• Goal to make farming more viable • Six months to find Defra answers • No ‘silver bullet’ to boost incomes Former NFU president Minette Batters has pledged to leave no stone unturned after being appointed to lead a Defra review of farm profitability.  Announced last month, the six-month... Read more

Tighter margins focus farm minds More farmers are seeking independent business advice as measures announced in last autumn’s Budget start to impact the industry. “Pressures on the Agricultural Budget, sluggish markets and a lack of detail about future levels of funding are creating a perfect storm for farming and... Read more

Land agents Savills has announced several promotions in its rural teams across eastern England.                 In Norfolk, Daniel Murphy has been made an associate director within the food and farming division; while in Essex, Will Radbourne has been promoted to associate in... Read more

Industry leaders have criticised plans to compulsorily purchase farmland at its agricultural value rather than recognising its potential for development. The government’s Planning and Infrastructure Bill was published last month. The NFU said it supported moves to get rid of the regulatory burden and speed up planning processes and... Read more

• More incidents but fewer fines issed • Criminal gangs leave toxic rubbish tips • More must be done, say landowners Fewer people are being fined for fly-tipping – despite an increase in rubbish being illegally dumped in the countryside. Latest figures show 1.15 million incidents on public land... Read more

• Refined four-wheel-drive system • Revamped and modern exterior • Welcome upgrades in the cabin The 2025 facelift Isuzu D-Max UK version has arrived – with a range of updates worth considering for those in the farming community. Known for its durability and practicality, the D-Max has long been... Read more

• Vehicles reclassed as company cars • Due to come into effect from April • Other changes come into force too Farmers in the market for a double-cab pickup (DCPU) are being advised to move quickly to get ahead of changes to the tax regime. From next month, double-cab... Read more

A firm of farm consultants says it will continue offering free business advice after the end of the government’s Future Farm Resilience Fund. Up to 500 free one-to-one business reviews are being offered to farmers by Ceres Rural. The reviews were previously funded by Defra’s resilience fund which is... Read more

• Consultation on land use framework • Most productive land to be retained • Changes will help meet green targets Government plans could see a 9% reduction in the amount of England’s farmland used to produce food, suggests a Defra consultation. Proposals for a national land use framework would... Read more

• Forecast remains relatively stable • Higher value than national average • Investment benefits are still strong The amount of farmland coming to the market this year is expected to remain relatively stable – following an increase in sales and lower prices last year. The East of England saw... Read more