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From the editor: Merry Christmas from us all at Farmers Guardian

Politics

From the editor: Merry Christmas from us all at Farmers Guardian

This week from Farmers Guardian editor Katie Jones

clock 24 December 2025 • 1 min read
Young Farmer Focus - Joss Naylor: 'Rural businesses need improved connectivity'

Young Farmer Focus

Young Farmer Focus - Joss Naylor: 'Rural businesses need improved connectivity'

Joss Naylor, 19, is a young farmer from Glossop in the Derbyshire Peak District. He writes on why rural and farming communities need greater access to reliable and fast internet

clock 24 December 2025 • 6 min read
OPINION: IHT reprieve reason for Christmas cheer

Politics

OPINION: IHT reprieve reason for Christmas cheer

Deputy Editor Alex Black reflects on the impact of the decision to increase APR and BPR thresholds from £1 million to £2.5m

clock 23 December 2025 • 2 min read
Road to regen – Silas Hedley-Lawrence: "We have also been incredibly lucky to find a farming opportunity in the Cotswolds"

Sustainable Farming

Road to regen – Silas Hedley-Lawrence: "We have also been incredibly lucky to find a farming opportunity in the Cotswolds"

Silas Hedley-Lawrence is a farmer, coach and consultant with a decade of hands-on experience in regenerative agriculture. With a background rooted in both commercial and direct selling models, he champions lean, profitable farming systems that increase biodiversity and soil health. Silas is an Integrity Soils trained agroecological coach from the Yellowstone 2024 cohort

clock 23 December 2025 • 6 min read
EXCLUSIVE - Tom Bradshaw: "My message to him [Sir Keir Starmer] was simple: there is still time to take action to remove those most at risk from the eye of this storm"

Politics

EXCLUSIVE - Tom Bradshaw: "My message to him [Sir Keir Starmer] was simple: there is still time to take action to remove those most at risk from the eye of this storm"

NFU president Tom Bradshaw writes on the importance of Labour MPs who abstained on a vote to limit APR and BPR, and why the Prime Minister should do the right thing by protecting elderly and terminally ill farmers from cruel and inhumane Inheritance Tax changes

clock 22 December 2025 • 4 min read
In your field: Helen Stanier – "Even though everybody knows Christmas falls on December 25, it always seems to come at just the wrong time on our farm"

In your field

In your field: Helen Stanier – "Even though everybody knows Christmas falls on December 25, it always seems to come at just the wrong time on our farm"

Helen is a fifth-generation farmer who farms with her parents, David and Anne Shaw, husband, Craig, and their children, Alfred and Hattie, at Grey Leys Farm in the Vale of York. The farm comprises 162 hectares (400 acres) of grass, maize and wholecrop for the herd of 240 pedigree Jersey cows and more than 200 followers

clock 22 December 2025 • 3 min read
Letters: "Supporting farmers, crofters and fishermen is not charity; it is common sense"

Letters: "Supporting farmers, crofters and fishermen is not charity; it is common sense"

This week from Farmers Guardian readers: Coun Alastair Redman, Islay, Argyll and Bute, discusses the vital role farmers, crofters and fishermen play in ensuring food security – especially at Christmas

clock 22 December 2025 • 2 min read
In your field: James Robinson - "Farmers are a special bunch, we are optimists, it is always worth the effort"

In your field

In your field: James Robinson - "Farmers are a special bunch, we are optimists, it is always worth the effort"

James farms Dairy Shorthorns east of Kendal, Cumbria, with his parents Kathleen and Henry, wife Michelle and sons Robert and Chris. The fifth generation to farm at Strickley, he is also vice-chair of the Nature Friendly Farming Network

clock 21 December 2025 • 3 min read
Farming Matters - Sarah Haynes: "True value of national farm baselining goes far beyond environmental improvement"

Environment

Farming Matters - Sarah Haynes: "True value of national farm baselining goes far beyond environmental improvement"

This week's opinion from throughout the world of agriculture: Sarah Haynes, head of sustainability, IGD

clock 20 December 2025 • 3 min read
EXCLUSIVE - Danny Chambers: "We can save lives and ensure that no farmer feels they have to struggle alone"

Mental Health

EXCLUSIVE - Danny Chambers: "We can save lives and ensure that no farmer feels they have to struggle alone"

Winchester MP Danny Chambers writes on rural isolation, why farmers struggle to access healthcare support, and how the Government could roll out a farm gate mental health programme to help farmers receive vital well-being services

clock 18 December 2025 • 3 min read