The Source

With the new £30 million Farmer Collaboration Fund opening in England, Stuart Knight looks at how working together can help farmers test ideas, share knowledge and find practical solutions. He explores what today’s farmer-led collaboration can learn from a long history of farmers working together.

Whether you're interested in agroforestry, planting new woodland or making the most of existing woodland, there is support available to help you take the next step.

Soon, image recognition algorithms and laser scanners will tell the grower which fruit trees need attention. Measures will then only be taken where needed. That is precision fruit cultivation in a nutshell.

New research from Rothamsted has identified the potential for improved nitrogen management to reduce energy-related carbon emissions from farms across England, but also points to the opportunity for technologies such as green ammonia to contribute more.

The updated analysis points to constrained cattle and sheep supply underpinning market fundamentals over the coming years, despite ongoing pressure on consumer demand and wider economic uncertainty.

The UK's nature finance gap is tiny next to the trillions its investment industry manages. So why is so little private money reaching nature recovery and agroecological farming? A panel of bankers, insurers and investors explain what's holding it back, and what would get it moving.

Technology is evolving at remarkable speed, but the future of the fresh produce industry will be shaped as much by collaboration and collective problem-solving as by innovation itself.

Higher plant diversity in grasslands can boost yields while reducing fertiliser use. Findings from a global network of 26 sites highlight the potential of multispecies swards for productive, climate-resilient farming.

The economic outlook over the next year is best described as one of gradual improvement rather than rapid recovery. While inflation and borrowing costs have eased significantly, consumer spending remains constrained, and farm businesses continue to face considerable pressure on margins. Labour costs, policy uncertainty and market volatility are likely to remain key challenges over the coming year.

We highlight both opportunities and challenges, offering practical insights and a critical perspective to guide future research and application in broiler health monitoring.

Drones are becoming an increasingly visible part of the agricultural technology landscape. Their potential extends well beyond aerial photography. Used correctly, drones can help farmers and advisers identify variation, investigate problems more quickly and make better-informed decisions.

Tree planting may be preferred for carbon storage and timber production, whereas natural colonisation may be preferred for increasing forest biodiversity.