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The article focuses on common employment law pitfalls that can affect farmers in the US. Topics discussed include the lack of written evidence setting out key contractual information such as exact start date, notice period, salary or holiday entitlement; how a written contract helps avoid disputes and provides certainty for employers and employees; and a fair process which include steps prior to dismissal to encourage improvement of conduct or performance.

The article reports that weather is expected to drive global grain market movements. The author notes the bearish feel to grain markets with predictions of record crops around the world but cautions that they could change in the run-up to harvest. He claims that prices for both old and new crop are falling, noting the little difference between July and November 2013 wheat futures prices which hove around 20 British pounds per ton.

The article reports on the Renewable Energy Association's (REA) call for the coalition government and the U.S. Treasury to urgently clarify future support levels for renewable technologies. The Association claims that the Renewables Obligation (RO) banding decision which was published in July 2012 has failed to set out the support levels to 2017. The growing concern about the slow pace and complexity of the U.S. Department of Energy and Climate Change's policy framework is considered.

The article reports on the rise in grain prices, following the drought in Great Britain. It mentions that the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) report depicts further deterioration of maize in the U.S. It mentions that the stock of wheat crops in Russia, Ukraine and Kazakhstan is uncertain. In mentions that Russia, Ukraine and Kazakhstan are the biggest exporter of wheat.

The article reports that the U.S. bioethanol market in 2012 is experiencing a setback, according to economist Dan Basse.

The article reports on the developments in the global agricultural crop markets. It cites the April 10, 2012 report by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, which projected a decline in worldwide soya bean output by five million tonnes to 240.15 million tonnes in the 2011-2012 season. The reduced estimate was due to droughts in Brazil, Argentina and Paraguay. The forecast of openfield oilseed trader Peter Hall on the crop market is also presented.

The article reveals that harvest is progressing well in the Ukraine and southern parts of Russia and, with prices approximately £15/tonne below European and U.S. values. U.S. Department of Agriculture estimates put Ukrainian wheat production at 21 metric tonnes (mt) and exports at 7.5 mt, but some commentators suggest that together, the eastern bloc and Black Sea regions will have a massive 30 mt surplus to shift. With no export quotas they will have a big presence on export markets.