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July 28, 2026
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UK - New PM must recognise importance of farming
Tom Bradshaw is urging the new Prime Minister to stand by Labour's manifesto and put the right policy framework in place to allow farmers and growers to thrive.
As Andy Burnham becomes Prime Minster, the NFU has written to remind him of the essential role farmers and growers play in feeding the nation's 70 million people.
In the letter the NFU acknowledged the emphasis he recently gave to protecting the UK's sovereign manufacturing and production capabilities in critical sectors, including food and farming. It also urged the Prime Minister to prioritise the food supply chain's five-point resilience plan as he further develops his agenda for government.
The food sector's roadmap gives the government clear actions to strengthen the UK's food resilience, unlock investment, jobs and growth in every part of the country and ease the pressure on households. Tom commented: "As he takes office, Prime Minister Burnham has an opportunity to turn Labour's commitment in its manifesto that 'food security is national security' into meaningful action.
"British farmers and growers are the bedrock of the nation's food security, putting food on the plates of 28 million households every day. Yet while governments rightly treat defence and energy security as national priorities, food security has too often been overlooked.
"As he further develops his plan for government, Prime Minister Burnham can take immediate action by backing a planning system that unlocks investment, regulation that drives innovation and growth and ensuring there's the workforce available farming and growing businesses need to thrive. Together, these measures would help build a more resilient food system and we stand ready to work with the government to deliver them."
www.nfuonline.com/news/new-prime-minister-must-recognise-importance-of-farming-to-the-nation/
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UK - NFU Scotland calls for urgent milk price rise
NFU Scotland is calling on milk processors to deliver meaningful milk price increases for August and September as falling production and soaring spot market prices underline the need to restore confidence across the dairy sector.
Milk production across Great Britain has fallen sharply following the recent heatwave and is now at, or below, the five-year average, with hot weather forecast to continue. At the same time, spot milk prices have climbed to around 50p per litre, highlighting the growing value of milk in the marketplace.
Despite these market conditions, some Scottish dairy farmers continue to receive prices that fail to cover the cost of production. While the average milk price in Scotland is thought to be in the mid-30 pence per litre, NFU Scotland has been contacted this week by two producers receiving just 22p and 24p per litre respectively after transport costs for their June milk production.
NFU Scotland's Milk Committee Chair, Bruce Mackie said: "The market is sending a clear signal. Milk supplies are tightening, spot prices have risen sharply and processors need to reflect those conditions in the prices they pay producers.
"It is simply not sustainable for dairy farmers to be receiving little more than 20 pence per litre while input costs are high and still increasing. Without fair returns, producers cannot continue investing in their businesses or have confidence in the future."
www.nfus.org.uk/news/news/nfu-scotland-calls-for-urgent-milk-price-rise-as-production-falls-and-spot-market-strengthens
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UK - Food shortages could hit if no rain in next 10 days say farmers
The coming days are set to determine whether supermarkets will be hit by food shortages later in the year, farmers say, as parts of England come close to a drought.
Southern and Eastern England have had no rain at all this month, the longest spell without rain in 30 years. England overall has received only 3% of its long-term average July rainfall after the country sweltered in three heatwaves so far.
Land, rivers and streams have dried up, while water use has soared in particularly hot spells. Prolonged dry weather has been declared in East Anglia, the West Midlands, Devon, Cornwall, the Isles of Scilly, Lincolnshire, Northamptonshire, Hertfordshire, London, Wessex, Thames, the Solent and the South Downs.
The National Drought Group, whose members include the Met Office, government, regulators, water companies and farmers, says the extreme weather is having a severe effect on the environment and is affecting water supplies and food production.
Farmers say the heat is drying out cereals, while spring barley yields are expected to be hit by a lack of rain earlier in the season. Some farmers in East Anglia have had to stop abstracting water from rivers because they are so dry. Harvests have begun early and there is a greater risk of fires breaking out in combine harvesters because of the heat.
A spokesman for the NFU told The Independent: "Some areas haven't harvested yet so what happens over the next week to 10 days could have an impact. We're asking the Environment Agency to be flexible when it comes to abstraction."
Paul Tompkins, NFU Deputy President, said: "Parts of the country, particularly in the east and south, have seen exceptionally low rainfall, creating real challenges for farm businesses. For many arable farmers, this could be another difficult and expensive harvest after extreme weather in both 2024 and 2025 which saw both drought and flood."
The Independent
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UK - AHDB and LEAF launch drive to inspire the next generation through on-farm experiences
AHDB have joined forces with LEAF (Linking Environment And Farming) to launch Open Your Gate - a new campaign that supports farmers to deliver one million on-farm experiences for children and young people by 2031.
By opening their gates today, farmers can help shape the consumers, decision-makers and agricultural workforce of tomorrow by increasing their understanding of food production, farming and the environment through real on-farm experiences.
To inspire and help them overcome obstacles to delivering farm visits as part of the one million ambition, 80 farmers are being given the chance to take part in AHDB and LEAF's free School Farm Visits Support (SFVS) programme, developing their knowledge, skills and confidence to deliver safe, high-quality and meaningful on-farm experiences.
Those taking part will receive:
- Fully funded Countryside Educational Visits Accreditation Scheme (CEVAS) training, providing the knowledge and practical guidance needed to plan and deliver safe, high-quality and engaging farm visits
- Tailored one-to-one support with a LEAF Education Specialist, helping each farmer apply the training to their own farm, from visitor routes and activities to planning their first visit and connecting with local schools
- Practical resources and ongoing support, including access to a network of new and experienced host farmers
Farmers who have already taken part in the CEVAS course have found it transformative.
Celia Smith, who has a mixed dairy, beef and arable farm in Gloucestershire, said: "It was great to meet other farmers and hear about what they are doing as well as getting all the important information needed to open the farm up to visitors. The course leaders were really inspiring."
Applications are now open for 80 fully funded places on the SFVS programme.
Read more: AHDB and LEAF launch drive to inspire the next generation through on-farm experiences | AHDB
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UK - EU short-term outlook: Exports of dairy products in growth
Key points:
- Milk production expected to increase 1.6% in 2026 year-on-year, with growth likely to be restricted in the second half of the year
- Increasing input costs amid geopolitical tensions in the Middle East squeeze farm margins
- Exports of dairy products expected to be in growth except WMP (whole milk powder)
Raw Milk
In the latest EU short term outlook, the European Commission forecasts milk production to increase by 1.6% in 2026 compared to previous year. The strong growth seen in 2025 amid higher yields and favourable weather conditions, rolled into the start of 2026. Production growth remained strong in Q1 2026, mainly in the Netherlands, Denmark, France, Belgium and Poland. However, growth is likely to be restricted in the second half of the year. Grassland conditions could deteriorate following the recent heat wave on the continent.
An increase in the availability of fats and proteins have boosted the production of dairy products.
Average raw milk prices dropped in the last quarter of 2025 following the incredible growth in milk volumes. However currently prices are showing signs of stabilization. Continuing geopolitical tension in the Middle East is elevating input costs, thereby squeezing farm margins. This is driving up energy prices and adding to higher food inflation.
The EU dairy herd size continues the gradual slow decline in 2026. However, the higher milk production seen has been a function of increasing yield levels.
Dairy Products
Milk solids including fat and protein continued to increase along with the surge in milk deliveries. These have translated into increased production of dairy products in 2026. Cheese and whey production are expected to increase by 1.8% and 1.4% respectively in 2026 compared to previous year. In the first half of 2026, processors were operating at full capacities.
Production of WMP and fresh dairy products is likely to fall by 3.1% and 0.6% respectively. However, yogurt and cream production is expected to increase.
In the first half of 2026, available supplies of cheese, butter and SMP increased in line with the increase in deliveries. According to the EU commission, exports of cheese and whey are forecast to increase 0.5% and 1.7% respectively. Exports of WMP will likely edge down by 5% amid weaker demand from the Middle East. Consumption of fresh dairy products is expected to decline mainly driven by a decline in drinking milk consumption. Globally, consumer demand for proteins remains strong. However, market conditions remain uncertain amid structural and environmental policy changes. This coupled with the Middle East war, trade deals, diseases and weather will be key watch points to monitor.
Read the full article: EU short-term outlook: Exports of dairy products in growth | AHDB
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UK - New support to help farmers thrive for generations
A new £30 million fund will help farmers reduce costs and build stronger businesses while improving our precious natural environment.
The new Farmer Collaboration Fund will help farmers tackle shared challenges by backing practical, farmer-led collaboration through peer learning, specialist advice in key areas like soil management, local facilitators, and support for new groups.
By working collaboratively and sharing knowledge and expertise, farmers can bring down costs, manage shared risks and improve soil and water across landscapes, helping build more resilient businesses while supporting nature. For example, farmers in the Cotswolds have clubbed together to learn from one another how better soil health can improve farm outcomes and generate more income.
This forms part of the Government's Farming Roadmap and builds on existing work that is helping farmers work together to embrace innovation and build a more productive, resilient and sustainable farming sector. Environment Secretary Emma Reynolds said: "I have heard first-hand from farmers in different parts of the country how important collaboration and innovation are to the sector's future.
"That is why this government is backing farmers with £30 million through our new Farmer Collaboration Fund so farmers can work together, share expertise and build more resilient and profitable businesses."
The Collaboration Fund will be delivered through organisations including charities, local authorities and NGOs, giving farmers access to trusted local expertise and practical support while reducing paperwork so they can focus on learning from one another and improving their businesses. The Government is also tripling dedicated funding for farmer welfare and wellbeing through a new £1.5 million Farmer Welfare Grant, opening for applications on August 6th.
Available over three years, the Farmer Welfare Grant will support targeted projects that strengthen farmers' personal and business resilience, complementing the Government's wider work to help build thriving, resilient farming businesses through the Farming Roadmap.
www.gov.uk/government/news/new-support-to-help-farmers-thrive-for-generations
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UK - Fife farmer's plea after calf death from helium balloon
A Fife farmer has made an emotional plea for a ban on helium balloon releases after a three-month-old calf was found choked to death.
Kraig Kerr made the tragic discovery while checking on livestock at Barns Farm in Dalgety Bay. It is thought that the calf chewed on the balloon after it landed in the field, which then blocked the animal's airway, choking it to death. Kraig told The Courier it was the sixth time that a helium balloon had been found on the farm's land so far this year.
He said: "Animals are inquisitive and sadly this three-month-old calf chewed the balloon that it had found. Unfortunately, the calf had swallowed most of the balloon, making it unable to breathe. It was the worst thing to find and was just awful to have to deal with."
Kraig, who has worked at Barns Farm for the past 14 years, said the problem of helium balloons found on farm fields was now worse than ever. "The problem is definitely getting worse, and this was the sixth we've found this year and the first fatal situation we've had. I don't know if it's people doing balloon releases on the nearby beach or whether they are drifting across the Forth from Edinburgh, but I urge people to stop.
"Ultimately, I'd prefer a ban on balloon and Chinese lantern releases, after all it's just another form of littering. People may see it as something innocent, but they fly off and end up on farmers' fields and, in the worst cases, have devastating effects as we found out with the death of our calf."
TheCourier
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UK - Wales launches push to build commercial sheep milk market
Welsh sheep farmers are being encouraged to explore new dairy markets following the launch of a national cluster aimed at building a commercially viable sheep milk sector. The Food & Drink Wales Dairy Sheep Wales Cluster was unveiled recently at the Royal Welsh Show, bringing together farmers, processors, retailers, researchers and other industry stakeholders.
The initiative follows Welsh Government-backed work examining market demand and supply-chain development. That research identified potential for growth, with officials pointing to increasing demand for sheep milk products.
The cluster will focus on collaboration across the supply chain, knowledge sharing and developing stronger commercial routes to market.
It will also seek to improve confidence among producers and buyers while supporting farmers and food businesses considering entry into the sector.
www.farminguk.com/news/wales-launches-push-to-build-commercial-sheep-milk-market_68858.html
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India - Dairy sector next frontier for biomethane with Assam project
India's drive to scale up biomethane production continues with a new compressed biogas project in Assam that will convert dairy waste into renewable fuel.
Purabi Dairy, the National Dairy Development Board (NDDB) and Suzuki R&D Centre India have signed a memorandum of understanding to develop a compressed biogas plant that will convert dairy and agricultural waste into biomethane and organic fertiliser.
The agreement is the latest example of India's strategy to unlock value from its vast dairy industry while reducing methane emissions from livestock waste.
The project will be delivered by North East Dairy and Foods (NEDFL), a joint venture between the Government of Assam and NDDB that markets dairy products under the Purabi Dairy brand. NDDB will provide technical and institutional support, while Suzuki R&D India will invest in the project and retain the carbon benefits associated with the emissions reductions.
Once operational, the facility will process cattle manure and agricultural residues through anaerobic digestion to produce compressed biogas suitable for transport and industrial applications. The plant will also generate organic fertiliser from the remaining digestate, creating an additional revenue stream for farmers while supporting more sustainable agricultural practices.
The development reflects a broader shift in India's biogas strategy, with livestock manure now positioned as one of the country's most abundant and underutilised renewable gas feedstocks.
www.gasworld.com/story/india-taps-dairy-sector-as-next-frontier-for-biomethane-with-assam-project/2254877.article/
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Hungary - Milk industry crisis continues to worsen
Overproduction, record imports, the strong Forint, and missing government aid are pushing the Hungarian dairy sector to the brink. While the domestic market is being flooded with cheap German cheese, many Hungarian farms face closure.
What has been brewing on the European and Hungarian milk markets since the end of last year has now developed into an established, prolonged market crisis. Miklós Istvánfalvi, Co-Chairman of the Dairy Council responsible for milk producers, painted a gloomy picture of the current situation in an inquiry.
The causes of the crash are diverse and reinforce each other. In the major milk and dairy product-exporting regions worldwide, supply remains high. Especially in Europe, production surpluses from the Czech Republic, Germany, Poland, and Slovakia are putting pressure on prices.
While Hungarian milk procurement has fallen back to the level of the previous year, prices are collapsing . . . The crisis is further exacerbated by a wave of imports. The latest five-month data show clear increases in the import of sour milk products (+5%), butter (+31%), and cheese (+11%). The situation is particularly dramatic for Gouda (+41%) and Edamer (+24%). Only the import of UHT milk in cartons fell by about 8 percent.
The Hungarian cheese market proves to be the biggest victim of this development, where imports rose by 30 percent within three years. Local dairies are practically powerless against the aggressive pricing policy of German wholesalers.
https://hungarytoday.hu/milk-crisis-continues-to-worsen/
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UK - Precision Livestock Farming Conference ticket early bird offer
Farmers, researchers and technology innovators from across the UK and beyond are set to come together at the Precision Livestock Farming Conference, a leading event dedicated to advancing the use of technology in livestock production, which will be held on Wednesday 4th November at Harper Adams University, Shropshire.
The conference will explore how precision technologies are transforming dairy and beef farming, helping producers improve productivity, enhancing animal health and welfare, reducing environmental impact, and supporting producers to make more informed management decisions.
Delegates can expect a programme packed with expert speakers, the latest research findings, real-world farmer experiences and demonstrations of cutting-edge technologies. Topics will include precision monitoring, artificial intelligence, data-driven decision making, sensor technologies, sustainability, and practical innovations that are shaping the future of livestock farming.
As well as hearing from leading industry experts, attendees will have the chance to network with fellow farmers, researchers, technology developers and supply chain representatives, creating opportunities to share ideas and build new collaborations.
There will also be a guided tour of the award-winning farm at Harper Adams with practical workshops with industry experts including a dedicated beef station with Harper Adams beef nutrition lead James McCaughern, a look at nutrition and GHGs with Professor Liam Sinclair and introduction from David Craven of Grosvenor Farm. The Conference will conclude with a dynamic panel session addressing the topics of the day.
For information on the conference programme, speakers and registration, visit the event website - what's more, there is an early bird ticket discount of 20% currently available.
https://www.tickettailor.com/events/raftsolutions/2213804
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UK - Hutton to lead £5M project to encourage more young people into farming careers
The James Hutton Institute is set to lead a new £5M project which aims to bring more young people into careers in farming - working with AI, videogames and young farmer ambassadors. Financed by Horizon Europe, an EU funding program for research and innovation, the project will bring together fifteen different partner organisations from across the Europe.
Titled Farm Heroes, the project will use several innovative methods to encourage Europe's young people into a farming career. To begin with, researchers will work with groups of young people to better understand how they would like to see farming evolve in future. They will then train a large language model (LLM) AI to conduct a higher education curriculum review of agricultural training, providing an oversight of how well curricula support this future vision of farming.
As well as trying to encourage more young people into farming, the project will aim to address a lack of women entering the industry. The Hutton is set to receive £853,000 in funding for the project, with the remaining funds being shared amongst the other partners. The project is due to begin in October and will run for four years.
Professor Lee-Ann Sutherland, who will lead the Hutton's contribution, said: "We are delighted that our proposal has been funded. Enabling a diverse group of young people to enter the sector - and supporting current successors to thrive - is crucial to enabling innovation and resilience in the agricultural sector."
https://hortnews.com/hutton-to-lead-e6-million-project-to-encourage-more-young-people-into-farming-careers/
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