AHDB launched its “Shape the Future” campaign just before Christmas.  This includes a series of podcasts with information about AHDB’s services and events at auction markets to engage with farmers about how you would like your levy spent – see their events page for details.

LEAF are looking for more farmers to join up with schools to help children to connect to farming and the countryside through their Facetime a Farmer scheme.  Please support this excellent initiative to help communicate the value of farming to the next generation.

Due to ongoing Covid concerns, we have decided to hold the 2022 Farmer Network AGMs online once again this year. The combined Cumbria, Yorkshire Dales and overall company AGM will now be held at 7pm on Thursday 27th January by Zoom. Our special guest this year is Adrian Shepherd, Head of Land Management at the […]

This week, a smallholding near Lazonby was the latest victim of bird flu in Cumbria adding to previous confirmed cases near Silecroft and Aspatria.  There have been 10 confirmed cases in North Yorkshire particularly around Thirsk, but also near Richmond.  Details of the cases are on the following map.  Click here to book onto a […]

The farm productivity theme within the “Farming Transformation Fund” is due to open shortly.  This will have a minimum grant of £35,000 and maximum of £500,000 for equipment to improve productivity through: the use of robotic or autonomous equipment and systems; the installation of slurry acidification equipment. More information is in the grant manual which […]

At the Oxford Farming Conference, George Eustice also announced revised Stewardship revenue payments for all existing and new agreements from 1st January 2022.  Key changes include: GS5 Upland grassland option increasing from £16/ha to £71/ha – a significant increase. AB2 – Overwintered stubbles for new agreements starting 2023 will reduce from £84 to £58, but existing […]

At the Oxford Farming Conference, George Eustice announced more details about the Local Nature and Landscape Recovery ELM schemes. Local Nature Recovery is the middle level of the ELM scheme and is described as: “the improved and more ambitious successor to the Countryside Stewardship scheme”.  It will build on existing Stewardship options with additional elements such […]

Our Cumbria AGM will take place on Thursday 20th January 2022, 7pm at The Hired Lad, Penrith Auction Mart, Agricultural Hall, Skirsgill, Penrith CA11 0DN.  Our Yorkshire Dales and Company AGM’s will take place on Thursday 27th January 2022 , 7pm at The Wensleydale Pantry, 1 Market Place, Hawes, DL8 3QX. Below are the links […]

This week, Defra published more information about the Farming Transformation Fund – the large grant scheme for farm infrastructure and equipment.  This has a minimum grant of £35,000 and maximum of £500,000 with 3 themes: on-farm water storage infrastructure. This is open now – deadline 12th Farm productivity - including robotic or autonomous equipment and systems […]

The Sustainable Farming Incentive 2022 will be open to all BPS recipients and will include 3 standards for arable soils, improved grassland soils and moorland & rough grazing.  There will also be funding for an annual health and welfare review. The Improved Grassland Soils Standard has an introductory level of £28/ha which includes: testing for […]

Do you want to join a Zoom focus group lasting approximately 1.5-2 hours to learn more about farmers’ experiences, express your thoughts about the cattle disease surveillance system and think about how you would like to get disease information in the future?  Each participant will receive a £25 Amazon voucher to thank them for taking part.  […]

The rules about towing a trailer changed on 16th December 2021.  If you passed your driving test from 1 January 1997, you’re now allowed to tow trailers up to 3,500kg MAM.  If you passed your car driving test before 1 January 1997, you are not affected by the change.  Note it is still recommended that you […]