All the latest farming news NEWSWelsh plans for increased TB testing provoke backlashWelsh rural affairs minister Lesley Griffiths is facing a backlash from farmers after announcing additional testing requirements to tackle bovine TB. In a statement to the Senedd on Tuesday (14… NEWSScottish Parliament calls for farmer views on QMS levy risesThe Scottish government’s Rural Affairs and Islands Committee is seeking views on the proposed levy increase by Quality Meat Scotland. Quality Meat Scotland (QMS) has not requested an increase in… INPUT MARKETS AND PRICESRed diesel drops below 80p/litre with weak demand on farmWet autumn conditions limiting demand and plenty of supply have capped red diesel prices in recent months, according to traders. Oil markets have dropped back from September highs with Brent… ENVIRONMENTWildlife Trusts demand return to N licensing in WalesThe scrapping of a proposed licensing scheme to regulate the spreading of livestock slurry in Wales has been described by a wildlife charity as a “significant backward step” for nature… AGRICULTURAL TRANSITIONUK needs independent food security committee, AIC saysNew government farm support schemes weighted towards the environment and the countryside risk UK food security, a major new report suggests. The independent report, commissioned by the Agricultural Industries Confederation… NEWSVideo: Farmer defends his actions on River LuggA Herefordshire farmer who was jailed for causing damage to a protected river has defended his actions, insisting they helped prevent flooding to local properties and land. Several homes along… NEWSFW Podcast Ep 182: Natural England on food securityThis week, will government targets to protect 30% of UK land leave enough left to maintain UK food security? We try to find out by asking the head of agriculture… TELEHANDLERS173hp JCB 542-100 Agri Pro joins Loadall rangeStraw contractors have access to some handy extra reach and lift capacity with the launch of JCB’s 542-100 telehandler. The new model can lift 4.2t and is capable of pushing… TELEHANDLERSMerlo goes electric with full-size Turbofarmer telehandlerBuoyed by the success of its compact E-worker, Merlo has introduced a full-size electric agricultural telehandler that has a 7m boom and can lift 4.3t. The TFe 43.7 promises similar… CEREAL DRILLSVaderstad redesigns Seed Hawk no-till drills for EuropeVaderstad is bringing its Seed Hawk no-till tine drill back to Europe, with a frame that folds to road legal proportions of just under 3m wide and 4m tall. The… NEWSFarmers showcase best of British food at Lord Mayor's ShowFarmers and growers took to the streets of London at the weekend in a major celebration of the best of British agriculture. Representatives of the Worshipful Company of Farmers and… 101-200HPStoll develops telescopic boom for tractor loadersStoll reckons it has overcome the one shortcoming of tractor-mounted loaders – a lack of reach. Its novel X-Tra Lift concept comes with telescopic arms attached to swivelling joints that… SPRAYERSMazzotti self-propelled sprayers get John Deere liveryWork to bring Italian-built Mazzotti sprayers into the John Deere fold has reached its conclusion, with the green giant finally committing to paint them in its own colours. The result… CEREAL DRILLSWeaving launches low-cost Lynx tine drillEvesham-based outfit Weaving returned to the halls of Hanover for the first time in a decade with a new min-till tine drill – the Lynx. It is a lighter, more… NEWSWho is Steve Barclay, the new Defra secretary?Former health secretary Steve Barclay has been confirmed as the new Defra secretary, following Therese Coffey’s resignation. Mr Barclay, who has served as secretary of state for health and Brexit… NEWSTractor driver jailed over fatal crash involving cyclistsA tractor driver who killed a woman cyclist and seriously injured her teenage son was using his mobile phone in the moments before the crash, a court was told. Jonathan… TRACTORSFendt Helios swaps diesel engine for hydrogen fuel cellEfforts to create a greener future for farm machinery have spawned myriad tractors with alternative powertrains, one of which is the Helios from Fendt. Based on a 700-series tractor frame,… FEED AND NUTRITIONMaize grower relief at emergency seed treatment rulingBritish maize growers can breathe a sigh of relief that three European seed treatments have been given the green light for UK use next year. UK regulators have granted emergency… NEWSSteve Barclay appointed as new Defra secretary in reshuffleMP for North East Cambridgeshire Steve Barclay has been announced as the new Defra secretary. The announcement comes after Therese Coffey resigned as Defra secretary, after serving just over 12… NEWSHarvest heatwaves likely to lead to surge in farm firesHotter summers and record temperatures are expected to become more commonplace for future harvests, therefore increasing the risk of farm fires. In 2022, the UK faced an exceptionally hot and… LIVESTOCK DISEASESFarmers on high alert after bluetongue confirmed in KentLivestock farmers across the UK are being urged to stay vigilant after bluetongue virus (BTV) was detected in a dairy cow in Kent – the first confirmed case of the… CROP WATCHCrop Watch: Wheat crop failures and missed herbicidesThe huge cost of week after week of rain is becoming apparent, with wheat crops rotting and being written off. Many of those crops that have survived have not received… CROPS MARKETS AND PRICESShrinking UK rapeseed area increases reliance on importsA smaller planted area and flea beetle damaged crops have left the UK with a viable oilseed rape (OSR) area of between 305,000ha and 320,000ha for 2024, according to grower… COMBINESNew Holland unleashes biggest-ever combine – the CR11New Holland has pulled the wraps off its highest capacity combine harvester yet, which it hopes will leave the competition choking behind its chaff spreader. Dubbed CR11, the machine has… 401+HPNew 9S to top Massey Ferguson tractor rangePlenty of pre-show hype preceded the launch of the six 9S tractors that now head Massey Ferguson’s tractor range. The 8700 S replacements share their engine, transmission and pretty much… SUGAR BEETBritish Sugar digs heels in on controversial contract offerBritish Sugar says it has no plans to withdraw its offer to beet growers of £38/t for the 2024/25 supply contract, risking further fallout with the NFU. The NFU has… PULSESPulse growers invited to new variety list launchThe Processors and Growers Research Organisation (PGRO) has changed the format of its Descriptive List launch for peas and beans to encourage pulse growers to attend. In a change to… NEWSThis Week in Farming: Sugar row, Kaleb Cooper and delinkingWelcome to another edition of This Week in Farming, where we bring you the best Farmers Weekly content from the past seven days. But before we get started, here’s a… LAND MARKETSAberdeenshire woodlands on market in five lotsThe recent launch in Aberdeenshire of just over 401 acres in five lots adds to the choice for woodland and forestry buyers. With an overall guide price of offers of… More articles
