It is not just shoppers who are stockpiling in the face of coronavirus, with countries holding back grain to keep for their own food supplies, helping push up UK grain prices.

Fuel prices were softening at a key time when farmers were playing catch-up after the wet winter but they have not yet tumbled in line with oil prices.

A massive over-supply of milk in the UK and across the world is the reason for the dramatic fall in milk prices. UK spot markets have dropped to 15ppl, while some milk is going unsold and starting to be dumped.

Potato growers are calling for special assistance after the sudden closure of many fish and chip shops.

Labour availability, supply chain disruption and volatile prices are the issues uniting farmers around the world as the global industry reacts to coronavirus.

Farmers are being warned to take extra care to ensure livestock and machinery are protected from theft as thieves try to cash in on demand for food amid the Covid-19 crisis.

Farm fuel supplies should be unaffected by the coronavirus, following some farmer reports of delays to deliveries.

With 40 per cent of food eaten out of the home in the UK, the Government’s decision to close pubs and restaurants will have a major impact on demand.

The widening gap between the highest and lowest milk prices was brought into sharp focus when Arla announced it was increasing its manufacturing milk price by nearly 1ppl at a time when Meadow Foods said it would drop its by 2ppl.

The Government has committed extra research and development spending, while farmers are being urged to explore the tax benefits of bringing more innovation to their businesses.