OUR THOUGHTS
From time to time, our experienced consultants take a moment to reflect on recent work, policy news or industry trends. Read what they have to say below and don’t forget, if you’d like to receive updates from us, including news and insights, business updates, and Ceres Publications, subscribe to mailing list.
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Robert Gazely
Apr, 10 2024Whilst the rigour of the BPS application has gone, there is still a requirement from the Rural Payments Agency for farmers and landowners to complete annual Countryside Stewardship (CS) revenue claims and Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) declarations. Compatibility with land cover and land use as declared in the land use table is key to ensure […]
Robert Gazely
Apr, 08 2024Each quarter, we update you on industry news, topical issues, and safety alerts with the aim of supporting you in achieving best practice on your farm or estate. The April 2024 edition highlights metalworking fluids safety, display screen equipment in farm and estate offices, and health and safety signage requirements. It comments on the risks […]
Beth Speakman
Apr, 03 2024
Forestry Commission Announces Increased EWCO Payments On 18 March, the Forestry Commission (FC) announced an immediate increase in payments for England Woodland Creation Offer (EWCO) grant recipients. The uplift applies to all existing and new agreement holders. Higher Payment Rates and New Premium Options The maximum payment per hectare rises from £8,000 to £11,600 or […]
George Catchpole
Mar, 25 2024Key Changes to SFI Actions Under the new rules, SFI applicants can allocate only 25% of their land to six specific actions that remove land from direct food production. These actions include: Flower-rich grass margins Pollen and nectar flower mix Winter bird food on arable and horticultural land Grassy field corners and blocks Improved grassland […]
George Catchpole
Mar, 04 2024 Welcome to the Ceres Rural Farming Update March 2024, a publication that provides independent insights on agricultural issues, from policy and grant funding, to administrative updates and key market information. Read the update here: Farming Update – March 2024. For a printer-friendly version, click here. Please consider the environment before printing this publication.
Toby Eve
Mar, 01 2024On 20th February 2024, Defra announced further details on the 2024 Farming Equipment and Technology Fund (FETF). With the application window due to open shortly, further information regarding the items due to be funded has been released. This will not be the first time that the FETF has been available, and many features of the grant […]
Edward Hutley
Feb, 22 2024Ceres Rural Partner, Ed Hutley, attended the hugely emotive NFU conference this week. On behalf of all of us here at Ceres Rural, he has posted a letter to Minette, thanking her for her dedicated and incredibly successful service as NFU President. We wanted to share it to publicly express our gratitude to someone who […]
Chloe Timberlake
Jan, 17 2024As has become customary, the Oxford Farming Conference provided a platform once more for announcements by Defra. Steve Barclay, the relatively new in-post Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs revealed changes to the Agricultural Transition Plan. He also detailed important updates to Environmental Land Management schemes, which will provide support for both […]
Christopher Monk
Jan, 11 2024 Day one of the conference, Senior Consultant Christopher Monk attended and saw Steve Barclay (the new Secretary of State) announce an unexpected increase in Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) / Countryside Stewardship (CS) payments of 10%, which will apply to both existing and new agreements. He also announced a number of new premium actions/options and confirmed […]
Edward Hutley
Dec, 05 2023At Ceres Rural, we like to continually fuel our knowledge bank and obtain information and opinions from you to help enhance our advice throughout the year. This next piece of data collection will also help one of our consultants, John Price, with his BASIS project – focusing on winter wheat companion crops, a requirement for […]