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Blog: Farming
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Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs

Watch: how a White Peak beef farmer uses herbal leys 

Posted by: Graham Higgins, Posted on: 10 September 2026 - Categories: Farming across the UK

In the latest film in our White Peak herbal leys series, beef farmer James Frost shares how he establishes and manages herbal leys to support forage quality, soil health and biodiversity.

Read more of Watch: how a White Peak beef farmer uses herbal leys 

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 - 22 comments

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

Capital Grants 2026: 50% of budget allocated

Posted by: The Team, Posted on: 31 July 2026 - Categories: Farming and Countryside Team, Grants
An-open-grassy-field-with-a-young-tree-supported-by-wooden-stakes-overlaid-with-a-white-line-drawing-showing-the-trees-canopy-above-ground

We can confirm that 50% of the 2026 Capital Grants budget has been allocated.

Read more of Capital Grants 2026: 50% of budget allocated - 6 comments

Capital Grants 2026 now open

Posted by: Sarah Blatchford, Posted on: 30 July 2026 - Categories: Grants

This is a short post to let you know that the 2026 Capital Grants offer is now open for applications.

Read more of Capital Grants 2026 now open - 15 comments

Watch the Capital Grants 2026 webinar

Posted by: Sarah Blatchford, Posted on: 27 July 2026 - Categories: Grants
Close-up of a spade being pushed into dry grass during tree planting, with the lower legs and boots of a person visible in the background. The outdoor scene is focused on the planting tool and grassy vegetation.

To help you prepare to apply for Capital Grants 2026, we hosted a webinar on Thursday 30 July for you to find out more.

Read more of Watch the Capital Grants 2026 webinar - 12 comments

New date for Capital Grants 2026 webinar

Posted by: The Team, Posted on: 14 July 2026 - Categories: Grants
Laptop on a desk displaying information, alongside a notebook, stationery and a mug.

A new time and date have been set for the upcoming Capital Grants 2026 webinar. Join us on Thursday 30 July at 11am.

Read more of New date for Capital Grants 2026 webinar - 1 comment

Capital Grants: get your supporting evidence ready

Posted by: Sarah Blatchford, Posted on: 1 July 2026 - Categories: Grants
Close-up of two people at a desk reviewing documents, with hands visible over a ring binder folder containing printed papers, suggesting paperwork or application forms being checked together.

Capital Grants help farmers, land managers and rural businesses make practical improvements that benefit the environment across England. The offer is set to open in late July 2026. We're encouraging those who wish to apply to gather and submit the required evidence as early as possible.

Read more of Capital Grants: get your supporting evidence ready - 7 comments

Watch our SFI26 webinar

Posted by: The Team, Posted on: 17 June 2026 - Categories: Sustainable Farming Incentive, Webinars
A Dell laptop on a wooden table displays an online presentation titled “Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI)” with bullet points on the left and a photo of sheep grazing near a church on the right. In front of the laptop, an open lined notebook with handwritten notes and a black pen rests on the table, suggesting someone is taking notes during a webinar.

Following the publication of the final Sustainable Farming Incentive 2026 (SFI26) scheme information, we hosted a webinar with the Farming Advice Service (FAS) on 25 June.

Read more of Watch our SFI26 webinar - 3 comments

Capital Grants 2026: guidance now available

Posted by: Sarah Blatchford, Posted on: 28 May 2026 - Categories: Grants

Guidance for the 2026 Capital Grants offer is now available on GOV.UK. Capital Grants help farmers and land managers pay for environmental improvements that support food production, improve water and air quality, support nature, and help farms become more resilient.

Read more of Capital Grants 2026: guidance now available - 24 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.

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Join our webinars

Join two free evening webinars:

17 November at 7pm PA4 Agroforestry plans explained.

19 November at 12pm Farming Advice Service (FAS): AI in Agriculture.

25 November at 7pm Tenant Farmers Association (TFA): one year with Alan Laidlaw.

You can also watch previous 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.

Check out the list of 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

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.

Boiler Upgrade Scheme

If you’re thinking about getting a heat pump, check out the Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS).

The scheme helps property owners switch from fossil fuel heating to a cleaner heating system by providing money towards the upfront cost. Households are able to access the scheme and it isn’t means-tested.

You can get a £7,500 grant towards the cost and installation of an air or ground source heat pump. If your home is heated by oil or LPG, you could receive £9,000 towards a heat pump.

Find out more about getting a heat pump on the government’s Clean Energy website.

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