Agricultural news from around England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland

Politics
Thousands of pigs risk farm backlog as government support stalls

Thousands of pigs risk farm backlog as government support stalls

Dairy farmer secures contract changes after confidential intervention

Dairy farmer secures contract changes after confidential intervention

UK-EU deal could scrap Brexit food checks and reopen export markets

UK-EU deal could scrap Brexit food checks and reopen export markets

UK farmers receive less support than EU counterparts, OECD finds

UK farmers receive less support than EU counterparts, OECD finds

Scottish farmers need £860m a year as costs soar, union warns

Scottish farmers need £860m a year as costs soar, union warns

£30m wildlife estate purchase raises questions over future of 12 farms

£30m wildlife estate purchase raises questions over future of 12 farms

Dairy
Former Dale Farm boss to lead farmer-owned dairy giant First Milk

Former Dale Farm boss to lead farmer-owned dairy giant First Milk

Dairy farmer secures contract changes after confidential intervention

Dairy farmer secures contract changes after confidential intervention

First Milk freezes milk price at 39p for third consecutive month

First Milk freezes milk price at 39p for third consecutive month

Shamonda virus reaches British cattle as farmers urged to stay alert

Shamonda virus reaches British cattle as farmers urged to stay alert

UK milk prices still 16% below last year despite September rebound

UK milk prices still 16% below last year despite September rebound

Farm costs soar 8.6% as prices paid to farmers fall

Farm costs soar 8.6% as prices paid to farmers fall

Poultry
Bird flu hits Scottish Borders farm as 10km restriction zone imposed

Bird flu hits Scottish Borders farm as 10km restriction zone imposed

British egg farmers face cheaper import threat under proposed cage ban

British egg farmers face cheaper import threat under proposed cage ban

Bird flu hits Northumberland free-range poultry farm

Bird flu hits Northumberland free-range poultry farm

NFU urges stronger border inspections after Ukrainian egg recall

NFU urges stronger border inspections after Ukrainian egg recall

Act now on bird flu threat, UK and Welsh veterinary chiefs warn

Act now on bird flu threat, UK and Welsh veterinary chiefs warn

FSA orders urgent recall of Ukrainian eggs after Salmonella discovery

FSA orders urgent recall of Ukrainian eggs after Salmonella discovery

ITFarmer
£28m up for grabs to tackle soil and water challenges facing UK farming

£28m up for grabs to tackle soil and water challenges facing UK farming

AI job fears push young people towards hands-on careers, survey finds

AI job fears push young people towards hands-on careers, survey finds

New cattle reporting system clears key hurdle ahead of 2027 rollout

New cattle reporting system clears key hurdle ahead of 2027 rollout

Nearly 80% of farmers surveyed open to gene-edited crops

Nearly 80% of farmers surveyed open to gene-edited crops

Cattle could be screened for bovine TB using new AI eye technology

Cattle could be screened for bovine TB using new AI eye technology

Surrey farms secure £500k for new technology and innovation

Surrey farms secure £500k for new technology and innovation

Pigs
Thousands of pigs risk farm backlog as government support stalls

Thousands of pigs risk farm backlog as government support stalls

Dairy farmer secures contract changes after confidential intervention

Dairy farmer secures contract changes after confidential intervention

Pig movements and pork exports at risk as industry reviews ASF defences

Pig movements and pork exports at risk as industry reviews ASF defences

Farm costs soar 8.6% as prices paid to farmers fall

Farm costs soar 8.6% as prices paid to farmers fall

Government moves to ban CO2 pig stunning over animal welfare fears

Government moves to ban CO2 pig stunning over animal welfare fears

UK scientists launch major research to tackle African swine fever threat

UK scientists launch major research to tackle African swine fever threat

Environment
UK farmers receive less support than EU counterparts, OECD finds

UK farmers receive less support than EU counterparts, OECD finds

£30m wildlife estate purchase raises questions over future of 12 farms

£30m wildlife estate purchase raises questions over future of 12 farms

British growers sound alarm over water shortages ahead of 2027

British growers sound alarm over water shortages ahead of 2027

Fire chief says farmers were vital in stopping wildfires spreading

Fire chief says farmers were vital in stopping wildfires spreading

Northern Ireland unveils nature recovery plan amid farming concerns

Northern Ireland unveils nature recovery plan amid farming concerns

£28m up for grabs to tackle soil and water challenges facing UK farming

£28m up for grabs to tackle soil and water challenges facing UK farming

Arable
UK-EU deal could scrap Brexit food checks and reopen export markets

UK-EU deal could scrap Brexit food checks and reopen export markets

UK farmers receive less support than EU counterparts, OECD finds

UK farmers receive less support than EU counterparts, OECD finds

BYDV alert as one in three aphids test positive this autumn

BYDV alert as one in three aphids test positive this autumn

Farm costs soar 8.6% as prices paid to farmers fall

Farm costs soar 8.6% as prices paid to farmers fall

British growers sound alarm over water shortages ahead of 2027

British growers sound alarm over water shortages ahead of 2027

Farmers warn over cheap imports as UK food trade gap hits £42bn

Farmers warn over cheap imports as UK food trade gap hits £42bn

Crime
Police hunt thieves after 150 litres of red diesel stolen in Suffolk

Police hunt thieves after 150 litres of red diesel stolen in Suffolk

Police helicopter swoops on five suspected hare coursers in Essex

Police helicopter swoops on five suspected hare coursers in Essex

Diesel thefts surge as police warn farmers over overnight raids

Diesel thefts surge as police warn farmers over overnight raids

Farmer faces £23,000 losses after 59 lambs killed in suspected dog attack

Farmer faces £23,000 losses after 59 lambs killed in suspected dog attack

UK steps up crackdown on grain stolen from Ukrainian farmland

UK steps up crackdown on grain stolen from Ukrainian farmland

£100,000 devastation as thieves target agricultural business

£100,000 devastation as thieves target agricultural business