Category: The Andersons Centre

In the September 2023 edition of Farming Focus we report on changes to the Nutrient Neutrality rules – what does this mean for farmers? The deadline for applications to Countryside Stewardship Mid Tier is now 15th September.  Those farming in Wales have their first ever Welsh Agriculture Act, read what this means.  We report on further delays to the implementation of post-Brexit border controls and on a further increase to the base rates, read how high forecasters think it will go.  CF Industries is closing its ammonia production facility, what does this mean for AN fertiliser in the UK?  We remind purchasers of AN fertiliser that photo ID is required as of 1st October.  Finally read about support for the Welsh food and drinks industry.

The Spotlight article this month looks at the latest developments with the Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) including rule changes, when it will be open for applications and how to submit an expression of interest in SFI 2023.

Click Here to access our September 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? 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/

In the August 2023 edition of Farming Focus we report that most English farmers should have received 50% of their 2023 BPS payment.  Do you have a 2022 SFI Agreement?  If so, read why Defra will be writing to you.  For those wanting to enter SFI 2023, you may have to wait until October to apply.  We report on a new interim agri-environment scheme for Welsh farmers and on recent announcements from the Welsh Government on the Sustainable Farming Scheme.  Cross Compliance ends in England next year, what does this mean for farmers?  Finally, we report on the decline in fertiliser use due to price rises and on the future of Glyphosate.

The Spotlight article this month looks at the new Calf Housing Grant.  Defra has released more details ahead of the scheme opening, which is expected shortly.

Click Here to access our August 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? 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/

In the July 2023 edition of Farming Focus we report on the upcoming grant funding in England including large-scale capital grants, calf housing, barn-top solar and another round of the Slurry Infrastructure Grant.  We take a look at the recent rise in UK Base Rates and at how productive UK agriculture has been.  We report on the change in area of land farmed organically and on the AHDB’s proposed increase in levy rates.  Are you interested in driving nature recovery?  Read about the next round of the Natural Environment Investment Readiness Fund which is being targeted at groups of farmers.  Thinking about planting trees in Wales?  Take a look, the final grant window for this year opens shortly with increased payment rates.  Do you farm in the English Uplands?  Read how Defra has equalised stewardship rates for upland and lowland farms for certain options.

The Spotlight article this month looks at the latest announcement from Defra on the Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI), including all the options available, together with payment rates.

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

UK Feed Supplements White Paper Study

The Andersons Centre (Andersons) is undertaking a white paper study on key trends in the UK grazing livestock feed supplements’ market. As part of this research, we are seeking input from grazing livestock farmers on current usage of feed supplements, purchasing behaviour, key drivers of decision-making and how future changes are likely to shape how feed supplements are used. The survey takes 15-20 minutes to complete. All input will be treated with the utmost confidentiality and no information or opinion provided will be sourced individually to any participant or to any participant’s organisation. As a gesture of our thanks for your input, we are offering a complimentary copy of the John Nix Farm Management Pocketbook. To be eligible for a complimentary copy, all sections of the survey must be completed. The survey closes on 7th July. You can participate in the survey via: https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/CQ9ZRFG

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? 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/

The June 2023 edition of Farming Focus takes a look at Defra’s latest farming income figures and our forecasts for the coming year.  We also report on the Government’s response to the Rock Review of Tenancy legislation.  The UK’s trade deals with Australia and New Zealand came into force on 31st May – the first negotiated by the UK Government.  Do you want to make landscape-scale change?  The third element of ELM – the Landscape Recovery scheme is open for the second round of applications.  We report on GB potato production which is forecast to shrink in 2023.  The BoE increased UK interest rates again and we finish on some research released by AHDB comparing costs of production in the UK with other key competitor nations.

The Spotlight article this month is on one of our model farms – Friesian Farm.  Updated figures show a record ppl profit in the year just finished.  But falling milk prices see margins forecast to disappear this year.

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

UK Feed Supplements White Paper Study

The Andersons Centre (Andersons) is undertaking a white paper study on key trends in the UK grazing livestock feed supplements’ market. As part of this research, we are seeking input from grazing livestock farmers on current usage of feed supplements, purchasing behaviour, key drivers of decision-making and how future changes are likely to shape how feed supplements are used. The survey takes 15-20 minutes to complete. All input will be treated with the utmost confidentiality and no information or opinion provided will be sourced individually to any participant or to any participant’s organisation. As a gesture of our thanks for your input, we are offering a complimentary copy of the John Nix Farm Management Pocketbook to the first 30 respondents. To be eligible for a complimentary copy, all sections of the survey must be completed. You can participate in the survey via: https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/CQ9ZRFG

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/

The May 2023 edition of Farming Focus reports on how we are still awaiting further information on the six new SFI Standards.  Are you thinking of a farm diversification? If so, there could be some funding available.  We take a look at what joining the Comprehensive and Progressive Trans-pacific Partnership might mean and report on the Genetic Technology (Precision Breeding) Act which has received Royal Assent.  Will a ban on ‘Parallel’ PPPs mean higher spray prices and less choice?  If you are interested in the development of environmental markets Defra has released a new paper which is worth a read.  Finally, the Water Management Grant and the Animal Health and Welfare are both open and a reminder that BPS and SAF claims must be submitted by 15th May.

The Spotlight article this month reports on Defra’s recent announcement on more details on how delinking of the BPS is to work including transferring of the Reference Amount.

Click Here to access our May 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/

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/

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/

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/

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/

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/

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/