²ÝÁñÉçÇø

When does a small-wheeled loader outperform a telehandler? Jane Carley meets a farmer who reckons it is horses for courses

This month, Roger Evans tells us about the current craze to emblazon tractors with the owner’s name, and why, in days gone by, he preferred to retain a certain amount of anonymity when it came to driving on the public highway.

Many farmers voted to leave the EU despite the fact that leaving putting the Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) at risk. As we all know, the top up from the BPS is the difference between profit and loss on many farms.

March comes in like a lion and out like a lamb, or so the saying goes. Let’s hope the stormy weather early in the month leads us into a more positive and helpful scenario soon.

This month, Ian Potter gets on the inside track of the Sainsbury’s debacle, which left its Tomlinson’s suppliers without payment and with the threat of dismissal.

James Dunn, ADAS technical director for business management, looks in depth at getting through the farm payment transition period.

As I write, several local towns are again cut off by road due to flooding, many for the fourth time in as many weeks. As soon as we enjoy a dry day, there is a two-day deluge and the water rises again to dangerous levels, leaving homes and businesses flooded and roads impassable.

The dairy industry has become increasingly intensive as it seeks to secure a foothold on the world stage, but for Patrick Holden, chief executive of the Sustainable Food Trust, this is entirely the wrong direction.

Coronavirus has had a limited impact on UK agricultural commodity prices.