In the latest crop numbers from AHDB, spring barley is down by 17% compared to the UK five-year average, while oats are down 14% and winter wheat 11%

Following a summer marked by extreme weather conditions, this year’s harvest has proved "disappointing", with cereal yields dropping well beneath historical benchmarks, according to fresh findings. Data from the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB) reveals that as work finishes, wheat, spring barley and oat crops have all fallen short of typical levels. Only winter barley held steady, matching its five-year average of 6.9 tonnes per hectare. With the winter wheat gathering complete, average yields edged up to 6.9 tonnes per hectare following progress in northern England and Scotland, slightly surpassing August estimates of 6.8 tonnes per hectare. However, the AHDB noted that final wheat figures remain 11 per cent lower than the national five-year baseline and beneath the 10-year average of 7.9 tonnes per hectare. Spring barley proved to be "one of the most challenging" crops this year, averaging 4.8 tonnes per hectare, roughly 17 per cent under its five-year average. Oat yields also lagged, averaging 4.6 tonnes per hectare—14 per cent below the UK five-year average. Only oilseed rape crops performed well, with yields averaging at 4 tonnes per hectare, which sits at approximately 19 per cent above the UK five-year average. The AHDB report also highlighted considerable...

British farmers could gain new routes to market through the NHS food supply chain as hospital caterers place greater emphasis on provenance, nutrition and sustainable sourcing. The NHS is one of the UK’s largest foodservice providers, serving millions of meals each year. That scale means purchasing decisions made across the health service could have a meaningful impact on demand for British food. For farmers and food producers, greater emphasis on domestic sourcing could open up additional opportunities for beef, lamb, dairy and other home-grown produce, particularly as procurement teams look beyond price and consider supply chain resilience, food waste and nutritional quality. The Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB) has contributed to the latest edition of The Healthcare Chefs’ Knowledge, which brings together NHS-approved recipes, case studies and expert advice for healthcare catering. The levy board has provided three features covering UK farming systems, the nutritional value of beef and lamb, and the provision of halal food for diverse patient populations. The publication brings together healthcare chefs, dietitians, procurement specialists, suppliers and NHS leaders to examine how food purchasing can support patient care while also strengthening supply chains. Shorter supply chains and greater use of British produce are among the...

Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB) data shows that the UK has imported 14,982 tonnes of its 20,940-tonne 2026 beef quota from New Zealand,

Bovine TB expert and AHDB lead veterinary science expert Sarah Tomlinson has been named Dairy Industry Woman of the Year 2026 after beating a strong…

AHDB reviews a decade of soil research investment as many projects end, highlighting the soil health scorecard, new monitoring indicators,

Updated figures released by the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB) suggest the UK's arable harvest is now expected to be even smaller than previously forecast.

AHDB is hosting an event at Bakewell Auction Mart on Monday to give farmers the chance to find out more about vaccination and other support available from experts. So what are the symptoms of bluetongue, and is it just farmers who need to be worried? James Dixon, of Peakfield Farm Vets in Sapperton near Sudbury, told the BBC that bluetongue is a virus that is spread primarily from animal to animal by biting midges. The virus is "exotic" meaning it originated overseas, spreading to the UK from Belgium and the Netherlands, he said, and therefore cases need to be reported to Defra. The midges thrive in long, hot summers like the one the UK has experienced, and given the rise in cases the disease is now likely to be here to stay. Dixon added while goats and camelids like llamas and alpacas were also susceptible to the disease, pets were not at risk from bluetongue. Dixon said that most people would walk through a field of sheep or cattle that was infected and not know. The virus is often fatal for sheep, and in cattle can be fatal, cause a drop in milk production, and lead to failed pregnancies and...

Updated figures released by the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB) suggest the UK's arable harvest is now expected to be even smaller than previously forecast.

Updated figures released by the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB) suggest the UK's arable harvest is now expected to be even smaller than previously forecast.

The European Union (EU) has formally adopted measures that will remove Brazil from the list of approved exporters for a number of animal products, including beef and poultry, from 3 September 2026. Th...

Updated figures released by the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB) suggest the UK's arable harvest is now expected to be even smaller than previously forecast.

Updated figures released by the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB) suggest the UK's arable harvest is now expected to be even smaller than previously forecast.

GB Potatoes, established four years ago following the dissolution of AHDB Potatoes, serves as an essential representative for potato growers in the UK, according to Emma Gillbard in Farmers Weekly. Chief executive Scott Walker highlights the organization's critical role in filling the void left in industry advocacy. With robust support from the supply chain, GB Potatoes aims to expand its membership to enhance its influence and effectiveness.