Author Posts: Farmers Guide

Farming and food production is full of uncertainty at the moment – driven by the extreme wet weather, funding for environmental schemes taking priority over growing crops, and lack of data for decision-making.

Are schemes such as SFI and Countryside Stewardship making it possible – and profitable – to produce food and care for the natural environment? Sarah Juggins investigates.

A Hertfordshire contract-farming business operating one of the first short-chassis 24t Richard Western SF24HS Suffolk trailers is already reaping returns.

Tissue analysis samples from 2023 have shown that 75% of cereal crops had below optimum levels of zinc, meaning a foliar application of the nutrient would have been beneficial, according to the latest findings from FMC.

Farmers entering Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) agreements are being advised to ensure that they fully understand the potential impact their decisions will have on future pulse crop rotations.

Rural properties and farmland in the UK offer a diverse range of opportunities and investments, with various sectors experiencing distinct cycles of growth and change. For farmers and landowners, understanding these trends is crucial for making informed decisions about their investments. Carter Jonas delves into the current state of the market across different sectors.

Farmers in England who are looking to adopt smaXtec’s cutting-edge animal health monitoring system, can now get 50% grant funding, through the Farming Equipment and Technology Fund (FETF) 2024. 

Despite Wales being the most popular country in the UK for outdoor holidays, Welsh landowners are turning away from pop-up campsites – amid uncertainty over the future of Permitted Development Rights.

As spring grass arrives many dairy farmers are faced with a double challenge in managing cows’ health: sub-acute ruminal acidosis (SARA) and grass staggers. David Bonsall, animal feed expert at Omya, offers a straightforward, cost-effective solution.

Relentless wet weather gave way to a few drier days in mid-March, creating workable conditions for an Oliver Landpower Ltd demonstration of Sumo drills and cultivators, and JCB Fastracs. David Williams was there.

Experts from Ceres Rural, British Sugar and De Sangosse discussed the prospects for sugar beet this season and recommendations for herbicide programmes in a webinar hosted by UPL.

With applications opening for the 2024 Farming Equipment and Technology Fund, Stuart Wilkieson, technical sales engineer at Hydor has explained what applicants can receive from this grant and what they can put the funding towards.