Rural News

Dr Johnny Wake, who took over the running of the historic Courteenhall estate ten years ago, was presented with the prestigious Bledisloe Gold Medal for Landowners at the Royal Windsor Estate yesterday (Thursday 7th September).

With the launch of the SFI scheme delayed until mid-September and farmers facing a bleak end to 2023, the NFU is calling on the government to “do the right thing” and halt all further reductions to BPS payments until environmental schemes are fully up and running.

Practical ways to lower carbon emissions will take centre stage at this year’s Dairy Show, where farmers can expect the latest advice, research and tools to help them on the path to net zero.

Returning for its second year, the National TB conference is a platform for farmers and industry stakeholders to come together and discuss the challenges of bovine tuberculosis (bTB) and the barriers that remain towards a disease-free future.

A hot topic in the transitioning agri industry, sustainability and green farming will be the overarching theme at this year’s Midlands Machinery Show, taking place on 8-9th November at the Newark Showground.

Extreme weather events driven by climate change and industry net zero commitments are focusing the potato supply chain’s attention on how to reduce the crop’s carbon footprint. Andrew Blair, field technical manager at the UK’s largest potato supplier, Branston, explains how an Innovate UK funded project is examining the potential for reducing carbon in potato production from growing through to storage and transport.

The NFU is calling young people with a genuine passion for British food and farming to take part in its popular Student & Young Farmer Ambassador Programme and represent the voice of the next generation in agriculture in 2024.

LEAF Education, the lead agri-education organisation in England and Wales, has seen a hugely positive response from schools to the experiential food and farming related national primary school competition, titled ‘All for Farm and Food for All’. 

The third consecutive GB Calf Week will be kicking off at the UK’s largest dairy industry event on 13th September, with a series of on-farm and virtual events promoting responsible dairy calf management.

Inclusive Farm is seeking partners to support the development of a farm in Scotland, providing young people with disabilities with a route into agriculture.

AHDB’s We Eat Balanced campaign will be promoting home-grown meat and dairy using the term ‘British’ for the first time, following a rule change that will allow the organisation to better showcase support to UK farmers.

Aimed at farmers, growers, landowners and the wider agricultural sector, the Autumn Farming Conference is organised by Larking Gowen, a major regional independent accountancy partnership and one of the UK’s top 40 accountancy firms, in conjunction with the Country Land and Business Association (CLA), the membership organisation for owners of land, property and businesses in rural England and Wales.