An Essex farmer who spent months visiting local clubs and voluntary groups is using this year’s Tendring Show to strengthen links with the wider community. Matt Swain, president of the 2026 Tendring Show, has travelled across the Tendring Hundred meeting more than 100 organisations ahead of the event, which... Read more
Harvest traffic sparks rural road warning
News 02/06/2026
Road safety campaigners are warning of a “perfect storm” this summer with accidents involving agricultural vehicles expected to rise sharply. NFU Mutual data shows collisions between agricultural vehicles and third parties are 56 per cent more likely between May and September than during the rest of the year. The... Read more
A bumper season of regional agricultural shows gets under way this month – highlighting the best of East Anglia’s food and farming industries to an eager public. In the south of the region, the South Suffolk Show takes place on Sunday, 10 May, at Ampton point-to-point racecourse, just off... Read more
Ministers reject transition call
News 05/05/2026
The government has rejected calls for a 24-month transition as the UK plans a closer relationship with the EU. The UK is negotiating deals with the EU on food and drink standards, carbon emissions and electricity. It would mean following EU rules in those three areas – and continuing... Read more
Iran conflict hits UK farm costs hard
News 05/05/2026
MPs have raised concerns about the impact of the Iran conflict on farmers, warning that rising input costs and supply chain disruption could place further strain on farm businesses. The NFU briefed MPs ahead of a special parliamentary session on supply chain fairness, highlighting the increasing pressure on growers... Read more
The Claydon family will open their Suffolk farm and machinery manufacturing facility to visitors for a series of open days this spring – offering farmers the chance to see the company’s crop establishment kit in operation. Taking place on 28-29 April, the events will include field demonstrations and technical... Read more
Weekly fertiliser prices are being published to support the industry during the Middle East conflict. Crisis in the Gulf has caused an energy price shock which is rippling through global markets and is driving uncertainty on its implications for the agriculture sector. Fertiliser is heavily impacted as gas makes... Read more
Farm leaders and Defra ministers have held their first partnership meeting as they strive to secure a profitable future for the industry. The Farming and Food Partnership Board was established on the recommendation of Baroness Minette Batters, whose independent Farming Profitability Review was published late last year following a... Read more
New law on dog attacks comes into effect
News 04/03/2026
Farmers facing a dog attack on livestock are advised to ask someone to film or photograph what is happening while they try to deal with the incident. A new law coming into effect this month gives police more powers to combat the attacks – allowing them to take DNA... Read more
A crackdown on fly-tipping aims to target criminals illegally dumping waste – but industry leaders say farmers are often still left picking up the clean-up bill. The NFU said it welcomed renewed efforts from the Environment Agency to target fly-tipping. It will see drones carrying laser mapping technology to... Read more

















