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1 month ago | 
fruitandvine.co.uk | Sarah Kidby
Featured GrowersBarra Berries opened their 13th century tower house for a series of diversifications including weddings, accommodation, a restaurant and farm shop, alongside their livestock and soft fruit businesses. Sarah Kidby reports. Husband-and-wife team David and Sarah Stephen have launched a growing number of diversifications over the past 10 years, from their captivating Scottish castle in Aberdeenshire – an unusual L-plan tower house that dates from the 13th century.
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2 months ago | 
farmersguide.co.uk | Sarah Kidby
Machinery As the agricultural sector continues to evolve in response to global challenges, 2025 marks a pivotal year for innovative farming solutions, AMTEC explains. Climate change and rising operational costs are the two main impacts for innovative farming solutions and technological advancements in 2025.
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2 months ago | 
farmersguide.co.uk | Sarah Kidby
Machinery A new report sheds light on what is currently driving farmers to purchase new or used farm machinery, with cost and condition being key factors. Weather and government grants were among the factors influencing whether farmers choose new or used farm machinery, according to a new survey by AMTEC. Farmers who responded cited purchasing price and condition among their top concerns (26% and 25% respectively), but just 2% said financial support was key factor.
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2 months ago | 
farmersguide.co.uk | Sarah Kidby
Diversification Close Brothers Asset Finance explains how it can help farmers make their diversification plans a reality. With rising costs across the board, farmers are increasingly looking to diversify and find innovative ways to save and make money. Photovoltaics or a biomass boiler are a good example, which can be used to supplement the energy needs of both the farm and house.
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2 months ago | 
farmersguide.co.uk | Sarah Kidby
Cereals Defra’s latest Farm Business Income report predicts which sectors will see a rise or fall in income over 2024/25. Incomes for cereal farms in England are set to fall by nearly a third in 2024/25 due to a combination of challenging weather conditions and lower output prices, according to the latest . Average farm business income (FBI) is predicted to fall to £27,000, with wheat hit particularly hard.
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Feb 28, 2025 | 
farmersguide.co.uk | Sarah Kidby
Environmental The CCC’s Seventh Carbon Budget to the government has recommended a substantial cut to livestock numbers and meat consumption. Farmers have strongly criticised the Climate Change Committee’s Seventh Carbon Budget, which calls for cattle and sheep numbers to be curbed by 27%. It also recommends a 25% reduction in average meat consumption.
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Feb 27, 2025 | 
farmersguide.co.uk | Sarah Kidby
The event saw hundreds of exhibitors launch a range of new products, while visitors questioned key industry figures. Sarah Kidby reports. Coming at a particularly tough time for farming, just a few months on from the Autumn Budget and shortly after the review into farm assurance, this year’s Dairy-Tech saw a number of hot topics debated at Stoneleigh Park on 5th February.
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Feb 26, 2025 | 
farmersguide.co.uk | Sarah Kidby
Politics Defra has shared much-awaited news on the farming grants that will be available this year, including Higher Level Stewardship and Capital Grants. Coinciding with the NFU Conference, Defra has released long-awaited information on the farming grants that will be available in 2025. There has been much concern over the long delays to the Countryside Stewardship Higher Tier scheme, particularly for upland farmers.
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Feb 26, 2025 | 
farmersguide.co.uk | Sarah Kidby
Farm Vehicles A 2010 Land Rover Defender 90, formerly owned by King Charles III, is going under the hammer next month. The Land Rover was originally supplied new for the sole use of King Charles III – then the Prince of Wales – and HRH the Duchess of Cornwall. It’s estimated to reach £43,000–50,000 at the sale by Iconic Auctioneers on 22nd March. The Defender was originally supplied by JLR Special Vehicles and delivered to the Royal Garage at Highgrove House on 15th November 2010.
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Feb 25, 2025 | 
farmersguide.co.uk | Sarah Kidby
Politics Two activists wearing carrot masks interrupted Tom Bradshaw’s opening speech at the NFU Conference urging the audience to go vegan for the planet. Activists from the animal rights lobby group Peta UK jumped onstage as NFU president Tom Bradshaw welcomed farmers to the annual NFU Conference. The two activists had donned carrot masks and carried a banner saying ‘Root for the Planet. Go Vegan.’To audible groans from the crowd, one of the two protesters began by shouting:“Root for the planet.
