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Untapped genetic potential means wheat yields only 60% of what they could be, shows study - European wheat harvests could be increased by more than 5 tonnes a hectare according to newly published research into the crop’s untapped genetic potential.

ADM Market Report – feed wheat and oilseed rape - The AHDB crop development report issued on Tuesday presented a bleak picture of UK winter wheat, barley and oilseed rape plantings and crop condition. Only 60% of the intended wheat area had been planted by 1 Dec .

LAMMA's new Farming 4.0 zone highlights role of innovative technology & new talent in farming & food production - LAMMA’s commitment to drive innovation across the agricultural sector will be reinforced with the introduction of a brand new zone that will focus on key technological advances and the role they might play in the future of farming when the event returns to the NEC in January.

Countryfile star Adam Henson on veganism & the future of farming - "If you drink soy milk as a vegan which is imported from Brazil, what is the impact of that?"

Manitou Group return to the NEC for the 39th LAMMA Show - The new Manitou MLT 420-60H, on show for the first time at LAMMA is the smallest machine in the range weighing in at just 4.19 tonnes.

Industry responds to GE result - The farming industry wants the new government and parliament to ensure all areas of Westminster and Whitehall understand and value the importance of British food and farming.

The National Sprayer Demo heads to Lincs - If you are seriously thinking about purchasing a new sprayer then the National Sprayer Demo is the event to go to

UK beef exports perform well in November while imports lag behind - The latest figures published by HMRC showed that in November, UK beef trade continued to follow the trends recorded for most of the year. UK beef exports increased by 23% on year. Meanwhile imports were down by 23% on the year.

Environmental grant scheme extended - Given the recent adverse weather, Severn Trent has opened up its STEPS environmental grant scheme applications to farmers who haven’t yet completed projects from last year’s funding round.

Growing opportunities for farmers in waste management - Opportunities for farmers in waste management are growing, with policy increasingly geared towards managing waste more efficiently.

NFU responds the Climate change report - The report acknowledges that British farming produces some of the most sustainable food in the world

UK farming can become ‘envy of world’, industry figures say - Leaving the EU can ensure that British food and farming becomes ‘the envy of the world’, farm groups & environmentalists have said.

Wheat & Oilseed market update from ADM - Several factors continue to underpin markets this week, including traders’ optimism over the US/China trade talks, talk of Russian export restrictions, the ongoing French transport issues and UK crop conditions and lack of sowing progress

UK farming unions express concerns over Channel 4 documentary "How to steal pigs" - The unions fully support the actions of the National Pig Association (NPA) who is taking legal advice regarding the programme.

Ag Bill ensures the "vital role of farmers as food producers" - Industry reaction following the release of the Agriculture Bill

Land market in England resilient, as lifestyle & non-farmer buyers fuel demand - The farmland market in England proved to be resilient in 2019 with average prices holding firm, according to land and property specialists Strutt & Parker.

Agriculture Bill to boost environment & food production - New Agriculture Bill will free farmers from the bureaucracy of the Common Agricultural Policy, boosting productivity and rewarding environmental improvements

Clock ticking for applications to valuable grant funding pot - Farmers and food processing businesses looking to diversify or grow their operations are being urged to take advantage of £35m of grant funding, before the Expression of Interest deadline for this round of Rural Development Programme for England (RDPE) grants closes next month.

New discovery will help fight lethal oilseed rape disease - Researchers at the University of Hertfordshire have found a way to improve the resilience of oilseed rape and reduce the estimated £100m annual loss* to phoma stem canker, one of the most important winter diseases of oilseed rape in the UK.

Atlantic circulation collapse could cut British crop farming - Crop production in Britain will fall dramatically if climate change causes the collapse of a vital pattern of ocean currents, new research suggests. 

Farmers could fall foul of tax compliance measures - Farmers could fall foul of tax compliance measures under a proposed new anti-tax evasion unit, rural accountant Old Mill has warned.

Boosting productivity & protecting environment at heart of future farming plan - The Secretary of State’s speech at the Oxford Farming Conference will be live-streamed from 9.30am. Details on how to stream the speech can be found at: https://www.ofc.org.uk/blog/register-ofc20-live-stream

Specialist agricultural bank to back British farming - A new specialist agricultural bank is set to launch later this year, offering financial services specifically designed for British farmers and backed by key agri-business firms.

LAMMA’s sell-out show a commercial and professional success - LAMMA’s return to the NEC in Birmingham at the beginning of January produced an even bigger and better show than the year before, resulting in an upbeat two days that have been widely praised by exhibitors and visitors alike.

New discovery will help fight lethal oilseed rape disease - Researchers at the University of Hertfordshire have found a way to improve the resilience of oilseed rape and reduce the estimated £100m annual loss* to phoma stem canker, one of the most important winter diseases of oilseed rape in the UK.

Trials of breakthrough bovine TB test helped by new guidelines - Welsh farm pioneers first trial of PBD Biotech’s Actiphage® blood test

Oxford Farming Conference Panel to Paint Picture of Future Food & Farming - Ensuring healthy, safe and affordable food is accessible to all – regardless of where people live or how much they earn – will be the focus of the UK Food Strategy panel session at the 2020 Oxford Farming Conference on 7 – 9 January.  

£243m funding for Welsh farmers welcomed - The Chancellor of the Exchequer has confirmed £243 million of funding to support Welsh farmers once the UK leaves the EU.

Extra £2m put into fund to help farmers recover from flooding - A £2m fund to support farmers who suffered uninsurable damage to their property in the devastating floods in November has opened for applications today.

The Chancellor Should Use “Fiscal Levers” to Assist Progressive Farmers - A combination of overheated land prices and cripplingly short-term rental agreements is preventing sustainable routes for new entrants and progressive farmers.

Livestock worrying costs £1.2m as irresponsible owners allow dogs to roam - Survey confirms farmers’ fears that more owners are letting their dogs roam free from their owners

Showground's future in jeopardy after huge tax bill - THE Lincolnshire Agricultural Society (LAS) is challenging West Lindsey District Council’s decision to remove its charitable rate relief.

George Eustice appointed environment secretary in Boris Johnson's Cabinet reshuffle - The longstanding Brexiteer who represents Camborne, Redruth and Hayle has been a minister in the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

Access to Government Gateway is changing for users of older technology - What you need to know if you access Government Gateway on Windows XP, Windows Vista or older browsers such as Internet Explorer 6 or 7 from 1 April 2020

Storm Dennis – vigilance advised ahead of further severe weather this weekend - Heavy, persistent rain on Saturday and Sunday is likely to bring significant river and surface water flooding to parts of the North, South East and South West of England over the weekend and into next week.

Six general licences reissued for the control of wild birds - Licences reissued on a temporary basis ahead of new licences coming into force on 1 August 2020

Rapid Autumn Development Value Underlined in the North - The importance of varieties that develop more rapidly than average as well as establishing vigorously has become particularly evident in field-scale and farm plot trials across northern England and Scotland this season.

ADM Wheat & OSR weekly market update - UK (London) wheat prices are up just under ?2/t as harvest delays continue to provide a supply squeeze, underpinning delivery premiums and farm gate prices.

Nearly half of UK shoppers actively looking for locally sourced items in the supermarket - A survey from Weetabix has found that almost a third of UK consumers admit the Covid-19 pandemic has made them realise how important locally sourced products are to the UK economy, with 48 per cent of Brits actively looking for locally sourced items in the supermarket.

Grants available to save our bees & pollinators - A campaign has launched to help reverse the decline of bees in the South East and create a haven for pollinators in the South Downs National Park.

Back British Farming Day 2020: Get involved - MPs and farmers up and down the country are being asked to throw their weight behind Back British Farming Day, to celebrate our farming industry.?

Rapid Autumn Development Value Underlined in the North - The importance of varieties that develop more rapidly than average as well as establishing vigorously has become particularly evident in field-scale and farm plot trials across northern England and Scotland this season.

New maize varieties highlight continued breeding progress in yield & quality - Six new first-choice varieties have been added to the British Society of Plant Breeder's 2021 Forage Maize Descriptive Lists (DL),have been published.

Round up of Wheat and OSR markets by ADM - With the forecast expected to improve into next week, additional wheat supplies may enter the pipeline and reduce spot premiums. Feed wheat imports are also arriving, satisfying nearby demand.

Back British Farming Day 2020: Get involved - MPs and farmers up and down the country are being asked to throw their weight behind Back British Farming Day, to celebrate our farming industry.?

BBC has to clamp down on Chris Packham says Countryside Alliance - Tim Bonner, Chief Executive of the Countryside Alliance has responded to the new BBC Director General''s comments to his staff after his appointment

Law change needed to help tackle rural crime, NFU says - At a roundtable meeting between the NFU, Defra, Home Office, police and other rural organisations, the NFU continued to press for legislative change that would make it easier for police to catch and prosecute criminals

Farmers warned to 'pin it or pen it' as tech savvy GPS thieves continue attack on countryside - Farmers are being warned to 'pin it or pen it' when it comes to expensive tractor GPS systems as the countryside continues to be targeted by tech-savvy criminal gangs.

Wheat harvest starts in south, but it is far too early to predict any trends - A look at the OSR and Wheat markets by ADM

Chocolate spot in field beans, Field bean rust, Powdery mildew in peas alerts - Disease Management: Chocolate spot in field beans, Field bean rust, Powdery mildew in peas ...

Court ruling on AHA tenancy interpretation is significant - A ruling in the Court of Appeal Rees v. Earl of Plymouth is welcome news for landowners but serves as a warning for the drafting of future farm tenancy agreements and the interpretation of existing agreements warns Law firm Royds Withy King.

Farms must have a digital VAT scheme in place by April 2022 - Farmers & Landlords who have a business income over ?10,000 will need to start keeping digital records, sign up and submit a return using software from April 2022.

Government fund creates collaborative farming communities - Report on Countryside Stewardship Facilitation Fund highlights social benefits to farming communities and local environments

Use wool as part of 'Green Recovery' of our economy - In a year when wool prices are at rock bottom because of Covid-19 disruption, this 100 percent natural products has a role to play in building the circular economy according to Vice President Martin Kennedy

Farm Trials Underline Robust Hybrid Value - The first farm strip trials harvested this season have underlined grower experience of the particular value of robust hybrids in dealing with one of the most challenging OSR seasons on record.

Best practice use of glyphosate pre-harvest - Due to the recent weather many crops have suffered stress, so it's important for growers and agronomists to understand how to use glyphosate products pre-harvest on a range of crops to mitigate this risk

EU cuts its yield estimate for wheat crop to 5.54t/ha down from 5.6t/ha in June - A weekly look at OSR and wheat markets from ADM

Government unprepared for COVID-19 disruptions to food supply chains - EFRA Committee criticises lack of preparedness and demands review of food sector resilience

National Food Strategy report highlights Covid & Brexit - Part One of the two-part National Food Strategy contains urgent recommendations to support this country through the turbulence caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, and to prepare for the end of the EU exit transition period on 31 December 2020.

NFU takes in new group of young farmer ambassadors - The new group of young, ambitious farmers will work with the NFU to represent the future generation of British farmers over the next 12 months, both within the industry and to the wider public, and at a crucial time for the sector.

Rural crime rises to ?54 million as criminal gangs target farm machinery and livestock - The cost of rural crime is at its highest level for eight years, with organised criminal gangs targeting high value tractors, quad bikes and large numbers of livestock.

Rapid Autumn Development Value Underlined in the North - The importance of varieties that develop more rapidly than average as well as establishing vigorously has become particularly evident in field-scale and farm plot trials across northern England and Scotland this season.

Three high-performing students receive national agricultural award - Three promising postgraduate agricultural students from across the UK have been selected to receive a 'Centenary Award' bursary from The NFU Mutual Charitable Trust.Further awards will be made available in 2021.

Weekly Wheat & OSR roundup from ADM - European and UK markets rose this week, gaining from the global trend and limited ex-farm business. UK values touched contract highs, aided by a weaker pound, the much-reduced harvest and increased import requirements.

'Renewable Energy on Farms' webinar launched by Low Carbon Agriculture Show - Low Carbon Agriculture Show has announced that its second Digital Insights webinar will discuss the pressing issue of 'Opportunities for Renewable Energy on Farms'.

New Female Focused Farming Forum Launches - Home on the Farm is a new online network developed to support females in farming and farming families throughout the UK. The forum is the brainchild of Milly Fyfe - industry ambassador, farmer's wife and mother, together with The Farming Forum, Farm Safety Foundation and The Farming Community Network (FCN).

Warning rural areas may be left behind without fair funding to support post-Covid recovery - NFU, RICS, CPRE join coalition warning rural areas may be left behind without fair funding to support post-Covid recovery The coalition is urging Govt to unlock untapped potential of rural communities & economies & to address long-standing inequalities

Food & Drink Federation response to new Covid restrictions - These new restrictions on the UK's fragile hospitality and food service sector are a potentially fatal blow says FDF Chair Ian Wright

Make stubble management count this autumn - First class stubble management will be more important than ever this autumn to deal with high levels of seed return from problem grassweeds after the 'double whammy' of the winter deluge and spring drought; especially so, wherever weather worries get in the way of wheats being drilled as late as they need to be for the best control of black-grass, bromes and ryegrass. Bayer weed control specialist, Tom Scanlon points to surprisingly high levels of black-grass infestation seen in many very late-drilled crops this summer where the weather got in the way of seedbed quality and/or peri and post-em spraying. At the same time, he urges everyone to be particularly conscious of the serious grassweed legacy from poor and patchy spring crops established in a bone dry April on soils damaged by the wet winter; not to mention OSR that has struggled to shake-off the challenge of cabbage stem flea beetle larvae.

UK Sugar beet growers to receive first ever market-linked bonus pay-outs - Sugar beet growers across the UK are set to receive a market-linked bonus later this year, after EU average sugar prices hit the trigger point for the first time.

Dairy back on TV screens after two decades - The first dairy TV advert in 20 years will be aired this week featuring a selection of iconic milk adverts seen on our screens over the last seven decades.

Opportunities sort with farmers looking to diversify into energy - EDF Renewables UK is starting a new partnership with Octo Energy to identify and deliver 200 MW of hybrid solar and battery storage projects in England and Wales.

Landowners warned about public rights of way as Covid-19 sees increase in walkers - Farmers and landowners are being advised to protect themselves from unwanted public rights of way being created, as the Covid-19 pandemic results in an increasing number of walkers in the countryside.

Be rewarded for protecting against metaldehyde - Farmers in Severn Trent priority catchments are being encouraged to sign up to the Farm to Tap scheme to receive up to ?5/ha for protecting watercourses from metaldehyde.

Basic Payment Scheme simplified for farmers - ? The government has simplified the way penalties are calculated for small over-claims of land as part of measures to make the BPS less complicated for customers in 2020. This follows measures introduced in March to reduce the paperwork required from young farmers.?