agriculture

The AHDB’s latest Horizon report indicates that the top 25% of UK farms will remain profitable no matter what the outcome of Brexit. The report, which looked into the characteristics of the top performing farms, has suggested that it’s the decisions made by farmers that dictate the...

The Business Barn has teamed up with NatWest to bring a cohesive offering to users of the rural business advice website. As one of the leading agricultural banks operating within the UK, helping to finance projects of all sizes, the partnership will help cement the bank’s commitment to the...

The faint of heart should probably avoid the potato business. That’s the frank advice of Bryan Beck, co-owner with his father, Clarence, of the 3,100-acre Long Acres Potato Farms in Tionesta, Pennsylvania. “It is very cyclical and challenging. The fun part is just when you think you have it...

A new banking partnership has been established to support farmers who are struggling to obtain funding for urgent or complicated projects. UK Agricultural Finance and NatWest, two suppliers listed on The Business Barn MarketPlace, have joined forces in the first partnership of its kind, to...

Anyone else received their levy invoice for a ridiculous amount when they do nothing for us farmers but take our hard earned money?! We need to band together and put a stop to these parasites.

Applications for the 2018-19 Future Farmer Foundation are now open, with 50 places available for those looking to develop a career in agriculture or aquaculture. Founded in 2014 the programme was established to support and inspire young people in UK and Irish farming with the fifth programme...

The creators of The Energy Now Expo have launched a new pioneering event – The Energy and Rural Business Show. Taking place next February at the Telford International Centre, the event plans to showcase the latest opportunities for farms in the immediate sense and in the future and will be...

The new Agriculture Bill has fired a starting gun for England’s farmers to manage post-Brexit change, according to the Central Association of Agricultural Valuers (CAAV). Farmers have been awaiting details on what post-Brexit policy and payments will look like – and now they know, they should...

Farming Charity R.A.B.I (The Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institution) has announced the appointment of Alicia Chivers as its new chief executive from November 2018. A qualified chartered accountant from a farming family, Alicia is currently the CEO of the RAF Central Fund, a charity providing...

Analysts fear that up to 25% of Britain’s farms will be at risk of bankruptcy if farm subsidies aren’t guaranteed by the government post-Brexit. At present, between 50 and 60% of farm income in the UK comes from EU subsidies, but the government has only guaranteed the extension of current...

Big brand Yeo Valley is taking a big step towards sustainable and organic farming by investing in glyphosate/ herbicide-free weed killer. Read more on this: https://www.weedingtech.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/Case-study-Yeo-Valley-FINAL-DIGITAL-JAN-2018.pdf

Identifying opportunities in contracting The first step in identifying an opportunity is to know your region. Regions will have criteria that dictate what farming enterprises are suitable and therefore, what contracting opportunities may be present. The second step is to look at the issues that...

A £1.2 million consumer campaign aimed at reminding the public of its love for dairy found that 11% of 26-41-year-olds were less likely to replace dairy products with alternatives – well ahead of expectations. The campaign, jointly funded by AHDB Dairy and Dairy UK, created a spoof government...

The first six months of 2018 have seen UK food and drink exports hit record levels. According to Defra (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs) exports rose to £10.6 billion, up 4% compared to the same period last year, with products now being sold in more than 200 different...

Rhug Estate near Corwen in North Wales has made retail history this week opening the first on-farm drive-thru. The Denbighshire farm estate is renowned for its quality organic meat that includes wild bison and Japanese Sika deer, and suppliers some of the UK’s finest restaurants. But, in a...

With Brexit on the horizon, farmers will no doubt be starting to think about how they need to shape their business over the next few years to ensure they can ride the wave of a changing market and the consequential volatility, reduced direct support and a changed regulatory framework to work...

Below are examples of the ‘assets’ that are worth considering before making the decision to diversify. Land availability Whether it’s owned or let, farmers are blessed with the land they have access to. Traditionally, land would have either been used for cropping, grazing or for countryside...

1. Examine the core farm business Before committing to a new project, consider if there is a way of developing the farm business meaning diversification isn’t totally necessary at the current time. Have you taken the time to look in-depth at the performance of the farm on an...

Tenant farmers are warned to look carefully at clauses within new Farm Business Tenancies as a rise in agreements not fit for purpose are reported. Speaking on the issues, Philip Meade from Davis Meade Property Consultants said, “We are seeing a rise in the number of FBT agreements containing...

Young people in rural communities have been given their chance to help shape the future of the rural economy. The Rural Youth Project, launched at the start of this year by Jane Craigie Marketing, has been developed to find out more about the opinions of 18 to 28 year olds with a view to...