Well 2025 do come in and make yourself comfortable… |
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The new year certainly made an entrance with snow, rain and freezing temperatures keeping us on our toes and machines in low gears. There are plenty of events this month around the county and online providing opportunities to learn, socialise and network. If you have decided “new year, new you” there are also three job opportunities to have a look at below! Kate is currently down at the Oxford Farming Conference thanks to the OFC Bursary – there are a number of scholarships and bursaries which we encourage others to consider in future years as OFC is certainly a valuable opportunity to learn and meet others in the industry. Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Steve Reed opened the conference, during his speech he did recognise that many rural communities feel neglected and that farming businesses are under immense pressure. He also apologised for the shock decisions that were taken in last years budget in relation to APR, and gave no indications that this decision would be changed. |
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Mr Reed then outlined the Govt’s Farming Roadmap which is currently in development. We were assured that the Roadmap will have Food Production at its core; Prioritising farm profitability, upholding equivalent environmental & welfare standards in future trade deals, investing in farm tech & innovation and investing in flood defences to protect farmland. The second element of the roadmap is Diversification; enabling diversified income streams to ensure business resilience, planning reforms to make investment in farm infrastructure easier/quicker, facilitate more green energy production in rural areas and a review of regulation & amalgamation of farming legislation. The third element of the roadmap seeks to ensure that nature is not in competition with food production with funding commitments for ELMs that secures positive outcomes for soil, pollinators and water. You can read his full speech here. The objective of Herefordshire Rural Hub is to help rural businesses thrive and our efforts to achieve this outcome are best guided by you - therefore if you have questions, suggestions, comments or feedback for what you would like us to be doing in 2025 please do get in touch with Kate or one of the Hub team. We look forward to working with you no matter what 2025 brings our way! |
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| HgS -Winter Meeting - Exploiting the Potential of Red Clover Silage & Competition Results
Tues 14th Jan, 6:30pm - 10pm
The Grange, Leominster, HR6 8NL . Free Event No Booking Required.
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| | WAFM Men in Agriculture - Steak Night
Wed 15th Jan, 7pm - 10pm
Garway Village Hall, HR2 8RQ
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| NFU - Learn how proposed changes to Inheritance Tax could impact your businesses
Tues 21st Jan, 1:30pm - 4:30pm
The Shell Store, Hereford HR2 6SR
Open to NFU members only, contact Ali Parker Tel: 07747763056 for more info. |
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| | WAFM Mental Health Awareness Workshop Wed 22nd Jan, 9:30am - 12:30pm |
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Managing Watercourses - Farmer Guide
We have received an increase in the number of queries about how watercourses can be managed and when consents and permits may be required. Working with the Environment Agency, Natural England and the River Lugg Internal Drainage Board we have produced a simple farmer guide to make the requirements when undertaking management of watercourses easier to understand and comply with, look out for a hard copy of the guide at local events or click the link below.
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Bluetongue Update
The total number of bluetongue cases in England and Wales is currently 188.
The zone now covers Bedfordshire, Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Cambridgeshire, City of Kingston upon Hull, City of York, East Riding of Yorkshire, East Sussex, Essex, Greater London, Hampshire, Hertfordshire, Isle of Wight, Kent, part of Leicestershire, Lincolnshire, Norfolk, part of North Yorkshire, Northamptonshire, Nottinghamshire, Oxfordshire, Suffolk, Surrey, part of Warwickshire, West Sussex and part of Wiltshire.
To view Defra's restricted zone please check their interactive map by clicking here
Farmers are urged to be vigilant when undertaking movements from any of the above locations, monitor for any signs of the disease and report any suspected cases to APHA immediately. |
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Free support available from the Hub to complete a Whole Farm Nutrient Balance
Ever read the headlines about nutrient overload of the Wye and wondered how it relates to your farm? If you bring any livestock feed, fertiliser or manures on to your holding, completing a Nutrient Balance could provide you with those answers.
The Hub team can provide free confidential 1:1 support to undertake a nutrient balance calculation for your business, identify opportunities to reduce your nutrient load and answer any questions you might have. |
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Harvesting Success: Pollution-Prevention Rules for FarmersThe EA has launched a new regulatory guide for farmers, covering all aspects of agriculture regulations and good practice for water quality. The 'Harvesting Success' guide is available free of charge. The guide is a first in bringing together all the regulations and guidance for Farming Rules for Water, the Silage, Slurry and Fuel Oil Regulations and Nitrate Vulnerable Zones in England in one place. It provides a quick and easy to use point of reference and also contains a wealth of information on good agricultural practice that will help all farmers and land managers be compliant. You can order your copy now through the Environment Agency’s national customer contact centre by email or telephone:
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Herefordshire Council - Natural Flood Management (NFM) Project
Advice and grants are available to support farmers in priority catchments to deliver actions on their farm to store more water on their land and in their soils to protect properties downstream at risk of flooding.
The project covers the Bodenham, Brimfield, Cheaton, Ridgemore, Dulas, Pentaloe, Tedstone, Red, Norton and Twyford Brooks.
To find out more click here. |
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| | The Wye & Usk Foundation delivering the WVNL Advice ProjectThe Wye & Usk Foundation, through the Wye Valley National Landscapes Advice Project, are currently able to offer free SFI Advice to farmers with land within the AONB. For further information please contact Lucinda Lewis, Senior Catchment Advisor. Tel: 07824904877. Email Lucinda@wyeuskfoundation.org |
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Farming with Nature
Herefordshire Wildlife Trust have a small expert team that can provide advice and support on:
- Land Management
- Natural Asset Reviews & Farm Plans
- ELM Advice and Applications
- Peer to Peer Knowledge Exchange
- Conservation Project Management
- Wildlife and Survey Monitoring
- Natural Flood Management
- Watercourses
- Pond Creation and Management
- Environmental Regulation Compliance
- Woodland management.
To find out more click here. |
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| | Species-Rich Grassland: Advisory Services from Herefordshire Meadows
Herefordshire Meadows offer several charged services for landowners:
- 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.
Visit the website to find out more, including current availability of funding for capital works or other free services. |
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The Jack Hughes Fund supports the cost of training for members of Herefordshire’s farming community.
“The only thing worse than training your employees and having them leave is not training them and having them stay” Henry Ford |
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Who was Jack Hughes?
Jack Hughes was the late founder of the Herefordshire Proficiency Test Committee (HPTC). Jack Hughes did much to ensure that training was available to the county’s farming community, particularly in relation to young farmers.
How much funding can I claim?
The Jack Hughes Fund will fund 70% of the cost of training up to a maximum of £200.
Are there any limitations?
Applicants must live in Herefordshire. Funding is limited to two applications per annum from a family farming business. Applicants must be over 18 years. Applications must be received and approved before you attend your course.
How do I apply?
The Jack Hughes Fund is managed by the Herefordshire Community Foundation for an application form you need to go to their website: Click Here |
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is made up of five colleges covering Herefordshire and North Shropshire
Rural Apprenticeships available, based at Holme Lacy campus include:
- Animal care & welfare
- Farm Worker
- Forestry & arboriculture
- Welding
- Farriery
For more details click here or for enquiries click here.
Training & short courses available throughout the year for:
- Felling & processing trees
- Safe use of pesticides
- Tractor Driving
- Welding, metal work & fabrication
- Blacksmithing
- Chainsaw maintenance
For full course details click here or for enquiries click here. |
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| | Agriculture Health and Safety:
How to Meet Your Legal Responsibilities (E-Learning)
If you control or manage a farm, you are legally responsible for your safety and that of your employees, contractors, visitors, and anyone affected by your work.
The course consists of 8 modules, covering topics such as falls from height, falling objects, livestock, vehicles, children, electricity, and drowning and asphyxiation.
This will help farmers understand the legal responsibilities for their safety and that of their employees, contractors, visitors, and anyone affected by their work. It will also help farmers identify and manage safety risks.
The E-Learning course consists of training only and a Certificate of Attendance will be available to download and print upon successful completion.
Enrol on this FREE E-learning course click here. |
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Farming Equipment and Technology Fund (FETF) 2024:
Submit your claim by 12pm Friday 10th January The deadline to submit your FETF 2024 claim is midday (12pm) 10 January 2025. If you haven’t submitted yours yet, please do so as soon as you can and make sure you send the correct evidence - it may take longer to pay you if you don’t. RPA aim to make payment within 30 days, but if they receive a large number of claims close to the deadline this may cause delays to your payment. Payments are made to the bank or building society account attached to your business’ main Single Business Identifier (SBI) number in the Rural Payments service. Make sure your bank account details are correct. If you need to update them, call the helpline on 03000 200 301 and choose the appropriate options. Read Claim your Farming Equipment and Technology Fund (FETF) 2024 grant payment for more details. |
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New Countryside Stewardship Higher Tier announced
Defra announced in December a new and improved Countryside Stewardship Higher Tier (CSHT) scheme that will open in 2025, providing new quarterly payments designed to improve farmers’ cashflow and a rolling application window so customers can apply throughout the year.
It includes new actions to improve flood resilience and species abundance, and important funding to secure enhanced environmental benefits and deliver for nature recovery, including sensitive areas such as Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs).
CSHT will open through an initial controlled roll out to ensure everyone gets the necessary support. Initially, applications will be by invitation – on a rolling monthly basis.
Click the link the following link to read the preview guidance for Countryside Stewardship Higher Tier . It sets out what you can do now to prepare to apply and what funding will be available. |
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DEFRA - Capital Grants Update
Due to a high demand never received before, Defra has temporarily closed some of their capital grant offers for farmers to new applications. It has been said that "all agreements that have already been signed will be met, with further funding prioritised to help build a sustainable farming sector".
The RPA will continue to accept new applications in this period for:
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Animal Health and Welfare Pathway
Support is now available as part of a single service called ‘Get funding to improve animal health and welfare’. There are two parts to this service:
1. The animal health and welfare review (previously the Annual Health and Welfare Review) and
2. A separate endemic disease follow-up visit that offers access to further advice and disease testing, building on the review visit.
From 2024 to 2027 farmers can have up to three review and three endemics follow-up visits . This aims to provide consistent access to support over a number of years which is important because changes to management is never a ‘once and done’ job. The challenges faced can change from year to year, so access to regular vet visits through this service aims to ensure the advice available is up to date and reflects circumstances on the farm that year.
If you’d like to learn more about how to apply please click here. |
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Tree health pilot extended
The extension introduces new opportunities for funding, including grants for:
- Larch trees with Phytophthora ramorum
- Sweet chestnut trees with Phytophthora ramorum or sweet chestnut blight
- Ash trees with ash dieback
Grants can support tree condition surveys, infrastructure, actions plans and agents costs.
Click here to find out how to apply for the scheme |
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Sustainable Farming Incentive UpdatesApplications for the SFI 2024 actions are open. In early August DEFRA advised of changes to the way in which agreement holders can add or upgrade options to existing SFI agreements. DEFRA's current position is "To add more SFI actions and land you should apply for a separate SFI agreement". This is a disappointing back track from the high level of flexibility promised at the launch of the scheme. The full scheme guidance and payment rates for SFI are available here.The Sustainable Farming Incentive offer now comprises of 102 actions: - 22 of the existing actions from the 2023 SFI offer
- 57 improved actions previously offered through CS Mid Tier, and
- 23 new actions, including on precision farming, moorland, flood and water management, agroforestry and no till
DEFRA have created an online search tool to help farmers identify which actions they would like to apply for: Find Funding For Farms Online Tool |
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For the first time, those who didn’t receive Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) payments will be able to apply for an SFI agreement.
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| | Existing SFI Agreement Holders |
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If you already have an SFI or Mid Tier agreement in place, you will be to add new actions by taking out an additional, new agreement.
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| | Existing CS Mid Tier & HLS agreement holders |
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will be able to end their agreement early to apply for a SFI agreement. Farmers and land managers will be able to end their existing agreement either: - at the end of their current agreement year and receive the full payment due for that year (subject to meeting the requirements of your agreement) OR - before the end of your current agreement year, but not receive payment for the part of the current agreement year you’ve already completed. |
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is eligible for the expanded SFI offer, including if it’s part of a site of special scientific interest (SSSI). Those farming on commons will have access to an additional payment for common land of £7/ha to help groups with the costs, given the additional complexities involved. Applications must be initiated by contacting Rural Payments directly.
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Assistant Management
Accountant
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The EC Drummond Group is a diverse and growing agricultural business based near Ross-on-Wye, Herefordshire. We are looking for an Assistant Management Accountant to join the team on a full-time, permanent basis.
Based near Ross-on-Wye, within our 10-strong Finance & Administration team the successful candidate will have strong Accountancy and Communication skills to add further value to the team. Supporting the Management Accountant in the provision of high quality financial information to both internal and external stakeholders.
This role is an integral link between the Management Accountant, Operations and other members of the Finance team. A strong and timely communicator who can build relationships with employees across the group and daily interaction is essential with farm and other managers and staff based all over the UK.
Responsibilities:
- Production of Poultry Crop Profit and Loss Reports, adhering to deadlines.
- Dealing with stakeholder queries, ensuring information from Farm Managers is received on time to be able to hit your own deadlines.
- Balance Sheet Reconciliations and journal postings (including but not limited to Accruals and Prepayments).
- Supporting with the completion of the Month End Procedure.
- Be a pioneer for positive change within financial processes and procedures.
- Variance analysis reporting vs budget and full year forecasts.
- Supporting the Management Accountant and Financial Controller in ad hoc tasks as requested.
Skills, Abilities and Experience:
- Technical Accounting Qualification. AAT qualified or CIMA/ACCA/ACA Part Qualified. Candidates who are qualified by experience will also be considered.
- Strong PC skills are essential
- Experience in a fast-paced Finance department desirable.
- Experience in another agricultural setting desirable.
Salary & Benefits:
- Hours of work are 37.5 per week with some flexibility on start/end time.
- Monday to Friday, office based.
- Holidays are 23 days per year + 8 bank holidays (pro-rata based on hours).
- Salary is competitive with an offer of study support.
- Private Medical Insurance.
- Company Pension Scheme.
If you are interested in this position. Send an email to Nick Gammon - HR Manager with a covering letter and your CV. |
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Food Alliance Coordinator
(EXTENDED)
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(Please note that this is a re-advertisement, deadline now 15th Jan 2025 and is based in Herefordshire)
Herefordshire Food Alliance, connector of all things food in Herefordshire, is recruiting a coordinator. The Alliance is a broad network, instigating projects of its own (such as film showings, gleaning events, food conversations, good food database) and supporting other activity in the county towards good food - that supports people, nature and communities. The county has achieved a Bronze ‘Sustainable Food Places’ Award and the Alliance supports and shares information that will lead towards a Silver award in the next year. The team is currently three freelancers. This coordinator role facilitates the work of the small team and the steering group of 30 members. The coordinator communicates with the mailing list, the steering group, and our key partners including Public Heath. They also represent the broad membership and goals through networks such as the Climate and Nature Board, and fundraise for future work. You can read more about the role and the practicalities of it here, and in the document detailing Alliance priorities. We are particularly looking for someone with skills and experience in fundraising and strategic thinking - as this will complement the current project work and skills of the small team. If you are interested in this role, please read the role /spec and our current priorities. Send an email to hfdsfoodalliance@gmail.com explaining: - What has led you to apply
- How you see your skills, experience and values matching each aspect of the person specification but particularly the essential points
- Which of our current priorities most excites you
Deadline for applications midday 15th January 2025 with interviews in the week following. |
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Looking for a Meadows Adviser
to join the team |
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We’re looking for someone to join our small team of dedicated advisers: - Managing the delivery of small-scale projects.
- Advising landowners on meadow restoration, conservation and management.
- Raising awareness of the benefits of flower rich swards
- Expanding the profile of Herefordshire Meadows through website, social media and newsletters
- Supporting landowner knowledge exchange and improving skills through training and events.
- Flexible home and field working
- Up to 4 days (28 hrs) per week
- Initially for 6 months starting 31st March 2024
If you’re from the farming or conservation world, with some small scale project management experience and are enthusiastic about diverse swards in the farmed and wider landscape please see the job description below for more information and application details. https://www.herefordshiremeadows.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Job-Description-December-2024-5.pdf Interested applicants should send a copy of an up to date CV along with a covering letter of no more than 500 words to rory@herefordshiremeadows.org.uk. Deadline for applications 5pm on 14th February 2025. Shortlisted candidates will be invited to interview on the morning of Tuesday 25th February at Woolhope Village Hall with an anticipated start date of 31st March 2025. For any further questions about the role please contact Rory Johnson, rory@herefordshiremeadows.org.uk. |
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| | Kate Speke-Adams -
Hub Managing Director
For details about our projects & opportunities to work with us click here. |
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| | | | Sarah Starkey -
Hub Farm Resilience Project Manager
For info about any of our resilience projects click here. |
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| | Victoria Stanton-Humphreys -
Hub Finance Officer
For queries about finance & invoicing
click here. |
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| | | | Livy Braid -Hub Farm Resilience Project CoordinatorFor info about our Farm for the Future resilience project with Royal Countryside Fund click here. |
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| | Rhia Bell -
Hub Administrator
For info about our events, newsletter & partnerships with Hereford Grassland and Farm Herefordshire click here. |
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| | | | Dan Smith -
Hub Farm Facilitator
For advice & support about nutrient management, grassland management or to share potential event topics click here. |
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| | Max Eckert -Hub Wyescapes Programme ManagerFor information about our Wyescapes Landscape Recovery project click here. |
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| | | | Jennie Hermolle -
Hub Wyescapes Engagement & Communications Manager
For information about our Wyescapes Landscape Recovery project click here |
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To advertise events, services, training and job opportunities with us click here.
Deadline for print copy 24th of each month. |
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| | We're proud to be part of the
Royal Countryside Fund's
Farm Support Group Initiative |
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Disclaimer The Herefordshire Rural Hub accepts no liability for any direct, indirect or consequential loss arising from any action taken in reliance on the information contained. |
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Herefordshire Rural Hub,
Agriculture House, Beech Business Park,
Tillington Road, Hereford
HR4 9QJ
Tel: 01432 268428
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