The cost of both fencing and livestock equipment is continuing to increase whilst product availability becoming more restricted and lead...
Every year, thousands of acres of crops, buildings and habitats are destroyed by farm fires. With temperatures soaring and no...
With the UK recording one of the hottest, driest summers on record, we look at how you can stay protected...
It seems like it takes a brave farmer to grow OSR these days. However, with the increasing pressure on farmers...
Wholesale market and industry charges are reflecting between 35-50% increases, compared to prices in 2015/16
Brown hare populations are highest in southern and eastern England, but there are also healthy populations across most of the...
The relaunched Countryside Stewardship Scheme includes a wealth of provisions for the planting of hedging, woodland, parkland and orchards. ...
The EFA requirement must be met by all farmers with over 15 ha of arable land and there are 6...
Making Tax Digital (MTD) for VAT is HMRC’s flagship program to ‘digitise VAT’. It means that from April 2019, businesses...
For the last year we have been emphasising more and more the need to know what products are going into...
It is estimated only 3% of car owners in Britain have winter tyres fitted.
For many UK farmers, the future of agriculture feels uncertain, however for those seeking to identify key opportunities in the...
AF has reiterated its commitment to its members by announcing that we will be returning £300,000 to them in the...
Hundreds of UK farmers attended this year’s Norfolk Farming Conference to hear industry leaders and experts debate some of the...
It is well understood that concentrates must be carefully selected to provide the energy and protein required to balance forage....
The farming industry has undergone significant change in the past decade, with the increasing pace of technology combined with regulatory...
The AF Group has been shortlisted for the Leading Co-operative of the Year Award – a prestigious accolade that honours...
Underinsurance remains a major issue within commercial insurance, and can be major factor in delays in repair authority and reduced...
Internet fraud and phone scams are unfortunately on the increase and becoming more and more sophisticated. There are many different...
Whether you're taking a winter getaway or planning your 2020 holidays, avoid ruining your trips abroad by ensuring you won’t...
The AF Group is the largest agricultural buying group in the UK, and as an independent provider of advice, insight,...
The AF Group have published their new report outlining the attitude and actions needed for successful and fruitful supply chain...
By taking full advantage of the functionalities and services of a supply chain partnership, British farmers are well-placed to enhance...
Whatever your political views, one thing is clear: British farming faces huge uncertainty due to Brexit. With very little clarity...
For Andrew Murdo, Farm Manager at Wroxham Home Farm, the requirements for a strong supply partnership are clear:
So we keep talking about chlorothalonil, you may know it as Bravo, but what is it actually all about?
Following our annual report, we wanted to share an update on some statistics and figures from the 2018 financial year.
In May, new UK law ended a 15-year exemption for diesel bowsers that don’t adhere to ADR road carriage requirement....
The UK government has announced a funding pool available to encourage investment in equipment to improve farm productivity. Grants...
Traditional ISDN and PSTN landline circuits will soon be a thing of the past. From next year, ISDN and PSTN...
Having adequate phone signal in rural areas could be “the difference between life and death”, says NFU Farm Safety and...
The cost of rural crime came in at a whopping £49.9 million in 2018, NFU’s Rural Crime Report 2019, finds....
Farming is inherently risky at the best of times, due to market fluctuations, rising input costs, weather conditions, and unpredictable...
Palpitations, sweaty palms, a sudden pounding in your head — it can mean only one thing: the threat of an...
AF are delighted to invite you to this year's Agribusiness Outlook. The events take place across...
Strong animal health and welfare leads to improved yield, fertility and disease resistance, whilst also reducing the risk of costly...
Selective breeding for yield has shot up in recent decades in order to meet demand. Total milk production has increased...
To put it simply: in most cases, feed is best purchased as early as possible to secure the most competitive...
For dairy cows, farmers have three main options when ordering in feed. These are:
Straights: Individual feed ingredients, which can...
During the cold, British winter, there are things you won’t hesitate to do: wear layers, pack the de-icer, and plan...
Please see below our top 5 suggestions for your spring barley. Given the autumn conditions to date, demand for spring...
The AF Group, the UK’s leading procurement Co-Operative for farmers, has announced that Jon Duffy, their CEO, will be leaving...
The UK government spends approximately £150 million on more than 2 million tonnes of salt for UK roads each year....
Despite campaigns promoting an open discussion about mental health, the statistics in the UK are still alarming. Research indicates that...
In October 2019, AF CEO, Jon Duffy, embarked on a series of roadshows to engage with AF’s members. The events...
The uncertainty of Brexit is giving rise to numerous fears. From currency fluctuations to revised tariffs, or even the threat...
Openreach, the UK’s digital network, are trialing a range of new tools and techniques, to upgrade rural communities to faster,...
Energy Networks Association have brought forward plans to force all installations to change their Loss of Mains (LoM) settings following...
With the rapidly changing UK economy and the position of agriculture within it, farmers may, more than ever, be looking...
AF’s Energy Management team are working on a number of new initiatives to help members understand and improve their energy...
Desmidpham will soon be unavailable, with the last date of sale onto farm being 1st January 2020. The last...
Hospital waiting lists are at an all-time high and the NHS Trusts are stockpiling medical supplies due to Brexit uncertainty....
On Wednesday 11th December, AF hosted a meeting to enable our members to discuss with fuel industry experts the issues...
AF have been receiving reports from members that their BlackBerry services have stopped working. We have collated some...
Waste was a frequent topic in the news for much of 2019 and this trend already looks set...
Whilst you are thinking about your expenditure for the coming year, don’t forget that the minimum wage rates will be...
Whether you want access to better priced fuel at the pumps or want to save an instant 5% at Screwfix...
AF’s Machinery team are often asked about the benefits of hire vs purchase of machinery and plant equipment. ...
In our ever-changing world, it’s important to adapt to survive - and thrive! According to government figures, more...
Hitting the slopes, heading for some winter sun or travelling for business this new year? You’re in luck! The AF...
At AF, we are constantly reviewing the suppliers and manufacturers we deal with to better suit our member’s needs. This...
Hitting the slopes, catching some rays or travelling for business this year? You’re in luck! The AF Charge Card can...
Private Medical Insurance (PMI) is designed to pay for private treatment for new, acute, short-term health conditions. It can help...
AF sources hundreds of vehicles each year for our members. AF vehicle buyer, Greg Purling, is instrumental in helping you...
Guest blog from Farmplan – software, IT solutions and support for agriculture Data noun / de?.t? / information, especially...
As we continue to tackle the ongoing issues related to the coronavirus outbreak, I wanted to update you on how...
During these unprecedented times, we want to ensure you that our members are at the forefront of what we do....
Following Jewson's announcement that they are suspending all deliveries due to the COVID-19 pandemic, our buildings team have negotiated that...
Uncertainty is a by-word for agriculture as it constantly battles with the weather, commodity prices and changing consumer demand. Add...
A priority of any business is to make a profit. During uncertain times, this can be a concern and put...
We know, as well as you do, that in the 21st century, there is far more to running a successful...
Jeremy Oatey AF testimonial from The AF Group on Vimeo. The AF Group is a farmer-owned cooperative, so...
As a farm business owner, there are many benefits to becoming a member of an agricultural buying group (find out...
Our buyers at AF are industry and product experts. Between the teams they have a wealth of knowledge to help...
Fever checks are rapidly becoming the norm as we learn more about COVID-19. With all sectors needing to get back...
The implications of Covid 19 on the farming industry
As you will be aware, Jon Duffy will be leaving AF at the end of August. In the three and...
Agriculture is the most dangerous industry in the UK. Fatal injuries are 18 times more likely than in other sectors....
Over the past few decades, feed supplements and additives have become essential elements of the ruminant and monogastric diet. These...
Agriculture is the most dangerous industry to work in, closely followed by the waste industry. Figures published in the Health...
AF has been working with the scientists at FAST exocet to establish what caused the fuel blocking issues in 2019,...
How installing a smart meter can help mitigate rising energy costs The growing importance of non-commodity energy costs ...
While temperatures within the UK are not typically extreme, we do still experience significant swings in both temperature and humidity....
Moving Forward With the relaxation of government ordered closures and stay at home guidelines, businesses have been ramping up in...
Whilst the business profile of AF membership has generally seen combustion vehicles as a staple of choice, a growing number...
With digital agriculture becoming a key element of our member’s farming purchases, more are looking to source machinery parts and...
There are many benefits to being an AF Charge Card holder. With an AF Charge Card you receive the benefits...
It is hard to underestimate the importance of hedgerows as part of the British countryside, and not only as a...
You will likely be aware of the UK government’s initiative to install smart meters in both domestic and commercial sectors....
The AF Building department is made up of four experienced team members: Darren, Richard, Phil and Steve. With a combined...
Speaking at the One Planet Summit in France on 11th January 2021, HRH The Prince of Wales launched the ‘Terra...
The COVID-19 pandemic has flagged the importance of a strong and reliable internet connection. Whether you're working from home, home-schooling...
On the 15th February we will welcome Matt Kealey to AF as the Head of Crop Production. Matthew...
The farming community are facing increasingly complex and wide-ranging challenges that can often have a negative impact on their health...
As part of the steps to reach carbon neutrality, the UK government plans to end the sale of new petrol...
AF can manage your electricity, gas and water contracts - but how do we ensure you're getting the best value?...
With a return of the Beast from the East in the form of Storm Darcy, you may have some concerns...
With a return of the Beast from the East in the form of Storm Darcy, you may have some concerns...
Irrigation is a necessity for many farms, especially during the drier months of May to August. It’s a power-hungry process...
Did you know that you can register zero usage sites to save time and reduce billing queries? It’s simple! Register...
After Rishi Sunak’s budget announcement for 2021, most of the environmental headlines will criticise the freezing of fossil fuel duty...
As part of the 2021 Recovery Budget unveiled by the Chancellor, a replacement grant for the Restart Grant has been...
All your spring drilling requirements can be supplied by the Machinery team, whether that's parts, new machinery or pre-owned. ...
The way farmers and land owners will be financially supported is moving away from Basic Payments to heavily incentivised environmental...
Now is the right time for you to explore your options for a future without BPS.
Is it time to consider Private Medical Insurance? Private Medical Insurance (PMI) is a health insurance policy that will...
We have experienced the third wettest winter on record - having received, in some cases, over 0.5 metres of rainfall...
Announced in the March 2021 budget was the new, temporary, Super-Deduction scheme. This will allow businesses to deduct up to...
We have been advised by some members of filter blocking issues with summer grade fuel. The fuel industry...
Now that lockdown restrictions are being eased, you are able to use your Charge Card in many more ways. Whether...