sustainable farming incentive

Alternative crops could bridge Sustainable Farming Incentive gap for growers

Arable

Alternative crops could bridge Sustainable Farming Incentive gap for growers

Niche crops, value-added crops and alternative break crops offer market-driven alternatives to environmental schemes

clock 26 March 2025 • 2 min read
March 26: Farmers Guardian survey reveals 84% of farmers feel their mental health has been affected by the Autumn Budget and Red Tractor says farmers are the 'absolute priority' as the body agrees to implement all 56 review recommendations

Farming in Five

March 26: Farmers Guardian survey reveals 84% of farmers feel their mental health has been affected by the Autumn Budget and Red Tractor says farmers are the 'absolute priority' as the body agrees to implement all 56 review recommendations

n today's Farming in Five, chief reporter Rachael Brown analyses the results from a Farmers Guardian survey looking at how farmers' mental health has been impacted by the Autumn Budget, Red Tractor promises to implement all 56 recommendations from the farm assurance review and ensure farmers are the 'absolute priority', and the Government's new Food Strategy Advisory Board is criticised for its lack of farmer representation.

clock 26 March 2025 • 1 min read
Government urged to avoid any further cuts to Defra's budget

Politics

Government urged to avoid any further cuts to Defra's budget

It has been rumoured Defra's budget could be on the ‘chopping block' in the Comprehensive Spending Review

clock 25 March 2025 • 5 min read
Rural Payments Agency boss to step down this summer

Politics

Rural Payments Agency boss to step down this summer

RPA chief executive Paul Caldwell said he leaves the agency in a 'great position' to further maximise grant-making and deliver for its customers

clock 24 March 2025 • 1 min read
March 24: Avian flu detected in a sheep in Yorkshire and foot-and-mouth outbreak in Slovakia

Farming in Five

March 24: Avian flu detected in a sheep in Yorkshire and foot-and-mouth outbreak in Slovakia

On today's Farming in Five, chief reporter Rachael Brown gives the latest on the first case of avian flu found in a single sheep in Yorkshire, the foot-and-mouth outbreak in Slovakia – where the disease has been found on three separate farms, and the Tenant Farmers Association's call on Defra to allow 'in-flight' SFI applications to be processed

clock 24 March 2025 • 1 min read
In your field: James and Isobel Wright - "Labour's assault on rural communities makes it vital we have strong voices"

In your field

In your field: James and Isobel Wright - "Labour's assault on rural communities makes it vital we have strong voices"

James and Isobel have three young children and recently bought their first farm, running beef and sheep over 13.8 hectares (34 acres), renting a further 44.5ha (110 acres). James works for tech firm Breedr as a product manager

clock 23 March 2025 • 2 min read
Defra told to allow 'in-flight' SFI applications to be processed

Politics

Defra told to allow 'in-flight' SFI applications to be processed

The Tenant Farmers Association has asked Defra to provide details of the number of 'in-flight' SFI applications on the RPA system before the scheme was closed

clock 22 March 2025 • 3 min read
Sarah Dyke: "It would be reckless of the Government to threaten Britain's food security"

Politics

Sarah Dyke: "It would be reckless of the Government to threaten Britain's food security"

Sarah Dyke, Liberal Democrats MP for Glastonbury and Somerton, writes about how farmers feel stranded and let down following Defra's sudden decision to close SFI applications

clock 21 March 2025 • 3 min read
NSA chief Phil Stocker on SFI: "We were met with very little hope that funds could be found"

Politics

NSA chief Phil Stocker on SFI: "We were met with very little hope that funds could be found"

National Sheep Association (NSA) chief executive Phil Stocker shares his thoughts following a meeting on March 17 with Farming Minister Daniel Zeichner and other industry leaders to discuss the closure of SFI

clock 21 March 2025 • 2 min read
Labour should tweak APR and BPR for farmers, say Alastair Campbell and Rory Stewart

Politics

Labour should tweak APR and BPR for farmers, say Alastair Campbell and Rory Stewart

Hosts of The Rest is Politics podcast discuss why Labour should change their mind on Inheritance Tax changes, why rural Labour MPs are under pressure to deliver for farmers and the importance of direct payments in agriculture

clock 20 March 2025 • 9 min read