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Know How / ELM

The Environmental Land Management (ELM) scheme will replace basic payments to farmers in England. The scheme will provide payments for farming that improves the environment and mitigates climate change, such as hedge planting and river management.

We explain the details as they emerge to help farmers understand how they will qualify for payments under the scheme.

Advice and tips

PEST MANAGEMENT

How to introduce SFI 2023's no insecticide option

After another delay, applications for the Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) 2023 are due to finally open in mid-September, with the new no use of insecticide action being one of the…

BUSINESS MANAGEMENT

Farm business challenges highlighted by free advice scheme

We asked two firms offering free farm business advice through the Future Farm Resilience Fund (FFRF) for some of the common themes emerging from their discussions with farmers. The issues…

FARM POLICY

Tips to survive and thrive amid falling BPS payments

The UK agricultural sector is undergoing the biggest policy shake-up in 60 years, and government support for farmers is facing a radical overhaul. Defra has started its new Environmental Land…

BUSINESS

Business Clinic: Should we take up SFI on mixed family farm?

Whether it’s a legal, tax, insurance, management or land issue, Farmers Weekly’s experts can help. James Bradley of Carter Jonas Rural sets out how the SFI and other sources of…

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Case studies

CROP MANAGEMENT

Berks estate focuses on three elements in environmental move

Nick Down is focusing on the three key elements of soil health, cutting insecticide use and using companion cropping as he looks to fit new environmental scheme payments into an…

NUTRITION AND FERTILISER

How environmental rewards have come from a regen approach

The environmental impact of every input and field operation is considered before it becomes part of the regenerative system at Whitbread Farms, near Biggleswade in Bedfordshire. As a result, some…

ELM

SFI: Two growers weigh up the pros and cons

Fears about how it would work in practice and doubts about the payment rates on offer saw the Sustainable Farming Incentive get off to a slow start, with just a…

ELM

Famous Yorks estate prepares for new environmental schemes

One large North Yorkshire estate has mapped out its biodiversity and carbon footprint to give it a head start in applying for complex "public money for public goods" environmental schemes.…

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Insights

ELM

Analysis: Time for a closer look as SFI opens for business

With the latest iteration of the Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) due to open for applicants on Monday (18 September), a growing number of farmers in England will be asking themselves…

ENVIRONMENTAL SCHEMES

SFI 2023: What's on offer for arable farmers

The full version of the Sustainable Farming Incentive 2023 for England was revealed in June, receiving a mixed reception from growers and advisers alike. With 23 actions and a far…

ELM

Environmental Land Management - your questions answered

Earlier this year, after much clamour for more detail about the new post-Brexit policy for English farmers, Defra finally set out its plans for the next stage of its Environmental…

CROP MANAGEMENT

Will arable farmers opt for Sustainable Farming Incentive?

Finally, there's some clarity about what the Sustainable Farming Incentive will offer, with six new standards on top of the three existing ones, three-year agreements, quarterly payments, and simpler online…

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News

PAYMENTS, SCHEMES AND GRANTS

Defra provides clarity on farming budget spend

Defra has offered clarity on how the agricultural budget for England is being allocated amid concerns from food and farming organisations over a lack of transparency about where the money…

AGRICULTURAL TRANSITION

Defra’s 2023 SFI scheme opens for applications in England

Defra’s Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) scheme for England is starting to accept applications after its launch was delayed by technical issues. Farmers in England who are claiming basic payments will…

AGRICULTURAL TRANSITION

More support for upland farmers demanded in petition

A Cumbrian dairy farmer has launched a petition demanding better support from Defra for farmers in the uplands and nature-friendly agriculture. James Robinson, an organic dairy farmer based at Strickley…

AGRICULTURAL TRANSITION

Defra to fast-track SFI 2023 payments before year end

Defra has announced plans to make earlier payments to farmers in England who enter its Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) this year after the launch of the new scheme was pushed…

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