County Update
Towards the end of last week, we held our regular catch-up meeting with the Herefordshire Council top team. This is a good opportunity for us to raise issues with the Council or help to support them with different projects and plans for agriculture. Lots was on the agenda including the Local Nature Recovery Strategy for the county and how we can work to ensure Biodiversity Net Gain provides opportunities for farmers in the county. If you have anything you would like us to raise with the Council, please email [email protected] with relevant information.
This week we took a group of 30 members to Whittern Farms to learn more about how they are processing the manure produced on-site using three 600kw chicken litter burners. The farm burns all the poultry manure it produces, generating energy to heat the 22 sheds. This is a practice which has come more into the spotlight in recent years, with government bodies, producers and some environmental groups seeing this as a potential solution to managing excess manure. Thank you to Jo Hilditch and her team for hosting the group and for sharing a huge amount of knowledge. Finishing with a picnic in the drizzle while look at the fantastic view across Jo’s vineyard and Herefordshire was also a great end to the afternoon!
Any younger NFU members (20-40 years) are invited to join us for our first Midlands Younger Member event. This is aimed at being sociable and inspiring as well as having a technical and business focus. For more details, please see the event advertised below.
I hope you all have a successful rest of the summer and look forward to seeing many of you at Kington Show on 14 September.
NFU Midlands Younger Member Events
Midlands region will be holding a series of events and farm visits from 6 September, if you would like to register for the first event please visit NFU Midlands younger members' events – NFUonline
NFU Midlands Future Leaders Course
Formerly NFU Midlands Farming Ambassadors, this flagship free course is designed to bring the best out of Midlands members who want to make a difference in the industry. Held over one and a half days on 15 & 16 October at NFU HQ
To find out more visit (logging into NFU online will be required)
Deadline for applications closes the 2 September.
Farm Assurance Review survey
The Independent Commission wants to hear your views – complete the UK Farm Assurance Review survey by Saturday 31 August 2024 to have your say. We have received the following information from the Independent Commission. This is separate from the individual surveys carried out on NFUOnline and in the regional farm assurance meetings earlier this year, the results of which will be used to feed into the NFU’s response to the farm assurance review.
This survey is part of a comprehensive independent evaluation of the UK’s farm assurance schemes being conducted by the Commissioners of the recently launched UK Farm Assurance Review. The project is focused on re-purposing UK farm assurance for a post-Brexit world.
This should take no longer than 10 – 15 minutes to complete, for details regarding the survey and supporting partners for the Commissioners please click here.
For further info on the review including FAQs visit
This survey will close on 31 August 2024.
Farm for the Future – Royal Countryside Fund
Do you want help navigating agricultural policy changes including help with understanding ELMs and SFI (Sustainable Farming Incentive)?
If you’re an owner-occupied or tenant farm in England that received BPS, The Royal Countryside Fund’s Farm for the Future programme is in its final year, offering a last chance for free support which includes a 1-2-1 session with a consultant to talk about your farm.
Its online workshops can be joined from the comfort of your own home via Zoom to help you and your farm business navigate policy changes and become more resilient and sustainable.
To find out more and sign up to the online group, contact Christina Hutchings via email [email protected] or call 07715 353 546 or visit www.royalcountrysidefund.org.uk/farmforthefuture
Call for Participants: Advancing Fairness in the UK Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Sector – University of Leicester
Are you into fresh fruit and or vegetable cultivation in the UK? University of Leicester are conducting a study on advancing fairness in fresh fruit and vegetable sector and would love to hear from you!
Participation in the study involves farmers who are into the cultivation of fresh fruits and vegetables in the UK and who are suppliers to large retailers in the UK.
All data collected will be handled with the utmost confidentiality and anonymity based on University of Leicester's guideline and used solely for academic purposes.
To participate or learn more, please Visit https://bit.ly/3L6VQTZ or contact Nike directly through [email protected].
Members support would be invaluable to the success of this research.
Questionnaire for pilot study - https://drive.google.com/file/d/16Ip8UzYPUFmq1UG9FIUnzVaHnAQRUG1V/view?usp=sharing
Lamb production, husbandry and management methods – take the NFU survey
NFU is seeking members’ participation in a short survey on the lamb production and husbandry and management methods.
This will provide us with a comprehensive understanding of practices within the sector and the necessary information and data to highlight the detrimental impact of introducing restrictions on these routine management procedures.
To take the survey visit
The deadline for the survey is 26 September 2024. NFU members will need to be logged in to take part.
River Severn Partnership Advanced Wireless Innovation Region Grant funding
The River Severn Partnership Advanced Wireless Innovation Region has launched a £100,000 opportunity for businesses and voluntary groups in the Severn Catchment Area to apply for funds from its Wireless Innovation Grant fund. Funded by the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology and managed by Shropshire Council, this program is part of a wider £3.75m project which aims to encourage business and organisations to adopt technologies enabled by advanced wireless connectivity.
Grants of up to £5,000 each are available for businesses and organisations in the catchment area, covering Gloucestershire, Herefordshire, Monmouthshire, Powys, Shropshire, Telford & Wrekin, Warwickshire and Worcestershire, to assist in purchasing and installing wireless technologies.
Advanced Wireless Innovation Region | River Severn Partnership
Staying safe this harvest
As the hum of combines start for harvest the NFU is continuing to keep health & safety at the forefront of members’ minds, reminding growers of simple but effective ways they can stay safe this summer as more agricultural vehicles take to the road and fields. For best advice to keep you safe and legal visit
#YourHarvest campaign
This is a celebration of the work that arable farmers do at harvest time and the work which has gone into producing crops throughout the year. The 2024 campaign focuses on:
- Wet weather through winter and the impacts that this has had on harvest.
- The supply chain and how the produce goes from field to fork.
- Incorporating relevant sector and manifesto asks.
Members can get involved by using the #YourHarvest on social media platforms or contacting [email protected] to share stories.
Dry weather advice
NFU HQ policy advisers have pulled together practical advice on a number of areas affected by ongoing dry weather conditions.
Be vigilant of scam callers
If you receive a call that looks like it is from NFU Headquarters and are unsure then please hang up, do not pass on any personal details.
You can contact NFU CallFirst on 0370 845 8458 to check if we are doing any calls or promotions.
Cyber Crime
The Midlands NFU held an online member meeting with WMRCCU in autumn 2023, the opportunity to register with them is still available, this is aimed to improve your business’s cyber security.
With membership at the WMRCCU, you will receive regular tips and guidance on how to firm up your business’s cyber security.
Register to become a member (for free) today at www.wmcrc.co.uk/membership
Kington Show 2024
The largest one-day agricultural show in the county.
The show has managed to blend the traditional agricultural feel for horse, livestock and horticultural competitions with the lively entertainment on offer for the whole family in and around the main ring.
There is the YFC, shearing and dog competitions all day as well as a wonderful display of vintage vehicles.
Date
14 September 2024
Venue & Timings
9am to 6pm at The Ovals Farm, Kington, HR5 3LN
Bookings
For more details and tickets visit Kington Show
Ragwort – control & disposal
The NFU is reminding livestock farmers to remain vigilant to the risk of ragwort poisoning. Here's some advice on control and disposal.
Ragwort poses a real risk to animal health, with potentially fatal consequences if it is ingested by horses or livestock, either in its green or dried state. Left unchecked, a ragwort problem is likely to become worse, as the species is highly vigorous. A single specimen can produce up to 150,000 seeds with a germination rate of up to 70%.
For more advice on control and disposal click here
Hedgerow management rules: new legislation update
New legislation, (the Management of Hedgerows (England) Regulations 2024), has come into force, meaning that continued baseline hedgerow management practices will remain in place. This follows draft legislation which was published on 16 April 2024 and which passed through both relevant Houses of Parliament committees in May. The new rules will provide a consistent approach across all people operating on agricultural land. This includes:
- A 2-metre buffer strip, measured from the centre of a hedgerow, where a green cover must be established and maintained. Also, no cultivation or the application of pesticides or fertilisers should take place within this buffer strip.
- A hedgerow cutting ban from 1 March – 31 August (inclusive).
These practices will be subject to exemptions and derogations which are set out in the legislation and rules for farmers. The new legislation broadly mirrors the previous approach under cross compliance, but it is critical to carefully consider the guidance in place.