A government consultation could ease planning barriers on wind turbines, creating opportunities for farmers and landowners. The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) is proposing a permitted development right (PDR) for a single small wind turbine on non-domestic sites. The consultation runs until 10 June 2026. Under... Read more
Soaring fuel costs have triggered calls for a one-off Soil Improvement and Resilience Scheme amid disruption due to the Iran War. Supply chain turmoil has driven up fertiliser and fuel prices – but output commodity values like wheat have not kept pace. The squeeze follows several tough years for... 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
Livestock throughput across England and Wales edged up in 2025, with total numbers increasing to 10.76 million total livestock head sold. Notably, total market turnover rose significantly to just over £3bn, up £554m year-on-year, and this has never previously exceeded £2.5bn, according to the latest figures from the Livestock... Read more
A dip in cattle prices is prompting beef producers to scrutinise performance at grass and tackle losses that often go unnoticed within herds. While values remain firm by long-term standards, GB deadweight prices have slipped compared with a year ago. Steers are down 54.2p/kg, while heifers have fallen by... Read more
New technology is helping to optimise fertiliser applications as growers strive to offset rising nitrogen prices caused by turmoil in the Middle East. A 34% spike in the price of granular fertiliser has put a serious dent in arable budgets – with the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board citing... Read more
A new guide aims to encourage the adoption of technology in sustainable farming. The bitesize guide was published last month by the Nuffield Farming Scholarships Trust and the Royal Agricultural Society of England (RASE). It features the findings from 12 Nuffield scholars. Focusing on new technologies to help make... Read more
Farmers, growers and foresters in England can apply for a fresh round of funding aimed at turning practical ideas into on-farm trials. The latest round of the ADOPT (Accelerating Development of Practices and Technologies) fund, run by Defra, is now open. The scheme supports farmer-led innovation and does not... Read more
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