Category: Agricultural Policy

Farming Focus – April 2023

The April 2023 edition of Farming Focus reports on Defra’s first estimates of Farm Business Income for 2022/23 and the latest economic forecasts from the OBR.  Do you need help with your BPS application? 2023 is an important year; with the claim period now open contact one of our consultants for advice.  Defra has removed the limit on capital grants; contact one of our consultants if you need advice on making an application.  The Animal Health and Welfare Grants are also now open for applications.  Have a look and see how you can give feedback on Defra’s new Rules for Farmers and Land Managers information page.  The BoE has increased Base Rates again.  We report on the the Windsor Framework and what it means for goods moving from GB to NI.  Finally we take a look at British Sugar’s Early Beet Contract.

The Spotlight article this month looks at an update to The Andersons Centre’s model arable business – Loam Farm.  The budget highlights the volatility within the sector.  After two very good years, including a record high for 2022, the prospects for the current year look concerning.

Click Here to access our April 2023 edition of Farming Focus.

Also, a reminder that if you are an ABP supplier you could potentially avail of a free carbon footprinting assessment for your farm. ABP recently launched its PRISM 2030 Programme which Andersons is involved with. Places are limited, only 350 available. Its’ aim is to help participants to improve their carbon footprint and sustainability across the farm. A grant scheme will be available in the spring for signed up participates. If you supply ABP and would like to find out more information about joining PRISM 2030, please contact Katie Thorley via [email protected] or call 07977 061664.

If you require advice from one of our consultants, do not hesitate to contact them by email or phone.  Their contact details can be obtained by clicking here. Alternatively, your can also contact our office on 01664 503200 or email [email protected]

If you would like more detail on the topics covered above as well as additional articles on UK farm business matters, why not subscribe to our Professional Update bulletin (incorporating Andersons AgriBrief)? Over the course of each month, we give a concise and unbiased commentary on the key issues affecting business performance in the UK agri-food industry, and its implications for farming and food businesses. Please click on the link below for a 90-day free trial:

https://theandersonscentre.co.uk/publications/abc-professional-update/

Farming Focus – March 2023

The March 2023 edition of Farming Focus reports on Defra’s long-term environmental commitments contained in its new Environmental Improvement Plan (EIP).  Defra has released more information on Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG), could this be a new income stream for some land managers?  Read when farm support will change in Scotland as the Scottish Government releases its route-map.  In England, Defra has published key application and claim dates for 2023.  In other news the FiPL scheme in England and the Farming Connect programme in Wales have both been given extensions.  The AHDB has announced it is moving offices to save money and we report on a further increase in base rates as the UK economy just avoids entering a recession.

The Spotlight article this month looks at the Farming Equipment and Technology Fund (FETF) which provides grants for certain items of equipment that have pre-identified by Defra.

Click Here to access our March 2023 edition of Farming Focus.

Also, a reminder that if you are an ABP supplier you could potentially avail of a free carbon footprinting assessment for your farm. ABP recently launched its PRISM 2030 Programme which Andersons is involved with. Places are limited, only 350 available. Its’ aim is to help participants to improve their carbon footprint and sustainability across the farm. A grant scheme will be available in the spring for signed up participates. If you supply ABP and would like to find out more information about joining PRISM 2030, please contact Katie Thorley via [email protected] or call 07977 061664.

If you require advice from one of our consultants, do not hesitate to contact them by email or phone.  Their contact details can be obtained by clicking here. Alternatively, your can also contact our office on 01664 503200 or email [email protected]

If you would like more detail on the topics covered above as well as additional articles on UK farm business matters, why not subscribe to our Professional Update bulletin (incorporating Andersons AgriBrief)? Over the course of each month, we give a concise and unbiased commentary on the key issues affecting business performance in the UK agri-food industry, and its implications for farming and food businesses. Please click on the link below for a 90-day free trial:

https://theandersonscentre.co.uk/publications/abc-professional-update/

Farming Focus – February 2023

The February 2023 edition of Farming Focus reports on the new legally binding environmental targets, it also explains what support farmers will receive towards their energy bills after April 2023.  Contact your consultant if you need help with your BPS application, the window opens in March, the last before delinking, what does this mean?  For farmers in Wales, we report on the Winter Update, see when schemes are open.  Do you supply ABP? If so, you are eligible for its PRISM 2030 Programme, read what this means for you.  Finally we take a look at the latest farm rents data in England.

The Spotlight article this month looks at ELM in more detail including the 6 new SFI Standards which will be available from this summer and changes to Countryside Stewardship.

Click Here to access our February 2023 edition of Farming Focus.

If you require advice from one of our consultants, do not hesitate to contact them by email or phone.  Their contact details can be obtained by clicking here. Alternatively, your can also contact our office on 01664 503200 or email [email protected]

If you would like more detail on the topics covered above as well as additional articles on UK farm business matters, why not subscribe to our Professional Update bulletin (incorporating Andersons AgriBrief)? Over the course of each month, we give a concise and unbiased commentary on the key issues affecting business performance in the UK agri-food industry, and its implications for farming and food businesses. Please click on the link below for a 90-day free trial:

https://theandersonscentre.co.uk/publications/abc-professional-update/

Farming Focus – January 2023

The January 2023 edition of Farming Focus reports on the increased number of workers able to come to the UK under the Seasonal Agricultural Workers Scheme.  Defra is expected to announce details of a further round of Landscape Recovery (LR) shortly, could this be of interest to you?  Already open in England is a pilot to help support new entrants into farming.  We also report on another grant due to open which will fund ‘ambitious solutions’ within agriculture and horticulture.  More details are emerging about the Nutrient Mitigation Scheme – could this be another income stream for you?  Or could changes to planning policy present opportunities for your business?  The Welsh Government has opened a consultation on introducing a licensing scheme to allow higher levels of nitrogen applications and has also confirmed the BPS will remain at current rates for 2023 and 2024.  Finally, we report on another Base Rate rise.

The Spotlight article this month looks at Agflation, examining how input costs continue to increase while output values stall.

Click Here to access our January 2023 edition of Farming Focus.

If you require advice from one of our consultants, do not hesitate to contact them by email or phone.  Their contact details can be obtained by clicking here. Alternatively, your can also contact our office on 01664 503200 or email [email protected]

If you would like more detail on the topics covered above as well as additional articles on UK farm business matters, why not subscribe to our Professional Update bulletin (incorporating Andersons AgriBrief)? Over the course of each month, we give a concise and unbiased commentary on the key issues affecting business performance in the UK agri-food industry, and its implications for farming and food businesses. Please click on the link below for a 90-day free trial:

https://theandersonscentre.co.uk/publications/abc-professional-update/

Farming Focus – December 2022

The December 2022 edition of Farming Focus reports Countryside Stewardship plus will now replace the Local Nature Recovery scheme following the ‘review’ of the Agricultural Transition; have a look at what else this means for ELM.  We take a look at the Trade (Australia and New Zealand) Bill currently going through Westminster and comment on further interest rate rises.  Defra’s latest Farm Business Income (FBI) figures to Feb 2022 show good results for all sectors apart from pigs and we remind readers that the Countryside Facilitation Fund is open again.  Finally, we take a look at the UK potato area and yield for 2022 and forecasts for 2023 following a difficult year for the sector.

The Spotlight article this month looks at the details of the new Slurry Infrastructure Grant which is now open.

Click Here to access our December 2022 edition of Farming Focus.

If you require advice from one of our consultants, do not hesitate to contact them by email or phone.  Their contact details can be obtained by clicking here. Alternatively, your can also contact our office on 01664 503200 or email [email protected]

If you would like more detail on the topics covered above as well as additional articles on UK farm business matters, why not subscribe to our Professional Update bulletin (incorporating Andersons AgriBrief)? Over the course of each month, we give a concise and unbiased commentary on the key issues affecting business performance in the UK agri-food industry, and its implications for farming and food businesses. Please click on the link below for a 90-day free trial:

https://theandersonscentre.co.uk/publications/abc-professional-update/

Farming Focus – November 2022

In the November 2022 edition of Farming Focus we introduce Therese Coffey the new Defra Secretary of State and report on the first ever Agriculture Bill for Wales.  Read about the Tenancy Working Group’s 74 recommendations on how to deliver a more resilient tenanted sector.  Are you in need of advice to reduce air and water pollution on your farm?  Learn how all farms in England can now benefit from the support of Catchment Sensitive Farming (CSF) advisors.  We report on the support measures for bird keepers after they have been told to house all their birds to try and stop the spread of Avian Flu.  Are you an Arla producer?  Read about the new payments for sustainability activities being introduced.

We have two Spotlight articles this month.  The first looks at how the wheat market is moving eastwards and for those that might have missed it last month, we have also included details of the Future Farming Resilience Fund (FFRF) through which farmers in England can receive free farm consultancy advice from one of our consultants.

Click Here to access our November 2022 edition of Farming Focus.

If you require advice from one of our consultants, do not hesitate to contact them by email or phone.  Their contact details can be obtained by clicking here. Alternatively, your can also contact our office on 01664 503200 or email [email protected]

If you would like more detail on the topics covered above as well as additional articles on UK farm business matters, why not subscribe to Andersons’ AgriBrief Bulletin? Over the course of each month, we give a concise and unbiased commentary on the key issues affecting business performance in the UK agri-food industry, and its implications for farming and food businesses. Please click on the link below for a 90-day free trial:

https://agribrief.co.uk/

Farming Focus – October 2022

In the October 2022 edition of Farming Focus we consider Defra’s commitment to the environment following reports of a review of ELM, we also take a look at the Chancellor’s ‘mini-budget’ and the resulting economic fall-out; where will interest rates be next year?  Help with rising energy costs for non-domestic users will be available under the Energy Use Bill and we report on the English BPS 2022 rates just released.  Defra has also announced the projects which will be funded under the pilot phase of Landscape Recover (LR).  Finally, if you have Woodland Carbon Credits to sell, see when the next upcoming auction is.

We have two Spotlight articles this month.  The first looks at the Funding Boost for Rural Diversification and the second directs farmers to how they can receive Free farm consultancy advice from one of our consultants through the Future Farming Resilience Fund (FFRF).

Click Here to access our October 2022 edition of Farming Focus.

If you require advice from one of our consultants, do not hesitate to contact them by email or phone.  Their contact details can be obtained by clicking here. Alternatively, your can also contact our office on 01664 503200 or email [email protected]

If you would like more detail on the topics covered above as well as additional articles on UK farm business matters, why not subscribe to Andersons’ AgriBrief Bulletin? Over the course of each month, we give a concise and unbiased commentary on the key issues affecting business performance in the UK agri-food industry, and its implications for farming and food businesses. Please click on the link below for a 90-day free trial:

https://agribrief.co.uk/

Farming Focus – September 2022

In the September 2022 edition of Farming Focus see how you can utilise your CS & ES options for grazing and cutting earlier than normal to ease forage concerns.  We take a look at the rise in interest rates and report on the Nutrient Mitigation Scheme; could this be a further income stream for some land managers?  Defra would like to understand more about Methane-surpressing feed products; see details on its ‘Call for Evidence’.  Finally read how the Irish Government plans to meet its GHG emissions target including a 25% reduction from the farming sector.

Our Spotlight article this month looks at Fertilisers and CO2 as surging gas prices causes production to halt again.

Click Here to access our September 2022 edition of Farming Focus.

If you require advice from one of our consultants, do not hesitate to contact them by email or phone.  Their contact details can be obtained by clicking here. Alternatively, your can also contact our office on 01664 503200 or email [email protected]

If you would like more detail on the topics covered above as well as additional articles on UK farm business matters, why not subscribe to Andersons’ AgriBrief Bulletin? Over the course of each month, we give a concise and unbiased commentary on the key issues affecting business performance in the UK agri-food industry, and its implications for farming and food businesses. Please click on the link below for a 90-day free trial:

https://agribrief.co.uk/

Farming Focus – August 2022

In the August 2022 edition of Farming Focus we take a look at the Sustainable Farming Incentive; if you are already in CS it’s not quite as straight forward to also have an SFI agreement.   See how you can get a FREE farm business review.  We report that most English farmers should have received their 50% advance BPS payment and if you are considering extending your HLS or CS agreement it could now be under (more favourable) UK rules.  We take a look at the UK-Australia FTA and the latest farm profit figures for England.  Finally, we inform Welsh readers of two new grants that are open.

Our Spotlight article this month looks at future farm policy in Wales after proposals for the new Sustainable Farming Scheme have been announced.

Click Here to access our August 2022 edition of Farming Focus.

If you require advice from one of our consultants, do not hesitate to contact them by email or phone.  Their contact details can be obtained by clicking here. Alternatively, your can also contact our office on 01664 503200 or email [email protected]

If you would like more detail on the topics covered above as well as additional articles on UK farm business matters, why not subscribe to Andersons’ AgriBrief Bulletin? Over the course of each month, we give a concise and unbiased commentary on the key issues affecting business performance in the UK agri-food industry, and its implications for farming and food businesses. Please click on the link below for a 90-day free trial:

https://agribrief.co.uk/

Farming Focus – July 2022

In the July 2022 edition of Farming Focus we inform readers that the Sustainable Farming Incentive is now open for applications in England and also the Adding Value theme of the Farming Transformation Fund.  The Welsh Government is looking for farmers to help with co-designing the Sustainable Farming Scheme.  We examine the fall in GB potato area and report on plans in NZ to introduce a livestock methane tax.  Finally, we take a look at NFU Sugar and British Sugar’s beet price increase for next year’s crop.

Our Spotlight article looks at the new Slurry Infrastructure Grants due to be available in the autumn.

Click Here to access our July 2022 edition of Farming Focus.

If you require advice from one of our consultants, do not hesitate to contact them by email or phone.  Their contact details can be obtained by clicking here. Alternatively, your can also contact our office on 01664 503200 or email [email protected]

If you would like more detail on the topics covered above as well as additional articles on UK farm business matters, why not subscribe to Andersons’ AgriBrief Bulletin? Over the course of each month, we give a concise and unbiased commentary on the key issues affecting business performance in the UK agri-food industry, and its implications for farming and food businesses. Please click on the link below for a 90-day free trial:

https://agribrief.co.uk/

 

Farming Focus – June 2022

In the June 2022 edition of Farming Focus we examine the latest Total Income from Farming (TIFF) figures released by Defra. We report on Defra’s announcements that English farmers will get a 50% BPS advanced payment this year as well as guidance on the next round of the Farming Transformation Fund. The Welsh Government’s announcement on funding available to Welsh farmers over the next 3 years to assist during the transition to the Sustainable Farming Scheme is also covered.

In addition, we look at new season fertiliser prices for nitrogen and what the EU regulators’ decision on extending glyphosate approval until 2026 means for British farmers. Detail is also provided on the latest postponement to border controls on imports as well as a 25% advanced payment to sugar beet growers on their 2022 crop.

Our Spotlight article looks at the latest budgetary figures for Andersons Meadow Farm Model which is a mixed lowland farm based in England.

Click Here to access our June 2022 edition of Farming Focus.

If you require advice from one of our consultants, do not hesitate to contact them by email or phone.  Their contact details can be obtained by clicking here. Alternatively, your can also contact our office on 01664 503200 or email [email protected]

If you would like more detail on the topics covered above as well as additional articles on UK farm business matters, why not subscribe to Andersons’ AgriBrief Bulletin? Over the course of each month, we give a concise and unbiased commentary on the key issues affecting business performance in the UK agri-food industry, and its implications for farming and food businesses. Please click on the link below for a 90-day free trial:

https://agribrief.co.uk/

 

Farming Focus InBrief – May 2022

  • If you require advice from one of our consultants, do not hesitate to contact them by email or phone.  If you do not have their details please contact the office on 01664 503200 or email [email protected]
  • The Lump Sum Exit Scheme is now open for applications. The Scheme is open until 30th September 2022 and is not expected to be available for applications in future years. It allows English farmers to take their future BPS payments through to 2027 in a single Lump Sum. In return, farmers will have to transfer out (rent, sell or surrender their tenancy) the agricultural land that was at their disposal on 17th May 2021. Up to 5 hectares of agricultural land can be retained, also any non-agricultural land and buildings including the farmhouse. The payment will be based on the average BPS payment received by the business for the three years 2019-2021 (the reference period). This will be capped at £42,500 and multiplied by 2.35, meaning the maximum payment will be just under £100,000. The full scheme guidance and application forms can be found via https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/lump-sum-exit-scheme. For further information please go to our article published in February.
  • In response to rocketing prices of fertiliser, Defra has announced three measures to help farmers with their nutrient management.
    • Urea: The planned ban on the use of urea fertiliser has been scrapped. Instead, an industry-run voluntary scheme will aim to reduce the ammonia emissions from solid urea fertiliser, commencing in 2023. This will be delivered through the Red Tractor farm assurance scheme and FACTS advisers.
    • Farming Rules for Water: Defra has released ‘revised and improved’ statutory guidance on applying the Farming Rules for Water. The de facto ban on autumn manure spreading, based on how the rules were being enforced, has been removed. The Farming Rules for Water have not been amended. Instead, the new guidance tells the Environment Agency about criteria that they should consider when assessing if enforcement action should be taken under the regulations. It also provides some clarity for farmers as to how to manage the use of slurry and other manures during autumn and winter.‎
    • Slurry Storage: The final Defra announcement was a confirmation that grants for slurry stores will be available in England. This will come under the Farming Investment Fund. Little detail is currently known, but grants between £25K and £250K at a 50% rate are expected to be available to fund up to 6 months of slurry storage. Stores will need to be covered and it may be possible to cover existing stores. The scheme is expected to be competitive. If you need any advice on increasing or updating your storage, please get in touch.
  • The Welsh Government has announced it is making £227m of funding available over the next three years (2022-2024) to support Wales’ rural economy. This funding is in response to the ending of the EU Rural Development Programme (RDP), which will completely close in 2023. It will ensure continued support for the areas previously funded under the RDP such as environmental land management, capital equipment to improve productivity, nutrient management and on-farm storage. It will also provide support for organic farming and woodlands. Scheme details are still being drawn-up, but for 2022 £100m is being made available further details can be found at https://gov.wales/written-statement-funding-support-rural-economy-and-transition-sustainable-farming-scheme
  • Field trials of a genetically modified barley have been approved by Defra. The study will use gene-editing techniques to investigate the role of existing barley plant genes that interact with soil microbes. The aim is to make the plants more efficient users of soil nutrients and reduce the need for artificial fertilisers. The trials will take place over the next 5- years at 3 sites of the Crop Science Centre; a partnership between the National Institute of Agricultural Botany and the University of Cambridge.
  • The war in Ukraine has been the key driver of grain markets over the last two months and in the short-term it will continue to drive commodities and inputs. However, there are other factors also driving prices. Severe drought in parts of the US wheat belt has lowered US wheat crop condition ratings. In addition, the US maize crop is smaller as growers are opting for soyabeans over maize. The latest International Grains Council (IGC) supply and demand estimates, support the view of tight markets. World grain closing stocks are forecast to fall by 26.5 million tonnes from 2021/22 to 2022/23. But with the situation in Ukraine, all forecasts should be treated with caution.
  • The Bank of England increased the Base Rate by a further 0.25% on the 5th of May.  This takes the cost of borrowing from 0.75% to 1%.  This is another attempt to respond to increasing inflation which is being exacerbated by the Russia-Ukraine conflict.  The Bank is tasked with keeping inflation at 2% but, according to the Bank’s own forecast, increases in prices would rise above 10% this year.  The rise in interest rates is meant to bring inflation back towards the target over the medium term.  Many forecasters believe that there will be at least another 0.25% price rise before the end of 2022, taking rates to 1.25%.

This month’s Spotlight looks at the recent Defra announcement on the Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI). Click Here for further information.

If you would like more detail on the topics covered above as well as additional articles on UK farm business matters, why not subscribe to Andersons’ AgriBrief Bulletin? Over the course of each month, we give a concise and unbiased commentary on the key issues affecting business performance in the UK agri-food industry, and its implications for farming and food businesses. Please click on the link below for a 90-day free trial:

https://agribrief.co.uk/