Watch: lessons from farmers growing herbal leys in the Derbyshire White Peak

Posted by: , Posted on: - Categories: Farming across the UK

Last summer, we visited farmers in the Derbyshire White Peak to hear what they’ve learned from growing herbal leys in improved grassland systems. Working with Catchment Sensitive Farming adviser Ben Rodgers, they have been exploring how multi-species swards can be integrated into grassland farming. In this post, we’re sharing the first films from that work.

Farming podcast: building resilience through soil and water management

Posted by: and , Posted on: - Categories: Conversations we're having, Defra Farming Podcast
Green background with illustrated farmland and silhouettes of two people walking, alongside text naming speakers Hannah Barrett, Charlie Ennals and Thomas Gent, and three small speaker headshots.

In this episode, a Catchment Sensitive Farming adviser speaks to two arable farmers. One farms in Norfolk and the other in Cambridgeshire. They discuss how natural processes, like soil and water management, can help farms reduce costs.

Soil health and profit: lessons from mixed, arable and upland farms

Posted by: , Posted on: - Categories: Future Farming Podcast

In this episode of the podcast, guest host Neil Pickard talks with Stuart Johnson, Soil Farmer of the Year 2023, and Kyle Richardville from Understanding Ag. They discuss how improving soil health can increase profitability on mixed, arable and upland livestock farms.

Working together for water: 51 projects receive share of £11 million fund

Posted by: , Posted on: - Categories: Farming across the UK, flood risk and water pollution.

Last year, money collected from fines on water companies between April 2022 and October 2023 was invested in the £11 million Water Restoration Fund. In this post, we share the list of successful grant applicants and highlight one of the projects.

Spending Review 2025: a commitment to farming 

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Steve Reed, Environment Secretary, stands outdoors at a livestock show talking with two men. He is in the centre, wearing a brown jacket and light blue shirt, listening. On his left, an older man in a dark coat and black bowler hat gestures while speaking. On his right, a suited man with a red and blue striped tie looks down thoughtfully. Cattle and people are visible in the background.

Following the Spending Review, Defra has secured a multi-year funding commitment from HM Treasury. More than £2.7 billion a year will be invested in sustainable farming and nature recovery from 2026 to 2029. Funding for the Environmental Land Management Schemes paid to farmers will increase by 150% over this time period.

Funding available for nutrient management solutions

Posted by: , Posted on: - Categories: Grants, Payments for research and innovation, Payments to improve soil health
Farmer walks across field under grey and blue skies

Through the £15 million Nutrient Management competition, we’re offering funding to develop solutions which address the challenges related to nutrient management in soils and water associated with agricultural livestock and crop production. In this post, I'll share links to the guidance so you can prepare for the competition opening on 29 May.