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Organisations:
Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs

Webinar follow up: livestock and grassland

Posted by: , Posted on: - Categories: Payments for equipment, technology and infrastructure, Payments to improve animal health and welfare, Sustainable Farming Incentive, Things we're doing, Webinars

We recently held a webinar for livestock and grassland farmers in England. In the webinar, we gave an overview of the Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) offer and how the scheme supports both productivity and the environment. We also covered the Animal Health and Welfare Pathway and the grants on offer through the Farming Equipment and Technology Fund. In this post, we summarise what we covered and include the recording and links for you to learn more.

Acting on the recommendations of the Dartmoor Review

Posted by: , Posted on: - Categories: Future Farming and Countryside Programme

Last year, ministers commissioned an independent review into protected site management on Dartmoor. Chaired by David Fursdon, the review was undertaken with advice and input from a panel of expert advisers, local farmers and stakeholders. The review aimed to help us better understand how we can work with farmers to deliver much-needed environmental improvements on Dartmoor, balancing this alongside agricultural production, public access and cultural and natural heritage. Today we published our response to the report.

Water Restoration Fund: grants now available

Posted by: , Posted on: - Categories: Farming and Countryside Programme, Grants

Groups of farmers in England can now apply for a grant to improve freshwater habitats. Through the new Water Restoration Fund, local groups can apply for funding to bolster their capacity and capabilities for delivery of on-the-ground projects which improve the water environment. In this post, we'll explain how the fund works.

Storm Henk: grants available for affected farmers

Posted by: , Posted on: - Categories: Flooding support, Grants

If you suffered damage to your land during Storm Henk that was uninsurable, the Rural Payments Agency (RPA) will contact you about financial support to help cover the costs of returning your land to the condition it was in before flooding occurred. In this post, we'll give an overview. Post updated 12 April.

Why we’re putting area limits on some SFI actions

Posted by: , Posted on: - Categories: Sustainable Farming Incentive
Up on the hill the farmer is turning the grass to help it dry and so get a crop of hay rather than sileage. Photo taken in High Birkwith.

Since we opened the Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) for applications, we’ve continued to refine the scheme. One of the things we’ve been monitoring is the impact of those actions which take land out of food production. In this post, we’ll explain why we’re putting area limits on some SFI actions.

Horticultural farmers and growers in England – apply for an FETF grant today

Posted by: , Posted on: - Categories: Grants, Payments for equipment, technology and infrastructure, Payments to improve animal health and welfare

With the deadline fast approaching, I want to encourage horticulture growers and farmers in England – and contractors to them – to consider applying for a grant offered through the Farming Equipment and Technology Fund 2024 (FETF). 

Farming Podcast: improving animal health and welfare on your farm  

Posted by: and , Posted on: - Categories: Future Farming Podcast, Grants, Payments to improve animal health and welfare

In this episode of the Farming podcast, our lead for healthier animals, Martin Jenkins, talks to dairy farmer Karen Halton. They are joined by infectious disease expert and vet James Russell. They explain what to expect from the SFI annual health and welfare review,

Animal Health and Welfare grants now available

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

You can now apply for an Animal Health and Welfare grant through the Farming Equipment and Technology Fund (FETF) 2024. These grants go towards the cost of items on a list that support animal health and welfare. We developed the list with farmers, vets and other experts. There are over 130 items on the list and 29 are new for this round. You'll see a range of items: from mobile cattle handling systems to enclosed piglet creeps to poultry perches. If you're a livestock farmer, it's worth taking a look.

From application to agreement: making the process to join SFI simple

Posted by: , Posted on: - Categories: Sustainable Farming Incentive
Interior shot of Mac screen in a kitchen, with SFI apply page displayed

When you apply for the Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI), we want your experience to be smooth and we want to offer you as much flexibility as possible. In this post, we’ll set out what you can do and what we’re doing to make the process of applying as straightforward as it can be, so you can join the 14,000 other farmers, growers and land managers who've already applied.

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

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

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