Farming in Five: Defra under scrutiny over its decision to close SFI, with questions around why farmers were given little notice, and its transparency over the budget. But who will be the winners and losers?

In today's Farming in Five, chief reporter Rachael Brown reports on the latest from the fallout of the Sustainable Farming Incentive closure. Defra is under scrutiny over its failure to give farmers' notice as the industry questions whether all the budget has been spent. She also looks ahead to next week, a special podcast on Donald Trump, tariffs and what this means for machinery markets and UK farming going forward and the livestock team are heading to Borderway UK Dairy Expo at Carlisle this week, the first dairy show of the year

Rachael Brown

14 March 2025 • 1 min read

READ LATEST NEWS STORIES:

Everything you need to know about the closure of SFI 24

National Trust says Defra SFI decision will leave farmers facing a four-month funding gap

NFU survey reveals farmer confidence hits all-time low

It was not possible to give any further warning on SFI24 closure, says Farming Minister

"Defra must be upfront about the figures" - George Dunn, Tenant Farmers Association

Farmers brand Defra's update to stop SFI24 an 'absolute shambles'

Defra stops accepting new applications for SFI 24

TAKE PART IN OUR SURVEY: How are farmers feeling post budget compared to before?

Farming in Five: A buzz around the livestock rings, the latest on a US trade deal and a look ahead

In this episode of Farming in Five, head of news and business Alex Black discusses the latest figures from the Livestock Auctioneers Association, Chancellor Rachel Reeves has been visiting Washington this week, with tariffs, trade and Trump in the headlines and a look ahead to two protests in London on Saturday.

Alex Black

25 April 2025 • 1 min read

Farming in Five

April 24: Campaign group to stage a 'vintage farming spectacle' in Whitehall to evoke Britain's war time spirit and put Britain's food and farming crisis centre stage

In today's Farming in Five, chief reporter Rachael Brown reports on Save British Farming's plans to host a 'vintage farming spectacle' in Whitehall on 29 April, to put Britain's food and farming crisis in the spotlight; Farmers' Union of Wales' warning a rushed US trade deal could see Welsh agricultural 'sold down the river' in the UK Government's pursuit of short-term trade concessions; and Farmers Guardian's brand-new video series ‘From Hill to Ring’

Rachael Brown

24 April 2025 • 1 min read

Farming in Five

April 23: Muller farmers forced to dump milk due to plant breakdown will be compensated 'in full' and Chancellor warned not to 'sell out' British farming in any trade deals as she visits Washington

In today's Farming in Five, chief reporter Rachael Brown reports on the Muller farmers who will be compensated 'in full' after they were forced to dump their milk due to a number of breakdowns at the Skelmersdale site, the CLA's warning to Chancellor Rachel Reeves not to 'sell out' British farming in any deals or agreement as she arrives in Washington for trade talks, and news that contracting prices are set to rise by an average of 5.7% in 2025

Rachael Brown

23 April 2025 • 1 min read