Defra says it is investing £2.7bn a year in "farming and nature recovery". The ELMS scheme will be £2bn a year by 2028/9, there are other schemes including £816m for tree planting over the entire spending review period included in this number

Full details on farming budget coming from Defra tomorrow, I have asked what (if any) other funding streams farmers will be getting by 2028/29 to supplement the £2bn as BPS will be phased out by then - to no response. If there isn't anything, that's a £400m cut by that year.

From next year, Defra plans to apply a 98% reduction to the first £30,000 of any delinked payment and any amount above £30,000 will be reduced by 100%. defrafarming.blog.gov.uk/2025/06/16/spe…

It could have been a lot worse - for example a total ban on autumn muckspreading - but farmers will still have to provide EA inspectors with greater justification National Farmers' Union Soil Association Niab Country Land & Business Assn Farmers Weekly fwi.co.uk/news/defra-imp…

After #Groundswell, usually I come away from it feeling inspired, and full of aspiration and drive for another year and a bright future. This year however, I haven’t. Government policies have completely changed my thought process. A thread 🧵Steve Reed MP Rachel Reeves 1/19

A very hot view from the office today.

Wheat’s Defenses Breached: New Strain of Yellow Rust Overcomes Key Resistance Gene Across Europe Niab Gates Foundation bgri.cornell.edu/wheats-defense…

DD 6.5 t/ha Plough 8.16 t/ha 1.66 difference at £170/tonne = £282/hectare, £114/acre. I'm off to a wedding now, I look forward to reading any comments tomorrow morning.

We’re incredibly proud to open entries for this year's Caroline Drummond Award🚜🏆🌱 Honouring individuals who champion sustainable farming & inspire others through powerful communication. #CarolineDrummondMBE #Trailblazer Enter or nominate by 31 Aug 👇 s3-eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/leaf-website/T…

“At every level of our industry, we must resist talking [suicide] into reality.” Key line in Andrew’s editorial this week.

How to improve yields on long-term no-till arable farms I am applying for an ADOPT grant to investigate this, are there any long term direct drillers with the same problems as me, who would like to help with this project farmpep.net/index.php/adop…

I don't wish to overexcite you but...on three of the previous four occasions Norwich City have lost their opening home game of a season outside the top flight, they've been promoted. Get the open top bus booked etc. #ncfc

The brass bollocks of this man (or perhaps his social media team). His government and department’s policies are going to be catastrophic for the environment.

Farmers like me are ready to protect nature—but government silence is forcing us to destroy it. Years of conservation lost for lack of leadership. Steve Reed , act now before it’s too late. Open letter from Graham Denny to a Secretary of State eastangliabylines.co.uk/farming/open-l…

🚨New contract agreed🚨 We are pleased to announce that a contract has been agreed with NFU Sugar for the 2026/27 sugar beet crop. This contract offer gives growers a range of choices dependent on their appetite for risk. See more⬇️ britishsugar.co.uk/media/news/202…

You might need to get the calculator out but lots of possible ways to go: • £30/t for up to 65% of contract • Guaranteed £25/t plus market bonus for up to 100% • Index (futures) linked option for up to 50% • one-year holiday for up to 750,000t on first come, first served

1/3 A section from an email just received from a landlord’s agent concerning a new Farm Business Tenancy agreement. Sadly, this approach is becoming all too prevalent together with shortening lengths of term and reducing landlords’ investment….

The Budget inheritance tax changes raised £500m/year, but hit small/businesses unfairly. And also allowed much IHT avoidance to continue A new proposal does the impossible: protects small farms/businesses, hits avoidance, AND raises twice as much revenue. How? 🧵:

Final key point: The greatest value I have seen within these trials is growing a standard break crop such as peas/beans alongside an additional high value niche crop such as vetch/mustard is where margins can be significantly improved. Diversity is everything. ✌🏼

Guardian editorial column calls for Rachel Reeves to reconsider the family farm tax: theguardian.com/commentisfree/…