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The article reports penalties imposed on electricity users exceeding import capacity. Topics include the changes applied to people who signed under the wholesale electricity supply and commercial retail agreement, upgradation of electricity transformers post-expansion of enterprises, and electricity bill presenting details on import capacity. Comments from energy engineer of Strutt & Parker Kieran Crowe are presented.

The article reports on the availability of grants for energy storage and distribution and mentions that grants does not include the actual heat source such as biomass boilersthe use of digestate.

The article discusses how farmers are being urged to carefully check the small print of power purchase agreements (PPAs) for hidden costs or other restrictive contractual terms.

The article focuses on the withdrawal of crop-based biofuels by 2030 announced European Union's environment committee (ENVI). Topics include ongoing review of the Renewable Energy Directive (RED) which will affect renewable energy support by EU after 2020; views of National Farmers' Union combinable crops adviser Tori Morgan on the British exports of rapeseed to Europe for biodiesel production; and uncertainty in support for photovoltaics from Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI).

The article focuses on the withdrawal of crop-based biofuels by 2030 announced European Union's environment committee (ENVI). Topics include ongoing review of the Renewable Energy Directive (RED) which will affect renewable energy support by EU after 2020; views of National Farmers' Union combinable crops adviser Tori Morgan on the British exports of rapeseed to Europe for biodiesel production; and building of Anesco's Clayhill facility as first solar farm to be without government subsidies.

The article focuses on the opportunities offered by energy revolution in farming. It discusses the turn of agriculture into renewable energy such as electricity on their farming process such as heating and transport. It cites the challenges posed by intermittent electricity generation in balancing of grids that leads to the growth of demand-side response (DSR). Also discussed is how DSR providers can earn high revenues from entering contracts with National Grid and reduced energy consumption.

The article mentions a report by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs of Great Britain on the increase in the number of sheep and it includes the possible effects on the prices, the cause of the growth, and the future ramifications due to Brexit on the same.

The article offers suggestions on growing oilseed rape and provides tips on managing soil disturbance and cloddy seed-beds.

The article presents advisory information for farmers in Great Britain in leasing out their land for the construction of generator and battery-based grid-balancing systems, so as to maximize the capacity of their land. It discusses how they should undertake feasibility studies on the land before, and the various technical differences between the two major grid-balancing systems.

The article reports on several straw-fired power stations in Great Britain. Topics mention including the plans to build a straw pelleting plants, several straw-fired power stations using whole bales remains operational and important role of biomass in reducing the use of energy and decarbonising of energy sector.

The article reports on the plan of government of Scotland to source its electricity, transport and heat consumption through renewable energy sources by 2030. Topics discussed include the total energy consumption in the country from the renewable energy, the consultation meeting for the proposal Scottish Energy Strategy, and the publishing of onshore wind policy.

The article reports on reforms of the Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) scheme unveiled by the Great Britain Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy in December 2016, committing to renewable heating to 2020-21. It is said that farmers planning new projects must understand these changes to ensure new investments maximize funding opportunities.

The article focuses on the investment opportunities for farmers offered by the subdued renewables sector in Great Britain. It is stated that there are still opportunities for farmers to invest although policy uncertainties remain and returns are lower than at the peak of Feed-in Tariffs (Fits) and Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) support. It is stated that the best way to improve payback is placing as much bought-in electricity as possible.

The article examines how solar panels can provide attractive returns for livestock farmers. Topics mentioned include livestock farmers with large on-site energy demand having the most to gain from solar panels being one of the simplest form of renewable energy generation, how adapting on-farm power use to maximise electricity generated rather than exporting it to the grid can maximise returns, and the potential pitfalls of solar panels.

The article reports on the financial gains from powering grain dryers with biomass fuel rather than oil or gas. Topics discussed are the cost effectiveness of installing a biomass boiler, and the improvement of the feasibility of any biomass system to spread capital cost to allow more income generated via rough the Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI). The case of a Scottish farmer is presented to show how to benefit from a grain drying biomass boiler.

The article discusses the developments in the agriculture sector in Great Britain, particularly on the organic market. Based on the data from the Soil Association, many producers have already returned back to traditional production in order to improve their margins, which declined by 5% in 2012. The opinion of Clinton Devon Farms manager George Perrott on the developments is also cited.

The article discusses the developments in the agriculture sector in Great Britain, particularly on the Renewables Heat Incentive (RHI) implementation. It cites as example the experience of the Wood Advent Farm in Exmoor, Somerset, England, which installed a biomass boiler in 2009. The opinion of farm manager David Brewer on their operation is also cited.

The article features Overbury Farms in Gloucestershire, England. According to Overbury's Jake Freestone, they have been improving soil structure through minimal tillage, organic manures and various cropping measures. He states that 2012 had been too wet for extra traveling on fields, so they chopped straw and did not use the poultry litter. He reveals that they are hoping that not disturbing the soil will give them a 50 percent establishment or 50 plants per square meter.

The article focuses on the availability of many opportunities for the generation of renewable energy by farmers amid cuts. It states that despite of the reduced Feed-in Tariff (FiT) aid, renewable energy schemes still exist. It adds that prices of technological devices, especially for solar arrays, have fallen since the introduction of FiTs.

The article reports on the implications of Great Britain Department of Energy & Climate Change's (DECC) loss in an appeal to the Supreme Court to overturn its ruling that DECC unlawfully decreased solar Feed-in Tariff (FiT) rates. Paul Barwell of Solar Trade Association says that the funds DECC should commit raise concerns on the existing FiT budget. It cites several changes to solar support from April 1, 2012 including tariff rates, energy efficiency, and installation tariff.

The article discusses the projected steady farmgate milk prices in Great Britain in April 2012 despite the commodity market pressure and the decision by Tesco to lessen price for suppliers.

The article focuses on the implication of the reappearance of tuberculosis (TB) at Clinton Devon Farms in England in 2011 after 18 months. According to farm manager George Perrott, there was a 2% increase in the overall replacement rate of the farm as a result of one routine TB test. He adds that the farm will also suffer from the lost milk income from reactor cows. The effort of Perrott to minimise disruption includes fitting testing around their normal routine.

The article reports on the possibility that another 5,000 dairy farmers will exit the British sector by 2020, according to Promar. The company expects the trend to be offset by an increase in output. Andrew Thompson of Promar attributed an increase in milk production in the 2009-2010 period to favourable weather for milk production. He added that the market will benefit from tightening of long-term milk supply and strong competition among buyers.

The article raises the concern of farmers in Great Britain about the retail price war between the main supermarkets in the country. Figures from the Office for National Statistics showed a decline in the rate of Consumer Prices Index annual inflation and overall food prices in October 2011. Tom Hind of the National Farmers Union (NFU) notes the negative impact of squeezed margins on the poultry and horticulture sectors.

The article discusses highlights of the European Food and Farming Partnerships conference held in London, England on November 8, 2011. Topics taken up include expansion plans of Tulip Food Group pork processor, consumer demand for premium pork in supermarkets, and sales of Fairtrade products. Speakers include chief executive Steve Murrells of Tulip, Martyn Jones of Morrisons, and Mike Gidney of the Fairtrade Foundation.

The article reports on the need for British farmers to reassess the economics of planning to install solar panels. It links the proposal to the plans of the government to slash support for the technology from later in 2011. It attributes the cuts to the need to protect the Feed-in Tariff scheme, which faced budgetary pressure. It announces the adoption of the reduced tariffs to all new solar installations that go live on or after December 12, 2011.

The article reports that new support levels for large-scale renewable electricity generation proposed by the British government in 2011 could help increase demand for wood fuels and energy crops cultivated in British farms. According to the author, the banding review of the Renewables Obligation payment rates announced on October 20, 2011 sets out incentives for various technologies such as biomass co-firing and onshore wind power.

The article reports on the opposition of farm consultants to the proposed reform of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) in 2011. It is suggested that the reforms will unfairly penalize larger, more efficient farming businesses. It also discusses the possibility that businesses will implement structural or operational changes to comply with the proposed rules.

The article reports on the acquisition of British beef and lamb processor RWM Food Group by meat processor ABP on October 9, 2011. The agreement includes the contract on the calf-and-cattle rearing business of RWM known as Blade Farming, as well as its beef export arm Southern Counties Fresh Foods. It says that the deal aims to strengthen the beef supply of ABP in south west England.

The article reports that George Dunn of the Tenant Farmers' Association has criticized the increase in tender rents for Farm Business Tenancies and called for a review of tender rents in Great Britain.

The article discusses the reduction of establishment costs as the main focus at Overbury Farms in west Midlands, England, in 2011. It says that farm manager Jake Freestone is looking at new ways to enhance efficiency and reduce costs for the 2012 crop as autumn drilling gets into full swing. According to the author, Freestoneis cautious about the future use of direct drilling throughout the farm despite the impressive cost savings. The use of variable-rate drilling is also discussed.

The article presents an update on the dairy sector in Great Britain in September 2011. It says that Milk Link launched a 20 million British pound investment in its Lockerbie creamery, which will increase the annual cheese production capacity of the site by 50 percent. According to Milk Link chief executive Neil Kennedy, the decision to expand cheese production reflected the rising demand for British cheeses. The increase in the milk price of Meadow Foods is also discussed.

The article discusses developments at the Sidmouth, Devon, England-based Clinton Devon Farms as of September 2011. It cites the focus given on controlling weeds at the farm during the autumn cultivation. According to farm manager George Perrott, the already established arable rotation of first wheat, oats and triticale, followed by three years of fertility-building grass and clover is effective.

The article reports on the latest developments in the beef market in Great Britain as of mid-September 2011. According to McCartneys auctioneer John Uffold, sales in Ludlow, Shropshire, England was good, with 470 finished cattle that were auctioned. The opinion of Barbers Auctions' Bernie Hutchinson on the auction held at Market Drayton, Shropshire is also cited.

The article discusses the viability of farm-scale anaerobic digestion (AD) plants in Great Britain which the author describes as fairly marginal despite the increased Feed-in Tariff. It explains how a dairy farmer decides whether AD is right for them. It cites the role of feedstock type, availability, and security of supply as factors to determine the type of technology employed. It advises farmers to make sure that they have land available to spread digestate.

The article reports that 90 megawatts of agricultural solar power capacity has been installed in Great Britain with the rush to get large-scale solar projects completed ahead of the August 1, 2011 reduction in Feed-in Tariffs. The Office of Gas and Electricity Markets (OFGEM) estimated Britain's solar-generating capacity at 122 megawatts as of June. South-west England reportedly has the greatest concentration of solar farms so far, with the East Midlands region managing a close second place.

The article reports on the rise of malting premiums amid a possible shortage of malting barley in Great Britain. It notes that winter and spring crops were affected by poor yields and high nitrogen contents. Spring malting varieties are valued at around 50 pounds/ton (t) over feed while winter malting varieties are at 35-40 pounds/t premium. Ian Backhouse of the National Farmers Union (NFU) urges growers to inform their merchant about the possibility that crops will fail to meet specification.

The article discusses the ground-mounted Deger 9000 NT dual-tracking photovoltaic units installed at James Peck's Scotland Farm in Dry Drayton, England, which made it one of the first to install a system of solar panels that tracks the sun's path in Great Britain. It says that the units could reduce the annual electricity bill by as much as 40 percent. According to Peck, the payback period will come down as electric prices increase. The capacity of the photovoltaic units is also discussed.

The article reports on the latest developments in the move to reform the energy sector in Great Britain as of mid-July 2011. Based on the "Electricity Market Reform" document, the reforms intend to attract investment, lessen the cost of electricity used by consumers, and develop a combined source of electricity, including gas, nuclear and renewables. It cites the plan of the British government to issue a Bioenergy Strategy to provide a clearer view on the role of bioenergy in the sector.

The article reports on the latest developments in the dairy industry in Great Britain as of mid-July 2011. Based on DairyCo's annual Suply Chain Margins report, the 2010/2011 milk year showed a robust commodity market but was not fully reflected in farmgate prices. The opinion of DairyCo analyst Patty Clayton on the performance of the dairy industry is also cited.

The article deals with a campaign launched by Her Majesty's Revenue & Customs agency which aims to search for businesses and individuals that are trading above the current value-added tax (VAT) threshold but have not registered for VAT in Great Britain in 2011. The threshold is applicable for those where turnover is above 73,000 British pounds. The agency calls the concerned groups and people to make a voluntary disclosure before September 30, 2011.

The article reports on the pressure facing British vining pea markets due to early indications that 2011 yields could decline by 15% to 20%. Yields were affected by dry spring weather and late frosts at flowering, according to Fen Peas managing director Stephen Francis. Anglian Pea Growers chairman Richard Hirst noted the possibility that later crops could demonstrate better performance. Price in 2012 contract negotiations is expected to be impacted by a decline in yields.

The article reports that smaller-scale dairy producers can control costs just as effectively as those running bigger herds, which is based on the Milkbench+ benchmarking project of DairyCo in Scotland, England and Wales in the 12 months to February 2011. It says that the project suggests that bigger is not always best in the drive for improved input use efficiency. According to Peter Thorne of DairyCo, some of the most efficient in milk production efficiency were relatively small units.

The article reports on the amount of straw needed to power the 38 megawatt (MW) Elean power station at Ely in Cambridgeshire, England that could present an opportunity for farmers within the area. According to the plant's straw operations manager John Stannage, the dry weather resulted in the scarcity supply of straw. Contractor farmer Charlie Rand is one of the straw suppliers at the facility.

The article focuses on the impact of the ongoing drought in Europe on grain markets as of May 2011. Agritel downgraded French wheat crop, after being particularly badly affected by drought. According to Openfield's David Doyle, harvest performance in Russia and Ukraine was likely to have the biggest influence on prices in the first quarter of the 2011-2012 season. A contract high was achieved by feed wheat futures in November 2010 in London, England.

The article offers information on a study conducted by the British National Non-Food Crops Centre (NNFC) on the use of energy crops in anaerobic digestion (AD). This research examined the attitudes of farmers towards the large-scale use of energy crops. According to the researchers, energy crops are essential to maximize the biogas output from farm-based AD.

The article reports that European bioethanol plant Enus has been forced to stop its operations temporarily due to unfavorable market conditions in 2011. It enumerates some of the factors that influenced the decision such as increasing grain prices and poor ethanol demand in the region. According to the author, it is possible that the closure lasts up to four months.

The article reports that a new season lamb trade made a strong start in Great Britain auction markets as producers capitalize on record market prices as of May 2011. Throughput at auction markets was up 80% over May 2010, while 75,696 new season lambs were sold in April, up 60% in 2010 according to the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB) Meat Services. Buoyant demand from home and export markets is believed behind the strong trade at record prices.

The article reports on the Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS) and the protection it affords in choosing a renewable energy system in Great Britain as of May 2011. Originally introduced in 2008 supposedly to improve the public perception of relatively unfamiliar technologies, the MCS accreditation is used by companies as a selling point. It discusses the scheme's application and technologies covered.

The article discusses the proposals being considered for the 80 hectare Houghton Farm in Houghton, England which was acquired by the Clinton Devon Farms in April 2011. It states that trustees of the estate, family members, and farm workers are working on a 10-year plan for the property and its operations. It reports that of prime concern is whether it will be absorbed into Clinton Devon's business as an expansion project, or if it will be run as a separate operation as a conventional farm.