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Farmers Guardian

Articles by Farmers Guardian

In your field: Dan Hawes – "This last month, I was fortunate to travel to South Africa to tour some fruit farms"

In your field

In your field: Dan Hawes – "This last month, I was fortunate to travel to South Africa to tour some fruit farms"

Dan Hawes grew up on an arable farm in Suffolk and now produces strawberry and raspberry plants for the UK fruit market with Blaise Plants, sister company to Hugh Lowe Farms, Kent. The business grows outside, under tunnels and in glasshouses and produces more than four million plants a year. The arable side includes environmental schemes, with a mix of wheat, oilseed rape, beans and barley crops

clock 16 March 2026 • 3 min read
In your field: Alan Carter – "Calf prices still seem very good, which shows there must be confidence in beef production"

In your field

In your field: Alan Carter – "Calf prices still seem very good, which shows there must be confidence in beef production"

Alan Carter farms in partnership with his parents, Paul and Christine, on a 162-hectare (400-acre), 400-cow dairy unit at Constantine, Cornwall, with 130 milking cows, supplying Saputo. Alan, also a Parish Councillor, and his wife Sarah, have two children, Ross and Dana

clock 15 March 2026 • 3 min read
Diversification: 10 things to consider ahead of business shift

Farm Business

Diversification: 10 things to consider ahead of business shift

As the recent Farm Business Income revealed, the loss of the Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) has hit farmers hard. For many diversification could be the answer

clock 14 March 2026 • 2 min read
Farming Matters: David Lindars – "Livestock markets, abattoirs and butcher's shops have all disappeared in large numbers"

Farm Business

Farming Matters: David Lindars – "Livestock markets, abattoirs and butcher's shops have all disappeared in large numbers"

This week's opinion from throughout the world of agriculture: David Lindars, technical operations director at the British Meat Processors Association

clock 14 March 2026 • 4 min read
Ed Miliband: 'Rural communities who rely on heating oil must be treated fairly and transparently'

Blogs

Ed Miliband: 'Rural communities who rely on heating oil must be treated fairly and transparently'

The Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero discusses the impact the ongoing crisis in the Middle East is having on rural families and businesses

clock 12 March 2026 • 2 min read
Letters: "It must surely be time for a clear, time-bound phase-out of pesticides in the UK"

Arable

Letters: "It must surely be time for a clear, time-bound phase-out of pesticides in the UK"

This week from Farmers Guardian readers: Steve Clarkson, chief executive of Organic Farmers and Growers, examines new research on pesticide residues in soils and the debate over whether their use should be phased out

clock 10 March 2026 • 1 min read
In your field: Dan Jones – "This is a reminder that farming doesn't operate in isolation. Our businesses are tied into a global system"

In your field

In your field: Dan Jones – "This is a reminder that farming doesn't operate in isolation. Our businesses are tied into a global system"

Dan Jones farms 650 ewes at the National Trust-owned Parc Farm, which sits on the Great Orme, a limestone headland which rises up 208 metres (682 feet) on the North Wales coast near Llandudno. His Farm Business Tenancy covers the 58 hectares (143 acres) at Parc Farm, plus 364ha (900 acres) of grazing rights on the hill

clock 09 March 2026 • 3 min read
Letter: As the High Court Hearing on the proposed changes to IHT approaches, the lead claimant says "the story must be what happens inside the courtroom"

Politics

Letter: As the High Court Hearing on the proposed changes to IHT approaches, the lead claimant says "the story must be what happens inside the courtroom"

Tom Martin, the lead claimant, has asked that those arriving in London to support the hearing do not bring tractors, horns or inflammatory banners

clock 07 March 2026 • 1 min read
Farming Matters: Helen Brookes – "From a farmer's perspective, new technologies must show a clear and measurable impact on the bottom line"

Farm Business

Farming Matters: Helen Brookes – "From a farmer's perspective, new technologies must show a clear and measurable impact on the bottom line"

This week's opinion from throughout the world of agriculture: Helen Brookes, engagement director at the UK Agri-Tech Centre

clock 07 March 2026 • 3 min read
84 year old Devon farmer dies while carrying out hedge repair work

Farm Safety

84 year old Devon farmer dies while carrying out hedge repair work

An inquest has been opened at Devon Coroners Court into the death of a man who died last month at his Kibsworthy farm

clock 05 March 2026 • 1 min read