Farming

Jubilant winners at the 2026 South West Farmer Awards

Somerset farmers named among winners at South West Farmers Awards

Ms Dyke has raised concerns about bovine TB and bluetongue

Ms Dyke has raised concerns about bovine TB and bluetongue

Bluetongue virus

Somerset MP calls for urgent action on TB tests and bluetongue outbreak

Gideon Amos (centre), pictured with James (left) and John (right) Hebditch

Gideon Amos (centre), pictured with James (left) and John (right) Hebditch

Somerset MP attacks ‘shambolic’ farming scheme after funds run out in six hours

Rachel Gilmour column: My experiences with Ukraine's heroic farmers

The Glastonbury and Somerton MP has raised concerns about the impact of the extreme weather on farmers and rural communities.

The Glastonbury and Somerton MP has raised concerns about the impact of the extreme weather on farmers and rural communities.

Somerset MP calls for urgent action for farmers amid 'severe drought'

Glastonbury MP and Liberal Democrat rural affairs spokeswoman Sarah Dyke said farmers faced a “Glastonbury ticket scramble” for funding

Glastonbury MP and Liberal Democrat rural affairs spokeswoman Sarah Dyke said farmers faced a “Glastonbury ticket scramble” for funding

Somerset farmers face ‘Glastonbury ticket scramble' for government support

Entrance to the Bowdens Farm Business Park on the B3168 Hambridge Road in Hambridge

Entrance to the Bowdens Farm Business Park on the B3168 Hambridge Road in Hambridge

Rural Somerset business park set to expand as plans approved

Masterplan of new town of 7,000 homes near Taunton Racecourse

Masterplan of new town of 7,000 homes near Taunton Racecourse

Blackdown Hills

Wrongdoing over sale of land for M5 'garden village' site near Taunton denied

Site of proposed farm shop at Home Farm in Dunster

Site of proposed farm shop at Home Farm in Dunster

New farm shop selling 'local produce' planned off Somerset A-road

The Bowdens Farm Business Park on the B3168 Hambridge Road in Hambridge

The Bowdens Farm Business Park on the B3168 Hambridge Road in Hambridge

Rural Somerset business park to expand with new workshops and storage

Adam Dance: The government must act on Bluetongue testing delays

Mumpfest 2026 is coming to Burrowbridge in Somerset

Mumpfest 2026 is coming to Burrowbridge in Somerset

Somerset farm to host music and food festival after ‘tough’ summer

Adam Dance: Here are my priorities for Yeovil as Parliament returns

Centenarian Bob Falkingham

Centenarian Bob Falkingham

Interview: The remarkable life of Taunton centenarian Bob Falkingham

'Teamwork is the only method that actually works and offers a hopeful future'

Adam Dance: Bluetongue outbreak hurting Somerset farmers

The 2026 Melplash Agricultural Show will take place on Thursday, August 27, at Dorset's West Bay Showground

The 2026 Melplash Agricultural Show will take place on Thursday, August 27, at Dorset's West Bay Showground

Melplash Agricultural Show

Major South West agricultural show announces 2026 date

The farm barns could be converted into single story homes.

The farm barns could be converted into single story homes.

Plans to convert farm buildings into eight homes in Somerset village

Victoria Lee, 37, was carried into the church by a Swiss cow called 'White Chocolate Button'.

Victoria Lee, 37, was carried into the church by a Swiss cow called 'White Chocolate Button'.

Somerset woman fulfils childhood dream by riding her favourite cow to her wedding

The annual Milk Cost of Production report highlights that many UK dairy farmers are being paid less for milk than it costs to produce

The annual Milk Cost of Production report highlights that many UK dairy farmers are being paid less for milk than it costs to produce

Pressure on Somerset dairy farmers raises concerns over farm viability

Farmhouse and farm buildings at Lawrence Farm on Moor Lane in Wincanton

Farmhouse and farm buildings at Lawrence Farm on Moor Lane in Wincanton

Large Somerset farm near A303 to be sold to fund front-line services

Proposed new section of the Steam Coast Trail, seen from the B3191 Five Bells in Williton

Proposed new section of the Steam Coast Trail, seen from the B3191 Five Bells in Williton

Popular Somerset cycle route to be extended – but some neighbours aren't happy

BVA Young Vet of the Year Anna Hewison

BVA Young Vet of the Year Anna Hewison

Somerset farm vet crowned BVA Young Vet of the Year 2026

The new rural health hub is now up and running at a livestock market in Wheddon Cross, Exmoor

The new rural health hub is now up and running at a livestock market in Wheddon Cross, Exmoor

Exmoor National Park

New rural health hub opens at livestock market in Exmoor

Shepton Mallet vet Dr Anna Hewison has been named a finalist for the British Veterinary Association Young Vet of the Year award

Shepton Mallet vet Dr Anna Hewison has been named a finalist for the British Veterinary Association Young Vet of the Year award

Young Shepton Mallet farm vet nominated for national award

Wimbleball Holidays have proved popular with local holidaymakers and those travelling to Somerset for a rural getaway.

Wimbleball Holidays have proved popular with local holidaymakers and those travelling to Somerset for a rural getaway.

Somerset farm campsite among UK’s best-rated holiday spots

Planned site of 40 homes on the B3081 Prestleigh Road in Evercreech

Planned site of 40 homes on the B3081 Prestleigh Road in Evercreech

Somerset Council

Fresh fight to prevent 40 homes near working Somerset pig farm

Artist's impression of the Glastonbury food and regenerative farming centre on Porchestall Drove in Glastonbury

Artist's impression of the Glastonbury food and regenerative farming centre on Porchestall Drove in Glastonbury

Glastonbury Town Deal

Scrapped Glastonbury farming centre could be resurrected by Somerset Council

Ms Dyke's has written to Dame Angela Eagle calling for swift action on misleading meat product labelling

Ms Dyke's has written to Dame Angela Eagle calling for swift action on misleading meat product labelling

Somerset MP calls for honesty over supermarket meat products

Taunton Town Council’s grants committee has approved almost £25,000 in funding for eight projects and events across the town

Taunton Town Council’s grants committee has approved almost £25,000 in funding for eight projects and events across the town

Taunton Town Council

Taunton community projects awarded almost £25,000 in funding

Ms Dyke said the reforms threaten rural communities and long-term food security

Ms Dyke said the reforms threaten rural communities and long-term food security

Glastonbury MP warns of impact of inheritance tax changes on family farms

Catherine House Care Home residents recently travelled by minibus to Shepherd’s Retreat Farm, where they fed lambs, walked around the pens, and took in the sounds and movement of the yard

Catherine House Care Home residents recently travelled by minibus to Shepherd’s Retreat Farm, where they fed lambs, walked around the pens, and took in the sounds and movement of the yard

Frome care home residents captivated by lambs during farm trip

Chefs at Rumwell Farm Shop with dishes including produce from its own farm and it’s homemade Made at Rumwell range

Chefs at Rumwell Farm Shop with dishes including produce from its own farm and it’s homemade Made at Rumwell range

Rumwell Farm Shop

Farm shop on A38 to open evening café to champion Somerset produce

The Royal Bath & West Show will take place from May 28 to 30

The Royal Bath & West Show will take place from May 28 to 30

Cultural attractions

Royal Bath and West Show back for 2026 with three days of action

Glastonbury and Somerton MP Sarah Dyke with flooding minister Emma Hardy MP in Langport

Glastonbury and Somerton MP Sarah Dyke with flooding minister Emma Hardy MP in Langport

Environment Agency

Environment Agency to review Somerset flood response following ministerial visit

Jack Tolman and Holly Sampson with Jack Webster, Cornish Mutual field insurance advisor (left) and Tom Cunningham, UCS College deputy head of agriculture and environmental sciences (right)

Jack Tolman and Holly Sampson with Jack Webster, Cornish Mutual field insurance advisor (left) and Tom Cunningham, UCS College deputy head of agriculture and environmental sciences (right)

Somerset young farmers recognised on path to UK agricultural success

In a recent House of Commons speech, Ms Dyke blasted the government for pushing through trade deals that undermine UK agriculture and worsen the effects of Brexit on the economy, food supply chain, and welfare standards

In a recent House of Commons speech, Ms Dyke blasted the government for pushing through trade deals that undermine UK agriculture and worsen the effects of Brexit on the economy, food supply chain, and welfare standards

Liberal Democrats

Somerset MP warns lax trade deals threaten British farming

The Farming Community Network and Neroche Woodlanders were each presented with cheques for £6,000 by Taunton Vale Rotary

The Farming Community Network and Neroche Woodlanders were each presented with cheques for £6,000 by Taunton Vale Rotary

Farming Community Network

South West charities receive funding boost from Taunton Vale Rotary

The Farming in Protected Landscapes programme in the Mendip Hills has been extended until March 2029, giving landowners more time to deliver schemes that enhance biodiversity, restore nature, and engage communities

The Farming in Protected Landscapes programme in the Mendip Hills has been extended until March 2029, giving landowners more time to deliver schemes that enhance biodiversity, restore nature, and engage communities

Environmental projects in Somerset to benefit from fresh funding

Rachel Gilmour column: The government is directionless and out of ideas

Brian Foxwell right pictured last summer with Jamie Cox, the Somerset CEO

Brian Foxwell right pictured last summer with Jamie Cox, the Somerset CEO

Farmer's legacy offers cricket chances to Somerset's next generation

Street falls within the avian flu surveillance zone which is in place

Street falls within the avian flu surveillance zone which is in place

Bird flu surveillance zone remains in place on Somerset Levels

Somerset MPs react to farm inheritance tax U-turn

Somerset MPs react to farm inheritance tax U-turn

Inheritance Tax

Somerset MPs react to U-turn over family farm inheritance tax

Artist's impression of the Glastonbury food and regenerative farming centre on Porchestall Drove in Glastonbury

Artist's impression of the Glastonbury food and regenerative farming centre on Porchestall Drove in Glastonbury

Glastonbury Town Deal

Glastonbury regenerative farming centre 'terminated' after Life Factory failure

Ms Gilmour was nominated and elected by government MPs to be co-chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Farming

Ms Gilmour was nominated and elected by government MPs to be co-chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Farming

New role for Tiverton and Minehead MP to highlight farming concerns

Mr Dance is supporting an initiative from the Liberal Democrats that includes introducing a new Farm First training scheme to inspire young people to step into agriculture

Mr Dance is supporting an initiative from the Liberal Democrats that includes introducing a new Farm First training scheme to inspire young people to step into agriculture

Yeovil MP backs Liberal Democrat plans to boost Britain's food security

Entrance to Brue Farm on Hulk Moor Drove in Street

Entrance to Brue Farm on Hulk Moor Drove in Street

Somerset farmer loses bid to site 36 shipping containers near River Brue

Sarah Dyke, the Liberal Democrat MP for Glastonbury and Somerton, has backed her party’s recently announced food security plan

Sarah Dyke, the Liberal Democrat MP for Glastonbury and Somerton, has backed her party’s recently announced food security plan

Somerset MP backs new plan to inspire next generation of farmers

Tiverton and Minehead MP Rachel Gilmour, inset, has opposed the Washford solar farm

Tiverton and Minehead MP Rachel Gilmour, inset, has opposed the Washford solar farm

Somerset MP accuses developers of 'railroading' farmers to build solar farm

The Coleridge Way footpath near Crowcombe Viewpoint in the Quantock Hills

The Coleridge Way footpath near Crowcombe Viewpoint in the Quantock Hills

Friends of the Quantocks

New five-year plan could shape the future of much-loved Somerset landscape

Curry Moor reservoir with the Athelney spillway overflowing near King Alfred's monument

Curry Moor reservoir with the Athelney spillway overflowing near King Alfred's monument

Thousands of Somerset homes protected from flooding as reservoirs upgraded

Farmers across the south west have revealed why they are protesting in Somerset - particularly on M5 bridges.

Farmers across the south west have revealed why they are protesting in Somerset - particularly on M5 bridges.

Farming difficulties

Farmers take to M5 bridges in protest against government

Planned site of 40 homes on the B3081 Prestleigh Road in Evercreech

Planned site of 40 homes on the B3081 Prestleigh Road in Evercreech

Conservative Party

40 homes near working Somerset pig farm refused twice in three months

'Much-loved' Somerset cafe and farm shop named finalist in 2025 Tourism Awards.

'Much-loved' Somerset cafe and farm shop named finalist in 2025 Tourism Awards.

Somerset café and farm shop named finalist in tourism awards