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From the editor: Geopolitics is once again dominating conversations

Politics

From the editor: Geopolitics is once again dominating conversations

This week from Farmers Guardian deputy editor Alex Black

clock 26 January 2026 • 2 min read
In your field: James Robinson – "We keep following our football team however badly they are playing and we keep farming even when returns do not make it worthwhile"

In your field

In your field: James Robinson – "We keep following our football team however badly they are playing and we keep farming even when returns do not make it worthwhile"

clock 26 January 2026 • 3 min read
In your field: Helen Stanier – "When world markets fluctuate, it seems the farmer, not the processor or distributor, is expected to take on much of the financial risk"

In your field

In your field: Helen Stanier – "When world markets fluctuate, it seems the farmer, not the processor or distributor, is expected to take on much of the financial risk"

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 25 January 2026 • 3 min read
Dairy Talk - Ifan Roberts: "As much as it is painful to see such turbulence, there is nothing that quite focuses one's mind on-farm than when times are lean"

Dairy

Dairy Talk - Ifan Roberts: "As much as it is painful to see such turbulence, there is nothing that quite focuses one's mind on-farm than when times are lean"

Ifan Roberts is a new entrant who has established a contract farming agreement milking 500 block calving cows in Cheshire, and is aiming to improve the land farmed, encourage others to participate in the industry and deliver attractive returns to his stakeholders

clock 25 January 2026 • 3 min read
Farming Matters: Clare Otridge – "In a volatile moment for UK agriculture, clarity is a form of resilience"

Farm Business

Farming Matters: Clare Otridge – "In a volatile moment for UK agriculture, clarity is a form of resilience"

This week's opinion from throughout the world of agriculture: Clare Otridge, farmer and director of Grounded Research

clock 24 January 2026 • 4 min read
Young Farmer Focus - Leighton Snelgrove: "Consumers need to know where their food comes from, and farmers are the ones who can help change that narrative"

Young Farmer Focus

Young Farmer Focus - Leighton Snelgrove: "Consumers need to know where their food comes from, and farmers are the ones who can help change that narrative"

The first generation beef and sheep farmer from Sussex writes about mental health in agriculture, educating the public about the importance of farming, and meeting King Charles at Clarence House last year

clock 21 January 2026 • 2 min read
Dog handler focus: Cathy Cassie - "I am a shepherd before I am a trial trainer"

Livestock

Dog handler focus: Cathy Cassie - "I am a shepherd before I am a trial trainer"

Cumbria based, Cathy Cassie, is a contact shepherd, and has not let being born without connections to agriculture limit her drive.

clock 20 January 2026 • 5 min read
Letters: "If Gov policies are not in the interests of the farming community, the country, the economy or food security, just who is benefiting?"

Politics

Letters: "If Gov policies are not in the interests of the farming community, the country, the economy or food security, just who is benefiting?"

This week from Farmers Guardian readers: Trevor Black, York, argues that Government and political policies are undermining British farming, food security and rural communities in favour of external interests

clock 20 January 2026 • 2 min read
In your field: Roger Nicholson – "In placing this threshold on farm value, they have actively disincentivised ambitious farmers from growing their business"

In your field

In your field: Roger Nicholson – "In placing this threshold on farm value, they have actively disincentivised ambitious farmers from growing their business"

Roger Nicholson farms with his family at the heavily diversified Cannon Hall Farm, Barnsley, South Yorkshire, which has sparked various Channel 5 series, including Springtime on the Farm. Roger, 81, farms with his sons Dave and Robert and says he has no plans to retire just yet

clock 19 January 2026 • 2 min read
In your field: Nicola Wordie – "Snow is not unusual for us in north east Scotland, but the sheer volume made it challenging on-farm"

In your field

In your field: Nicola Wordie – "Snow is not unusual for us in north east Scotland, but the sheer volume made it challenging on-farm"

Nicola is a third-generation farmer from Aberdeenshire. Alongside her dad, George, she farms 560 hectares (1,400 acres) with 240 Simmental cross suckler cows and 1,000 Scotch Mule ewes and a small acreage of spring barley, forage rape and neeps to feed the livestock. She is also known as @livestock_farmher on social media where she gives her view of farming life

clock 18 January 2026 • 3 min read