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Warwickshire Rural Hub
Latest News
Here is a flavour of some of the most recent industry news stories. To read all news posts please click on one of the categories above.
Read about the uptake so far for the Sustainable Farming Incentive
On 1 April 2024, there were 13,900 live SFI 2023 agreements, held by 13,400 farmers and land managers, and representing over 2 million hectares (ha) of land in England. To date, Defra has received over 20,000 applications to the SFI. The SFI contains some management actions and some planning actions. 83% of farms in the SFI have at least one of the planning actions (actions IPM1, MOR1, NUM1 or SAM1). Among the management actions, the most popular are:
- No use of insecticide, nematicide or acaricide on arable crops and permanent crops (IPM4) – 430,000ha
- Establish and maintain herbal leys (SAM3) – 175,000ha
- Multi-species winter cover crops (SAM2) – 124,000ha
There are 55,200,000 metres of hedgerows managed in agreements (action HRW2). However, not all metres of hedgerow in the action include both sides of the hedge. To estimate total hedgerows (both sides equivalent) in the scheme we adjust based on historic data from CS. This gives the estimate that there are currently 34,000km of total hedgerows under SFI management. Read all the statistics for the Sustainable Farming Incentive on this page.
Grants available for landlords and businesses to install EV charging points
The Office of Zero Emission Vehicles is offering grants to support the installation of electric vehicle charge points. These include:
- Electric vehicle infrastructure grants for staff and fleets. You can receive up to £350 per charge point socket installed and up to £500 per parking space enabled with supporting infrastructure.
- Electric vehicle charge point and infrastructure grants for landlords. You can receive 75% off the cost to buy and install a socket, up to a maximum of £350 per socket.
- Electric vehicle charge point grant for renters and flat owners. You can receive 75% off the cost to buy and install a socket, up to a maximum of £350.
- Electric Vehicle charge point grant for households with on-street parking. You can receive 75% off the cost to buy and install a socket, up to a maximum of £350.
The closing date for all grants is 31 March 2025. Read more here.
Risk assessment confirms a very high probability of Blue Tongue virus in 2024
APHA confirm there is a very high probability of a new introduction of bluetongue virus serotype 3 (BTV-3) into livestock in Great Britain through infected biting midges being blown over from northern Europe. Biting midges are most active between April and November and the timing of a potential incursion will depend on the temperature and wind patterns. Bluetongue virus affects:
- sheep
- cattle
- other ruminants such as deer and goats
- camelids such as llamas and alpacas
Farmers should continue to be vigilant and monitor their animals frequently, whilst making sure their livestock and land is registered with APHA and that their contact details are updated so animals can be located in the event of an outbreak. Read more on this page of the Defra website.
Read an update on changes to Class Q and Class R Conversions
Class Q relates to the conversion of barns to residential accommodation and Class R relates to the change of use of agricultural buildings. The main differences for Class Q applications are that as from 21 May 2024 the previous five-unit restriction has been increased to 10 new dwellings. Alongside this, the amount of space an applicant can convert has increased to 1,000 m², however the maximum size of any dwelling is now 150 m². Therefore, to have 10 new dwellings under Class Q, each one will need to be 100 m² each. Additionally, an applicant will be able to extend to the back of the barn or agricultural building by up to 4m on any hard surface which was present on or before July 24, 2023. The biggest factor and advantage for owners is more barns will qualify under Class Q, including those no longer used for agricultural purposes.
From May 21, Class R buildings will also be able to be changed to use Class B2 (general industrial), use Class F2(c) (outdoor sport and recreation) or the provision of agricultural training. The former floor space limit of 500 m2 has also risen to 1,000 m2.
Read more on this update from our business supporter, Sheldon Bosley Knight.
Deakin and Coombe Memorial Trust opens for applications
The Deakin and Combe Memorial Trust invites applications for assistance with the cost of further/higher education from:
- Those who are studying or about to study an agriculture related course in the academic year 2024/25.
- Applicants whose parent(s)/guardian(s) and/or grandparent(s) have made a contribution towards agriculture in England or Wales.
- Previously successful applicants who have provided their report on how their grant was used.
Applications are now open. The closing date for applications is Monday 2 September 2024. Grants to successful applicants will be sent out by the end of October 2024. Download an application form. Alternatively, you can call 07917 908553 or email rachel.harper@nfu.org.uk to request an application form.
Read about trading water rights
One of the innovative approaches the Environment Agency (EA) encourages to help manage water resources is water rights trading. This is where somebody without a water
abstraction licence or who is looking for more water may be able to enter into an agreement with an existing licence holder to trade water rights. The EA recently updated its
water rights trading map, which gives an indication of the potential for the quantities associated with a licence to be traded. The map now covers all of England and is based on more up-to-date data.. There are wider benefits of the map, such as helping farmers identify neighbours who may wish to form or join a Water Abstractor Group. Read more on this page.
Sign up to the Defra Pathfinder e-news for animal health and welfare grant updates
2024 is going to see a significant expansion of the Pathway offer to livestock keepers in England. For the first time Government is providing financial support directly to keepers to help them continually improve the health, welfare and productivity of their animals. Defra has just released a new e-news which will update farmers on the latest grant offers for livestock. To sign up to receive the e-news:
- Visit – this page
- Provide the basic details requested on the form.
- Tick the ‘Animal Health and Welfare’ box.
- Tick any other boxes that sound interesting to you.
60 day limit introduced for completing an SFI application
The SFI handbook was updated in April 2024 to introduce a 60-day time limit to submit SFI applications. If this timeline is exceeded, you will need to restart your application. Read the handbook on this page.
Leaving lawns long boosts butterfly numbers by 93%
Letting parts of your garden grow wild with long grass can increase butterfly numbers by up to 93% and attract a wider range of species, according to new research from leading wildlife charity Butterfly Conservation. The study provides the first scientific evidence that having long grass in your garden increases butterfly abundance and diversity. Creating such wild spaces may help to reverse the decline of these beautiful insects. The research is great news for gardeners and non-gardeners alike, proving the free and easy action of letting an area go wild can make a positive impact for butterflies.
The potential to provide wild spaces for butterflies and moths to thrive is huge. Gardens make up more than 728,000 hectares in Great Britain. If each of these gardens had a space that was allowed to go a little wild, with grass growing long, it would make a huge difference for butterflies and moths, providing spaces for them to feed, breed and shelter. While the research specifically studied gardens, the benefits to butterflies of long grass and wild spaces are likely to extend beyond the garden gate. Public green spaces such as parks, school grounds, allotments, and road verges, could also provide vital spaces for wildlife, and enable more people to see more butterflies if allowed to go a little wild. Read how to create your own wild space on this page.
Do you know a young Warwickshire farmer who deserves recognition?
Following the continued success of their Young Farmer of the Year Award Kenilworth and District Agricultural Society is again looking for a young farmer who deserves recognition for their work within the agricultural industry. This award, which has been running for the last 4 years, was won in 2023 by Bizza Walters with Sam Smith as runner-up. You can read all about Bizza on this link. KADAS Young Farmer 2023
The award is sponsored by Warwickshire Agricultural Society and comprises £500 for the winner and £300 for the runner-up. If you know someone like Bizza and Sam who can showcase genuine expertise in their agricultural field, possess a strong work ethic, demonstrate proactive and forward-thinking qualities, and serve as an outstanding ambassador for farming and agriculture in the UK, then please nominate them now for the 2024 title. Entry criteria are simple: Nominees must be under the age of 30 on the closing date of 30th September 2024, working in agriculture and living in Warwickshire. The winner will be announced in early December and presented with the award at the next Kenilworth Show in 2025. Read more and submit your nomination on this page.
Farming in Protected Landscapes programme for the Cotswolds is extended to 2025
The application window for this grant is open now and remains open until all funds have been allocated. The programme has now been extended until 2025 and been allocated an additional £2 million. Grants are for one-off projects that haven’t started yet and will be completed by 2025. Grants are available for projects that:
- support nature recovery
- mitigate the impacts of climate change
- provide opportunities for people to discover, enjoy and understand the landscape and its cultural heritage
- protect or improve the quality and character of the landscape or place
Grants can cover capital and revenue costs, up to 100% in exceptional cases. The level of funding offered depends on how much commercial gain a project may provide, in addition to delivering outcomes for climate, nature, people and place. Read more on this page.
Changes to Hemp Licensing announced
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Email: info@ruralhub.org.uk
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Registered office: 23 West Bar Street, Banbury, OX16 9SA
Warwickshire Rural Hub CIC Directors
Karen Ellis (Chair)
Amy Brant
Rosemary Collier
Emlyn Evans
Ian Jelley
Henry Lucas
Marion Perrett Pearson
Alexandra Robinson
Environmental Steering Group Members
Zoe Bell (Chair)
Tony Beysens
Meehal Grint, Kings Seeds
Tom Newbery, Highfield Farm
Louis Phipps, Bragborough Estate
Zoe Burrows, Rookery Farm
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