A new vet-led service aims to help dairy farmers to increase animal health and productivity by improving their water quality. FarmWater, which ensures clean, hygienic water regardless of water source, has proven itself within the poultry sector, and is now officially rolling out onto dairy farms, many of which... Read more

Plans to reform the UK water sector have big implications for farmers and must take account of agriculture, say farm leaders. The warning follows 88 recommendations by the Independent Water Commission, chaired by Sir Jon Cunliffe – including a new integrated regulator for water and nine new regional water... Read more

More than 150 farmers have been able to resume water abstraction after the NFU raised their case with the Environment Agency. Restrictions were lifted for the growers affected by an abstraction cessation order in Norfolk, Suffolk and Cambridgeshire. The NFU said it was working to find a solution for... Read more

Huge challenges around water quality and availability are limiting farmers’ ability to feed the nation, the government has been told. Defra secretary Steve Reed was among more than 60 attendees at a Water Summit which say the NFU bring together industry experts, water companies, environmental groups and supply chain... Read more

EXPERT VIEW Farming must address the twin challenges of food and water security, says Melvyn Kay. “Water, water everywhere, nor any drop to drink,” wrote English poet Samuel Taylor Coleridge in The Rime of the Ancient Mariner. Penned in 1798, it’s a sentiment that echoes down the ages as... Read more

Irrigation and weather start-up Sencrop has been acquired by Groupe ISAGRI – one of Europe’s leading companies in digital solutions for field management. The acquisition aims to ensure the continuity of innovation and provide farmers with higher service levels, moving Sencrop from a fledgling company to being part of... Read more

• Abstraction licence terms breached • Offences took place over four-year period • Magistrate imposes £4000 fine Farmers are being reminded to abide by abstraction licences after a Norfolk grower was fined more than £4000 for taking too much water. Brian Rutterford, 77, of Undley, Lakenheath, was ordered to... Read more

Funds to protect farm communities Defra plans to review the way it funds flood defences – saying it wants to ensure that farms, rural businesses and local communities are properly protected. It comes after the government unveiled an extra £50m for internal drainage boards (IDBs) – the public bodies... Read more