Author Posts: Farmers Guide

The latest NFU Mutual Rural Crime Report reveals an alarming increase in criminal activity across the British countryside, with the total cost of rural crime adding up to an estimated £49.5m, a steep rise of 22% from the previous year.

Both of Väderstad’s new generation NZ Extreme heavy duty tine harrow and Inspire seed drill are built for precision and high-intensity performance and are now available to demo in the UK.

A stasis in the let sector is revealed in the latest annual CAAV Agricultural Land Occupation Survey 2022, which covers decisions made where tenancies were granted or ended and other occupations changed in that year.

Maize crops stand to make big gains in cob quality and dry matter yield with Quantis for stress relief through the crucial pollen development stage at flowering, along with any subsequent heat events.

Two new hybrid winter feed barley varieties from Syngenta have become available for planting this autumn, offering enhanced defence against two of the major yield-robbing diseases alongside increased vigour and yields.

In recognition of her advocacy for sustainable farming practices and role in educating young people about food production, Katie Rose-Davies, a third-generation hill farmer from South Wales, has been selected as the 25th winner of the Wales Woman Farmer of the Year Award.

The Rural Payments Agency (RPA) has confirmed farmers will be issued the first instalment of BPS advance payments tomorrow (1st August), representing up to 50% of annual direct payments.

Livestock farmers will be able to apply for grants of up to £500,000 to improve cattle housing and boost productivity, with further grants being made available for purchasing equipment and technology as part of the government’s Animal Health and Welfare Pathway.

At a seminar on the Welsh government’s proposed Sustainable Farming Scheme (SFS) hosted by NFU Cymru, farmers have raised concerns over the 10% tree cover and habitat targets with rural affairs minister Lesley Griffiths and called for greater flexibility to make the scheme viable for producers.

Responding to financial pressures facing the sector, Yorkshire pig producers Vicky, Rachel and Kate Morgan, diversified into holiday lets. Since their March launch they’ve received outstanding customer reviews and their new enterprise is fully booked until August. This is how they did it… 

As part of their campaign to Back British Farming, A-Plan Rural Insurance is sitting down with farmers to chat about all things farming. In their latest blog, they spoke with Anna Longthorn (@annas_happy_trotters), who is an English farmer. Anna discusses the farm she works on, how she came to be a pig farmer, the farming tradition in her family and the opportunities she sees for others wanting to enter farming.

Sustainability, water management and environmental schemes will be the key topics discussed during the 2023 Autumn Farming Conference at Wherstead Park, Ipswich on Tuesday 10th October.