Former barrister Theresa Villiers MP has been appointed secretary of state for environment, food and rural affairs, during a cabinet reshuffle on Boris Johnson’s first day as prime minister.

A ban on feeding maleic hydrazide-treated potato waste to livestock has now been lifted, leaving growers free to use the active ingredient without fear of losing their end markets.

As in previous years, Zetor Tractors plans to release a 2020 calendar for its customers and devotees of agricultural equipment. However, unlike in the past, the photographs will focus on everyday tractor use, combining the daily routine of the machines with artistic arrangements.

The Worshipful Company of Farmers’ charities, which focus on supporting education within the agricultural sector, will benefit by some £10,000 thanks to the efforts of 25 hardy souls who took part in the 115-mile ‘Sleepless in the Saddle’ charity cycle ride from central London to the Suffolk coast over the weekend of 13 – 14 July.

Scotts Precision Manufacturing is reporting a record year, with sales of its Evolution separator and Trinity range of haulm toppers up by over 30%.

ShowBiz Software has developed its agricultural show management software to a fully web-based version that helps shows of all sizes better manage costs, improve operations and, most importantly, improve their digital marketing.

Farmacy chairman Mike Young’s advice is to take the time now to consider how best to optimise variable rate inputs for this autumn, with new technology such as TerraMap offering a genuine opportunity to enhance the benefits of precision agronomy.

An award-winning leaf wetness sensor is now available to English grape growers, promising real-time information about disease and frost risks to improve on-farm decision-making.

A tailored plan is required to contain the spread of clubroot and sustain the production of important brassica crop species in the UK, according to a new AHDB report.

With membership reaching over 100 breeders, this year’s Blacknose Beauties show and sale at H&H Borderway Mart, Carlisle on 23-24 August, held by the Valais Sheep Society, promises to be the largest celebration of the UK’s fastest growing sheep breed.

Demand for organic food has never been greater, and with growers able to achieve gross margins over 40% higher than in non-organic systems, is now the right time to look at organic arable production?

Taking time to control thistles in established grassland now will prevent them spreading seed this summer and causing bigger infestations to deal with next spring, according to Dr Nicola Perry of Corteva Agrisciences.