Water: building resilience
In the latest Spotlight research publication from Savills they explore the challenge farmers and land managers are facing with water...
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Phil Humphrey
Oct 247 min read
Comparing sustainable farming incentive 2023 and 2024
SFI 2023 was closed to new applications on 10th June. General applications were opened for SFI 2024 on 22nd July. So, what’s the...
Phil Humphrey
Oct 41 min read
Reimagining farming: How the Allerton Project is shaping a greener future for agriculture
I thought this recent blog from Joe Stanley at the GWCT eloquently describes his personal experiences with agri-environment schemes on...
Phil Humphrey
Aug 92 min read
Statements of intent from Defra
Steve Reed, the new Secretary of State for Defra has announced an initial direction of travel and priorities. Fuller details are...
Doug Hobbs
Aug 89 min read
Free support and advice about turtle dove habitat
There are lots of good options in SFI 2024 to help nature thrive in the farmed environment in this article we look at one specific...
Greg Crawford
Aug 62 min read
Latest DEFRA update
Over the last month DEFRA has been welcoming the new ministerial team headed up by Steve Reed, the Secretary of State, and at long last...
Phil Humphrey
Aug 65 min read
What’s the difference between SFI 2023 and SFI 2024?
SFI 2023 was closed to new applications on 10th June. General applications opened for SFI 2024 on 22nd July although currently, to apply...
Doug Hobbs
Jul 191 min read
Stacking options for SFI
AHDB have published an article on their website looking at the effects of stacking the SFI 2024 options on the AHDB virtual farms with...
Greg Crawford
Jul 85 min read
SFI Ramblings
Having spent a lot of time on farms over the past 18months looking at SFI specifically, I thought it was about time to put together an...
Greg Crawford
Jun 282 min read
SFI uptake and food production
With an election in progress Defra have gone quiet in terms of public announcements but in the background, things are progressing with...
Greg Crawford
May 303 min read
SFI 2024 update
I hope you all had a good bank holiday weekend. From following the county championship cricket scores, it seems it was a bit of a mixed...
Doug Hobbs
May 221 min read
Defra's expanded and improved SFI offer: The new, streamlined SFI 2024 scheme set for early June rollout
Defra have published a press release about the expanded Sustainable Farming Incentive offer. Full detail on the expanded SFI offer can be...
Phil Humphrey
May 151 min read
Laying Hen Housing for Health and Welfare grant round 1
Some grants aimed at improving welfare for laying hens have been announced, with applications anticipated to open at the end of June. The...
Doug Hobbs
May 151 min read
Wet weather and temporary adjustments to agri-environment agreements
With rainfall nearly 60% above the 10-year average, Defra have introduced temporary adjustments and easements within the Sustainable...
Phil Humphrey
Apr 221 min read
Apply now for a water screening study
A new Defra farming blog has just been published. From today, small groups of farmers in England can apply for a Local Resource Option...
Phil Humphrey
Apr 111 min read
Water Restoration Fund Announced
For people wishing to undertake projects to improve waterways or wetlands, Defra have now opened up applications for two types of grants...
Phil Humphrey
Apr 111 min read
Farming Recovery Fund open for targeted payments
The government has opened the Farming Recovery Fund to support farmers who suffered uninsurable damage to their land due to flooding this...
Doug Hobbs
Apr 91 min read
Carbon markets – a new language and opportunity
With net zero targets getting closer and the phasing-out of the Basic Payment Scheme, discussions with land managers around opportunities...
Phil Humphrey
Mar 261 min read
25% cap to be put on some SFI non-crop land use options
Today (25th March) the government has announced an intention to cap six ‘non-crop’ land use options at 25% of an applicant’s land area....
Doug Hobbs
Mar 221 min read
Farming Equipment and Technology Fund Update
You can now apply for an Animal Health and Welfare grant through the Farming Equipment and Technology Fund (FETF) 2024. This means there...
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