The survey found out that 21% of respondents have broadband speeds under 10Mbps – compared to the national average of less than 1%.

Only 22% report a reliable mobile signal across their entire farm, and nearly one out of ten respondents have no 4G or 5G access.

Just 33% of respondents have access to fibre broadband, which is significantly below the UK average of 57%.

Nearly all respondents said mobile signal (98%) and broadband (91%) are important for their business.

Major change is coming

These figures come amid government delays to key rural connectivity targets. The deadline for gigabit-capable broadband and nationwide 5G coverage has been pushed back from 2030 to 2032, and while the Shared Rural Network remains on track for completion by the end of 2025, full rollout and operator compliance are not expected until 2027.

The NFU now warns that these substantial waits risk leaving farming families and rural communities cut off from vital services, especially as the government moves ahead with plans to switch all landlines to digital by 2027 – a major change that relies on strong broadband and mobile infrastructure.

There are some signs of progress: ultrafast broadband access is rising, now reaching 12% of respondents, and more farmers are embracing agri-tech tools such as cloud-based services and GPS, the union said.

The NFU is calling on the government to:

• Prioritise completing the Shared Rural Network to ensure all rural communities get a reliable mobile signal while the fibre rollout continues.

• Support all broadband technologies – not just fibre – to bring cost-effective alternatives like fixed wireless or mobile broadband to rural and hard-to-reach areas.

• Provide rural-specific digital skills training within national programmes.

Essential, not optional

NFU vice president Rachel Hallos said: “We have been consistently told by government that food security is national security, but to deliver on that, farmers need the right tools.

“Reliable broadband and mobile coverage are not optional – they are essential for running efficient, productive farming businesses and ensuring safety in some of the most isolated parts of the country. If a farmer can’t call for help in an emergency, the consequences can be serious.”

Ms Hallos added that poor connectivity is holding back the full potential of British farming.

“We welcome the government’s investment announced in the spending review, but these delays risk leaving rural farms disconnected for longer.

“This isn’t about asking for special treatment. It’s about fairness. Rural businesses, families and communities deserve the same opportunities as everyone else – and that starts with being properly connected,” she concluded.

Read more rural news.

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This change means that it will be an offence to use shotgun cartridges loaded with lead shot for game shooting from the 2029/2030 season onwards. This applies in England, Scotland and Wales. 

Countryside Alliance explained that after a lengthy consultation process and with clear influence from the recent EU draft implementing act covering lead ammunition, there can be no surprises that a ban is being imposed, but the cartridge manufacturing industry will face a challenge in meeting full demand from the clay and game shooting sectors by summer 2029 due to factors beyond the control of the manufacturers – global conflicts, supply chain disruption and more. 

‘Important step for the future of shooting’

Tim Bonner, chief executive of the Countryside Alliance, said: “This is an important step for the future of shooting, which will benefit the countryside and rural economy. The Alliance has long advocated a move away from lead ammunition, which is necessary and beneficial. Alternatives are now available for nearly every gun for nearly every purpose. 

“We have always argued for a single transition date and do have concerns about the practical implications of a three-year transition for all uses of shotgun cartridges. Bringing in a ban on lead shot in advance of the Health and Safety Executive’s recommendations and the EU transition process would be challenging for ammunition manufacturers who are already having to cope with much increased demand for military ammunition”.  

Rifle ammunition for calibres of .243 and above will also be subject to restrictions: lead bullets for live quarry will be banned after the same three-year transition, i.e., from summer 2029.  

For target shooting, lead bullets are only permissible if the range adheres to certain lead recovery standards. Ranges must have adequate recovery measures in place after a two-year transition. Ammunition for rifles smaller than .243 calibre and for air weapons will not be restricted. 

Lead shot will be banned for use in clay target shooting after a three-year transition. A select few elite-level clay shooters have been granted a derogation, meaning they can train with lead ammunition in order to compete at international tournaments. 

Read more about the government’s proposed lead ammunition ban here. 

READ MORE: Farmers urged to act ahead of consultation restricting gun ownership

READ MORE: Toughening shotgun ownership restrictions may have huge impact on farming

Read more rural news. 

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A 34-strong choir of British farmers came together to sing in a new Hawkstone beer advert, which aims to help save local pubs and promote British farming.

Mr Clarkson described the video as ‘the best thing I’ve ever made, apart from a shepherd’s pie in 1988’.

However, his version of the classic opera The Flower Duet by Leo Delibes has been banned from TV and radio as it is ‘not compliant’ with broadcasting regulations.

The TV presenter and Diddly Squat Farm owner told The Sun: “It’s a cock-up, as usual. I’ve made my biggest, most heartfelt, and frankly, most expensive advert ever, and it’s been banned.

“The fun police in their beige offices have decided that the public can’t be trusted to watch it.

“It’s been kicked off the telly, silenced on the radio, and barred from the cinema. Apparently, it’s ‘not compliant’. With what, I have no idea. Common sense?”

One of fastest-growing businesses

Mr Clarkson added that since the advert is not allowed to be broadcast on TV and radio, it will be available to watch online. It has already been viewed over 500,000 times on social media.

Watch it here:

Hawkstone, a brewery owned by Mr Clarkson, was recently named one of the fastest-growing British businesses by The Sunday Times.

The annual ranking puts a spotlight on Britain’s fastest-growing private companies with revenues of less than £250 million.

Two farming-related businesses, Hawkstone and St. Ewe Free Range Eggs, made the list this year.

This is the second time Hawkstone has been recognised as a fast-growing British business.

READ MORE: What can we expect from season 4 of Clarkson’s Farm?

READ MORE: Jeremy Clarkson confirms that Clarkson’s Farm season 5 is in making

Read more rural news.

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A well-known face at farming shows, contractor and Diddly Squat farm manager Kaleb has relaunched his website with some new additions.

Highlighting the new website, Ioan Humphries, known on social media as That Welsh Farmer, said:

“He’s got some cool stuff on there; you can buy some Kaleb Cooper Contracting merchandise – I haven’t got any because apparently I’m not cool enough, even though I drive a black Deutz.

“But also he’s got meat boxes so you can buy locally sourced meat straight off the website and it’ll be delivered to your door.”

The Kaleb Cooper Contracting website now includes branded leather keyrings, bookmarks, beanies and caps, as well as a range of BBQ boxes and produce including: lamb and mint sausages, lamb steaks and chops, minced beef, matured fillet steak, rump steak, rib eye steak, sirloin steak, and Aberdeen angus beef burgers. 

READ MORE: Kaleb Cooper brings his own bar to county show
READ MORE: Clarkson’s Farm inspires consumers to support British farmers

Kaleb’s contracting services include drilling and planting, mowing and foraging, land preparation and cultivation, slurry tanking/nurse tanking, spraying, muck heap removals, muck spreading, combining, heavy machinery services, hedge cutting and baling. 

The Oxfordshire-based contractor began rearing hens at age 13, bought his first tractor at 15 and launched his contracting business at 16 – before shooting to fame as Jeremy Clarkson’s farm manager on Clarkson’s Farm in 2021.

Read more rural news.

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Having run farm shops, a pub, and most recently an eco lodge and online meat business, Ben Aveling is a realist about diversification – but remains a “sucker for a new idea”.

Radmore Farm in Towcester, Northamptonshire, was originally a large pig farm and they began selling their own pig meat and other produce in a farm shop in Cambridge city centre around 20 years ago – with their own on-farm butchery.

The farm shop was originally set up to give Ben’s wife and sister, whose parents own the farm, a foothold in the farming business.

From there, they bought a local pub, with the experience having much in common with Jeremy Clarkson’s purchase of The Farmer’s Dog, which features in the latest series of Clarkson’s Farm. 

“We’ve been watching Clarkson’s Farm and it’s been quite funny because he’s following a very similar thing to what we did 10-15 years ago or more. Our local pub come up for sale and it was an absolute wreck, a bit like in the TV show,” Ben told the Farmers Guide Podcast.

“We tried to get it off the ground and over time opened a restaurant and sold our own produce through that.”

Listen to Ben’s insights on diversification:

Visit our podcast page to hear the full interview.

“We had to move on from the shop”

With livestock having fallen to quite a low level on the farm by 2018, their success with the farm shop allowed them to invest back into the farm, in the infrastructure for glamping, and building the livestock numbers back up. 

Having moved premises, the farm shop closed when covid-19 restrictions eased and footfall dropped. They felt that glamping would help to spread their risk, with the first guest arriving at the eco lodge in June 2022.

“We got to the stage where we had to move on from the shop. So over time we managed to get through that and then about a year later I built a new website to try and plug the gap of the shop,” Ben explained.

“We deliver meats from our farm and buy some from local farms if we’re short. We now deliver it nationwide around the country and that’s actually going really well.”

Ben uses social media and YouTube to promote the online store, but doesn’t really ‘sell’.

“I don’t do that much pushing of products. I don’t really sell. I do the occasional advert maybe once a week or something just to tell people what’s on this week but actually what’s really interesting is by just being present and just doing farm videos I get far more orders than if I just did ‘order now’ videos.”

Deeply saddening profitability issues

Commenting on the profitability challenges facing farmers and the growing need to diversify, Ben said: “It’s deeply saddening first and foremost.

“I think the whole situation of farming is surrounded by a real narrative of doom and gloom and you’re told that you have to diversify and sometimes it’s true and sometimes it’s not.

“There’s a lot about diversification that I don’t like and that if I could change, I would. 

“I would say that if farmers are being told they should diversify, in my opinion, it probably is more often than not by someone who has never diversified before.”

Taking time away from farming jobs

Ben spoke frankly of the downsides of diversification, particularly the time taken away from the farming business, and towards non-farming tasks.

“Doing the glamping is not even close to farming. No farmer wants to change beds and clean toilets and wash out the fridge. 

“With the glamping it’s actually quite a lot of work and you’re welcoming people onto your farm who, not all the time but quite often, have no clue about the countryside and it can be quite stressful.”

He added: “One of the worst things about it is when you end up having to do the diversified job instead of a job that needs to be done on the farm and then you think to yourself, actually the farm’s suffering.”

Glamping has been the biggest culture shift, he explained, whereas the meat and farm shop businesses align more closely. 

READ MORE: Farm opens gates to film crews for Brad Pitt’s latest F1 movie
READ MORE: Introducing… the Farmers Guide Podcast
READ MORE: Northamptonshire farm diversifies to put spotlight on endangered species

Investment challenges 

Start-up costs are another issue and a barrier for many farmers, he noted. “The revenue streams, in my case with some of the diversifications I’ve done, you’ve never really made anything because of the heavy start-up investment. 

“You can’t do anything without significant figures of money going into it in the first place and you’re lucky if you see your return in 10 years.”

He added: “If I could afford it, I’d diversify into most things. It’s just that it requires so much money. Most farmers aren’t in a position to actually do it. You’re told by the government, just set up a farm shop. Well, OK, how do you do that?”

“[…] You’ve really got to make sure that you can afford to do it in the first place, and ideally without having to borrow anything because that’s where it really kicks you in the teeth because obviously you’re paying money on money.”

There’s also a question mark over whether it’s best to invest that money into the farming business, or diversification – and there’s no easy answer. 

“We have this question a lot where my father-in-law and I chat and we’ll say back in 2005, 2006, we might have been better off if we’d have put anything close to what we invested in diversification into efficiencies and equipment and things like this on the farm, and just trying to grow an extra 1 tonne/acre of corn.

“It’s one of those things where we’ll never know the answer to that, but sometimes it feels like we know the answer and it’s quite sad,” Ben said.

“But again we need to make sure that we are covering our possible losses by doing different things. And in all fairness, I quite like variety, so I don’t mind.”

It will always take more time than you think

For those considering a new diversification, Ben emphasised that it will always take more time than you think, so really think about what value it will bring to your business.

“I might have someone call up saying there’s a problem. I was going to go and do the worming, but now the sheep will just have to wait and at harvest time or haymaking time you have a very real time pressure, but you have to get your orders out for a certain day because people have ordered them.

“So the irony is to try and make your farm survive, you’re putting it last.

“Over time you get used to it and we’ve got systems in place but especially at first it’s hard.”

Dealing with the public for the first time is also a steep learning curve. “People can be quite happy to complain; we have Airbnb and you can get negative reviews which can really impact your rating.”

Choosing a business you like is key, Ben added, and if you outsource tasks you don’t like, it comes at massive cost – and staff will never do it like you do.

“That was something that happened with the shop. I thought by replacing myself in our shop over time, it would stay the same, but actually you don’t realise in a face-to-face business, for example, like a shop on your farm, people are actually coming to see you. If you’re not there two or three times in a row, they might just stop coming.”

Future generations

Despite the challenges, Ben says he’s a sucker for a new idea. 

Asked what diversification he would do if money and logistics was no object he said: “I’d love to be able to personally sell just about everything that we produce.

“So if we produce oats, I’d love to sell packaged oats. If we produce milling wheat, I’d love to have a form of cracked wheat cereal. And if we do straw I’ll have little straw bales for garden centres. And the list goes on.”

Another goal is to move away from one-man band territory, and grow the business enough to outsource the less skilled work to staff.

But much of the farm’s diversifications are also led by the younger generations of the family. 

“My middle son, Leo, he’s obsessed with the farm and he’s got loads of ideas that he wants to do. He’s only nine, but it won’t be long, 10 years, before he’s old enough to be part of the working farm.

“So we’ve got 10 years to think about how he wants to do it. A lot of the diversification projects are geared towards that as well and we’ve got nieces and nephews who might be interested as well. 

“I’m always trying to think of the family, really.”

Read more diversification news.

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CA warned that Ofcom’s newly announced reforms to Royal Mail’s delivery obligations must not lead to a two-tier postal system that disadvantages rural communities.

Under changes set to take effect from 28th July, Royal Mail will be allowed to reduce second-class letter deliveries to alternate weekdays and will operate under relaxed performance targets.

While Ofcom says the changes are designed to support a more sustainable service and prevent further price hikes, the CA has raised serious concerns about the potential impact of reduced postal delivery on rural communities while reaffirming its unwavering support for the principle of a universal, one-price-goes-anywhere service.

System that disadvantages rural communities

Sarah Lee, director of policy at the Countryside Alliance, said: “We are deeply concerned over the creation of a two-tier postal system that disadvantages rural communities.

“The one-price-goes-anywhere principle is a red line for us. People living and working in the countryside must receive the same level of service and pay the same as those in towns and cities. That is the very foundation of the Universal Service Obligation. These reforms must not erode that.”

In the consultation response earlier this year, the CA highlighted how vital the postal service remains in rural areas, where digital connectivity is often unreliable and many people still rely on the post for essential personal and business communications.

Its survey found that 43% of respondents prefer to communicate by letter, and 40% depend on it for running their household or business.

The CA team added that while they recognise the financial pressures on Royal Mail, any reforms must be accompanied by clear safeguards for rural communities, which often have fewer alternatives and a greater reliance on postal services for everything from receiving medical letters to managing legal and farm documents. 

As Ofcom begins a wider review into stamp price affordability, the Countryside Alliance urges policymakers to ensure that rural voices are not ignored and that the Universal Service continues to serve the whole nation equally. 

“We’ll continue to stand up for those who live and work in the countryside. Any erosion of the universal postal service is an erosion of rural fairness, and we won’t let that go unchallenged,” Ms Lee concluded. 

Read more rural news. 

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The team has found a 60-acre farm with a house, annexe, farm buildings and polytunnels in Somerset, which they plan to turn into a working care farm venture called ‘Merry Moos’ to support people with social isolation and mental and physical health issues.

Pip has been offered a 75% mortgage and now needs to raise the final £475,000 to get over the final hurdle.

She said: “One in five of us will suffer from a well-being issue in our life, and we want to be there to help.

“A survey of Somerset residents in 2022 found that the most common issue was mental health and wellbeing (77%), closely followed by loneliness and social isolation (64%). Despite an extra £13 million funding granted in 2019, Somerset has continued to suffer a rise in diagnoses and prescriptions, and a lack of mental health services.”

The farm will be open to people who are over the age of 60, have learning or physical disabilities, are ex-services personnel, or who have been referred via adult social care.

“We want to provide a safe and inclusive space where people can experience the calm of nature and the benefit of physical exercise to improve mental health and battle social isolation,” Pip explained.

Extra help needed

Clients will be able to get involved with activities in an outdoor environment, from growing and harvesting fruit, vegetables and flowers to feeding hens, collecting eggs and helping out with the large animals.

The former farmer continued: “We also want to create a small wildlife area to help local native birds and small mammals, plant native trees and hedging and introduce bee hives at some point.”

The business’ income will be generated from fresh produce sales, social referrals, short holiday stays, and commercial store cattle. As a registered Community Interest Company, surplus income will be reinvested back into the project.

“Having already secured the mortgage, we just need some extra help to get us over the line,” said Pip, who suffered her own mental challenges a few years ago, triggering her to turn something negative into something positive for the wider community.

The group has entered a Crowdfunder competition, which needs to raise £1,000 by the end of July to be in with a chance to win a £10,000 first prize. They are also offering a 5.75-6% PA return on investment for larger sums.

“We’re not here to duplicate services – we’re here to fill a vital gap. Existing mental health services are stretched, and too many people are left behind. We believe everyone deserves community, nature, and purpose. With your support, Merry Moos can bring that to life,” Pip concluded.

Support the fundraising here.

Read more rural news.

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Mr Craig made the heartbreaking discovery while working in a field in Dumfriesshire on 13th May.

He had been carrying out a silaging operation when he accidentally struck an adult female hare with his machinery.

As the farmer checked the animal, he noticed something astonishing — movement in her belly.

‘I had to act quickly to give the babies a chance at life’

He said: “I went to check what I had struck and sadly found the hare dead.

“But then I saw her stomach move and knew instantly she was pregnant, and I had to act quickly to give the babies a chance at life.”

Mr Craig delivered two tiny leverets by the side of the road — performing an emergency caesarean section procedure with a penknife to save the babies.

He said: “I carefully cut them open and saw the babies. I gave them a gentle swing to clear out any mucus, just like you would with newborn lambs.

“Then I started rubbing their bodies to try and get them breathing, and sure enough, they gasped and came around. So, I stopped working, got them warmed up and called the Scottish SPCA.”

Unfortunately, one leveret did not survive. The other one, however, is being hailed as a little miracle.

The tiny baby hare, named Bruno, is now thriving under the care of the Scottish SPCA.

The staff said that he has made a “remarkable” recovery at the charity’s National Wildlife Rescue Centre.

Almost ready to be released

Animal rescue officer Emma Totney, said: “It’s heartwarming to know that thanks to a kind-hearted farmer, the wildlife centre team, and myself, this little miracle will get the chance to return to the wild and live a full life.”

Bruno was admitted to the Scottish SPCA’s National Wildlife Rescue Centre underweight at just 80g – well below the typical 100 to 130g birth weight for a newborn hare.

Wildlife assistant Shauni Stoddart, who has been caring for Bruno, added: “When Bruno first arrived, he was 20g underweight and in a very fragile condition. Due to his unique circumstances, he was hand-reared at home for the first five days to minimise stress. He responded incredibly well, quickly gaining strength.”

Bruno has since grown significantly, now weighing more than nine times his original weight. He has adapted to milk feeds and has begun eating independently.

The team is optimistic that Bruno will be ready for release in the coming weeks, provided his progress continues.

Bruno’s birth was very extraordinary, and the Scottish SPCA would not recommend anyone performing this kind of surgery on any animal.

Read more rural news.

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Those who have seen the recently released F1 movie, starring Brad Pitt, could spot farmer Richard Heady as he makes a cameo appearance helping move cattle across a country road. 

Filming took place at his 1,000-acre farm, and a neighbouring farm, nearly two years ago and the film was released in late June, having been delayed by the actors’ strike over AI. Cattle were brought onto the mixed farm from Dorset for the scene.

Speaking to Farmers Guide, Richard, of WF Heady & Sons, said: “It was such a short scene but they had the road shut for about three days, they had catering units up there, car parks and makeup and all sorts going on, and the helicopter shots. It was really interesting to be involved with.”

Sharing one story from filming he recalled when producers wanted to take the car to the art department to add the appearance of mud. “My wife sent them up a farm track and said ‘there’s a puddle up there just go and drive through a few times.’”

Filming was taking place near to the Milton Keynes farm and the production company were looking for a country road, so they approached Richard via a neighbour.

“We were very lucky [filming] came in between harvesting the barley and starting on the wheat, so it was perfect timing and meant I had a day or two to spend up there with them.

“I did a lot of moving stuff around with a loader and provided hurdles for the cattle.”

READ MORE: Prince William pays respects to British farmers during Groundswell event
READ MORE: Harvest update: Farmers kick off early harvest 2025

Good conversations about British farming

Commenting on meeting Brad Pitt, Richard said: “He was very cool. He wasn’t overly talkative, but he was very happy to have a brief chat.

“Being a farmer, I tried to explain to him about the field of beans that were surrounding him and what they were going to be used for, and he didn’t seem overly interested in that. But he did say he’d never worked with livestock before.

“His co-star Kerry Condon was really interested in the cattle. She came over between scenes and was asking about them.”

He added: “It’s nice to do something different, meet different people. There was a lot of people who didn’t know anything about farming and we had some really good conversations with them about British-grown food and how livestock actually have an important role in the countryside.”

He credited Just Farmers – a community interest company that offers media training to farmers and links them with journalists – for giving him the courage to “say yes to mad opportunities.”

Read more rural news.

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The Sun reported that a hedge cutter fell off the back of a flatbed trailer on the A3400 in Chipping Norton, Oxfordshire, last Friday morning, 27th June.

It caused hydraulic fluid to spill across the road, leaving cars in danger of skidding on the slippery road. The Diddly Squat farm manager, who was driving to a baling job, stopped to help out.

Paul Lowe, a witness to the incident, told The Sun: “I spotted him instantly and was a little bit starstruck, as I’m a big fan of the show.

“Hydraulic fluid was pumping out down the road, and cars were skidding after driving through it. It was chaos and pretty dangerous.”

Mr Lowe said that Kaleb was parked on the corner speaking with the driver and “looked a bit worried”.

“He probably had a lot of other jobs to get done and this only added to his hectic morning. It was just like watching the show live,” the witness added.

Kaleb helped lift the hedge cutter off the road and called the police to report the dangerous oil spill, the media outlet confirmed.

Another witness told The Sun: “He acted quickly to avoid the spill causing a serious accident by calling one of his team at his agricultural contracting business to come and help him lift the machine off the road.

“They contacted the police to come and make the road safe for other drivers.”

Thames Valley Police declined to comment on the incident.

The latest season of Clarkson’s Farm launched at the end of May. Click here to read more about season four of the much-loved farming show.

It has also been confirmed that season five of Clarkson’s Farm is officially in production.

READ MORE: Clarkson’s Farm: Alan Townsend updates fans following heart surgery

Read more rural news.

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