Diversification can be rewarding, but professional advice is critical

The loss of the Basic Payment Scheme will threaten farms which are slow to adapt, but progressive businesses will see opportunities to expand, diversify and thrive, according to Ashley Smith of agricultural accountancy firm, Larking Gowen.

Top tips for quick and easy diversification

With the sun now set on the annual Spanish exodus – for the time being at least – the British countryside is fast becoming the holiday destination of choice, so farms are looking to diversify into holiday accommodation. Pitchup.com founder Dan Yates offered Farmers Guide his top tips.

Hare coursing: Farmers continue to pay the price for criminals’ favourite sport

Despite being banned in 2004 as part of the Hunting Act, hare coursing remains a costly and distressing problem for farmers across the UK

Farm deaths rise by over 60 per cent, new HSE figures show

Latest figures from the Health & Safety Executive show there were 34 deaths in the agriculture, forestry and fishing sector in 2020-21 – a significant jump from last year’s low of 21.

New specialist police unit to target construction plant and agricultural machinery theft

The theft of equipment from construction sites and farms has a significant impact on the businesses targeted from both the loss and replacement of the equipment taken, in addition to the cost of temporarily reduced activity and downtime within these sectors.

New income streams for diversifying farms

This time last week the Farmers Guide team attended the Cereals event in Lincolnshire. Here’s what we discovered about the evolving farm diversification industry.

SFI unlikely to offset direct payments

New analysis by AHDB quantifies how the proposed Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) stacks up against the basic payment scheme (BPS).

Poster competition to raise awareness of farm safety

A poster competition aims to raise children’s awareness of the dangers on farms and crofts and increase farm safety.

Diversification still essential to farm estate growth, new report reveals

New research conducted by Carter Jonas has revealed diversity and spreading risk continue to be essential for estates looking to thrive in the future.

Ambitious proposals to improve protected landscapes across England

Defra has announced renewed commitment to boost nature recovery and help more people from all parts of society access Britain’s most beautiful landscapes.

Man suffers serious injuries in tractor collision

Police Scotland are appealing for information after a man was airlifted to hospital following a collision between a motorcycle and an agricultural tractor in Elgin.

New campaign launched for mandatory and clear food labelling in UK

The leader of the campaign is C.L.E.A.R. – the Consortium for Labelling for the Environment, Animal welfare, and Regenerative farming.

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