Finance News

The latest Farmland Index launched by global property consultancy Knight Frank has revealed that, despite pre-election uncertainty, the average value of bare agricultural land in England and Wales has reached a new record high of £9,335 per acre in the second quarter of 2024.  

A rural insurer is warning farmers to protect themselves from unforeseen time off as the new figures show that long-term sickness across the industry has been rising by 11% year-on-year. 

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.

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.

The government has just announced that the seasonal worker visa route will be extended until 2029 following labour shortages. 

The minimum wage has increased, but employers who are paying salaries rather than hourly rates could be unknowingly offering less than the minimum wage, a farm employment consultant warns British farmers.

This spring could see a surge in farms and land for sale after weather held off some launches planned for the start of the year, a farm and estate property expert warns. 

With more than 60% of England’s farmland managed by tenant farmers, industry leaders, experts, institutional landlords and tenant farming members have come together to discuss the future of the sector. 

The volume of farmland available on the market in England has been going up in recent months. The latest study has shown that farmers are trying to sell 6% more of their land compared to the same period in 2023. 

Farmers and horticulture growers are being encouraged to apply for a grant through Defra’s Farming Equipment and Technology Fund (FETF) before the final deadline. 

Farm and estate property consultancy Carter Jonas has called for clarity over the tax treatment of land put into environmental schemes.

Country Land and Business Association (CLA) is calling for the flood fund to open as soon as possible following farmers fears for the 2024 harvest after one of the wettest and stormiest winters in decades.