Skip to main content
GOV.UK
Blog: Farming
Organisations:
Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs

The Sustainable Farming Incentive offer in 2023: guidance update

Posted by: The Team, Posted on: 10 August 2023 - Categories: Sustainable Farming Incentive
A view of English farmland with trees and fields in the distance under a blue sky.

We've made some minor changes to the SFI Handbook for the 2023 offer and provided voluntary guidance on how you could do the SFI actions in response to feedback from farmers. In this post, we’ll share an overview and links. 

Read more of The Sustainable Farming Incentive offer in 2023: guidance update - 38 comments

Water Management grants: get ready for round 2

Posted by: Gordon Jones, Posted on: 4 April 2023 - Categories: Payments for equipment, technology and infrastructure
Water management grant: image of reservoir and glasshouse

In a few weeks' time, you will be able to apply for a Water Management grant.  To help you prepare, we’ve published guidance for the grant on GOV.UK. In this post, I’ll give an overview of the grant and details of a webinar for you to find out more. 

Read more of Water Management grants: get ready for round 2 - 2 comments

How we're improving advice

Posted by: Jane Green, Posted on: 16 August 2021 - Categories: Things we're doing, Things we've learned, Ways to get involved

The Future Farming Advice team is responsible for making sure that people have the advice they need to support them through the agricultural transition and beyond. In this post, I’ll give you an overview of our work. I’ll share some of our findings and explain what we’re doing next.

Read more of How we're improving advice - 4 comments

What we're learning about advice through tests and trials

Posted by: Louise Maguire, Posted on: 21 June 2021 - Categories: Things we're doing, Things we've learned

One of the areas we’re looking at is how much advice and guidance farmers and land managers might need in our new schemes.  We’ve got 43 tests and trials exploring this and in this post we’ll share the latest findings.

Read more of What we're learning about advice through tests and trials

Related content and links

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

Our monthly newsletter

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.

Sign up to receive our newsletter.

Talk to us

7 October Dairy Show at The Bath & West Showground, Shepton Mallet, Somerset.

10 October Alwinton Show at Gallow Law, Alwinton, Northumberland.

Find a list of the other shows and events we’re attending in 2026

Helping farmers access water this autumn

Drought is putting real pressure on farmers this year. The Environment Agency is giving farmers greater flexibility by letting existing abstraction licence holders start refilling their water storage reservoirs early, a month ahead of usual schedule. This temporary change runs from 1 October to 31 October. 

We recognise the difficulty in getting a long duration abstraction licence and the blocker this presents to long-term investment in sustainable abstraction practices.

As part of the package announced on 1 October to support farmers to access water, the Environment Agency have made it easier for those who don’t currently have an abstraction license to apply for licences that better support long-term investment. 

Full details of the changes and information on how to be compliant can be found on the Environment Agency blog.

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.

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.

Join a webinar

Join upcoming webinars and watch past recordings.

Livestock disease guidance

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

Preparing your business for the UK-EU SPS agreement

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

SPS agreement: preparing your business – GOV.UK

Nutrient Management Planning Tool

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

Sign up and manage updates

  • Email
  • Atom

Using this blog

Comments, moderation and feedback.

Defra's governance

Learn more about the decision-making, executive and managerial bodies for Defra.

Follow us

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • Defra e-alert
  • LinkedIn
  • Instagram
  • YouTube
  • Defra Farming podcast

Useful links

  • All GOV.UK blogs
  • All GOV.UK blog posts
  • GOV.UK
  • All departments
  • Accessibility statement
  • Cookies
All content is available under the Open Government Licence v3.0, except where otherwise stated
© Crown copyright