AHDB

Farm incursions and covert filming can be distressing, and footage can spread rapidly across social and mainstream media. Remain vigilant for incursions, covert filming and any unauthorised access to your farm, and review your on-farm procedures with staff to make sure everyone understands the standards expected of them.

The EU pig population stood at 131.5 million head at the end of 2025, representing a 0.5% (685,000 head) decline year-on-year (YoY) according to official data from Eurostat. This continues the broader downward trend observed across the sector, with numbers down 10% compared to 2020. The overall annual decline in 2025 was primarily driven by reductions in Spain, the largest pig producing member state.

UK pig production dipped slightly in the second quarter of 2026 to 250,600 tonnes, but this was still up almost 5% year-on-year. Average clean pig carcase weights reached 92kg in Q2 2026, down 2.3kg from Q1 but still up 1.8kg year on year July UK pig production rose by 500 tonnes month to month, boosted by growth in clean pig slaughter as weights fell back amid hot weather Adam Chowdry Analyst (Livestock) See full bio UK pig meat production was strong in the second quarter (Q2) of 2026.

Price changes at the farmgate take a long time to reach the supermarket shelves. Here we look at analysis that measures how long that delay is and how much of the change in retail prices can be linked to changes in carcase price. Key points Farmgate and retail beef prices are linked, but falls in farmgate prices can take time to appear on supermarket shelves The model predicts changes in farmgate prices take 8 to 12 months to affect rump steak retail prices and over a year for mince.

This week's view of grain and oilseed markets, including a summary of both UK and global activity. Figure 1. UK feed wheat futures prices, Nov-26 contract (£/tonne) The Nov-26 UK feed wheat futures contract (green line with markers, Figure 2) gained £2.00/t (1.0%) last week. The contract ended Friday at £205.00/t. Friday’s price was approx. £1.00/t higher than Dec-26 Paris milling wheat futures in £/t on the same day.

Brazil, the world's largest beef exporter, is heading into 2026 with a shrinking herd, rising prices and the EU market closing on 3rd September. We examine what this means for the global beef market and the UK. Key points Brazil's cattle herd is forecast at 225 million head in 2026, a third consecutive annual fall as the cycle turns contractionary. Tighter supply lifted calf prices by 27% and fed cattle prices by 19% in 2025.

In my first blog in this climate change series, I discussed changing weather patterns and the general impacts on crop production. In this blog, I consider the specific impacts on a major pest of cereals and oilseeds: aphids. As insects are ectothermic, which means cold-blooded, external temperatures largely determine their growth, development and survival.

While record store and finished cattle prices in the last two years have generated opportunities for some producers, others have seen margins disappear because purchase prices rose faster than sale values. For businesses buying cattle, profitability is determined not by the sale price alone, but by the margin between purchase, production and sale.

How have UK dairy exports performed in Q2 2026?

Every farm relies on its soil, but when was the last time you asked yourself a simple question: What do I want my soil to deliver for my business? Whether your priority is growing more grass, improving drought resilience, making better use of nutrients, extending the grazing season or improving overall farm performance, understanding soil function is the foundation for making better decisions.