UK farmers are dropping arable crops for dairy herds, as milk prices increase. High fertiliser costs are cutting into cereal grower profits in England and Scotland, while profit margins shrink. Fertiliser prices slipped but remain excessively steep for many, and many cultivators strive. In Scotland, wildfires near Aviemore forced evacuations and kept firefighters busy in dry weather, the heat has also dried the land. The blazes hit local farms and sparked safety issues, local communities monitor. Paul Burke now leads England’s Horticulture Council after taking over as chair, he replaced his predecessor. Some West Midlands growers are planting trees instead of wheat, as part of a trend. Low subsidies and high bills make growing crops hard for many families dealing with rising costs. Near Westmeath, a beef farmer will expand forestry as arable farming declines, aiming to counterbalance income loss.
Sources & References
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Farmer Focus: Opting for new dairy as arable no longer pays - Farmers Weekly
Farmer Focus: Opting for new dairy as arable no longer pays Farmers Weekly
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Major incident declared as Cairngorms wildfire forces village evacuation - The Scottish Farmer
Major incident declared as Cairngorms wildfire forces village evacuation The Scottish Farmer
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Transition Farmer: Tree planting brings SFS frustration - Farmers Weekly
Transition Farmer: Tree planting brings SFS frustration Farmers Weekly
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Hedging a passion, risk management tool for Saskatchewan farmer - The Western Producer
Hedging a passion, risk management tool for Saskatchewan farmer The Western Producer
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'Thinking of forestry, I'd definitely say go ahead' - Westmeath beef farmer - Agriland
'Thinking of forestry, I'd definitely say go ahead' - Westmeath beef farmer Agriland