Rural News

Having signed a £48 million deal in June, AB Agri (part of Associated British Foods) has now completed the acquisition of National Milk Records (NMR), the primary supplier of management information and testing services to the UK dairy supply chain.

The Dairy Show is set to return to the Bath & West Showground in Somerset on Wednesday 4th October 2023 to showcase the latest innovations, address challenges and opportunities around net zero, and celebrate the best in British dairying.

Police are investigating the theft, which occurred between 3pm on 4th August and 10am on 8th August.

New oil burners are set to be banned in homes not connected to the gas grid by 2026, which campaigners warn will force rural communities to make costly upgrades to electric alternatives.

Meat alternatives brand Beyond Meat has seen its sales decline by nearly a third in the second quarter of 2023, as consumers opt for more affordable animal protein and the health credentials of plant-based meat are called into question by many.

Building on last year’s success, AHDB and UK exporters travelled to the Philippines to showcase the qualities of British pork and beef at the World Food Expo (WOFEX), meet key stakeholders and cultivate new business opportunities in the Asian market.

Over £14 million will be on offer in new competition rounds to develop innovative solutions in the farming sector as part of the government’s Farming Innovation Programme, Defra has announced yesterday (2nd August).

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.

UK livestock markets have raised thousands of pounds for mental health charities, in support of Len’s Light Tractor Relay – which saw a Warwickshire farming couple travel 2,000 miles in honour of their son, who died by suicide last year.

The Addington Fund has launched two new greetings cards to help fundraise for its work supporting rural communities.

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.

With a plethora of machinery, technology and productivity grants expected to re-open in December 2023/January 2024, the Midlands Machinery Show is well timed for farmers looking to make the most of these.