1. Co-ordinated by the Agri-Food for Net Zero Network+, a new report, Roadmap for Resilience: A UK Food Plan for 2050, warns that the UK will lurch from ‘crisis to crisis’ if action is not taken, leading to price shocks, climate disasters and a weakening of economic productivity. The report calls for a more resilient farming sector with support for farmers to adapt to climate change, diversify business and grow more fruit, vegetables and wholegrains, thus reducing the need for imports. It calls for food security to be placed on a part with energy security, further reform of agricultural subsidies to prioritise emission reductions and carbon sequestration and the creation of a National Food Transformation Committee.

1. Having left many farmers in the lurch for months, Defra has announced a one-year extension to the Countryside Stewardship Mid-Tier agreements which were due to expire in December. The statement reads ‘this is part of our plan to give farmers long term strategic certainty.’ However, the reaction from farmers has been, ‘too little, too late’ as, in view of the ‘strategic uncertainty’ many have ploughed the stewardship land and returned it to conventional agriculture. The British On-Farm Innovation Network called it a ‘betrayal’.

2. The Farmers Union of Wales has forecast that the estimated potential economic effects of Wales’ Sustainable Farming Scheme Universal Actions could see a fall in farm business income of £76.3 millions or £4,900 per farm.

3. The Scottish Government has added £7 millions to the Future Farming Investment Scheme as a result of ‘exceptional demand’.

1. The Environment Agency has reported that England needs at least 100 per cent of the average rainfall, 482mm, to recover from drought by the end of March 2026. Only 2 months in 2025 to date have seen 100 per cent of average rainfall. In September, rainfall was 149 per cent of the average for the month but by 25 October, only 77 per cent of the average had fallen. Cumbria, Lancashire, Greater Manchester, Merseyside and Cheshire have all moved out of drought status. Average reservoir storage is currently 63.3 per cent, it is usually 76 per cent at this time of year. The main reservoirs in West Sussex and Somerset are only 30 per cent full.

2. Lloyds has published Farming with Nature: Mapping the Growth Opportunity for UK Agriculture. The report has mapped 5.1 million hectares of UK farmland. It has identified 1.2 million hectares with the highest potential for habitat creation and 600,000 hectares prime for hedge and tree planting. It shows 700,000 hectares in drought-prone regions that could benefit from improved water management.

3. A joint statement by a group of agricultural organisations from 11 countries, including the UK, has requested that the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change takes a split-gas approach when reworking long-lived and short-lived greenhouse gas emissions. The groups claim the split-gas approach more accurately reflects the contribution of agriculture to climate change rather than the existing GWP100 metric which converts all gases into CO2 equivalents and thereby overstates agriculture’s impact as methane is a short-lived gas.

4. The House of Lords cross-party Environment and Climate Change Committee has berated the Government and the Environment Agency for failing to address the failure to tackle waste crime which has economic consequences costing £1 billion each year.

5. The Moorland Association is to challenge Defra’s changes to the Heather and Grass Burning (England) (Amendment) Regulation 2025 claiming that Defra had ‘ignored serious warnings’ from experts who disagreed with its views.

6. The Advertising Standards Authority has upheld a complaint that a Red Tractor campaign misled the public by exaggerating the benefits of the assurance body’s environmental standards. Real Action claimed that environmental standards relating to pollution on Red Tractor farms were not being adhered to.

7. Defra has decided to abandon the Chalk Stream Recovery Pack. There are 224 chalk streams in England, amounting to 85 per cent of the world total, with David Attenborough referring to them as ‘one of the rarest habitats on earth.’

8. British Berry Growers, which represents 86 per cent of UK commercial soft fruit growers has reported on the sustainability gains achieved by members:
• 100 per cent of growers monitored water quality and have water-efficiency plants.
• 61 per cent have on-farm reservoir or rainwater stores.
• 65 per cent have reduced their water use in the past 3 years by an average of 16 per cent.
• 96 per cent record data to calculate carbon footprints.
• 70 per cent have implemented carbon reduction actions.
• 96 per cent have planted wildflower strips.
• 61 per cent have created wetlands or ponds for wildlife.
• 96 per cent were cutting plastic use.
• 91 per cent were adopting digital systems.

9. Details have been published on the Indicators of species in abundance in England, covering ‘All-species’ and ‘Priority-species.’ In the short term (2018-2023) and the medium term (2013-2023), both species have witnessed little or no overall change. In the long term (1970-2023), both species are deemed to be deteriorating.

10. Severn Trent has reopened its STEPS environmental protection scheme with grants available to farmers in eligible catchment areas. Grants can cover improving soil health; improving soil structure; protecting watercourses; keeping soil and nutrients in the field; and working in harmony with livestock.

11. In October, confirmed sightings of Asian Hornet occurred in Goodnestone, Kent.

12. The Scottish Government has committed further funding to a number of grant schemes:
• £554,000 for 6 projects from the Knowledge Transfer and Innovation Fund.
• £249,000 for the Scottish Agricultural Organisation Society for the MyHerdStats platform.
• £500,000 for the Small Producers Pilot Scheme.
• £200,000 for the Small Producers Practical Training Fund.
• £25,000 to Farmstrong Scotland to support the Social Wellbeing Project.

1. A Viewpoint report, published by the Institute for Grocery Distribution, has stated that, by removing blockers to growth, the horticulture and poultry sectors could increase annual production value by £1.3 billions by 2030 and create 60,000 jobs. It suggested using the National Planning Policy Framework to pre-identify prime locations for poultry shed expansion and allowing permitted development for those sites. In addition, fast-track planning for Controlled Environment Agriculture should be introduced into the Land Use Framework to ensure Grade 1 and Grade 2 agricultural land is prioritised for agriculture.

2. The Government has announced a change to the Seasonal Worker Scheme. With effect from 11 November, workers will be allowed to re-enter the country sooner than previously allowed with horticultural workers able to work for 6 months in any 10-month period.

3. Knight Frank has reported that the average price of agricultural land fell by 1.6 per cent during the period July to September to £8,719 per acre taking the annual decline to 6.8 per cent. It stated that the market has ground to a standstill with only 36,000 acres publicly marketed in 2025, 10 per cent up on 2024.

4. Statistics have been published on the rural economy in 2024:
• 78.4 per cent of the working age rural population were employed compared to 75.3 per cent in urban areas.
• 28.5 per cent of those over 16 in rural areas were retired compared to 19 per cent in urban areas.
• 2.6 per cent of people in rural areas were unemployed compared to 4.2 per cent in urban areas.
• Median earnings in rural areas was £34,600 compared to £36,200 in urban areas outside of London.
• The average redundancy rate in rural areas was 3.4 per 1,000 compared to 3.7 per 1,000 in urban areas.
• 2.2 per cent of those in rural areas were claiming unemployment benefits compared to 4.7 per cent in urban areas.

5. During August, the Agricultural Price Index for outputs increased by 7.1 per cent, compared to a year earlier, and by 2.3 per cent compared to July. The index for inputs increased by 1.1 per cent compared to a year earlier but fell by 0.2 per cent compared to July.

6. The June Agricultural Census for Scotland has revealed:
• Cattle numbers fell by 2.6 per cent, compared to the 5-year average, to 1.65 millions, mainly due to fewer female beef cattle although female dairy cows increased.
• Sheep numbers were down 2.2 per cent on the 5-year average at 6.54 millions although were up 1.1 per cent on 2024.
• Pig numbers fell by 7.3 per cent, compared to the 5-year average, to 312,300.
• The wheat area increased by 5.4 per cent, compared to the 5-year average; oats fell by 2 per cent; the overall acreage of winter crops increased by 3.6 per cent; but the spring-planted area fell by 0.5 per cent.
• The number of people employed in agriculture fell by 0.9 per cent to 66,800.

7. LEAF has launched the Sustainable You(th) Challenge: Growing a Better Future giving 15-17 year olds an opportunity to explore how sustainable farming could help tackle climate change following a report that 34.7 per cent of school leavers and college students believed that ‘knowing it makes a difference for the environment’ would be the biggest motivation in seeking employment.

8. Dorset Council has approved a 10-year strategy to provide its 2,000 hectare farms estate and assets with a package of support valued at £12 millions.

A. Market background

1. Sterling once again closed down against the Euro and the US Dollar this month. Having opened the month at 87.3p per Euro, Sterling rose to an early high of 86.6p and fluctuated around that level before a late fall, closing at 88.1p per € (0.8p weaker). Against the US Dollar, Sterling opened at 74.4p and in the first half of the month rose marginally to 74.1p and fell to 75.4p; in the latter half it climbed to peak at 74.2p but fell thereafter, eventually closing the month at 76.0p per $ (1.6p weaker).

2. The gold price made further material gains this month, again setting a fresh all-time high but fell back in the final days. Opening at £2,875 per troy ounce, the price climbed to peak at £3,271 mid-month before falling back to close the month at £3,050 per troy ounce, up £175 overall.

3. Crude oil prices closed down overall, having been lower during the month. Brent Crude opened at $66.03 per barrel and dropped to $61.05 before recovering to a closing average of $64.77 per barrel, down $1.26 overall.

B. Crops

1. The cereals market closed marginally up, predominantly due to a weakened Sterling. Domestically, confidence is low, with no obvious signs of any improvement but globally futures improved at the end of the month notwithstanding the improved 2025 harvest forecasts for Russia and Australia. Crop quality predictions for wheat and maize in the US and South America have been revised upwards by the International Grains Council and FranceAgriMer. Feed wheat futures closed down across the board, having been lower earlier in the month; by late October, deliveries for November 2025, 2026, and 2027 were £161/tonne (-6), £180/tonne (-2) and £188/tonne (-1) respectively. Oilseed rape prices closed up this month, benefiting from the market reaction to the US sanctions placed on some Russian oil producers and assisted by the crude oil price and a weaker Sterling. Despite the current momentum, record soya yields predicted in Brazil and improved Canadian canola forecasts may bring downward pressure on prices.
Average spot prices in late October (per tonne ex-farm): feed wheat £166 (+4); milling wheat £180 (+2); feed barley £145 (+1); oilseed rape £409 (+10); feed peas £193 (-30); feed beans £202 (-13).

C. Livestock

1. The average live-weight cattle prices for steers and heifers both improved this month. The average steer price, from its opening average of 354p/kg lw, climbed in the early days to 369p/kg, falling back to 363p/kg mid-month before improving again to close the month at 376p/kg lw (up 22p and sitting 95p/kg above the average a year earlier). The average finished heifer price climbed throughout the month, from its opening position of 371p/kg, to close at the month’s peak of 387p/kg (up 16p and 93p above the average a year earlier). The average dairy cow price retained its volatility, with a price swing of £529 over the course of the month. From an opening position of £1,996 it dropped to a low of £1,648 and climbed to £2,177 before settling at a closing average of £1,945 per head (down £51 overall to sit £193 above the prior year average).

2. The average finished lamb price (SQQ liveweight, new season), in a similar fashion to September, fell back in the first half of the month before recovering (albeit only partially) in the final week. Starting from an average of 310p/kg, it had fallen to 301p/kg by the middle of the month but recovered thereafter to close at an average of 308p/kg (down 2p, sitting 33p/kg above the average a year earlier).

3. The average UK standard pig price (SPP deadweight) weakened steadily throughout the month. From an opening position of 206.7p/kg dw, it fell to close at 203.6p/kg (down 3.1p/kg overall, 3.5p/kg below the previous year).

4. The UK all milk prices for August, reported in this month, recorded an increase of 1.61ppl to 45.17ppl, sitting 3.57ppl above a year earlier. The initial estimates for September are a further significant rise in price of circa1.25ppl but significant reductions are predicted for October and November prices. The EU average farmgate milk prices for July remains the most up to date; a rise of 0.75ppl, to 47.04ppl, 6.62ppl above the average a year earlier.

1. AHDB has released its first Early Balance Sheet for 2025/26:

Wheat:
• Total availability is estimated at 16.017Mt, down 957Kt.
• Opening stocks are estimated at 1.980Mt, down 780Kt.
• 2025 production is estimated to be 11.836Mt, up 691Kt.
• Wheat imports are estimated at 2.2Mt, down 868Kt.
• Domestic consumption is estimated to total 13.939Mt, down 340Kt with falls in human and industrial consumption outweighing a rise in animal feed.
• Human and industrial usage is estimated at 6.652Mt, down 476Kt. If this proves to be true, it would be the second lowest usage since 2006/07. The fall is largely due to a drop in demand from the bioethanol sector.
• Usage in animal feed is estimated at 6.969Mt, up 133Kt.
• The balance between supply and demand is expected to fall by 617Kt to 2.078Mt which would leave about 578Kt available for export, down 52Kt.

Barley:
• Total availability is estimated to be 7.928Mt, down 559Kt.
• Opening stocks are estimated at 1.279Mt, up 116Kt.
• Production is estimated at 6.227Mt, up 116Kt.
• Human and industrial usage is expected to be 1.721Mt, down 77Kt.
• Animal feed usage is estimated at 4.3Mt, down 195Kt.
• The balance of supply and demand is expected to be 1.701Mt, down 284Kt, while the surplus available for export is estimated to be 901Kt.

2. Defra has published the first estimate of the English harvest:
• Wheat is up by 4.9 per cent at 10.6m tonnes but the area increased by 8.8 per cent.
• Barley is down by 14 per cent at 4.2m tonnes, with spring barley down 23 per cent and winter barley down by 2.2 per cent.
• Oats is down by 2.3 per cent despite a 9.4 per cent increase in area.
• Oilseed rape is up by 5.5 per cent at 722,000 tonnes as a result of a 29 per cent yield increase.
• Wheat straw was steady at 2.6m tonnes but barley straw was down by 27 per cent to 1.2m tonnes.

3. AHDB provisional figures for the 2025 UK harvest show:
• The wheat harvest is estimated at 11.8Mt, up 6.2 per cent but 8 per cent below the 5-year average.
• North East England increased wheat production by 35 per cent, Yorkshire by 16 per cent and Scotland by 23 per cent. However, the South West fell by 11 per cent, the East by 8 per cent and the South East and West Midlands by 6 per cent.
• The spring barley harvest is estimated at 3.99Mt, down 14 per cent and down 13.3 per cent on the 5-year average.
• Winter barley production is estimated at 2.45Mt, similar to 2024 but 9 per cent down on the 5-year average.
• Oats production is estimated to be similar to 2024 and the 5-year average at 986Kt.
• Oilseed rape production is estimated at 892Kt, up 7 per cent, with a 29 per cent yield increase offsetting an area fall of 17 per cent.
• Oilseed rape yields grew by 145 per cent in the North West, 76 per cent in the North East, 53 per cent in Yorkshire and 29 per cent in Scotland to a record 4.66t/ha.

4. The Agricultural Price Index for August shows increase of 5.4 per cent for oilseed rape, compared to a year earlier, 7.1 per cent for forage plants, 7.3 per cent for fresh vegetables and 30.8 per cent for fresh fruit but there were falls of 9.1 per cent for wheat, 15.4 per cent for barley, 27 per cent for oats and 34 per cent for potatoes. Compared to July, there were increases of 0.6 per cent for barley, 0.4 per cent for oilseed rape, 4.3 per cent for forage plants and 9 per cent for fresh vegetables but falls of 1 per cent for wheat, 1.7 per cent for oats and 2 per cent for fresh fruit.

5. Velcourt is considering giving notice on 20 per cent of its management contracts following ‘three incredibly difficult years for arable farming in the UK, including 2025, which had seen some of the worst weather-related yield impacts in 25 years’.

6. AHDB has committed funding of £750,000 to a consortium of ADAS, Niab and Rothamsted Research to counter the threat of cabbage stem flea beetle. CSFB Research+ will evaluate the field performance of novel control products, improve guidance on cultural control measures, fine-tune understanding of CSFB development, generate data on natural enemies and prime innovation in its management.

7. Scientists at Heriot-Watt University have developed a new way to extract high-quality protein from rapeseed waste. As a result, rapeseed press cake, a by-product used for animal feed, could potentially provide protein for human consumption.

8. Climate experts from the Met Office, Newcastle University and the University of Bristol have concluded that severe hailstorms, where the hail has a diameter of 2cm, are likely to become less common under climate change but that tropical-type hailstorms, where the hail is 5cm or more, will become the norm.

9. Research by Australia’s Edith Cowan University has suggested that cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli and kale could help with the management of blood sugar levels, particularly people at risk of type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease.

10. Scientists from Nanjing and Huaiyin Normal University in China have discovered how a single gene shapes tomato fruit size. They have found that the floral meristem which orchestrates the formation of flowers is controlled by the SIKNU gene which shuts down key stem cell genes to halt floral meristem growth at the right moment. The scientists showed that the SIKNU gene acts as a molecular brake, ensuring flowers mature correctly and fruits reach optimal size.

11. An audit of the UK soft fruit sector conducted in August, has revealed that over a third of berry growers are considering scaling back operations or leaving the industry altogether. The British Berry Growers assessment cites rising costs, labour shortages and retailer pressure have resulted in only 48 per cent of growers achieving a profit. Only 39 per cent expect to make a profit next year while 43 per cent rate their financial health as ‘bad’ or ‘extremely bad.’ 61 per cent of growers felt that retailers ‘buy only on price, it’s not a partnership’, up from 40 per cent last year while 32 per cent described the relationship as the ‘worst it’s been in the last ten years.’

12. The Future of UK Orchard Fruit has been published by Forum for the Future. It highlights five pressing, interconnected issues that are creating an uncertain future for apple, pear and plum production:
• Competing land use priorities which have driven the loss of more than half of all orchards in England and Wales.
• A climate crisis that is causing more frequent and extreme weather events as well as new pests and diseases.
• An over-reliance on imports as the UK is only 40 per cent self-sufficient for apples and 9 per cent for pears and plums.
• Financial difficulties for commercial growers as rising production and labour costs, as well as investment in new technology making thriving livelihoods difficult.
• Consumer preference towards apples of a particular size, taste and colour which drives lower grower profitability.

13. Scientists at the James Hutton Institute Scientific Services have received funding for a further 5 years to reshape the genetics of blackcurrants to develop berries that last longer, are easier to harvest and more attractive for fresh fruit retail.

14. The European Fresh Produce Association has reported that strawberry production has fallen by 13 per cent during the last decade with the planted area down to 74,000 hectares.

15. Scientists at Cranfield University have discovered a new method of editing the DNA of raspberries which could enable more efficient and precise breeding of new raspberry cultivators with enhanced traits.

16. Scientists at the University of Arkansas Department of Agriculture have identified the genetic region responsible for blackberry thorns.

17. A research programme designed to increase efficiency and innovate berry production solutions is to be centred at the Lusomorango producers’ organisation in Portugal. Planned to last over 24 months it will be conducted by Fieldwork Robotics Ltd and the Research Centre for Sustainability, a consortium comprising Lusomorango, Portugal’s National Institute for Agricultural and Veterinary Research, Driscoll’s and Maravilha Farms.

18. Koppert and Smurfit Westrock have been awarded a Gold placement in the Czech & Slovak Packaging Award for their sustainable Natupol Terra hive concept. Made from corrugated cardboard, recent field trials in blueberry and raspberry crops have confirmed that the concept delivers the same pollination performance as existing hives.

19. The Summer Berry Company was named UK Grower of the Year at the Fresh Produce Consortium Fresh Awards 2025. Dyson Farming was named Technology Champion while Thanet Earth received the first ever NetZero Impact Award for decarbonisation.

20. A student at the University of Arkansas, now Assistant Professor in the Department for Mechanical Engineering, has developed the Soft Robotic Gripper which has 3 ‘fingers’, each made of a soft, pliable material. Each finger has a force sensor which ensures the gripper can pluck a berry without crushing it. It is thought that, when fully developed, the robotic hand will be able to replace picking by the human hand.

21. Chapel Down has scrapped plans to spend £32 millions on developing a winery near Canterbury.

1. A survey of 850 farmers undertaken by the Sustainable Food Trust, Soil Association and Rare Breeds Survival Trust has revealed:
• Over half reported their business would not be profitable without selling direct to consumers or through local markets.
• 10 per cent had to travel more than 60 miles to reach the nearest abattoir.
• A third reported their local abattoir had closed within the past 5 years.
• 25 per cent stated their local abattoir was too busy or fully booked.

2. Meat and Livestock Australia has forecast beef production in 2025 to be 2.79 million tonnes, the highest on record. While a gradual fall is forecast, 2026 and 2027 are likely to be the second and third record years.

3. During September, with comparisons a year earlier:
• UK prime cattle slaughterings fell by 3 per cent to 170,000 head.
• Beef and veal production fell by 1 per cent to 76,000 tonnes.
• Sheep slaughterings fell by 5 per cent to 906,000 head.
• Mutton and lamb production fell by 4.4 per cent to 21,000 tonnes.
• Pig slaughterings rose by 1.3 per cent to 869,000 head.
• Pigmeat production rose by 2 per cent to 81,000 tonnes.

4. During October, cases of bluetongue BTV3 have been identified in East Sussex, Nottinghamshire, Cheshire, Cornwall, Somerset, Derbyshire, Berkshire, West Yorkshire, Dorset and Monmouthshire.

5. The Welsh Government has announced a number of measures to counter the outbreak of Bluetongue serotype 3 from 10 November:
• The existing Temporary Control Zone and associated conditions will be revoked.
• Individual premises will no longer be subject to specific movement or control restrictions.
• Culling of infected animals will cease.
• Livestock movements between England and Wales will no longer require Bluetongue vaccination although it is still recommended.
• A restricted zone now applies for the whole of Wales for BTV-3.

6. A case of bluetongue serotype 8 (BTV8) has been identified in a sheep flock in Cornwall, the first such case since 2007.

7. AHDB has reported on the top performing 15 per cent of breeding flocks by net margin:
• Flock size on average was 765 ewes but flocks as small as 100 ewes achieved a top 15 per cent place.
• Most housed all or part of the flock during the year.
• 60 per cent lambed some replacements for the first time as ewe lambs rather than shearlings.
• All areas and types of farm were represented in the top 15 per cent.
• The top 15 per cent reared 10 per cent more lambs including by having a scanning performance of 177 per cent compared to 164 per cent for the remainder. However, the top performers had more lamb deaths per 100 ewes put to the ram although they lost fewer foetuses through ewe deaths and abortion.
• Lambs lost between scanning and rearing was 2.2 per cent lower than the average.
• Each ewe put to the ram produced 61.1kg of lamb compared to 51.1 per cent in the lower performers. An average weight gain for the best was 0.23kg per day compared to 0.19 per cent for the others.
• 51 per cent of the lambs in the top group were sold finished before tupping time while half of the group sold 60 per cent or more finished. Overall, the top group achieved £0.99 kg more than the others.
• The top group achieved income of £200 per ewe, £71 more than the others.
• The average cost of production of the top group was £87 per lamb reared, £32 less than the other group, while overheads were an average of £61.57 per ewe compared to £96.90 in the lower group.
• The average overall profit in the top group was £73.18 per ewe.

8. The Agricultural Price Index for August shows increases of 34.5 per cent for cattle and calves, compared to a year earlier, 10.5 per cent for sheep and lambs, 2.8 per cent for poultry, 9.7 per cent for milk and 1.6 per cent for eggs but a fall of 1.6 per cent for pigs. Compared to July, there were increases of 0.6 per cent for cattle and calves and 3.6 per cent for milk but falls of 2.3 per cent for sheep and lambs and 0.6 per cent for poultry.

9. The Welsh Government has announced that all standard interpretation inconclusive reactor cattle which test negative at the retest will remain restricted to their holding for the rest of their life with effect from 1 January. It claimed that scientific evidence showed that such animals were three times more likely to become TB reactors than clear-tested cattle.

10. The NSA is hosting the Sheep Farmers Conference 2025 on 18 November at the Great Yorkshire Showground.

11. For the first time, Spain has reported an outbreak of Lumpy Skin Disease, in Catalonia, and two more outbreaks quickly followed. Further outbreaks have been reported in Sardinia.

12. The glut of milk continues unabated. Since the beginning of April, GB supplies are up 5.3 per cent on 2024/25 while the UK is up 6 per cent. Supplies in the first 18 days of October are up 7 per cent on the equivalent period last year. Global supplies are also growing with the EU up 3.1 per cent, the US 3.2 per cent, New Zealand 2.5 per cent and Argentina 9.9 per cent. Only Australia has declined, by 3 per cent. The glut has had a knock -on effect on commodity prices. In October, butter was down £601/t to £4,780/t; bulk cream fell £143/t to £1,986/t; mild cheddar was down £310/t to £3,110/t; and skimmed milk powder fell £90/t to £1,820/t.

13. Arla has reduced its price for conventional milk by 1.7ppl to 45.34ppl.

14. During August, with comparisons to July:
• Milk available to UK processors fell by 3.9 per cent to 1,214 million litres.
• Liquid milk production fell by 1.3 per cent to 497 million litres.
• Cheese production fell by 6 per cent to 41,000 tonnes.
• Butter production fell by 2 per cent to 15,500 tonnes.

15. Muller has reduced its price by 1.25ppl making a standard litre 50.4ppl and a Muller Advantage litre 41.5ppl.

16. In the period April to July, milk deliveries in Northern Ireland increased by 9.2 per cent year-on-year compared to an increase of 5.3 per cent in Great Britain. According to the Ulster Farmers’ Union, the country accounted for 18 per cent of total milk deliveries in the UK in April. 80 per cent of the country’s milk is exported.

17. Freshways has reduced its price by 6ppl.

18. During September, average butterfat increased by 4 per cent, compared to August, and by 1.4 per cent, compared to a year earlier, to 4.38 per cent. Average protein increased by 3.8 per cent and 2.9 per cent respectively to 3.55 per cent.

19. First Milk has reduced the price of a standard manufacturing litre by 2ppl to 41.85ppl.

20. Barber’s Cheesemakers has reduced its price by 2.57ppl to 42.52ppl.

21. Parkham Daines, in Devon, has reduced its price by 8ppl.

22. In 2024, antibiotic use in pigs in the UK rose by 1mg/PCU to 86mg/PCU but was still 17.9 per cent lower than in 2020 and 69 per cent down on 2015.

23. With effect from 30 October, much of England is subject to mandatory biosecurity measures against avian influenza. Birds must be housed if:
• more than 50 birds of any species are kept
• any breed of poultry is kept unless for home use only.

24. During October, there have been cases of highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 in a commercial flock of 10,000 birds in Cheshire; Stockbridge in Hampshire; commercial poultry in Penrith; Newington, Kent; Lakenheath, Suffolk; Bedale, Yorkshire; Burscough, Lancashire; and Silloth, Cumbria.

25. During September, with comparisons to a year earlier:
• UK commercial layer chick placings rose by 8.7 per cent to 3.5 million chicks.
• Broiler chick placings rose by 8.8 per cent to 103.8 million chicks.
• Turkey poult placings fell by 10 per cent to 1 million chicks.
• Turkey slaughterings fell by 10 per cent to 600,000 birds.
• Broiler slaughterings rose by 0.7 per cent to 95.9 million birds.
• Total poultry meat production rose by 2.7 per cent to 177,800 tonnes.

26. During the 3 months to September:
• 268 million dozen eggs were produced for human consumption, 5.1 per cent up on a year earlier and 1.9 per cent up on the June quarter.
• The average price was 148 pence per dozen, 1.8 per cent up on a year earlier but down 0.6 per cent on the June quarter.
• Production of egg products totalled 17,000 tonnes, down 0.2 per cent on a year earlier but up 17 per cent on the June quarter.

27. Dame Anna Neagle has confirmed supplementary badger culling licences will end completely by the end of the year.

1. A project conducted by scientists at Nottingham Trent University and Micromix Plant Health have incorporated nanotechnology-enhanced formulations into plant feed allowing targeted and increased absorption of essential nutrients into plant roots and through the leaves. The objective is to boost yields, reduce harvest times, mitigate against pests and reduce the reliance on imported chemicals.

2. Estimated data has been published on soil nutrient balances for 2024:
• The UK nitrogen balance was a surplus of 89.4kg/ha on managed agricultural land, an increase of 6.5kg/ha on 2023 but down 19kg/ha on 2000.
• The UK phosphorus balance was a surplus of 4.5kg/ha, up 1.6kg/ha on 2023 but down 5kg/ha on 2000.
• In England, the nitrogen surplus was 86.3kg/ha, up 5.5kg/ha on 2023 but down 18.2kg/ha on 2000.
• The phosphorus balance in England was a surplus of 2.3kg/ha, up 1.5kg/ha on 2023 but down 6.1kg/ha on 2000.

3. The Agricultural Price Index for August shows falls of 1.4 per cent for seeds, compared to a year earlier, 1 per cent for energy and lubricants, 10.8 per cent for chemicals, 3.8 per cent for animal feedingstuffs and 1.3 per cent for buildings maintenance but increases of 17.9 per cent for fertilizers, 7.1 per cent for veterinary services and 5.8 per cent for equipment maintenance. Compared to July, there were falls of 2.5 per cent for chemicals, 0.7 per cent for animal feedingstuffs and 0.5 per cent for buildings maintenance but increases of 0.1 per cent for seeds, 0.8 per cent for energy and lubricants, 0.4 per cent for fertilizers and 0.1 per cent for veterinary services.

1. Data from Worldpanel by Numerator UK covering the year to 7 September relating to foodservice shows:
• Beef volumes fell by 5.4 per cent while average pack prices increased by 5.1 per cent.
• Asian, Indian and savoury pastry beef meals were all up, by 1 per cent, 0.2 per cent and 3.9 per cent respectively but burgers fell by 10.5 per cent, meat centred meals by 1.1 per cent, Mexican by 10.5 per cent and sandwiches by 10.5 per cent.
• Lamb volumes grew 2.7 per cent despite a per pack price increase of 6.7 per cent.
• Asian, Indian, meat centred meals and lamb based savoury pastries all grew, by 25 per cent, 3.1 per cent, 6.7 per cent and 36.1 per cent respectively but kebabs fell by 0.8 per cent.
• Pig meat volumes fell by 1.6 per cent with average pack prices up 3.2 per cent.
• Burgers increased by 15.4 per cent, Asian by 8.7 per cent, Mexican by 73 per cent and sandwiches by 2.4 per cent. However, savoury pastries fell by 2.9 per cent, breakfasts by 4.3 per cent, Indian by 30.1 per cent, Italian by 14.8 per cent, pizza by 14.4 per cent, meat centred meals by 1 per cent and salads by 13.2 per cent.

2. The Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit has reported that food items likely to be impacted by extreme weather events have seen average price rises of 15.6 per cent over the past year, 4 times higher than other food products.

3. According to Worldpanel by Numerator UK Usage, in the 16 weeks to 7 September:
• Barbeque occasions rose from 58 millions in the period in 2024 to 73 millions.
• The average barbeque spend was £5.04 per barbeque main meal compared to £2.64 for an average main meal.
• Only 3 out of every 20 burgers purchased were actually cooked on a barbeque.
• Total meat, fish and poultry volumes in the period increased by 0.3 per cent with pork up 1.6 per cent and chicken up 4 per cent but beef fell by 7.7 per cent, lamb by 13.5 per cent and fish by 0.3 per cent.

4. The Canadian Cattle Association has demanded an end to the UK-Canada trade deal. While, it claimed, the UK had made no effort to address the non-tariff barriers that were keeping Canadian beef out of the UK market, UK beef imports into Canada grew from £9 millions in 2023 to £23 millions in 2024.

5. Data from Worldpanel by Numerator UK covering the 12 weeks to 5 October shows:
• Beef spend increased by 9.5 per cent, compared to a year earlier, with average prices up by 18 per cent but volumes down by 7.2 per cent.
• Primary beef volumes fell by 10 per cent with mince down 8.5 per cent, probably due to a 35.5 per cent increase in price.
• Processed beef volumes fell by 11.5 per cent with burgers and grills down 12 per cent.
• Added-value volumes fell by 4.4 per cent but sous vide managed a 5.9 per cent increase.

6. In 2024:
• The total value of food, feed and drink exports from the UK rose by 0.5 per cent to £24.6 billions but fell by 3 per cent in real terms after adjusting for trade price inflation.
• The total value of imports rose by 5 per cent to £64.1 billions and by 7 per cent in real terms.

7. In the 52 weeks to 4 October, according to NIQ Homescan POD, Total GB:
• Volume sales of cows’ milk fell by 2.7 per cent but spend increased by 1.1 per cent due to a 3.9 per cent increase in average prices. While skimmed and semi-skimmed registered declines, whole milk volumes grew by 2.3 per cent.
• Volume sales of cows’ cheese grew by 1.6 per cent with spend up 5.3 per cent despite declines in British regionals, processed, Stilton and British blue.
• Volume sales of cows’ butter fell by 2.3 per cent but spend increased by 9.5 per cent as a result of average price increases of 12.1 per cent. Only block butter recorded an increase in volumes, up 5.5 per cent, but butter spread volumes fell by 5.6 per cent.
• Volumes sales of cows’ yogurt, yogurt drinks and fromage frais grew by 6.3 per cent. Cows’ fat free yoghurt volumes grew by 25.7 per cent but fromage frais volumes fell by 8.1 per cent and standard flavoured yoghurts by 5.5 per cent.
• Volume sales of cows’ cream grew by 2.4 per cent with spend up 10.7 per cent due to average price increases of 8.2 per cent. Volumes of double cream grew by 4.3 per cent, sour cream by 3.9 per cent and aerosol cream by 2.1 per cent.

8. Morrisons is to import Australian beef for a range of ribeye, rump and sirloin steaks.

9. Imports of lamb into the EU in the period January to July increased by 20 per cent to 99,400 tonnes with the UK leading the way, up 19 per cent at 46,600 tonnes. Exports rose by 7 per cent to 16,400 tonnes.

10. The Brazilian Association of Animal Protein has reported that pork production is to increase by 2.2 per cent in 2025 to 5.42mt while 2026 production is forecast to increase further by 2.4 per cent to 5.6mt. In the 9 months to September, exports grew by 16 per cent to 1.2mt and are expected to reach 1.45mt for the year.

11. The Holland Onion Association has reported a 17 per cent increase in Dutch onion exports in 2024/25 to 1,238,272 tonnes.

1. A survey conducted by Blue Marble Research for AHDB has revealed that 71 per cent of consumers feel positive towards British agriculture, the highest figure in 7 years. Sentiment increased towards cereals (75 per cent), dairy (72 per cent), beef (68 per cent), pigs (63 per cent) and poultry (62 per cent) while fruit and vegetables (79 per cent) and sheep (67 per cent) were unchanged. 77 per cent of adults viewed farming as a trustworthy profession second only to doctors at 80 per cent.

2. In September, agricultural tractor registrations totalled 932 units, meaning that registrations in the third quarter were only 5 per cent down on a year earlier, slowing the rate of decline.

3. A ‘Day of Unity’ will take place on 24 November with farmers throughout England, Wales and Northern Ireland planning peaceful protests against the Inheritance Tax reforms.

4. The Government has confirmed it will not mandate immobilisers on agricultural vehicles to the dismay of the NFU and other agricultural bodies.

5. Jim Moseley, Chief Executive of Red Tractor, is to retire in April 2026.

6. Veryan Bliss has been appointed Red Tractor Chair of the Fresh Produce Sector Board.

Some early Christmas crackers!

Why are lift jokes so good? Because they work on so many levels.

Why are paediatricians always so grumpy? They have little patients.

What did the duck say when it bought lipstick? “Put it on my bill.”

What do you call a pig that does karate? A porkchop.

How does the ocean say hello? It waves.

What lights up a football stadium? A football match.

Apparently, you can’t use ‘beef stew’ as a password. It’s not stroganoff.

Why shouldn’t you write with a broken pencil? Because it’s pointless.

What do you call two monkeys that share an Amazon account? Prime mates.

How does NASA organise a party? They planet.

Why are there gates around cemeteries? Because people are dying to get in.

Why do seagulls fly over the sea? Because if they flew over a bay, they would be bagels.

What kind of music do planets like? Neptunes.

Where do you learn to make banana splits? At sundae school.

What happens to a frog’s car when it breaks down? It gets toad away.

Why are hairdressers never late for work? Because they know all the short cuts!

How do trees access the internet? They log in.

Why did the painting go to jail? It was framed.

Why do we tell actors to break a leg? Because every play has a cast.

Big Brother is watching more than ever!

In 2023, regulations were introduced which require UK digital platforms to report information to HM Revenue & Customs about the income of sellers of goods and services on their platform. Digital platforms cover a swathe of goods and services, not just individuals and businesses selling goods or produce but also the provision of taxi and private hire services, food delivery services, freelance work and, wait for it, the letting of short-term accommodation.

Under the rules of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, digital platforms in participating jurisdictions must provide a copy of the information reported to the taxpayer while HMRC will exchange the information with the tax authorities in OECD countries.

While initially the information only needed to be provided if a request was received from HMRC, with effect from January 2025, reporting is compulsory.

The letting of short-term accommodation covers both holiday letting and ordinary tenancies. So, if, for example, a holiday cottage is let via an on-line agency, the agency is obliged to report details of all payments made to the owner of said property. The rules will cover both UK resident and non-resident owners.

If an online platform is used to manage properties subject to shorthold tenancies, the information must also be reported to HMRC. Information that must be supplied includes:

• The address of the property

• The name, address and date of birth of the owner, details of the bank account into which the rent is paid and the tax identification number of the individual or business. The VAT number must be supplied if relevant.

All of this information will feed into the hugely powerful HMRC computer which will undoubtedly compare the information received with Tax Return entries.

So be aware, in this area there is simply nowhere to hide.