Environmental Management

Defra Clarifies Future of ELMs and Opens New SFI Round Defra has provided much-needed clarity on the future of Environmental Land Management schemes (ELMs) and agri-environmental funding. At the same time, another round of the Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) has opened for applications. This round includes several easy wins for farmers, such as funding for […]

Welcome to the Ceres Rural October Farming Update, 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 – October 2023. For a printer-friendly version, click here. Please consider the environment before printing this publication.

Welcome to the Ceres Rural Farming Update 2023, 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 – April 2023. For a printable version, click here. Please consider the environment before printing this publication.

Published on 26th January, Defra announced the roll out of six new standards under the Sustainable Farming Incentive with the three-year agreements aimed at promoting biodiversity, air quality, climate change adaptation and water quality. The new standards include: Nutrient Management Standard Integrated Pest Management Standard Hedgerow Standard Arable & Horticultural Land Standard Improved Grassland Standard […]

Announced on 5th January at the Oxford Farming Conference by Defra farming minister Mark Spencer, payments for the Countryside Stewardship and SFI have been revised to encourage uptake of environmental schemes and to reflect agricultural markets and scheme costs. Countryside Stewardship Payment Rates Payment rates for both Countryside Stewardship revenue options and capital items will […]

A CORNERSTONE FOR A RESILIENT AND SECURE FOOD SYSTEM Joint Statement As leading businesses, financial institutions, farmers, landowners, academic researchers, and civil society organisations, we are united in support of the Environmental Land Management (ELM) schemes, as the foundation of supporting English farm businesses through a sustainable and just agricultural transition. Farmers and land managers […]

Welcome to the Ceres Rural Farming Update, 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 – November 2022. For a printable version, click here. Please consider the environment before printing this publication.

If you are considering planting trees on your farm, there are several ways in which you can receive support, both in the form of advice and through grants that fund the planting and management of new plantations. Why plant trees? Strategic tree planting can have many benefits for farming businesses. It can, for example: Improve […]

Six practical steps that can be taken to develop a more sustainable or regenerative approach to farming practices are being highlighted by Ceres Rural at this year’s Cereals Event and were featured in a recent Farmers Weekly article. Given the difficult trading conditions, many farm businesses are looking to reduce their reliance on increasingly expensive […]