Worcestershire

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.

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.

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

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.

Find out more here

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.

Make sure you know what to do

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.

Worcestershire Businesses access to Farming Recovery Fund

Defra will be writing to affected businesses in areas that have experienced exceptional levels of rainfall and outline what they are entitled to. There will be a flat payment rate, set in bands related to farm size, with the minimum being £2,895, with up to £25,000 at the top end. There will be no need for the business to prove entitlement; Defra will use mapping data to determine flooded land close to rivers, in counties most affected by flooding over this period, as well as rainfall data to establish other areas across the country which have experienced 70% higher rainfall than usual.

Farmers already contacted by the RPA and advised they are entitled to funding through the existing Storm Henk scheme will still be eligible as previously advertised and will receive at least the amount they’ve already been offered. They will receive payments based on the updated bands and minimum amount.

Defra has said farmers will have ‘the flexibility to spend the grant appropriately in their context and will not have to provide evidence of damage or costs or make further claims’.

For more information, visit: GOV.UK | Farming Recovery Fund expanded

Natural Networks Programme

The Natural Networks Programme is a Worcestershire-wide scheme offering grants and advice to projects which aim to create or restore wildlife-rich habitats. It is a partnership between Worcestershire County Council and the Worcestershire Wildlife Trust.

The programme offers free professional Biodiversity surveys carried out by our partners the Worcestershire Wildlife Trust who will assess your project site and make recommendations on how to create or enhance your land to maximise habitats for wildlife.

Grants of £1,000 - £15,000 (representing 40% of the total project cost will be available to help you carry out the recommendations suggested in the survey.

The programme aim is to create a natural network of wildlife-rich habitats across Worcestershire that will enhance the quality of our blue and green infrastructure.

Further details can be found here: Natural Networks Programme | Worcestershire County Council

Applicants need to contact the programme manager, [email protected] to request a link to the registration application portal.

Farming in Protected Landscapes – We need more farmers to apply!

Defra is offering funding for projects in England’s Protected Landscapes through the Farming in Protected Landscapes programme including the Malvern Hills AONB. It is for one-off projects and is not an agri-environment scheme. The programme is time limited: it opened in July 2021 and is due to end in March 2025. Funding is available for projects that reflect at least one of the four Farming in Protected Landscapes programme themes:

Support NATURE recovery
Mitigate the impacts of CLIMATE CHANGE
Provide opportunities for PEOPLE to discover, enjoy and understand the landscape and its cultural heritage
Protect or improve the quality and character of the PLACE

Help is available to discuss and complete applications. Please contact Sash Warden Farming in Protected Landscapes (FiPL) Officer Tel: 01905 844686 Mob: 07873 616395 email: [email protected] who can give 1:1 help with your application. Read from a selection of case studies on the MHAOB website.

NFU Farmers for Schools Programme

Emma Hamer, Worcestershire County Adviser went into a school in Coventry, talking to sixth form students about careers in Agriculture. As part of the NFU Farmers for Schools programme, we’re asking NFU members to deliver a 30 to 45-minute assembly in local secondary schools about day-to-day life on their farm. This gives you a chance to showcase the value of British farming and correct any myths or misconceptions, as well as answer questions from students.

Find out more at: NFU Farmers for Schools programme

Kidderminster, Hagley & Halesowen Branch have the following events:

Wills Day with Shakespeare Martineau

Members will be provided with a free 45-minute appointment to discuss their needs and then provided with a quote for the cost of carrying out the writing of the Will and any other documentation required.

Date

25 September 2024.

Venue & Timings

NFU Office, Ryelands Business Centre, Ryelands Lane, Droitwich, WR9 0PT

Booking

If you would like to book an appointment between 10am-3pm, please telephone the office on 01299 251619 as soon as possible. Places will be allocated on a first come, first serve basis.

Bromsgrove, Redditch & Inkberrow branch have the following event:

Macmillan Coffee Morning

The team at the Bromsgrove office will be holding a coffee morning to raise funds for MacMillan Cancer Support. After a very successful event last year, they are pulling out all the stops and holding an even bigger and better coffee morning this year. Please come along and say hello to the team, have a cuppa and a piece of cake, a natter with your neighbours and raise some much-needed funds for this worthy charity at the same time.

Date

24 September 2024

Venue & Timings

10am to 12noon at NFU Office, Meadows Barns, Brockhill Court, Brockhill Lane, Redditch, B97 6RB

Do you want financial support to upskill your staff?

SkillsBoost Worcestershire is a new programme to help you with the costs of upskilling and training YOUR employees.

In today’s competitive landscape, the requirement for enhanced skills and training poses a significant hurdle for many businesses, not just in Worcestershire but nationwide. Recognising this challenge, Worcestershire’s District Councils working with the County Council, has rolled out an innovative programme, designed to make training more accessible and affordable.

You can claim back 50% of the training costs, up to £6,000, for your Worcestershire based employees. This means that you can upskill or redeploy your employees to maximise their effectiveness.

Businesses of any size and sector are eligible for the programme as long as the employees they are looking to upskill or retrain reside in Worcestershire.

Funding for the SkillsBoost programme is limited on a first come first served basis and is only available from Tuesday 2 April 2024 until 31 March 2025.

To find out more about SkillsBoost and start your application, contact the Worcestershire Growth Hub team via their website or call 01905 677888.

Email – [email protected]

SkillsBoost is funded via the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, distributed via all the District Councils in Worcestershire and delivered in partnership between Worcestershire County Council and Worcestershire Growth Hub.

Severn Treescapes - Agroforestry and Woodland Creation Event

Join the wildlife trust for an update on the exciting work of Severn Treescapes and to hear about new opportunities for trees, woodland and agroforestry.

Severn Treescapes, a partnership project between the Worcestershire, Gloucestershire and Herefordshire Wildlife Trusts, is aiming to create a 60-mile corridor of increased tree cover from the lower Wye to the Wyre Forest.

There will be talks from:

Joe Hope (Cefn Coch farm) to talk about farming with trees and nature in the Welsh uplands.
Tom Tame (Warwickshire Walnuts) to talk about his success with silvopastoral systems.
Andy Dibben (Abbey Home Farm) to talk about water and nutrient management, pollination and IPM in his silvohorticulture alley-cropping system.
Ben Raskin (Soil Association).
Sara Noons (Glos CC).
Stuart Searle (Hartpury).
Plus talks from Forestry Commission about the upcoming SFI updates and Severn Treescapes.

Lunch to be provided.

Date

29 August 2024

Venue & Timings

10am - 4pm at Hartpury College, Hartpury GL19 3BE

Bookings

To register for your free place(s) visit Eventbrite

Educational Bursary

The Hanbury Countryside Show Society offers an educational bursary valued at £1,000

Hanbury Countryside Show Society is a Registered Charity; one of its primary aims is to advance education in connection with agriculture, horticulture, conservation, forestry and rural and traditional crafts and activities. The awarding of an educational bursary to a student/s is one of the ways the Society helps to advance education in the areas listed above. A bursary is awarded, by the Society Trustees, annually to one or more students who meet the criteria. The bursary is open to anyone who meets the following eligibility criteria:

A full-time student on an agricultural or horticultural course at university/college in the academic year 2023/24

A permanent resident within the counties of Worcestershire or Warwickshire for at least the last 3 years

A good academic record

Made a positive contribution to the broader student community

Been/are a member of an agricultural organisation (e.g. Young Farmers)

Applications for the 2024/25 Educational Bursary are open, the application closing date is Friday 30th August 2024 - DOWNLOAD the application form

Screening of the film Six Inches of Soil

Halesowen & Hagley Farmers Club have scheduled a screening of Six Inches of Soil for Wednesday 25th September, starting 7.30pm. Local farmers are invited to attend, plus the event will be open to members of the public, with maximum seating of 70 people.

There will be a Q&A after the film, to discuss Regenerative Agriculture, and Nature Friendly Farming, the pros & cons, and how farmers can adapt to a slightly different way of working

Date

25 September 2024

Venue & Timings

The screening will take place at Fairfield Village Hall, near Bromsgrove (B61 9LZ), the film will start at 7.30pm (duration 1hr 36mins)

Bookings

Tickets will be available via the Bromsgrove Arts website. It will be a free screening; the club have paid the film licence. There is a bar at the hall.

It would help if people could book beforehand The event page is https://bromsgrovearts.org.uk/event/six-inches-of-soil/ and it will be updated with details of who will be on the Q&A panel.

Pershore & Upton on Severn branch have the following event:

Clay Shoot (chargeable)

Prize for individual high gun and the winning team – teams of 4 – 6. This event is open to all members in Worcestershire.

Cash donations to RABI

Date

4 October 2024

Venue & Timings

Arrive at 9.30am for a 10am start at South Worcester Shooting Ground, Hook Common, Hanley Castle, Worcester, WR8 0AX.

Cost

£41pp for 100 bird soot (excluding cartridges) – includes bacon roll and tea or coffee (any dietary requirements please advise when booking)

Booking

Please email [email protected] or call 01386 553622

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

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

Access Business Support to help your business

Worcestershire farmers and growers are being encouraged to engage with the Worcestershire Growth Hub to find out more about the support available for organisations. There is a variety of new business support, funding and grants available to help organisations across Worcestershire.

Local businesses are being encouraged to contact the Worcestershire Growth Hub team to find out how their growth could be supported. There is support available for businesses looking to upskill or train their staff, businesses looking to access specialist expert advice, funding for growth ambitions and much more.

Alongside this, organisations can also find out about all of the upcoming business support events via the Worcestershire Growth Hub’s events calendar. This events page pulls all of the available business support events being delivered in Worcestershire together into one place, regardless of the organiser, location or style of event. To contact the Worcestershire Growth Hub team: Call – 01905 677888 or email [email protected]

The John Tedstone Bursary

The Three Counties Agricultural Society is delighted to be able to offer a new Bursary for agricultural and horticultural studies.

The late John Tedstone of Kingland, Leominster was a renowned Orchardist and Farmer, his lifelong work was in the orchards of his home at New House Farm which was bequeathed to the Three Counties Agricultural Society. The proceeds from the sale of New House Farm will be delivered in accordance with John’s will, to provide bursaries for agricultural and horticultural studies and each bursary will be linked with his name. We are indebted to the generosity of Mr Tedstone and his faith in our Agricultural Society.

The Bursary was officially launched by Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal at the RHS Malvern Spring Festival on the 6 May 2022.

Further details: Bursaries – Agricultural Society (threecountiesagriculturalsociety.co.uk)

Applications are welcomed by the Trustees and more information can be obtained by emailing the Society. Contact Jayne Unwin, Education Executive, [email protected]

Worcestershire

What do rural businesses need in Malvern Hills District?

Natural Networks Programme

Farming in Protected Landscapes – We need more farmers to apply!

Cyber Crime

NFU Farmers for Schools Programme

Severn Treescapes - Agroforestry and Woodland Creation Event

Event details

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