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Young farmers

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YOUNG FARMERS

Molly Biddell: Every farmer needs an ecologist

If I were Keir Starmer, dreaming up new radical agricultural policies to put into my manifesto, I would – drum roll please – give every farmer free access to an…

YOUNG FARMERS

Opinion: Scottish policy vacuum causing planning headaches

Agriculture is a devolved matter here in Scotland, so we are at the mercy of Holyrood and the dreaded Bute House Agreement between the SNP and the Green Party –…

YOUNG FARMERS

Lucy Nott: Camping is a chance to see through consumer's eyes

I’m writing this from a safari tent in Devon. It’s dark, pouring with rain, the children won’t go to sleep and I’m already a glass of wine down. Oh, the…

YOUNG FARMERS

Chris Bennett: Is growing OSR akin to an Einstein quote?

A drive back from dropping my brother-in-law off at Heathrow recently gave a good opportunity to see how everyone else's oilseed rape crops are progressing. My conclusion was the closer…

YOUNG FARMERS

Hannah Reddaway: Get-togethers are crucial in farming world

I was fortunate enough to attend the Farmers Weekly Awards recently. It’s not often you get to party with hundreds of other farmers on Park Lane, in the very heart…

COMMUNITY

Farmers encouraged to recycle waste plastics in NFYFC scheme

As part of National Young Farmers’ Week, the National Federation of Young Farmers’ Clubs (NFYFC) has launched a recycling scheme which aims to encourage more farmers to correctly dispose of…

YOUNG FARMERS

Young Farmers Week: Q&A with Defra and NFYFC

As Young Farmers Week (9-13 October) draws to a close, Farmers Weekly questions Defra farming minister Mark Spencer and NFYFC chairman Rosie Bennett to discuss current and future prospects for…

Britain's Fittest Farmer

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COMMUNITY

BFF judge attempts 8,848m Everest rope climb

Britain’s Fittest Farmer judge and Farm Fitness founder Tom Kemp is taking on a Guinness World Record challenge to raise money for the Farming Community Network (FCN), by attempting the…

HEALTH AND WELLBEING

Britain's Fittest Farmer: Get stuck into regional qualifiers

Three host farms for the second stage of Farmers Weekly's Britain's Fittest Farmer competition have been revealed – and you might notice some familiar faces. Wiltshire farmer and long-standing arable…

HEALTH AND WELLBEING

Britain's Fittest Farmer finalists to compete at YFF19

Important announcement: The Young Farmers Festival is postponed until 2020, the new date will be announced soon. The Britain's Fittest Farmer live final will go ahead on 4 May as planned…

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Young farmers

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Careers

POULTRY

Video: Highs and lows of a rookie broiler farmer

“A real learning curve” is how Harry Shepherd describes his first months as a broiler farmer, pointing to disease challenges and equipment issues that have all added to the mix.…

DAIRY

How share-milking can provide a route into dairy farming

Gregor and Lynne Ramsay credit share-milking with allowing them to get a foot firmly in the dairying door. Born and raised in the small rural village of Biggar, Lanarkshire, Mr…

BUSINESS

What skills are in demand for 21st-century agriculture?

Agriculture may be one of the oldest professions in the world, but there’s never been a time when it’s been more relevant to people from all walks of life than…

Careers advice

From getting your first job in agriculture to maintaining your work skills and developing your career, we provide advice and insights.
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Advice and tips

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BUSINESS MANAGEMENT

Managing expansion and business planning as a young farmer

Preparing years in advance, constantly updating business plans and keeping a handle on gradual expansion all help dairy farmer Sam Bailey move towards his long-term goals. Sam, 24, beat about…

Why you should consider a land-based apprenticeship

The opportunity to earn while you learn will be an appealing prospect for many young people. So what’s involved in a land-based apprenticeship and could one be right for you?…

YOUNG FARMERS

Tips for young farmers on making media appearances

Ben Chilman has received a raft of requests to appear on TV and radio since he won the coveted Farmers Weekly Ag Student Award last autumn. The most recent was…

YOUNG FARMERS

10 pieces of advice for young people starting in agriculture

Experienced entrepreneurs had plenty of advice for the next generation at the NFYFC Annual Convention (4-6 May), offering insights into farming’s challenges – and how to overcome them.  We asked…

CAREERS AND PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT

A beginner's guide to careers in agriculture and farming

Some people find the idea of a career in agriculture hilarious. They think it is all mud, wellies and sticking your arm up the business end of a cow. But…

Top tips for young farmer business success

Who better to pick up tips about farming than other young people who have “made it” in the industry? Packed into Europe’s largest underground building last week were more than…

BUSINESS

Podcast: Fertile Minds on planning your diversification

Farmers should look beyond sources of agricultural funding when seeking finance for diversification, the fourth Fertile Minds Roadshow in York heard last week. Young farmers at the roadshow, heard from…

BUSINESS

4 young farmers on setting up successful joint dairy ventures

Young farmers are successfully using joint ventures in the dairy sector as a way of developing their careers while increasing their net worth. Tony Evans, partner with consultant The Andersons…

8 secrets to progressing up the ag careers ladder

Getting your first job in the agricultural sector is a real milestone, but what does it take to get the next one and the one after that? If you’ve got…

CAREERS AND PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT

How to find help to fund agricultural career development

Agriculture may be the fastest growing subject at UK universities, but studying is expensive, with most universities charging tuition fees of £9,000/year – and then there are living expenses to…

TENANCIES AND RENTS

How to become a county council farm tenant

County council farms provide a great opportunity for people looking to reach the first rung in the farming ladder and many holdings are designed specifically with new entrants in mind.…

Photos and video

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FARMLIFE FRAMED

Photo of the Week: Fordson tractor displays memorial poppy

Our photo of the week is this timely picture displaying a Remembrance poppy on a vintage Fordson tractor. The photo was submitted to our photo competition gallery by Kerry Adams,…

FARMLIFE FRAMED

Photo of the Week: FW collages help with rainy days on farm

Rainy days on the farm have never been easier, says this week’s Photo of the Week contributor Bridget Slade of Fir Tree Farm in Norfolk, thanks to none other than…

FARMLIFE FRAMED

Photo of the Week: Halloween Collie and sheep pumpkin

It’s that spooky time of year, and we couldn’t let Halloween pass without choosing our favourite pumpkin carving. This fantastic Collie dog and sheep pumpkin was made by Charlotte Holroyd…

FARMLIFE FRAMED

Photo of the Week: Big John drilling down under

This week's photo has been sent in to us from New Zealand. Oscar Harrold from our own East Yorkshire is working down under on a 1,800ha farm in Fairlie on…