39. Changes to energy efficiency plans for let property announced Article February 4th, 2026 The Government has revised its timetable for improving the energy efficiency of residential let property and confirmed a lower improvement cost cap than originally proposed. Read more
38. How artificial intelligence is finding its place on UK farms Article February 4th, 2026 Artificial intelligence has moved well beyond experimental stages in most sectors and is well-integrated into our day-to-day lives. Advances in machine learning, sensor engineering and cloud computing now deliver practical, usable systems that analyse patterns and process real-time data at scales that were unrealistic a decade ago. Across the agri-tech sector, all signs point to increasing use of AI‑enabled decision support and data analytics in farming. Read more
37. Cost-Benefit Analysis: Nitrogen Climate Smart Article February 4th, 2026 The two key objectives of this work are to identify the best scenario for optimizing environmental impact and financial return for farmers and to determine the carbon cost-benefit of transitioning to increased pulse production in the UK. Read more
36. SRUC launches world’s first open-source digital twin for dairy farming Article February 4th, 2026 One of the standout features of farm-twin is its ability to integrate multiple streams of data from different vendors and visualise data through intuitive dashboards, giving farmers an at-a-glance view of their entire operation. The platform also supports predictive analytics, allowing early detection of health issues or productivity drops before they escalate. For example, the system can combine milk yield trends with live health data to detect early signs of illness, triggering alerts or automated responses. Read more
35. Yorkshire Farming Conference – summary by Amy Barnacle, The Andersons Centre Article February 4th, 2026 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. Read more
34. Economic performance of 3 farm systems differing in sward species diversity and nitrogen fertilization level across a range of future economic scenarios Article February 4th, 2026 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. Read more
33. Impacts of Micro/Nanoplastics on Crop Physiology and Soil Ecosystems: A Review Article February 4th, 2026 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. Read more
32. Supplemental ultraviolet-B lighting to naturally enhance the vitamin D content of milk of housed dairy cows Article February 4th, 2026 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. Read more
31. Agriculture and Land Use Alliance – 9th Dec 2025 Teams meeting summary Article January 29th, 2026 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. Read more
30. Survey highlights rising rodent threat on farms across UK Article January 29th, 2026 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. Read more
29. A Cumbrian Legacy Article January 27th, 2026 A Cumbrian farm purchased by Addington Fund has become the launchpad for an ambitious new scheme helping young entrants into agriculture. Read more
28. Tiny Trailer Abattoir Breaks New Ground, Bringing Local Sheep Processing a Step Closer for Orkney and the Highlands Article January 27th, 2026 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. Read more