The Source

On the 28th January 2026, the Yorkshire Agricultural Society hosted the first-ever Yorkshire Farming Conference. Their theme “Every Field, Every Farmer” reflected the unity and resilience that define Yorkshire’s agricultural landscape. It was a great day with a good environment, trade show sold out and topical and engaging speakers.

This study underscores the potential of increasing sward species diversity using clovers and herbs to sustain economic performances of pasture-based systems while reducing fertilizer N reliance and enhancing animal performance.

This review focused on bridging the knowledge gap with understanding how microplastics prevent nutrient uptake and nutrient use efficiency in plants. This understanding is essential for assessing the broader ecological impacts of plastic contamination and for developing effective mitigation strategies.

This study demonstrates the potential for increasing the vitamin D3 content of milk produced by housed cows by short exposure (30–60 min/d) to supplementary UV-B light as a successful biofortification strategy.

The Agriculture and Land Use Alliance brings together all interested organisations and individuals across the UK pre-farm gate sector to drive change to a net zero economy through results-driven collaboration. 

Farmers are facing growing rodent problems on UK farms as infestations increase and new rodenticide rules come into force in 2026. A survey of UK farmers by BASF highlights how controlling rats and mice is becoming more challenging, with resistance concerns and regulatory change adding pressure across all types of farm businesses.

A Cumbrian farm purchased by Addington Fund has become the launchpad for an ambitious new scheme helping young entrants into agriculture.

Construction is now underway on the Tiny Trailer Abattoir, a ground breaking project led by Orkney farmer Jane Cooper, who is part‑funding the initiative to end the long and stressful journeys her rare breed Boreray sheep currently face.

The Forage for CH4nge project – funded by Innovate UK - brought together farmers and scientists in a bid to better understand how traditional breeds and different pastures can help reduce the environmental impact of sheep farming. 

The establishment of rare arable plants in spring barley suppressed common weeds and reduced their coverage. This led us to the assumption of a natural weed suppression that can be considered for biodiversity-enhancing approaches in weed management. For weed management, we recommend seeding mixtures of RAP, whereas topsoil translocation requires further investigation to ensure optimal application.

Douglas fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii (Mirb.) Franco) and Maritime pine (Pinus pinaster Ait.) established well on most sites, and may be more versatile species than is often assumed.

Circular bioeconomy can improve ruminant sustainability, but needs systemic change. Precision feeding and the use of food waste can lower methane and waste impacts. Feed additives and gene editing provide potential tools to lower enteric methane. Life cycle assessment and modeling quantify trade-offs and co-benefits. Policies and finance should enable adoption, especially in low-income regions.