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Blog: Farming

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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

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 - 27 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 - 4 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 - 45 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 - 11 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 - 54 comments

Apply now for automation and robotics funding

Posted by: The Team, Posted on: 3 August 2026 - Categories: Payments for research and innovation, Webinars
A drone flying over a vineyard with blue skies and green hills in the distance.

Innovators in farming can now apply for a share of up to £20 million through Round 2 of the Farming Futures Automation and Robotics competition, part of the Farming Innovation Programme.

Read more of Apply now for automation and robotics funding

Capital Grants 2026: 75% of budget allocated

Posted by: The Team, Posted on: 1 August 2026 - Categories: Farming and Countryside Team, Grants
Wide-view-of-a-rural-field-with-young-trees-planted-in-rows-among-tall-grasses-bordered-by-hedgerows-and-mature-trees-under-an-overcast-sk

We can confirm that 75% of the 2026 Capital Grants budget has been allocated.

Read more of Capital Grants 2026: 75% of budget allocated - 15 comments
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About us

This blog is managed by Defra’s Farming Directorate.

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.

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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.

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Join our webinars

Join two free evening webinars to learn more about agroforestry support.

10 November Agroforestry grants explained.

17 November PA4 Agroforestry plans explained.

Both webinars run from 7pm to 8:30pm. You can also watch recordings on our webinars page.

Talk to us

11 November Herefordshire Rural Business Hub at Skylon Park in Hereford.

12 November Nature Finance Conference at the Queen Elizabeth II Centre in London.

13 November ASAO Conference at the South of England Showground, in Haywards Heath.

Find a list of the other shows and events we’re attending.

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.

Could your farm help shape the future?

The Farm Business Survey (FBS) gives farmers free, confidential insights into their business, helping them understand performance and see how their farm compares with similar businesses.

By taking part, farmers also help build a better picture of farming in England.

Register your interest or explore FBS data

Storing fertiliser safely

If you are ordering fertiliser for the coming season, check that it can be stored safely and securely before delivery. The action you need to take depends on the type and quantity of fertiliser.

Follow the relevant guidance to protect people, prevent contamination or deterioration, and meet the rules for storing ammonium nitrate and other substances.

Read the AIC’s guide to storing, handling & transporting ammonium nitrate and the HSE’s steps to take.

Nutrient Management Planning Tool

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

Livestock disease guidance

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

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