Farmer Focus: Opting for new dairy as arable no longer pays - Farmers Weekly

Latest News About Dairy boom drives UK arable farms to change

UK farmers are moving off arable crops for dairy herds, as milk prices climb. High fertiliser costs are pressuring cereal grower profits in England and Scotland, while profit margins tighten. Fertiliser prices fell but remain excessively steep for many, and many farmers struggle. 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 raised safety issues, local communities monitor. Paul Burke now leads England’s Horticulture Council after taking over as chair, he took over from his predecessor. Some West Midlands growers are sowing trees instead of wheat, as part of a trend. Low subsidies and high bills make growing crops hard for many families facing rising costs. Near Westmeath, a beef farmer will expand forestry as arable farming wanes, aiming to offset income loss.

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