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Blog Farming

Organisations:
Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs

Introducing the Animal Health and Welfare Pathway

Posted by: , Posted on: - Categories: Payments to improve animal health and welfare

Over the last couple of years, a group of farmers, supported by vets, specialists and Defra colleagues have worked together to design a way to help fellow farmers bolster the health and welfare of their stock, whilst at the same time improving their bottom line. We’re calling it the Animal Health and Welfare Pathway. In this post, I'll share more.

What we’re learning about collaboration through tests and trials

Posted by: , Posted on: - Categories: Conversations we're having, environmental land management schemes, Farmers, Things we've learned
Two people in conversation at an agricultural show

One goal of Defra’s Future Farming and Countryside Programme is to help farmers and land managers achieve bigger, better environmental benefits. There’s a lot that farmers can do individually on their own land, but there are often circumstances where it makes more sense for several people or businesses to join forces and collaborate on something that benefits all of them, as well as the environment. We want to encourage more collaboration like this.

Measuring success: the role of self-assessment

Posted by: , Posted on: - Categories: environmental land management schemes, Guest post

Farmers can play a critical role in tackling the nature and climate crises, but do they also have an important role in assessing the health of the natural environment too? This is the question the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) posed as part of a Defra-funded test and trial.

Answering farmers' questions about the Sustainable Farming Incentive

Posted by: , Posted on: - Categories: Conversations we're having, environmental land management schemes, Q&A, Things we're doing

The Farming Forum recently held a Q&A session with Janet Hughes, Defra’s Future Farming and Countryside Programme Director. Farmers were invited to submit their questions about the Sustainable Farming Incentive. Clive Bailye, Director of the Farming Forum, put the most-asked questions to Janet. This is part 1 of 2.

Things we learned at this summer's agricultural shows

Posted by: , Posted on: - Categories: Things we're doing, Things we've learned

We went to these shows intending to talk about the changes coming in the farming sector, but just as importantly, to listen to concerns and learn from different experiences. Some themes emerged from the conversations we had. This post is about what we heard, and how we're responding.

Farming in Protected Landscapes: ideas for your farm

Posted by: , Posted on: - Categories: Payments to support parks, National Landscapes and the Broads, Ways to get involved
Protected landscapes - Defra Future Farming

In this video, Suzanne Fletcher from the Peak District National Park and Tom Munro from the Dorset Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty explain the Farming in Protected Landscapes application process and give you some ideas of the projects you could do on your farm.

The farmers who work in Defra

Posted by: and , Posted on: - Categories: A view from the farm, Farmers in Defra

Some of our colleagues are also farmers. In this post, Ben Keene and Brian Longman introduce the Defra Farmer's Forum, the group which brings them together. They also share their stories. In the months that follow, we’ll hear from more farmers who either work in the Future Farming and Countryside Programme or support our work from their teams elsewhere in Defra.

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About us

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

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

Talk to us

On 15 March, we are attending Borderway UK Dairy Expo in Carlisle.

Come and say hello to our team.

You can also find us at these agricultural shows and conferences in 2025.

Funding for farmers, growers and land managers in England

GOV.UK is the place to find official guidance and information.

Funding for farmers, growers and land managers sets out every payment on offer with links to learn more.

Get advice

The Farming Advice Service (FAS) provide 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.

Webinars in 2025

Attend upcoming webinars and watch recordings.

BPS and delinked payments

Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) in England will be replaced with delinked payments in 2024.

Learn how they’re calculated and who’s eligible.

Sign up and manage updates

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