News

British farming’s contribution to one of the most magical times of the year is front and centre of Morrisons’ festive television advert, which sees two young friends discover the ‘other’ hero of the season – Farmer Christmas.

Today marks the launch of the fourth, and potentially most important, year of our #ThisIsAgriculture campaign, at a moment in time when showcasing careers throughout the industry has never been more crucial.

The weather the last two weeks has been just what we needed. With being half down on of our normal shed space, we needed to sell a group of calves before we could bring the cows in.

Abbie Bryant, 26, lives in Chelmsford, Essex. A first generation farmer, she runs A & A Livestock with her partner Andy as well as working a full-time job.

Exhibitors were back at Stirling Agricultural Centre over the weekend as the eleventh Stars of the Future calf show got underway.

Live rings have continued to deliver in Scotland as the total value of livestock throughput rose to more than £556m in 2020, a 17.5 per cent increase.

Dairy farmers cannot expect any Government help to address the industry’s chronic labour shortages if they remain silent, Royal Association of British Dairy Farmers (RABDF) managing director Matt Knight has warned. 

Farm fires have left the industry with a bill of more than £69 million in 2020, a rise of 40 per cent, sparking calls for farmers to put new fire prevention and control plans in place.

Spiralling costs are another headache most farmers could simply do without. With some sectors facing a real squeeze on the availability of labour, this will add another layer of anxiety after a period of good prices.

Cuts to police budgets could leave forces unable to enforce the Government’s crackdown on livestock worrying, according to Labour’s Shadow Farming Minister Daniel Zeichner.