The Source

By emphasising cattle social behaviour as a key welfare indicator, the paper outlines design principles to enhance the interpretability, relevance, and trustworthiness of artificial intelligence systems.

Many of these costs are now baked into the arable season.

This study reflects a personal transition into regenerative agriculture, shaped by experience, the voices of young people and environmental considerations. Managing a therapeutic farm run on regenerative principles for underprivileged teenagers, I witnessed systemic exclusion first-hand, an experience that deepened my conviction that agriculture can be a powerful driver of social and environmental transformation.

As climate variability intensifies and soil health rises up the agricultural agenda, cultivation decisions are under growing scrutiny. This article brings together findings from a 10‑year arable field experiment at the Royal Agricultural University Farms in Gloucestershire, comparing plough‑based tillage (PT), minimum tillage (MT), and direct drilling (DD). By examining both crop yield stability under changing weather conditions and the long‑term responses of soil fauna and biological functioning, the work exposes a central tension in modern arable systems: the pursuit of short‑term yield reliability versus the slow accumulation of soil resilience. Together, the results offer rare, long‑term insight into how today’s cultivation choices shape both above‑ and below‑ground performance.

There is only one answer to that question for most: the farmers, or their families. But it is a very different story in two European countries—and while right now, access to sick leave and holidays is determined by postcode, this could soon start to change.

PAN UK is calling for glyphosate not to be reapproved. However, if it is granted a new license then it should be with an accompanying set of restrictions designed to both reduce overall use and limit the impact of glyphosate exposure on human health and the environment.

Scientists comment on an analysis of UK pesticide usage data.

The Farm Data Exchange proof-of-concept (PoC) pilot has demonstrated that a national, farmer-first data exchange system is both technically viable and strongly supported across the industry.

“My membership with the Society of Agriculture is vital. It ensures I stay at the forefront of industry news, provides a platform for continuous professional development, and builds the trust necessary to support the farming community effectively. In this Q&A, I share a bit more about my journey with the Society and why staying 'industry-active' is the key to successful recruitment.”

The next round of the competition will open on 11 May.  The aim is for £5 million of government grant funding to attract at least £10 million in private investment.  The application window will remain open until 17 June.

“When assessing comparative budgets for both my organic dairy clients and conventional clients for the 12 months to 31st March 2027, it is becoming quite stark in regard to how the relative profitability levels of each system are diverging. Is this just a short term difference or will the gap between systems become sustained in terms of profit levels.  It has led me recently to consider whether more businesses should be looking at organic conversion currently.”

In the UK, clubroot is a major problem for oilseed rape cultivation. It is one of the key factors contributing to the decline in oilseed rape cropping, as farmers struggle to manage its long-term effects. Around 52% of oilseed rape fields are estimated to be infected, highlighting how widespread the issue has become. The impact can be severe, with yield losses ranging anywhere from 10 to 100 % depending on infection levels and conditions.