Skip to main content
GOV.UK

Blog: Farming

Organisations:
Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs

The Farming Roadmap

The Farming Roadmap

Farming Roadmap 2050: Growing England's Future sets out a clear vision for the future of farming in England. It brings together the government's long-term plans, priorities and commitments for the farming sector in a single place, providing greater clarity and direction for farmers and the wider industry.

Read more of The Farming Roadmap

Farmer Collaboration Fund: delivery partners can apply now

Posted by: The Team, Posted on: 1 September 2026 - Categories: Grants, Webinars
A close-up of a person holding a chunk of soil, with people in wellies standing on grass in the background.

Delivery partners can now apply for the Farmer Collaboration Fund. In this post, we share an overview, link to the guidance and details of webinars to learn more.

Read more of Farmer Collaboration Fund: delivery partners can apply now

Capital Grants 2026 now closed

Posted by: Oliver Munn, Posted on: 1 September 2026 - Categories: Grants, Guest post
Aerial view of a farmyard with barns, concrete yards, and several cattle standing near an open shed.

The 2026 Capital Grants offer is now closed. In this guest post, the Rural Payments Agency's Chief Executive, Oliver Munn, shares some early reflections on the data and the environmental ambition they represent.

Read more of Capital Grants 2026 now closed - 2 comments

Small R&D Partnerships competition now open

Posted by: The Team, Posted on: 1 September 2026 - Categories: Payments for research and innovation
Person applying liquid treatment to young cereal plants growing in trays during a controlled crop trial.

Round 5 of the Small Research and Development Partnerships competition is now open. UK businesses can apply to develop new farming products or services to bring them closer to commercial use. In this post, we share a summary and case studies from previous rounds of the competition.

Read more of Small R&D Partnerships competition now open

SFI26 update: Window 1 now closed

Posted by: Tom Foster, Posted on: 29 August 2026 - Categories: Sustainable Farming Incentive

Window 1 of the Sustainable Farming Incentive 2026 (SFI26) has now closed. We expect Window 2 to open from 22 September. This post provides an overview of figures and insights from Window 1.

Read more of SFI26 update: Window 1 now closed - 3 comments

Tackling drought: aquifer recharging to smart irrigation trials

Posted by: The Team, Posted on: 20 August 2026 - Categories: Farming and Countryside Team

Through the Farming Innovation Programme and its ADOPT Fund, we’re backing farmer-led ideas that strengthen access to water and help businesses adapt to increasingly hot and dry weather. In this post, we share 3 farmer-led projects already underway.

Read more of Tackling drought: aquifer recharging to smart irrigation trials - 2 comments

Apply now for the latest ADOPT funding rounds

Posted by: The Team, Posted on: 20 August 2026 - Categories: Payments for research and innovation
Combine harvester harvesting a cereal crop on an arable farm.

Eligible applicants can now apply for funding through the latest rounds of the Accelerating Development of Practices and Technologies (ADOPT) Fund.

Read more of Apply now for the latest ADOPT funding rounds

New drought support for farmers

Posted by: The Team, Posted on: 15 August 2026 - Categories: Drought support, environmental land management schemes, Grants
A dry, yellow-brown field with parched grass and bare soil under a blue sky with scattered clouds.

Farmers affected by extreme dry weather can now benefit from temporary flexibilities in ELM agreements, £50 million increase in SFI funding, and a new round of the Water Management Grant, set to open in Autumn.

Read more of New drought support for farmers - 27 comments

Managing farms and land during prolonged dry weather and drought

Posted by: The Team, Posted on: 12 August 2026 - Categories: Drought support
Tall, dry grass silhouetted against a low sun at sunset, with golden light shining through the stems.

Almost three-quarters of land in England is now in drought after experiencing record-low rainfall and unusually high temperatures. As the dry weather looks set to persist, we've gathered information and resources to help farmers and growers.

Read more of Managing farms and land during prolonged dry weather and drought - 2 comments

Apply for the Farmer Welfare Grant

Posted by: The Team, Posted on: 6 August 2026 - Categories: Farmer Welfare Grant, Farming and Countryside Team
A group of people gathered in a grassy field behind a farm gate during a community outdoor event, with trees and houses in the background on a sunny day.

The new and expanded Farmer Welfare Grant is now accepting applications from organisations with experience supporting farming communities.

Read more of Apply for the Farmer Welfare Grant - 4 comments

SFI26: an update

Posted by: The Team, Posted on: 5 August 2026 - Categories: Sustainable Farming Incentive
A wildflower-rich grassland with white clover and flowering plantain in the foreground. In the background, a person is working in the field, with rolling green farmland and farm buildings visible in the distance under a clear sky.

This post updates farmers on SFI26 uptake in Window 1, when it may close, and applying on SSSI land. We also explain how eligible farmers with ELM agreements ending soon can apply in Window 2 before those agreements expire.

Read more of SFI26: an update - 35 comments
  • Page 1
  • Page 2
  • …
  • Page 47
Next page

Related content and links

About us

This blog is managed by Defra’s Farming and Countryside Team.

On this blog, we explain the reforms to agricultural policy in England.

We share what we’re working on, what we’re learning and how you can get involved. Find out more

Our monthly newsletter

Each month, we bring together the latest policy updates, funding opportunities, consultations, research and statistics, helping you stay informed about the issues that matter to you.

Sign up to receive our newsletter.

Groceries Code Adjudicator Annual Conference

The Groceries Code Adjudicator (GCA) annual conference takes place on Tuesday 29 September.

The event will bring together suppliers, retailers and industry representatives. It will reflect on the GCA’s work to ensure fair treatment of suppliers and the support available to them, including how they can raise issues in confidence.

Register to attend

Preparing your business for the UK-EU SPS agreement

Read the new guidance to understand what the changes could mean for your business and how to prepare.

SPS agreement: preparing your business – GOV.UK

Agricultural property relief

From 6 April 2026, qualifying agricultural and business assets will continue to receive full inheritance tax relief up to a combined value of £2.5 million. Lower relief rates will apply to assets above this amount. Learn more

Talk to us

Meet the team in 2026.

29 August Wensleydale Show on Richmond Rd, Leyburn.
31 August Aylsham Show at Blickling Park, Blickling Estate, Norwich.

Get advice

The Farming Advice Service (FAS) provides free, confidential advice to farmers and advisers.

Catchment Sensitive Farming (CSF) helps farmers in England protect water, air and soil. CSF advisers can provide advice on best practices and specific actions that will benefit your farm business and the environment.

We’ve compiled a list of organisations offering wellbeing support to those in the farming community.

Join a webinar

Join upcoming webinars and watch past recordings.

Livestock disease guidance

The main livestock diseases affecting farms in England, with links to guidance.

Nutrient Management Planning Tool

Use our free tool to plan and manage your nutrient applications.

Are you a net zero supplier?

Innovate UK Business Connect invites you to join its new directory and connect with public sector buyers.

Apply to join the directory.

Sign up and manage updates

  • Email
  • Atom

Using this blog

Comments, moderation and feedback.

Defra's governance

Learn more about the decision-making, executive and managerial bodies for Defra.

Follow us

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • Defra e-alert
  • LinkedIn
  • Instagram
  • YouTube
  • Defra Farming podcast

Useful links

  • All GOV.UK blogs
  • All GOV.UK blog posts
  • GOV.UK
  • All departments
  • Accessibility statement
  • Cookies
All content is available under the Open Government Licence v3.0, except where otherwise stated
© Crown copyright