Rural News

Extreme weather events driven by climate change and industry net zero commitments are focusing the potato supply chain’s attention on how to reduce the crop’s carbon footprint. Andrew Blair, field technical manager at the UK’s largest potato supplier, Branston, explains how an Innovate UK funded project is examining the potential for reducing carbon in potato production from growing through to storage and transport.

The NFU is calling young people with a genuine passion for British food and farming to take part in its popular Student & Young Farmer Ambassador Programme and represent the voice of the next generation in agriculture in 2024.

LEAF Education, the lead agri-education organisation in England and Wales, has seen a hugely positive response from schools to the experiential food and farming related national primary school competition, titled ‘All for Farm and Food for All’. 

The third consecutive GB Calf Week will be kicking off at the UK’s largest dairy industry event on 13th September, with a series of on-farm and virtual events promoting responsible dairy calf management.

Inclusive Farm is seeking partners to support the development of a farm in Scotland, providing young people with disabilities with a route into agriculture.

AHDB’s We Eat Balanced campaign will be promoting home-grown meat and dairy using the term ‘British’ for the first time, following a rule change that will allow the organisation to better showcase support to UK farmers.

Aimed at farmers, growers, landowners and the wider agricultural sector, the Autumn Farming Conference is organised by Larking Gowen, a major regional independent accountancy partnership and one of the UK’s top 40 accountancy firms, in conjunction with the Country Land and Business Association (CLA), the membership organisation for owners of land, property and businesses in rural England and Wales.

For its latest community blog, A-Plan Rural Insurance is shining a spotlight on podcasters Becca & Lizzie who have have recently interviewed the minister of farming, food and fisheries, Mark Spencer, for their podcast. Mark Spencer has publicly shown his support for mental health in agriculture.

The screen adaptation of Bea Roberts’ multi-award-winning stage play And Then Come the Nightjars is set to land in cinemas soon, bringing viewers a heart-warming tale of friendship and survival set against the backdrop of the infamous foot-and-mouth outbreak. Farmers Guide chatted with film director Paul Robinson for an exclusive behind-the-scenes look.

Over 100 MPs have signed a letter urging supermarkets to incorporate ‘Buy British’ sections on their online shops.

The AGCO Agriculture Foundation (AAF), a private foundation that aims to prevent and relieve hunger through sustainable agricultural development, has made the sizeable grant to The Country Trust in the UK.

Nature-friendly farming solutions could offer a way forward for farmers dealing with the impact of climate change and the need to keep their farms profitable, according to a recent webinar organised by the Nature Friendly Farming Network (NFFN).