Environmental

Groups of farmers will be offered support to work together to store water and protect against the impact of drought through a new fund launched by the government. 

On 18th April, farmers were invited to attend the second South East Future of Farming Conference held at Plumpton Collage, with all proceeds from the ticket sales being donated to RABI. Farmers Guide editor, Rachel Hicks, was there.

Openfield Group, the British farmer-owned co-operative, has teamed up with Voltloader to trial fully electric trucks with the aim of reducing carbon emissions. 

Plans have been submitted to build 2,000 solar panels at the Sandringham royal estate that belongs to King Charles III.

The River Wye action plan has been launched to preserve the long-term health of the river. It will include the introduction of up to a £35 million grant for poultry manure management equipment as well as the appointment of a new ‘river champion’ and taskforce.

The British farming community warmly welcomed the recent government response to the independent review of Dartmoor, saying that it has carefully considered given recommendations and offered workable solutions for everyone. 

The question of lynx reintroduction to the UK has resurfaced, with some farmers arguing in favour of the scheme, despite ongoing concerns about the impacts to livestock.

A fund to help farmers affected by flooding has just been launched. The Farming Recovery Fund is set to support farmers who suffered uninsurable damage to their land due to flooding earlier this year.

A Norfolk farm will screen an inspiring documentary about a group of British farmers transforming the way they produce food.  

Country Land and Business Association (CLA) is calling for the flood fund to open as soon as possible following farmers fears for the 2024 harvest after one of the wettest and stormiest winters in decades. 

Volunteers are needed to help sort artificial intelligence data to track the declining UK hedgehog population. 

Farming groups have expressed relief that the government has listened to the sector’s growing fears that environmental schemes could pose a threat to food security.