Thousands of farmers, food producers and rural businesses will descend on Edinburgh next month as the Royal Highland Show returns for its 2026 event. Organisers expect strong visitor numbers for the four-day show at Ingliston, which has become one of the UK’s biggest agricultural events and a key date... Read more

Sales of farmland have slowed due to a lack of supply and persistent political uncertainty, say land agents Kinght Frank. The feeling of treading water that settled over the market in 2025 has shown few signs of dissipating this year – largely due to continued political and economic uncertainty,... Read more

Police have pledged a tougher crackdown on hare coursing gangs after mounting pressure from farmers facing repeated attacks and intimidation. A package of measures announced by the force includes faster emergency responses, specialist officer training, drone deployment and plans to seize all dogs used in hare coursing incidents. It... Read more

Management training provider MDS has launched a new agri-food apprenticeship programme for college and sixth form leavers aged 18 and over. The Fresh Futures Programme offers a direct route into the agriculture and food industry and a practical alternative to university. It follows 40 years of developing industry talent... Read more

An arable estate has recorded seven endangered bird species and an increase in overall bird numbers during a national survey. The Big Farmland Bird Count offers a snapshot of farmland biodiversity. Taking place each February, the timing of the count coincides with one of the most challenging periods of... Read more

Land agents and farm business advisors Strutt & Parker have appointed Natalie Gaibani as the firm’s new head of farming. Ms Gaibani joins Strutt & Parker from Promar International where she was head of the Farm Business Survey team and interim managing director. She was previously chief operating officer... Read more

Farms and estates generally continue to hold their appeal, despite the challenges facing agriculture and the wider economy over the past 12 months. Buyers of farmland took a measured approach in 2025, suggests an analysis of Strutt & Parker’s Farmland Database. Updated on a rolling basis using sold prices,... Read more

Last year I was asking whether there was ever an ideal time to talk about water for agriculture. After last summer’s drought – and the impact on yields – means that question has been firmly answered. Restrictions in several catchments means water availability is now a central business risk... Read more

Seven students have graduated and received their Certificate of Higher Education in Livestock Operations and Management. The four-year programme aims to equip practising livestock auctioneers with the skills needed to meet the demands of a rapidly changing agricultural landscape – including a strategic approach to their profession. The course... Read more