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Know How / ELM

The Environmental Land Management (ELM) scheme will replace basic payments to farmers in England. The scheme will provide payments for farming that improves the environment and mitigates climate change, such as hedge planting and river management.

We explain the details as they emerge to help farmers understand how they will qualify for payments under the scheme.

Advice and tips

CROP MANAGEMENT

SFI 2023: The support options for arable growers

Arable growers are being encouraged to enter the new 2023 Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) for England as it is simpler and more flexible than previous financial support packages. The new…

PEST MANAGEMENT

How to introduce SFI 2023's no insecticide option

After another delay, applications for the Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) 2023 are due to finally open in mid-September, with the new no use of insecticide action being one of the…

BUSINESS MANAGEMENT

Farm business challenges highlighted by free advice scheme

We asked two firms offering free farm business advice through the Future Farm Resilience Fund (FFRF) for some of the common themes emerging from their discussions with farmers. The issues…

FARM POLICY

Tips to survive and thrive amid falling BPS payments

The UK agricultural sector is undergoing the biggest policy shake-up in 60 years, and government support for farmers is facing a radical overhaul. Defra has started its new Environmental Land…

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Case studies

GRASSLAND MANAGEMENT

Why simple herbal ley mix benefits Durham mixed farm

Government clarification that growing one herb, one legume, and one grass together qualifies as a herbal ley under the Sustainable Farming Incentive is grist to the mill of a County…

ARABLE

How nature focus helps profits rise on east Kent farm

A switch to nature-friendly farming is boosting profitability on one east Kent farm, with inputs slashed, soils improved and price premiums gained as grain yields are held at high levels.…

CROP MANAGEMENT

How a regen farm is reducing inputs to meet SFI targets

The drive to reduce the use of artificial inputs is under way at Raby Farms in County Durham, with the business recognising the economic and environmental benefits of being less…

ELM

2023 SFI to regain lost third of BPS for Warwickshire grower

Paul Wilson is hoping to secure one-third of the money he received from an old area-based subsidy scheme as he puts the finishing touches to a new farm environmental plan…

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Insights

ARABLE

How to succeed with the AHL2 winter bird food option in SFI

Filling the hungry gap for smaller farmland birds from late autumn through to late winter by providing a supply of small seeds on arable and horticultural land is the relatively…

BUSINESS

Budget measures open some tax doors but close others

Confirmation in the 6 March Budget that agricultural property relief from inheritance tax will be available on land in all Environmental Land Management (ELM) schemes has been generally welcomed, but…

PAYMENTS, SCHEMES AND GRANTS

SFI 2024: What farmers need to know

Defra secretary Steve Barclay has announced what he claims to be the biggest upgrade to UK farming schemes since Brexit. The Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI), the first component of Environmental…

ARABLE

The network nature reserve built by farmers on arable land

Supporting nature in a productive farmed landscape is the goal for a like-minded group of farmers in East Anglia, having come together to protect and enhance the biodiversity that surrounds…

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News

BUSINESS

Defra minister vows to improve SFI offer for tenant farmers

Tenant farmers in England will be able to apply for “many more actions” under Defra’s expanded 2024 Sustainable Farming Inventive (SFI) offer from this summer, the farming minister has said.…

AGRICULTURAL TRANSITION

Defra announces cap on SFI actions for food production

Defra has responded to industry concerns about food security by announcing a cap on the amount of some environmental incentives farmers in England can claim under the Sustainable Farming Incentive.…

ENVIRONMENT

Food security threatened by ELM scheme, scientists warn

Defra ministers have been accused of a “dereliction of duty” following claims they are ignoring their own science and pursuing policies in England that will undermine national food security. The…

AGRICULTURAL TRANSITION

Defra minister hints at SFI cap to maintain food production

Defra farming minister Mark Spencer has suggested the government would consider capping the amount of environmental incentives farmers in England can claim, to ensure they are producing enough food for…

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Video

AGRICULTURAL TRANSITION

Video: Trade and food security top concerns for Lib Dems

The Liberal Democrats have passed a wide-ranging motion pledging better support for British farmers to produce food more sustainably, protect the environment and uphold their high standards in trade deals.…

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