British farmers could benefit from corporate investment to support sustainable agriculture – so long as it is done correctly. The untapped opportunities afforded to farmers from environmental, social and governance (ESG) investment were discussed at a special event held at the Judge Business School in Cambridge. Organised by the... Read more

EXPERT VIEW It pays to consider the legal implications when diversifying, says Amy Cowdell. Farm businesses have broadened greatly over the past few years, with entrepreneurial farmers setting up innovative enterprises to ensure they remain sustainable for generations to come. Helping to boost farming income, diversification is nothing new.... Read more

Two Suffolk estates – including 2800 acres of arable and grazed farmland – are being offered for sale close to coastal Southwold. The Blyford Estate is listed with a guide price of £25m, with the nearby Chediston Estate being marketed at £11.6m. Both properties are being jointly marketed by... Read more

Farmers will be able to convert their unused buildings into new homes and shops thanks to new planning laws. The major changes give farmers across England greater freedom to diversify and grow their business, says the government – without having to spend time and money submitting a planning application.... Read more

Smart solutions to the challenges faced by farming will be theme of this year’s National Farm Management Conference, due to take place this autumn. Run by the Institute of Agricultural Management (IAgrM), the one-day event will explore innovations in intelligent systems – including how new technical and business skills... Read more

The amount of farmland being sold in the East of England has increased by almost a third in the early part of this year, say land agents. Some 4,300 acres of farmland were publicly marketed in the region within the first three months of 2024 – a 28% rise... Read more

Farmers and landowners are often concerned about the prospect of tax changes if a Labour government comes to power. A perennial fear is a hike in capital gains tax – or even the introduction of a yet more punitive ‘development tax’. With Keir Starmer’s party tipped to win the... Read more

More funding is needed to combat the criminal gangs who are targeting the countryside, say campaigners. Organised criminals – including those linked to the international drug trade – are increasingly preying on rural communities, suggests the latest report commissioned by the National Rural Crime Network. The report was written... Read more

New rules requiring developers to replace wildlife habitats destroyed during construction projects could provide an opportunity for farmers. After years of proposals, the Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) policy came into effect on 12 February. It means developments of 10 or more dwellings must deliver at least 10% improvement in... Read more