Business News

Pumpkins might still be seen as a quintessentially American crop, but the last 30 years have seen their slow, steady rise in the UK arable sector. This rise has led to a now booming industry providing diverse income for farms across the UK.

Critics have noted that there are few specific measures to help farmers in the Chancellor’s latest budget, however some announcements could offer a boost to certain sectors. Farmers Guide took a look at the key points…

The animal rights and climate activists are planning an extended stand-off with the police, intending to stay on the building until the government agrees to their demands of defunding the meat industry.

Following the recent launch of the Trade and Agriculture Commission, NFU president Minette Batters expressed “frustration” that the government has failed to move on from “warm words” to “practical and deliverable measures” in safeguarding the UK’s high standards.

Farmers are being urged to review security as the long dark evenings draw in, as criminals will use the cover of darkness to target rural areas.

Ninety-five per cent of dog owners are looking to take their pet on holiday, research from leading rural insurer NFU Mutual has revealed, providing farms with hospitality diversifications a potential market boost.

Boris Johnson seals free trade deal with New Zealand PM Jacinda Ardern. What does this mean for UK farmers?

An imperfect storm of Brexit and Covid, plus a stronger pound making the EU more attractive for European seasonal labourers, saw casual labour disappear overnight. Suddenly, automation is not just a choice, but a necessity.

Producing off-grid electricity from the wind can be an ideal power source in rural locations, to contribute to your power requirements or offset consumption from the grid. FuturEnergy explains how to get started.

Following weeks of growing tension, which saw farmers protesting at the Conservative Party Conference, the government has announced plans to help alleviate the crisis. 

Farmers considering planting the carbon negative crop Miscanthus can now benefit from a finance package to cover virtually all upfront costs for crop establishment, as well as new direct, long-term offtake agreements with end-users, with 10–15-year index-linked annual returns.

If you’re a farmer who produces more energy than you use, you’ll have the opportunity to sell your excess power back to the grid as a source of revenue. A Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) could help you achieve best value by agreeing to sell to a third party, often at a fixed price and for a set period.