ao link
Farmers Guardian
News
Over The Farm Gate

Over The Farm Gate

Join Farmers Guardian Editor Ben Briggs, and Head of News and Business Olivia Midgley, for weekly thought-provoking and lighthearted debate around the key issues affecting farming, food and the countryside right now.
This Is Agriculture - Sponsored

This Is Agriculture - Sponsored

This initiative aims to raise awareness of the diverse career opportunities available in the sector to non-farming audiences.
DataHub

DataHub

We collate the financial and market data relevant to UK agriculture, so you can view the latest prices, analyse trends over time and compare prices between UK livestock markets.
Auction Finder

Auction Finder

21 Aug 2018
Your one stop shop for all agricultural sales. Visit the UK’s most comprehensive auction directory.
British Farming Awards

British Farming Awards

21 Oct 2021
There are few occasions when farmers come together to celebrate all they have achieved but the British Farming Awards is one of those rare times.
The Mart's the Heart

The Mart's the Heart

21 Oct 2021
Marts the Heart Awards aim to recognise the livestock auctions driving the industry forwards and giving the most back to the farming community.
CropTec

CropTec

24 Nov 2021
The CropTec show is for all farmers and agronomists seeking the latest information on innovative methods to increase profits from crop production.

Funding

Broadband study highlights rural connectivity issues as UK ranked 31st

Broadband study highlights rural connectivity issues as UK ranked 31st

09 Aug 201709:00
Disappointing UK broadband speeds have highlighted the need for faster broadband in rural areas.
Businessfarm lifeFundingPolitics
Prince's Countryside Fund offers farming organisations £300,000 to boost rural communities

Prince's Countryside Fund offers farming organisations £300,000 to boost rural communities

14 Aug 201710:00
Farmers across the UK are geared up to boost their business with more than £300,000 in the latest spurt of grants from the Prince’s Countryside Fund (PCF).
Businessfarm lifeFunding
Dairy farmers looking to invest as milk prices strengthen

Dairy farmers looking to invest as milk prices strengthen

17 Aug 201706:00
Farmers are reinvesting after "two years of belt tightening", according to Barclays.
BusinessdairyFundingPrices & trends
Scottish Government’s £82 million farming cuts spark bitter row

Scottish Government’s £82 million farming cuts spark bitter row

04 Sep 201708:00
A bitter row has broken out after the Scottish Government announced it would be slashing farming budgets by millions of pounds over the coming years.
BrexitBusinessfarm lifeFundingPoliticsScotland
Farmers lose out as Tory pledge to maintain farm support slips

Farmers lose out as Tory pledge to maintain farm support slips

08 Sep 201711:45
Pressure is piling on the UK Government to guarantee cash for farmers across Britain after the Conservatives appeared to break their manifesto pledge to maintain farm support until 2022.
BrexitBusinessfarm lifeFundinglivestockPoliticsScotlandWales
Agriculture knowledge 'vital' for banking sector

Agriculture knowledge 'vital' for banking sector

01 Oct 201712:00
With farmers wanting more practical agricultural knowledge from the people they work with in the banking sector, Alex Black visited a HSBC Banking for Farming course to see how they are training their staff
arableBrexitBusinessdairyfarm lifeFundinglivestock
Farmers should follow CAP rules for two years after Brexit, says NFU

Farmers should follow CAP rules for two years after Brexit, says NFU

03 Oct 201714:30
The NFU has said farmers should continue to follow CAP rules for at least two years after Brexit to ensure stability and give Government time to adjust to the delivery of a new agricultural policy.
arableBrexitBusinessfarm lifeFundinglivestockPolitics
Scottish Government blames Westminster austerity for farming budget cuts

Scottish Government blames Westminster austerity for farming budget cuts

05 Oct 201707:00
Scottish farmers carrying out environmental work will see their funding slashed because of UK austerity measures, according to Rural Economy Secretary Fergus Ewing.
arableBusinessEnvironmentfarm lifeFundinglivestockPoliticsScotland
Defra to receive millions of pounds for Brexit preparations

Defra to receive millions of pounds for Brexit preparations

12 Oct 201716:00
The Prime Minister has promised Defra will receive millions of pounds in this financial year to help prepare for Brexit.
BrexitFundingPolitics
What could interest rate rises mean for your business?

What could interest rate rises mean for your business?

07 Nov 201710:40
The Bank of England last week announced a 0.25 per cent rise in the base rate
AdviceBusinessFundingPrices & trends
Plans to cap amount of money handed out to farmers under discussion at WTO

Plans to cap amount of money handed out to farmers under discussion at WTO

10 Nov 201713:45
UK Ministers could see the amount of money they are allowed to hand out to farmers capped under World Trade Organisation (WTO) rules if a new proposal headed up by New Zealand is implemented.
BrexitBusinessfarm lifeFundingPolitics
Eustice gives farmers tantalising glimpse of Government thinking on new ag policy

Eustice gives farmers tantalising glimpse of Government thinking on new ag policy

14 Nov 201713:20
Farmers were given a tantalising glimpse of the Government’s thinking on a future agriculture policy by Defra Minister George Eustice this week.
BrexitFundingPolitics
Farmers to receive cash boost from increased BPS entitlement rates

Farmers to receive cash boost from increased BPS entitlement rates

20 Nov 201715:55
Farmers are set to receive a cash boost thanks to increased entitlement rates and the drop in the value of the pound.
arableBusinessdairyfarm lifeFundinglivestock
Autumn Budget 2017: What farming groups have asked the Chancellor for...

Autumn Budget 2017: What farming groups have asked the Chancellor for...

21 Nov 201709:59
On Wednesday, Chancellor Philip Hammond will outline his plans for the UK economy over the next year.
BrexitBusinessFundingPolitics
Defra budget halves in just nine years after Chancellor plans more cuts

Defra budget halves in just nine years after Chancellor plans more cuts

23 Nov 201712:00
Concerns about Defra’s preparedness for Brexit have been raised after the small print of the Chancellor’s Budget revealed the department would face further cuts over the next three years.
BrexitBusinessfarm lifeFundingPolitics
Guy Smith: The RPA cannot leave BPS claimants from England behind

Guy Smith: The RPA cannot leave BPS claimants from England behind

29 Nov 201710:35
The Welsh government said 91 per cent of BPS payments would be made on December 1, with the NFU insisting RPA claimants in England must not be left behind.
Businessfarm lifeFunding
Brexit divorce deal fuels confusion about farmers continuing to follow CAP rules

Brexit divorce deal fuels confusion about farmers continuing to follow CAP rules

14 Dec 201708:45
Confusion about whether farmers will continue to be bound by CAP rules during any Brexit transition period has been building since the Prime Minister agreed a ‘divorce deal’ with the EU.
arableBrexitBusinessdairyfarm lifeFundinglivestockPolitics
Michael Gove ‘must give clarity on stewardship deals’

Michael Gove ‘must give clarity on stewardship deals’

15 Dec 201710:07
The industry has called for a ‘Gove guarantee’ on agri-environment schemes.
BrexitBusinessEnvironmentfarm lifeFunding
NFU seeks improvements to farming rules during Brexit transition period

NFU seeks improvements to farming rules during Brexit transition period

15 Dec 201711:30
The NFU has called on the Government to improve rules which affect farmers during the two-year Brexit transition period proposed by the Prime Minister.
arableBrexitBusinessfarm lifeFundinglivestockPolitics
Huge RPA mapping blunder set to leave farmers out of pocket

Huge RPA mapping blunder set to leave farmers out of pocket

21 Dec 201709:55
Thousands of farmers could be forced to shell out for professional help to fix a ‘disastrous’ mapping blunder from the Rural Payments Agency.
arableBusinessdairyFundinglivestockPolitics
Farmers may be able to reclaim VAT on entitlements

Farmers may be able to reclaim VAT on entitlements

21 Dec 201706:00
Farmers may be able to reclaim VAT on Single Farm Payment Entitlements if the income from subsidies was to be invested into taxable farming activities.
AdviceBusinessfarm lifeFundingLand and property
Farmers urged to use boosted profits to shield businesses from volatility

Farmers urged to use boosted profits to shield businesses from volatility

28 Dec 201707:00
Farmers have been urged to use the better returns from 2017 and 2018 and the period of calm before Brexit to set themselves up for the next decade.
AdviceBrexitBusinessFundingPrices & trends
Fears growing for profitability of agricultural sector as revenue drops

Fears growing for profitability of agricultural sector as revenue drops

04 Jan 201806:00
Top 100 farming businesses see revenue fall by 3 per cent in the past year.
arableBrexitBusinessdairyFundinglivestockPoliticspoultryPrices & trends
Farmers 'cautiously positive' as Gove promises support payments until 2024

Farmers 'cautiously positive' as Gove promises support payments until 2024

12 Jan 201814:45
Promises of support payments until 2024 by Michael Gove at Oxford have calmed the nerves of some UK farmers.
arableBrexitBusinessdairyfarm lifeFundinglivestockPolitics
New and improved Countryside Stewardship Offers open for farmers

New and improved Countryside Stewardship Offers open for farmers

15 Jan 201809:35
The Countryside Stewardship scheme has opened for farmers and land managers to request 2018 application packs today.
arableBusinessdairyfarm lifeFundingGetting startedgrantcheckerlivestock
Michael Gove has ‘no plan’ for future of British agriculture

Michael Gove has ‘no plan’ for future of British agriculture

19 Jan 201809:45
Defra Secretary Michael Gove has ‘no plan’ for the future of British agriculture, according to a leading Irish dairy group. 
arableBrexitBusinessdairyfarm lifeFundinglivestockPolitics
Defra ministers consider £100k cap on BPS payments

Defra ministers consider £100k cap on BPS payments

19 Jan 201809:30
Defra ministers are considering capping direct payments at £100,000, with only the very smallest farmers expected to receive any Basic Payment Scheme cash by 2024.
BrexitBusinessfarm lifeFundingPolitics
April bridging payments for late BPS will do ‘little to ease frustration’

April bridging payments for late BPS will do ‘little to ease frustration’

26 Jan 201813:02
A Defra promise to make bridging payments to farmers who have not received their BPS cash by the end of March will do ‘little to ease frustration’, according to NFU vice president Guy Smith.
arableBusinessdairyfarm lifeFundinglivestockPolitics
Arla announces £460 million global investment

Arla announces £460 million global investment

31 Jan 201808:30
£72 million will be spent in the UK with Aylesbury becoming the UK home of its Lactose free range.
BusinessdairyFundinglivestock
Animal Welfare Bill to bump up costs for cash-strapped Defra

Animal Welfare Bill to bump up costs for cash-strapped Defra

01 Feb 201816:25
Defra’s tiny budget would leave the department unable to cope with the new responsibilities assigned to it in the Government’s Animal Welfare Bill, MPs have warned.
Animal Health and WelfareBrexitBusinessFundingPolitics
Farmers claiming more benefits than ever before

Farmers claiming more benefits than ever before

01 Feb 201816:15
Farming charity the Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institution (RABI) has reported a 39 per cent surge in state benefit claims from the industry, making it a record year for such claims.
arableBusinessdairyfarm lifeFundinglivestockScotland
Defra told to stop existing projects to get on top of Brexit

Defra told to stop existing projects to get on top of Brexit

07 Feb 201816:33
A cross-party group of MPs has called on Government departments, including Defra, to stop some day-to-day projects in order to get on top of their Brexit workload.
BrexitFundingPolitics
NFUS 2018: 'Our supply chain is broken' - Farmers need fairer return of consumer spend

NFUS 2018: 'Our supply chain is broken' - Farmers need fairer return of consumer spend

08 Feb 201812:00
Addressing the NFU Scotland annual conference, union president Andrew McCornick highlighted the need for a fairer supply chain and more profitability in the industry.
arableBeefBrexitBusinessCropsdairyEnvironmentFundinglivestockPoliticsRetailScotlandsheep
French farmers protest subsidy cuts

French farmers protest subsidy cuts

09 Feb 201813:20
Farmers have burned tyres, dumped farm waste across roads and rail lines and caused major disruption in Toulouse
BusinessCAP reformFundingLegislationPolitics
Defra promises extra £600k for farmers teaming up on environmental work

Defra promises extra £600k for farmers teaming up on environmental work

09 Feb 201815:30
Farmers joining forces to protect the environment are to be given an extra £600,000 after Natural England received a record number of high-quality applications to the Countryside Stewardship Facilitation Fund.
BusinessEnvironmentFundingPolitics
Proposed changes to funding post-Brexit: What farmers need to know

Proposed changes to funding post-Brexit: What farmers need to know

12 Feb 201807:00
Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Secretary, Michael Gove, has spelled out how farming subsidies will be handled after Brexit.
AdvicearableBrexitBusinessdairyfarm lifeFundinggrantcheckerlivestockPoliticsScotland
Ban all cages on British farms, says Labour Party

Ban all cages on British farms, says Labour Party

14 Feb 201809:32
The Labour Party has today pledged to ban all cages on British farms and consult on the expansion of ‘megafarms’ in a new animal welfare strategy.
BeefBovine TBBrexitBusinessdairyFundinglivestockPigPoliticspoultrysheep
Give farming industry extra cash to adapt to Brexit, say MPs

Give farming industry extra cash to adapt to Brexit, say MPs

18 Feb 201806:00
A group of MPs has called on the Government to give extra cash to the farming industry to help it adapt to a post-Brexit world.
arableBeefBrexitBusinessdairyFundinglivestockPigPoliticssheep
Defra’s ‘natural capital’ approach to protecting environment under fire

Defra’s ‘natural capital’ approach to protecting environment under fire

17 Feb 201812:00
Defra’s approach to protecting nature in its 25 Year Environment Plan has been called into question by an economist working with Natural England.
arableArable FarmingBrexitBusinessEnvironmentFundinglivestockPoliticsSoil
Explained: Changes to farming grant schemes in 2018

Explained: Changes to farming grant schemes in 2018

19 Feb 201810:45
Applications are now open for the Countryside Stewardship mid-tier and hedgerow and boundary scheme.
AdvicearableBusinessdairyfarm lifeFundinggrantcheckerlivestockNew entrantsYoung farmersYoung Farmers Clubs
Industry needs post-Brexit animal health and welfare fund, says AHWBE

Industry needs post-Brexit animal health and welfare fund, says AHWBE

19 Feb 201813:00
The Animal Health and Welfare Board for England (AHWBE) has called on the Government to create a funding pot for animal health and welfare as part of its post-Brexit farming policy.
Animal Health and WelfareBeefBrexitBusinessdairyFundinglivestockPigPoliticspoultrysheepWelfare
Improved training and education for ag workers a ‘public good’, says Gove

Improved training and education for ag workers a ‘public good’, says Gove

20 Feb 201810:00
Defra Secretary Michael Gove will promise to invest in improved training and education for people working in agriculture in his speech to NFU conference today.
arableBrexitBusinessdairyEducationFundinglivestockPoliticsTrainingYoung farmers
UK moves to break deadlock on devolved farming ‘power grab’

UK moves to break deadlock on devolved farming ‘power grab’

22 Feb 201810:30
The UK Government has moved to break the deadlock over its farming ‘power grab’ by offering to send all EU powers directly to the devolved regions after Brexit.
arableBrexitBusinessdairyFundinglivestockNorthern IrelandPoliticsScotlandWales
Red tape costs justify current EU farm payments, says German farming union

Red tape costs justify current EU farm payments, says German farming union

23 Feb 201810:00
German farming union the DBV is pressing for EU farm payments to be protected after new research showed stringent regulations are costing its members far more than their competitors in other countries.
arableBeefBrexitBusinessCAP reformdairyEnvironmentFundinglivestockPigPoliticspoultryScotlandWelfare
UK move to ease farming ‘power grab’ fears rebuffed by Scots

UK move to ease farming ‘power grab’ fears rebuffed by Scots

26 Feb 201816:00
A move by UK Cabinet Office Minister David Lidington to ease fears of a farming ‘power grab’ has been rebuffed by the Scottish Government.
BrexitBusinessFundingPoliticsScotlandWales
Industry groups disappointed with consultation on future of farming

Industry groups disappointed with consultation on future of farming

27 Feb 201811:20
Industry groups have reacted with disappointment to Defra’s long-awaited consultation on the future of farming policy.
arableBeefBrexitBusinessdairyFundinglivestockPigPoliticspoultrysheep
Farming policy consultation leaves unanswered questions about Brexit transition

Farming policy consultation leaves unanswered questions about Brexit transition

27 Feb 201811:10
Defra’s long-awaited consultation on the future of agricultural policy does not provide any clarity on whether farmers will continue to be bound by EU rules during any Brexit transition period.
arableBrexitBusinessdairyFundinglivestockPolitics
Defra’s farming policy consultation – everything you need to know

Defra’s farming policy consultation – everything you need to know

27 Feb 201816:49
After months of waiting, Defra Secretary Michael Gove finally published the Government’s landmark consultation on the future of farming policy this morning. Abi Kay explains what you need to know.
arableBeefBrexitBusinessdairyEnvironmentFundinglivestockPigPoliticssheepWelfare
Rural Development Programme grants: How farmers can benefit

Rural Development Programme grants: How farmers can benefit

05 Mar 201815:33
The Rural Development Programme for England is one of the government’s main programmes of grants and support for rural businesses.
AdvicearableBusinessdairyfarm lifeFundingGetting startedgrantcheckerHandy hintslivestockNew entrantsYoung farmersYoung Farmers Clubs
Animal welfare top of the list for investment on farms in 2018

Animal welfare top of the list for investment on farms in 2018

08 Mar 201808:00
40 per cent of livestock farmers were looking to invest in animal welfare, according to research commissioned by McDonald’s UK.
BusinessdairyFundingWelfare
Defra to transfer delivery of agri-environment schemes to the RPA

Defra to transfer delivery of agri-environment schemes to the RPA

08 Mar 201814:04
Defra is to transfer delivery of the Countryside Stewardship (CS) scheme from Natural England to the Rural Payments Agency (RPA), Farmers Guardian has learnt.
arableBrexitBusinessdairyEnvironmentFundinglivestockPolitics
Farmers suffering after snowy weather still waiting for BPS

Farmers suffering after snowy weather still waiting for BPS

13 Mar 201811:20
A number of farmers who racked up additional costs due to recent snowy weather are still waiting for their Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) cash, according to the NFU.
arableBusinessdairyfarm lifeFundinglivestockPoliticsWeather
Give farmers a fair price for food before taking away BPS, MPs told

Give farmers a fair price for food before taking away BPS, MPs told

16 Mar 201814:46
Industry bodies have urged MPs to ensure farmers get paid a fair price for food before getting rid of the Basic Payment Scheme.
arableBrexitBusinessdairyFundinglivestockPolitics
Scottish Ministers slam UK for short-changing rural departments on Brexit

Scottish Ministers slam UK for short-changing rural departments on Brexit

20 Mar 201811:00
Scottish Environment Secretary Roseanna Cunningham and Brexit Minister Mike Russell have slammed the UK Government for offering Scotland just 2.5 per cent of the money it has allocated for Brexit preparations.
BrexitFundingPoliticsScotlandWales
Brexit deal confirms UK can make changes to farm payments from 2020

Brexit deal confirms UK can make changes to farm payments from 2020

20 Mar 201815:00
Britain will be free to make changes to farm payments from 2020, according to the latest draft of a UK-EU Brexit deal.
arableBrexitBusinessdairyfarm lifeFundinglivestockPoliticsScotland
Efra Committee opens inquiry into BPS as payments have ‘slowed down’

Efra Committee opens inquiry into BPS as payments have ‘slowed down’

21 Mar 201809:08
MPs on the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee have opened an inquiry into the work of the Rural Payments Agency (RPA) because payments have ‘slowed down’.
AF BusinessarableBeefBusinessdairyFundinglivestockPoliticssheep
Protect small farms in Agriculture Bill, farming alliance says

Protect small farms in Agriculture Bill, farming alliance says

22 Mar 201814:00
An informal alliance of farming and environmental groups has called on the Government to give specific protection to small and medium sized farms in its upcoming Agriculture Bill.
BrexitBusinessFundingPolitics
Tax timeline: Key deadlines for farm diaries in 2018/2019

Tax timeline: Key deadlines for farm diaries in 2018/2019

22 Mar 201811:00
A helpful list of the key deadlines for farm diaries to make sure tax affairs are up-to-date over the next 12 months.
AdvicearableBusinessdairyfarm lifeFundingGetting startedgrantcheckerHandy hintslivestockPrices & trendsScotland
Committee recommends stripping Defra of ‘rural affairs’ responsibilities

Committee recommends stripping Defra of ‘rural affairs’ responsibilities

22 Mar 201810:13
A House of Lords Committee has recommended Defra be stripped of its ‘rural affairs’ responsibilities, such as housing, to allow it focus on its farming, food and environmental remit.
arableBusinessdairyEnvironmentfarm lifeFundingHousinglivestockPoliticsRural Development
Farmers struggling to care for ill family members still waiting on BPS cash

Farmers struggling to care for ill family members still waiting on BPS cash

23 Mar 201806:00
Farmers struggling to care for family members battling life-threatening illnesses are among the 3,000-plus BPS claimants who are still waiting for their cash.
arableBusinessdairyfarm lifeFundingGetting startedLand and propertylivestock

Most Recent

About

About us
Advertise with us
Work for us
Terms of use
Privacy policy
Cookie policy

Subscribers

Sign In
Become a subscriber
Manage subscription
FAQ
Search

More From Us

Our publications
Buy & Sell
Our events
New resources
Photo galleries

Contact

Editorial team
Subscriptions team
Sales team
Technical services
AgriBriefing

Subscribe

Become a Farmers Guardian VIP Subscriber

Subscribe
Facebook
Twitter
RSS
Facebook
Twitter
RSS