February 13: Farming Minister said giving notice on SFI closure would have led to a 'spike in applications'

In today's Farming in Five, chief reporter Rachael Brown analyses the fall out from the closure of the Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI), with the Farming Minister telling MPs that farmers were not given notice on closure as it would have led to a 'further spike in applications'. The National Trust says Defra's decision to close SFI to new applications will leave farmers facing a 'four month funding gap'. And she takes a look at the NFU's farmer confidence survey which is reportedly at an 'all time low'

13 March 2025 • 1 min read

March 12: Defra delivers hammer blow as it closes SFI24

In today's Farming in Five, head of news and business Alex Black discusses the sudden announcement from Defra that it has closed applications for the Sustainable Farming Incentive 2024 due to high demand. She takes a look at the comments made by Farming Minister Daniel Zeichner as well as farming's reaction to the news, with farmers branding it a 'shambles'

12 March 2025 • 1 min read

March 10: Defra introduces import ban from Hungary and Slovakia after confirmed foot-and-mouth outbreak

In today's Farming in Five, chief reporter Rachael Brown reports on Defra's import ban of cattle, sheep, pigs and deer from Hungry and Slovakia after confirmed a foot and mouth case on a farm with 1,400 cattle in Hungary. The Farming Minister said the Government will not hesitate to add additional countries to the list if the disease spreads. Elsewhere, she reports on how a Welsh farmer declined cancer treatment due to fear of Inheritance Tax changes

10 March 2025 • 1 min read

Round up: Pressure on Rachel Reeves after farmer protest and more Labour MPs speak out and experts answer questions on IHT

In today's Farming in Five, chief reporter Rachael Brown reflects on this week's main news stories including mounting pressure on the Chancellor Rachel Reeves, with 40 Labour MPs calling for changes to the current family farm tax proposals. She also looks ahead to next week, with a special 'Ask the Expert' feature coming up in Farmers Guardian online and in print, where a panel of experts will be answering our readers' questions around the fallout of Inheritance Tax and how to best prepare your family farm business

07 March 2025 • 1 min read

March 6: Welsh Conservatives criticise First Minister for 'dereliction of duty' over family farm tax

In today's Farming in Five, chief reporter Rachael Brown reflects on the Senedd debate last night which called on the Welsh Government to encourage the UK Government to pause the family farm tax and conduct an impact assessment. Shadow Conservative Minister Samuel Kurtz criticised the First Minister for her meeting with the Chancellor and failing to raise awareness of the scale of concern from Welsh farmers over the changes to Inheritance Tax, describing it as a 'dereliction of duty'

06 March 2025 • 1 min read

March 5: Pancake Day protests and milk price update

In today's Farming in Five, head of news and business Alex Black takes a look at the Pancake Day rally event in London on March 4 and gives an update on the dairy market, including the latest prices from Arla and Muller

05 March 2025 • 1 min read

FG's Ask The Expert: Livestock worrying - what are your rights and how can you protect your stock?

In a brand-new monthly series, Farmers Guardian's Ask The Expert, we put your questions to industry experts and get the best insights and advice for your business

13 March 2025 • 1 min read

Farmers urged to consider growing sunflowers

New marketing pool says the crop can increase profits and help environment

13 March 2025 • 2 min read

Dog owners urged to clean up after pets following calf deaths

More needs to be done to raise public awareness, say campaigners

13 March 2025 • 3 min read

DJ Vick Hope set to make BBC Countryfile debut

Radio 1 presenter says new rural role will be 'enriching'

13 March 2025 • 1 min read

Getting the most from cade lambs

Giving every lamb the best start in life is the focus for sheep farmers at lambing time, however, they have been reminded not to waste the potential of cade lambs.

13 March 2025 • 6 min read

Bird flu: to vaccinate or not to vaccinate, that is the question

13 March 2025 • 1 min read

February 13: Farming Minister said giving notice on SFI closure would have led to a 'spike in applications'

In today's Farming in Five, chief reporter Rachael Brown analyses the fall out from the closure of the Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI), with the Farming Minister telling MPs that farmers were not given notice on closure as it would have led to a 'further spike in applications'. The National Trust says Defra's decision to close SFI to new applications will leave farmers facing a 'four month funding gap'. And she takes a look at the NFU's farmer confidence survey which is reportedly at an 'all time low'

13 March 2025 • 1 min read

Everything you need to know about the closure of SFI 24

A guide to next steps for farmers following Defra's decision to stop further scheme applications

13 March 2025 • 2 min read