediction tool that has been made available on the SCOPS website: the blowfly forecast, writes Nerys Wright. After discussing the Nematodirus forecast last month, it feels timely to turn our attention to flystrike, particularly as parasites continue to change in response... Read more

A fresh study has highlighted the widespread orf problem on UK sheep farms, with new research highlighting gaps in disease control, treatment and veterinary input. Almost 89% of farmers surveyed by the Royal Veterinary College (RVC) identified orf lesions in their flocks. The findings suggest significant scope to improve... Read more

A bumper line-up of speakers has been confirmed for this month’s Pig and Poultry Fair, which takes place on 13-14 May at the NEC, Birmingham. Key issues addressed by speakers from across the supply chain will help to give producers the confidence to invest their businesses  – with a... Read more