UK farmers are dropping arable crops for dairy herds, as milk prices increase. High fertiliser costs are cutting into cereal grower profits in England and Scotland, while profit margins shrink. Fertiliser prices slipped but remain excessively steep for many, and many cultivators cope. In Scotland, wildfires near Aviemore forced evacuations and kept firefighters on alert in dry weather, the heat has also dried the land. The blazes hit local farms and raised safety issues, local communities monitor. Paul Burke now leads England’s Horticulture Council after taking over as chair, he took over from his predecessor. Some West Midlands growers are establishing trees instead of wheat, as part of a trend. Low subsidies and high bills make growing crops hard for many families dealing with rising costs. Near Westmeath, a beef farmer will expand forestry as arable farming wanes, aiming to counterbalance income loss.