Welcome to this month’s update. After a run of drier weather, many of you will have taken the opportunity to get on with fieldwork and make good progress where conditions have allowed. While it’s been a welcome change from the challenges of the winter, it does start to raise the question of how the season might play out if these dry conditions continue into the summer months – something we’ll all be keeping a close eye on as crops establish and grass growth responds.

We are pleased to share that Herefordshire Rural Hub has been confirmed as a delivery partner in Defra’s soil research programme for the Wye, known as “Living Labs.” Working alongside the University of the West of England as project lead, the Hub will be supporting farmer engagement to ensure this research is grounded in practical farming reality. This is a valuable opportunity to help answer some of the key questions we’re all grappling with around how our soils, nutrients and water interact – and how we keep nutrients where they are needed for crop growth, rather than being lost to our rivers and streams.  This project will be running over the next three years, and we’ll be working to make sure it delivers useful, real-world insights for farm businesses across the catchment. There will be plenty more to share in the coming months as this work gets underway and there will be opportunity in May to attend a workshop to steer what these “Living Labs” will study – if you’d like to be involved in this please let Kate know via director@herefordshireruralhub.co.uk .

As always, if anything in this newsletter raises questions or you’d like to get involved in upcoming work, please do get in touch.

Upcoming Events

Webinar: National Hedgerow Week 2026: The Craft of Hedgelaying with Nigel Adams  

Tues 5th May

1pm to 2pm  

A webinar to deep dive into the world of hedgelaying, with particular attention to its diverse regional styles.  

To book your place click here

Soil Farmer of the Year Farm Walk: Trecorras Farm, Herefordshire 

Tues 5th May     

2pm to 4pm 

Join FCT for a farm walk at John Joseph's Trecorras Farm, winner of 2025's Soil Farmer of the Year.

To book your place click here  

Webinar: National Hedgerow Week 2026: Helping the Mighty Hawthorn  

Thurs 7th May

1pm to 2pm  

Join Charlotte Benham for a webinar for an introduction to an ongoing hawthorn research project seeking to better understand the resilience of - and threats to - this ionic hedgerow species.   

To book your place click here

Community Cancer Champion Training - Farming Community   

Fri 15th May

10am to 2pm 

Train as a Community Cancer Champion to raise awareness, support early detection & improve access to care in Herefordshire. 

To book your place click here

HFYFC Annual County Rally  

Sat 16th May 

Sherrington Manor Farm, Broxwood, Leominster HR6 9JR

For more information click here 

Free Workshop: Alternative Proteins in Poultry Feed

Mon 18th May

10am to 3:30pm

Frank's Farm, Brockley Rd, Elsworth, Cambridge CB23 4EY 

Herefordshire Rural Hub subscribers are invited to a free, half‑day workshop exploring the potential for alternative proteins to fortify or substitute soy in UK poultry feed.

To book your place click here 

Hub Go-To-Businesses
link

At NFU Mutual Hereford North and Borders, we understand that your farm is more than a business, it’s your livelihood, your legacy, and your home. But every year, devastating fires threaten farms across the UK, causing millions of pounds in damage, endangering lives, and disrupting operations. Many of these fires are preventable. That’s why we’re urging farmers to take proactive steps to reduce fire risks and protect what matters most..

Funding & Schemes

Farming Equipment and Technology Fund (FETF) 2026  
Closing Date extended to 12th May

The fund offers £50 million to help farmers, growers, foresters, and contractors invest in equipment and technology that boosts productivity, animal welfare, and slurry management.

Funding & Eligibility

Grants: £1,000–£25,000 per theme, with a £75,000 maximum per business

What’s New

• Updated equipment lists and some new technologies added

• Vet advice and new entrant uplifts removed

• Applicants must use the same contact details as in the Rural Payments service

This is the last standalone FETF; future schemes will combine the strongest elements

Themes & Key Items

• Productivity: autonomous UV‑C treatment, precision sprayers, rainwater harvesting, robotic silage pushers

• Animal Welfare: ventilation systems, biosecurity improvements, livestock handling equipment

• Slurry Management: robotic slurry collectors, low‑emission spreaders

Ensure your contact details match details registered in the Rural Payments service.   

Closing date for applications extended to midday 12 May 2026

For more information please visit GOV.UK

2026 Capital Grants  - Get Ready to Apply 

• Boundaries, Trees and Orchards - £35,000
• Water Quality - £25,000
• Air Quality - £25,000
• Natural Flood Management - £25,000
  

• Submit supporting evidence upfront - incomplete applications can slow decisions or be rejected.
• Claim completed works from previous Countryside Stewardship agreements to free up land parcels for new applications.
• Check your RPA registration and ensure your land parcels and maps are accurate.
• Check funding availability - Capital Grants are paid after work is completed, so you will need to cover costs upfront. Applications over £50,000 require proof of sufficient funds from a qualified accountant. 

Catchment Sensitive Farming Support
Some items require prior CSF support.  If you've had support in the last two years, you can use it again.  CSF advisers are prioritising requested visits, with new visits available later in the year.

Tenant Farmers
If you are a tenant, you may need your landlords agreement if your tenancy is less than 5 years.  You will need to supply a land ownership control form in those cases. 

Full details, item-specific evidence requirements and guidance will be availble in the guidance on GOV.UK once published in May.

Higher Tier Capital Grants 2026 – Open

• Specialist livestock and water management infrastructure
• Woodland and habitat management works
• Grassland restoration activities
• Protection of historic and environmental features

• Be registered on the Rural Payments Service
• Have land parcels correctly mapped
• Speak with a Natural England adviser to agree suitable capital items

• Work must not start before approval
• All required permissions and consents must be in place
• Applications will stay open until the funding is allocated.

Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) - 2026  
What’s New in the Sustainable Farming Incentive

Defra has published an update on the Sustainable Farming Incentive offer for 2026 (SFI26) and what farmers can expect from the next phase of support.

Application Windows & Eligibility

• Window 1 opens in June 2026, prioritising small farms (up to 50 ha) and farms without an existing ELM revenue agreement.

• Window 2 opens in September 2026 and welcomes applications from all farms.
  

Simpler & More Flexible

• All actions are now 3‑year commitments instead of 5, making the scheme more accessible, especially for tenant farmers.
• Base actions and their associated supplemental actions must be applied for together, simplifying management and improving value.

What’s Ahead

Defra will publish full SFI26 guidance and budget before the first window opens and provide regular updates as funding windows are launched.  They are expecting a high uptake in June so we encourage those planning to apply, to prepare as much as possible ahead of the window opening. 

Regulation & Compliance

New Guidance on Long-Term Farm Business Tenancies

Farming is a long-term business, with decisions on planning, infrastructure, environmental improvements, and farm systems often taking years to show results. To support this, the Farm Tenancy Forum has published new guidance on long-term Farm Business Tenancies (FBTs).

To view the guidance click here , the guidance helps landlords, tenants, and advisers consider key factors when agreeing a long-term tenancy. Every business and landholding is different, so it focuses on discussions that lead to fair, practical agreements for both parties.

Key areas covered include:

• Setting clear expectations from the outset
• Rent review approaches
• Responsibilities for repairs, maintenance, and fixed equipment
• Planning improvements
• End-of-tenancy processes
• Developing long-term management and environmental plans while retaining flexibility

Benefits
Long-term FBTs give tenants security to plan, invest, and build resilient businesses, while helping landlords secure long-term management and stewardship of their land. Early discussions can prevent misunderstandings and strengthen working relationships.

Landlords and tenants should seek independent professional advice before entering or changing an agreement. The new guidance encourages more parties to consider how long-term tenancies could work for them.

Training & Development

Apprenticeships, Training and 
Short Courses 

• Animal care and Welfare
• Farm Worker
• Forestry and Arboriculture
• Welding
• Farriery
• Equine
• Countryside Ranger

• Safe Use of Pesticides
• Telehandler/ ATV
• Tractor Driving
• Welding, Metal Work & Fabrication
• Blacksmithing
• Chainsaw Maintenance

• Short Courses
• Apprenticeships

The Jack Hughes Fund supports the cost of training for members of Herefordshire’s farming community.

Advice & Support

Practical Microbial Solutions for Farming  

BactoTech UK helps farmers improve efficiency, soil biology and crop resilience with proven microbial products.

We can support farms looking to: 

• Improve nitrogen and phosphorus efficiency, helping reduce the cost of artificial inputs
• Support soil health and root development
• Improve crop establishment and resilience
• Accelerate straw and crop residue breakdown
• Improve slurry and manure management

At a time when fertiliser costs remain a major concern, biological solutions can help farmers explore more efficient ways to support crops and soils.

Visit our website to learn more, or get in touch to discuss which products may suit your farm. 

https://bactotech.co.uk/
hello@bactotech.co.uk

Expert advice. Tailored support. 

Helping your farm stay compliant, pass inspections, secure funding and gain accreditation.

Specialist advice and tailored documentation to help you comply with regulations and stay inspection-ready.

We can help with:

• Agricultural Compliance
• Farm Assurance
• Stewardship & Grant Applications
• Carbon Auditing
• Health & Safety
• HR Support

T: 01981 590514 E: info@cxcs.co.uk W: https://cxcs.co.uk

Get in touch to find out how we can support your farming business.

Farming with Nature 

Herefordshire Wildlife Trust supports customers with habitat and conservation advice including:

• Wildlife & Habitat Surveying
• Habitat Management Plans
• Biodiversity Net Gain

Find out more and get in touch via www.herefordshirewt.org/farmingwithnature

Species-Rich Grassland: Advisory Services from Herefordshire Meadows

• Advice & guidance regarding management or restoration of species-rich grassland.
• Grassland assessment for suitability of SFI options for livestock, soil health, flood and drought resilience and biodiversity.
• Grassland surveys e.g. assessing suitability for GRH6 option.
• Guidance regarding permanent grassland, floodplain and cultivated land.

Catchment Sensitive Farming (CSF) Support

CSF have four advisers working across Herefordshire: Alice Probert and Rob Edwards cover the Arrow, Lugg, and Frome catchments, Nick Hinchliffe covers the Wye, and Amy Stephens handles the Leadon.

• Nutrient, slurry and manure management
• Soil health
• Pesticide handling
• Natural flood management
• Reducing ammonia emissions
• Sustainable water use
• Guidance on farming schemes and regulations

If you are interested in applying for future grants we would strongly recommend getting in touch with CSF as soon as possible to ensure you have the right supporting documents lined up ready to apply in good time before the next window opens.

Booking a CSF Visit
To request support, email a completed Catchment Sensitive Farming Advice Request form  to  csf.severn@naturalengland.org.uk.

Maize Under-Sowing
Service Available Locally

• Winter/ Spring grazing opportunities (up to 3-4 tonnes DM/ha)
• Compliance with Farming Rules for Water (England)
• Enhances soil structure with active root mass
• Retains soil nutrients (+50kg/Ha N + K)
• Reduces soil erosion
• Builds fertility and organic matter
• Mitigates compaction from harvesting machinery
• Eligibility for SFI cover crop option (CSAM2)

Desk Aches on the Farm or at Home?

• DSE: Standard workstation assessments for office or home workers
• Specialist: Complex cases requiring reasonable adjustments
• Practical recommendations to reduce pain and risk of injury
• Clear advice on suitable ergonomic equipment

Consultations

To advertise events, services, training and job opportunities with us click here. 

Deadline for print copy 25th of each month.

Meet the Team

Kate Speke-Adams -
Hub Managing Director

For details about our projects & opportunities to work with us click here.

Sarah Starkey -
Hub Farm Resilience Project Manager

For info about any of our resilience projects click here.

Sue Powell -
Hub Finance Officer

For queries about finance & invoicing 
click here.

Jennie Hermolle -
Hub Wyescapes Engagement & Communications Manager

For information about our Wyescapes Landscape Recovery project click here 

We're proud to be part of the
Royal Countryside Fund's
Farm Support Group Initiative

We're proud to be a Collaborative Partner with Dwr Cymru Welsh Water