Industry

Health & Safety Advisor Jess Phillips explains why signs are essential for keeping people safe on farm, how to use them effectively and the legal requirements you must meet.  

Technology is the future of farming. Online tools, mobile apps, precision equipment and management decisions driven by technology-derived data are already transforming business efficiency. But how can farmers gain the most from technology on farm? Farming Focus™ investigated.

The rise in shoplifting across the retail sector has been well reported, with record levels published by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) earlier this year. And this includes rural businesses. Farm shop owners are experiencing the same upset, frustration and financial losses as high street retailers. The often-isolated location of rural retail businesses can make them particularly vulnerable.

As farmers prepare for the new agricultural inheritance tax rules, PKF Francis Clark’s head of agriculture Brian Harvey and Devon farmer Andrew Branton cover the theory and practice of what it all means for family farms on Farming Focus™. 

Whether on a ladder, roof or some form of working platform, many jobs on farm require working at height. This makes falls a worryingly common cause of accidents and the second highest cause of fatalities in agriculture. Health & Safety Advisor Jess Phillips outlines what you need to know about carrying out these tasks, including your legal responsibilities and how to minimise risks.

Grazing livestock on land crossed by public rights of way (PROW) brings both responsibilities and risks. Health & Safety Advisor Jo Hawkins explains those responsibilities and how you can manage the safety of both the public and your livestock. 

Bicton College student Tia Whitrow has been named Cornish Mutual South West Agricultural Student of the Year. As a prize for this prestigious award, Tia will receive funding to attend a leading agricultural event of her choosing.

Among the numerous hazards on a farm are harmful substances. Coming in many forms, Health & Safety Advisor Amy Jasper explains the regulations around these materials and what they mean for handling them on farm.