My Latest Blogs
21st March 2024
Don’t Delay: Farming Equipment and Technology Fund Deadlines
Earlier this week, DEFRA added the closing dates for the Farming Equipment and Technology Fund (FETF). If you’re a farmer, horticulturist, forestry owner or contractor to the any of the aforementioned, and you’re looking to improve productivity, manage slurry or improve animal health and welfare through the use of new technology and equipment, don’t…
21st February 2024
How is the government supporting farmers?
Let’s ask the question, ‘How is the government supporting farmers?’ DEFRA shared a press release from the Prime Minister yesterday, citing his and his party’s commitment to farmers and rural communities. We already know that Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) and Countryside Stewardship payments are being increased across the board by approximately 10%, but…
8th April 2023
Agricultural Subsidies – Key Dates
As the online application process for the 2023 Basic Payment Scheme opens tomorrow, and the application process for Countryside Stewardship (Higher Tier) is already open, please find a summary of the key dates for agricultural subsidies below. Basic Payment Scheme: 14th March 2023 – applications open 15th May 2023 – applications close 9th June 2023…
6th December 2022
Money for Old Rope?
Applications for the Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) opened in June and will remain open year-round so that farmers can apply when it suits them. Interestingly, this will mean that individual farmers and landowners all have differing agreement start dates, unlike the old BPS scheme. Based on DEFRA’s guidance, once an application has been submitted…
8th July 2022
Sustainable Farming Incentive Goes Live
As of Thursday last week the Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) went live for applications. With the continuing decline of the Basic Payment Scheme (BPS), DEFRA is hoping that the SFI will be popular among farmers and landowners, predicting that about 70% will put land into the scheme. As the name suggests, the…
20th May 2022
DEFRA Deadline: Don’t get caught out
Back in March 2022, DEFRA quietly published new regulation affecting users of plant protection products (PPPs). All businesses, organisations or sole traders that use professional PPPs (sprays to you and I) need to register to comply with the new regulations by 22nd June 2022. This applies to all farmers, contractors, estates, landlords who use contractors,…
10th May 2022
Defra Announce 50% BPS advance
As farmers face being squeezed with price increases for inputs due to the situation in Ukraine and worldwide gas and energy prices, DEFRA have announced that the RPA will advance 50% of the value of BPS payments to farmers from the end of July 2022 with the balance to be paid from December as normal.…
11th March 2021
Don’t miss the deadline for applying for Countryside Stewardship Schemes
With the reduction of the Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) starting in 2021, many farmers may be looking to other income streams to bolster their finances. If this is you, then don’t delay looking into and applying for Countryside Stewardship Schemes (CSS). The window is open now for applications for schemes beginning on 1 January…