Welcome to the Ceres Rural Farming Update, a publication that provides independent insights on agricultural issues, from policy and grant funding, to administrative updates and key market information. Read the update here: Farming Update – July 2024. For a downloadable version click here, and for a printer-friendly version, click here. Please consider the environment before printing this publication ..read more

It has been a very difficult start to spring for winter wheat crops. Soil temperatures have taken a long time to warm up due to the amount of water in the soil. At this time of year, we would expect soils to be at around 12 degrees, and comparatively, in early May they were only 9 degrees. Furthermore, stressed crops have suffered from chemical damage and liquid fertiliser applications more than we would normally see. We saw a trend at T1 timing that stressed crops suffered with early rust (yellow and brown) infection compared to fitter crops of the same variety. This trend has continued into ..read more

The details around the new Expanded SFI 2024 offer have been released, with applications open fully from 22nd July. Those wishing to apply sooner can fill out an expression of interest, and in the meantime, SFI 2023 applications can still be made online via the current system. New entrants and previous non-claimants of BPS can now apply.   The new offer incorporates the existing SFI 2023 options, and Countryside Stewardship into a single scheme. There are many similarities to the current SFI 2023 offer, including:    Payments made quarterly from month four  Three ..read more

Rachel Bush has joined leading consultancy Ceres Rural as an Associate Partner and farm business consultant, adding further strength to the company’s team of qualified consultants with farming expertise. With over 12 years’ experience in farm consulting, including stints with Wilson Wraight and Bidwells, Rachel will be based at the Ceres Group’s Chelmsford office in Essex. In her new role, she will be working with clients across Essex, Suffolk and South Norfolk, delivering independent and strategic farm business advice at a time of unprecedented change in the farming industry. As Ceres Rural p ..read more

The Health & Safety Executive (HSE) recently announced they are to stop farm inspections.  They will continue investigative inspections triggered by major accidents, but will otherwise be focusing on occupational health issues. It is highly concerning that the HSE are ceasing positive and proactive interventions, especially as their statistics for the period from 1st April 2023 to 31st March 2024 show there were 32 fatalities associated with UK agriculture. This included the deaths of three children under the age of two, as well as May 2023 being the deadliest single month (11 fatalit ..read more

Whilst the rigour of the BPS application has gone, there is still a requirement for farmers and landowners to complete annual Countryside Stewardship (CS) revenue claims and Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) declarations. Compatibility with land cover and land use as declared in the land use table is key to ensure all claims are swiftly settled, and queries and payment delays from the Rural Payments Agency (RPA) are avoided. The deadline for CS revenue claims is 15th May. This deadline also applies to all ELS-HLS revenue claims. Late claim reductions will apply for revenue claims received by ..read more

Each quarter, we update you on industry news, topical issues, and safety alerts with the aim of supporting you in achieving best practice on your farm or estate. This edition highlights metalworking fluids safety, display screen equipment in farm and estate offices, and health and safety signage requirements. It comments on the risks associated with changing wheels on agricultural machinery and sets out key considerations when working with mowers and toppers. It concludes with recent case studies of workplace deaths or injuries, with learning outcomes for the agricultural industry. For any que ..read more

On 18th March, the Forestry Commission (FC) announced an immediate increase in payments for England Woodland Creation Offer (EWCO) grant recipients, to be applied to all existing and new agreement holders. The changes will allow an increase in maximum payments receivable per hectare, from £8,000, to £11,600, or £12,700 for those eligible for Low Sensitivity Land Payments. The FC also announced new Nature Recovery premium options, to encourage the promotion of natural colonisation and biodiversity within woodlands; uplifts in payments for flood risk mitigation and public access. Furthermore, an ..read more

Today, Defra has announced a set of new measures ensuring that the correct balance is struck between delivering environmental benefit and food security. This has come in the form of some Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) targeted reforms, which are set out below. Under the changes, SFI applicants will only be able to put 25% of their land into six SFI actions that take land out of direct food production. The actions are: Flower-rich grass margins Pollen and nectar flower mix Winter bird food on arable and horticultural land Grassy field corners and blocks Improved grassland field corners or ..read more

Welcome to the Ceres Rural Farming Update, a publication that provides independent insights on agricultural issues, from policy and grant funding, to administrative updates and key market information. Read the update here: Farming Update – March 2024. For a downloadable version click here, and for a printer-friendly version, click here. Please consider the environment before printing this publication ..read more