FETF 2025 closing soon: still time to apply
If you're thinking about investing in new kit, there’s still time to apply for the Farming Equipment and Technology Fund 2025. Applications are open now and will close at midday on 10 July.
We're working with farms to improve the way we regulate and support farming and the environment.
If you'd like to get in contact with the editor, leave a comment on any post.
If you're thinking about investing in new kit, there’s still time to apply for the Farming Equipment and Technology Fund 2025. Applications are open now and will close at midday on 10 July.
Following the Spending Review, Defra has secured a multi-year funding commitment from HM Treasury. More than £2.7 billion a year will be invested in sustainable farming and nature recovery from 2026 to 2029. Funding for the Environmental Land Management Schemes paid to farmers will increase by 150% over this time period.
We've launched a call for evidence to better understand how we can support and incentivise business to invest in nature recovery.
The Farming Equipment and Technology Fund 2025 (FETF) is now open for applications.
To bring HLS payment rates closer to those offered under CSHT and SFI, we’re investing £30 million to increase payments for most HLS options. The rates are now on GOV.UK.
The Farming Equipment and Technology Fund (FETF) opens for applications on 29 May, offering grants of up to £25,000 to help cut costs and boost efficiency on your farm. To help you prepare, we’ve published guidance on GOV.UK. In this post, we’ll give an overview of what the grant offers and how to apply.
Nature markets allow individuals and businesses to pay for the benefits that nature provides, often supporting environmental conservation and restoration efforts. A new standard aims to bring clarity and confidence to nature markets.
The UK’s National Action Plan for Pesticides guides farmers towards sustainable pest, weed and disease management through integrated pest management (IPM). By combining techniques like crop rotation, biodiversity, and selective pesticide use, IPM strengthens farm resilience, boosts food production, and helps nature thrive. In this post we share resources and case studies.
In this post, we summarise the government's £5 billion investment in farming. We outline how the funding is allocated across the Farming and Countryside Programme. We also highlight recent updates and future plans.
With record numbers of farm businesses in farming schemes and the sustainable farming budget successfully allocated, we will stop accepting new applications for SFI from today. In this post, we set out what it means for you.
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

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.

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.

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


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.

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