Rural News

At the recent Farm to Fork Summit at No10 Downing Street, attended by Clarkson’s Farm stars Kaleb Cooper and ‘Cheerful’ Charlie Ireland, the Prime Minister set out ambitions to cut down red tape and make it easier for UK farmers to diversify their incomes, such as by converting farm buildings into shops or restaurants.

Under the second round of the Landscape Recovery scheme launched today (18th May), farmers and landowners can apply for a share of £15 million to create new wildlife habitats, restore protected sites and work towards reaching net zero alongside sustainable food production.

On 13th-14th June, Cereals will host nearly 400 exhibitors and sponsors, as well as offering a packed seminar programme, live demos and the ever-popular crop plots from its new 60ha location at Thoresby Estate in Nottinghamshire.

Livestock entries to the Royal Bath & West Show have been fantastic across the board this year, demonstrating farmers’ appetite for exhibiting their top animals and socialising with their peers.

A new trial pioneering the net zero production of potato crops through sustainable fertilisers, reduced cultivations, varieties and improved soil health has entered its second phase this year, with UK potato supplier Branston leading the way towards achieving net zero production in the years ahead.

UK farmers who are currently transitioning to regenerative agriculture or are already farming in an environmentally friendly way are now able to access a new revenue stream through the AgreenaCarbon programme that aims to see producers rewarded for their regenerative efforts.

Kaleb Cooper, the farming contractor who shot to fame overnight when he appeared on Prime Video’s Clarkson’s Farm, has joined forces with the Royal Agricultural University (RAU) to launch a new bursary for those looking to launch a career in agriculture.

OPICO will launch a new version of its HE-VA Combi-Disc at the Cereals Event in June. The ‘Stealth’ variant of the ever-popular combination cultivator gains ultra-low disturbance legs and a choice of different points depending on the level of sub-surface action required.

Two UK farming charities that have been working side by side, the Addington Fund and Forage Aid, have agreed to merge into one organisation to increase efficiency and offer much-needed support to more farmers through the charities’ combined networks.

NFU Mutual is urging farmers to prepare for storms in advance as its customers have suffered damage in excess of £92 million during Storm Dudley, Eunice and Franklin last year, the rural insurer’s latest figures have revealed.

Vintage power and the progress of tractor technology will be on full display at the Royal Bath & West Show this year, with over 50 vintage and rare tractors making their way to the event from across the UK.

Ahead of the Agriculture Bill being passed into legislation later this month, farming and environmental groups called on Welsh ministers to prioritise nature recovery in the bill and support farmers in making changes to help revive nature and wildlife across Wales.