Author Posts: Sarah Kidby

An unusually wet spring meant there was very little spring barley in the ground by mid-April, when a press briefing saw experts share top tips on maximising the crop – as well as a new barley resource for growers and agronomists. Sarah Kidby reports.

As the General Election is set for 4th July, Labour is currently leading the opinion polls. We explore what happens next, and what farmers would like to see from the next government.

Two vaccines are now available for BTV-3, which first emerged late last year, and have been granted emergency authorisation in two countries.

Defra has quadrupled the actions available to farmers, and added a new, expanded offer for upland farmers, as well as agroforestry and precision farming actions.

From today (21st May), changes to planning rules make it easier to convert unused farm buildings into new homes, farm shops and gyms, Defra has announced.

Local councils will be advised not to approve solar panels on high quality farmland unless “necessary” according to a written ministerial statement laid before parliament.

Action is needed now to prevent blowfly strike as red alerts are being sent to farmers across the South, Midlands and Eastern UK.

With recent figures showing over half of farm sales last year were to non-farmers, and reports of farmers being outbid for land that is being put into woodland or other offsetting projects, we explore the threats and opportunities of these schemes.

Over 500 CNH Industrial workers – comprising nearly the entire shop floor of the Basildon factory which produces New Holland tractors – are striking during May over a pay dispute.

Despite many of the UK’s native cattle breeds being at real risk of extinction, they could help to meet the country’s environmental goals whilst reducing input costs for farmers, as they are well adapted to low-input systems. Additionally, native breeds can offer greater nutritional value and superior flavour. Sarah Kidby reports.

After relentless heavy rainfall, nutrition specialists are concerned about forage quality due to mineral leaching from the soil.

Defra said it is monitoring the situation closely after media reports of highly pathogenic avian influenza in dairy cattle in the US.