Rural News

A group of 31 farmers from the Test and Itchen catchments in Hampshire are set to join the Environmental Farmers Group (EFG) cooperative with the aim of delivering environmental benefits to the area, such as improved water quality and habitat restoration along the world-famous chalk streams.

Healthy soils, cleaner water and a sustainable future are the key messages that Affinity Water will be demonstrating at this year’s Groundswell event with the launch of their companion cropping trial results.

Nearly 200 tractors are set to take part in this year’s Pink Ladies’ Tractor Road Run, with participants determined to hit the £1m fundraising mark in support of Cancer Research UK’s breast cancer appeal.

How to incorporate diversity into cereal-based rotations is the subject of a series of panel discussion sessions in the AHDB marquee (Stand DF C30) at the Groundswell Festival.

Following the rural affairs secretary’s recent announcement at the Royal Highland Show, NFU Scotland president Martin Kennedy welcomed further clarity on the direction of agricultural support in Scotland, but emphasized the need for more details on how the new eligibility criteria will work in practice.

With global consumption of both meat and dairy products expected to grow further over the next year, the AHDB is calling businesses to build on the successes already achieved and make the most of the export opportunities ahead.

Farmers in Scotland and Wales have been denied emergency use of Asulox (asulam) for bracken control as the devolved governments opted to follow advice from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), stating the risks posed to the environment and human health outweigh the potential benefits.

The ‘new and improved’ Sustainable Farming Incentive 2023 will start accepting applications from August, with an expanded list of actions and more flexibility, Defra has revealed.

A new carbon decision support tool is being piloted by Innovation for Agriculture (IfA) to help farmers choose the most appropriate platform for assessing carbon on their farm from the growing number of options available.

Practical advice on how to farm in harmony with nature – and how to make that work for businesses – will be on offer with the Soil Association charity at Groundswell on the 28th and 29th June 2023.

Emergency authorisation has been granted for the aerial spraying and some ground-based applications of Asulox (Asulam) to control the spread of bracken in England, with decisions for other parts of the UK to follow next week.

The machinery display at this year’s Great Yorkshire Show will feature Farmtac’s pioneering all-electric compact tractor, alongside other cutting-edge machines from the brand including the popular FT26 and the higher horsepower FT6050.