Rural Business
Agribusiness News April 2025 – Cereals And Oilseeds
Global Markets Spring weather risks remain a significant influence on global grain markets. As fieldwork advances across the Northern Hemisphere, weather patterns will play an increasingly vital role. In Brazil, April rainfall will be a decisive factor in determining the yield potential of the second corn crop. Elsewhere, the threat of drought or late frost…
Agribusiness News April 2025 – Policy Brief
Future Farming Investment Scheme The Scottish Government have recently announced their intention to introduce a Future Farming Investment Scheme with an estimated funding budget of ~ £14 million. The aim of the new grant scheme will be to provide flexible capital grants to drive efficiency and to support nature and climate friendly farming practices. Further…
Agribusiness News April 2025 – Beef
Up and Up Beef price increases continue with finished cattle prices on the brink of £7/kg/deadweight or close to £3,000 liveweight, with prices expected to surge past £7/kg/dwt at the start of April. Reports are suggesting finished prices could reach £8/kg by the end of this spring. With weekly price increases, beef prices throughout March…
Agribusiness News April 2025 – Milk
Milk production data Milk production is increasing at a greater rate than this time last year, with the drier spring allowing earlier turnout in some areas. The latest data from AHDB estimates GB volume for February at 954 million litres. Daily production is currently 35.75 million litres for the week ending 15th March, 1.4% more…
Agribusiness News April 2025 – Sustainable Proteins
Background To reduce reliance on imported protein feeds, livestock farmers have long been exploring the use of home-grown alternatives such as pulses, lupins, rapeseed and forage legumes. Currently, the UK ruminant feed industry relies heavily on imported proteins such as soyabean meal which raises concerns about sustainability, food security and the environmental impacts. There has…
Agribusiness News April 2025 – Nature Based Solutions In A Chaotic Climate
What’s coming ahead? We are living in a rapidly warming and chaotic climate, with cascading and simultaneous effects of drought, flooding and extreme weather events across Scotland. Climate models predict by 2100, There may be an east : west divide in Scotland, where the west and west coast will experience higher frequency of extreme rainfall…
Agribusiness News April 2025 – Pollinator’s Value To Scottish Agriculture
Insect pollinators: their value to Scottish agriculture Flowering crops are alive with a diversity of insects including hoverflies, bees, beetles and butterflies. These beasties are hard at work collecting nectar and pollen, and in return, they provide a crucial pollination service. They transfer pollen between flowers, contributing to the production of fruits, seeds, and vegetables. …
Agribusiness News April 2025 – UK Seasonal Worker Visas For 2025
UK Seasonal Worker Visas for 2025 Following a two-year extension, the Seasonal Workers Visa Scheme has now been extended for a further 5 years and is now guaranteed to run until 2029 providing certainty and stability to many businesses. Visa Allocations Poultry: For 2025, there will be 2,000 Seasonal Worker visas are available for the…
Rural Roundup – Headlines & Deadlines for SAF (IACS) and AECS
In this episode, we’re joined by George Chalmers & Tiffany Stephenson who talk headlines and deadlines. We talk about the Single Application Form (IACS) window, AECS, and changes to both. We also discuss “Fair work first” and what that means for farmers & crofters undertaking an AECS.
Agribusiness News March 2025 – Management Matters: Wills & Power of Attorney
Autumn Budget 2024 – fundamental change to Inheritance Tax The Budget brought significant changes to Inheritance Tax, particularly concerning Agricultural Property Relief (APR) and Business Property Relief (BPR). These changes could result in some farming assets now being subject to IHT. Given these developments, estate planning has never been more crucial. Many farmers still lack…