The Source

The UK food system is facing growing pressure from climate change, with hotter summers, wetter winters and more frequent extreme weather already affecting agricultural production, supply chains and food prices.

Through our own experience at Nethergill Farm and during some study work on farms in the north of England, in 2017, there emerged anecdotal evidence that as some farms downsized to withdraw from farming their losses reduced noticeably. Other farms which had downsized more modestly to adjust to the prevailing economy also reported an improvement in profitability…

Can they support a thriving, nature positive community?

Soil obtained from across nine UK locations was used to cultivate six key arable crops (wheat, barley, oats, fava beans, oilseed rape, and sugar beet). Researchers found that although the local soil environment selected which kinds of bacteria were present, the crop species determined the beneficial microbial functions of those bacteria. The findings have significant implications for the design of microbial inoculants and microbiome-assisted breeding strategies for sustainable agriculture.

A total of £225 million will be invested through Capital Grants this year to help farmers and land managers carry out environmental improvements across England. 

“We found that subtle differences in a variety of characteristics of farm systems were associated with differences in farmers’ perceptions of the difficulty of changing practices, and with subsequent adoption.”

Whilst somewhat overshadowed by continued speculation over the future of the Prime Minister, the King’s Speech on the 13th May set out a wide range of legislation that the Government proposes to introduce. Almost 40 Bills were listed ranging from nuclear power to the regulation of taxis.

The UK’s latest climate risk assessment, A Well-Adapted UK, has landed with a now-familiar and sobering reminder for those in agriculture and horticulture: the impacts are already here, the risks are escalating, and adaptation is no longer optional.

Following Mental Health Awareness Week, it feels especially important to continue the conversation around mental health within the agriculture industry.

The studies help neighbouring farmers explore and rank practical options for improving water supply resilience and securing reliable access to water for the future.

Removing the plough altogether can be very risky in a wet season, particularly on heavier soils – it relies on a history of gentle soil husbandry over five or more years, as well as a ‘good’ season…

The UK Farm Assurance Review calls on NFU and AHDB to lead work to clarify and reset the purpose and scope of farm assurance. This document responds to that recommendation