Arable

Confidence must be restored in Welsh Government’s ability to support rural communities in the post-EU era after it incurred fines for mishandling funds, says Llyr Gruffydd, North Wales MS and Plaid Cymru Shadow Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs.

Farmers should not worry about Brexit, but the coronavirus, which could kill off many small agricultural shows and sever the rural community’s links with wider society, says Dave Herbert, a South Welsh smallholder producing eggs and poultry.

As the UK prepares to sign trade deals with several countries, including the USA, concerns have grown that the food service sector may move to take advantage of low standard imports in future. Abi Kay reports.  

New spring oat varieties with higher kernel contents are coming through and finding acceptance among millers for food consumption markets. The spring oat crop also has benefits in terms of black-grass suppression.

Building greater resilience and sustainability into food and farming supply chains will be ‘sped up’ as the industry recovers from the coronavirus pandemic.

Concerns are mounting about the impact of virus yellows on the future viability of the UK sugar beet crop.

The independence of the new Trade and Agriculture Commission has been questioned as Farmers Guardian revealed its press operation will be carried out by officials at the Department for International Trade (DIT).

Slurry and digestate can perform a useful role in replacing or supplementing artificial fertiliser. FGinsight got some top tips on how best to use it from Tramspread director Laurence Baker.

Scottish and UK Ministers have locked horns in a bitter battle over the future protection of food standards.

The Wildlife Trusts has called on the Government to introduce a pesticide reduction target which cuts overall use by at least 50 per cent over the next 10 years.