Farmers are being warned to take extra care to ensure livestock and machinery are protected from theft as thieves try to cash in on demand for food amid the Covid-19 crisis.

Farm fuel supplies should be unaffected by the coronavirus, following some farmer reports of delays to deliveries.

With 40 per cent of food eaten out of the home in the UK, the Government’s decision to close pubs and restaurants will have a major impact on demand.

The widening gap between the highest and lowest milk prices was brought into sharp focus when Arla announced it was increasing its manufacturing milk price by nearly 1ppl at a time when Meadow Foods said it would drop its by 2ppl.

The Government has committed extra research and development spending, while farmers are being urged to explore the tax benefits of bringing more innovation to their businesses.

British beef farms are among the world’s least profitable, an international study of performance has showed.

Grocery staples including potatoes, butter and mince are at the heart of a new supermarket price battle as Tesco tries to dent the expansion of discounter Aldi by matching its prices.

British beef farms are among the world’s least profitable, an international study of performance has showed.

Straw prices are rising in anticipation of a small harvest this year, but merchants have warned against any panic buying.

The battle against billions of locusts devastating crops in East Africa will continue through into April as the international community steps up efforts to control the pest.