Serving the Farming Industry across the Midlands for 35 Years
‘Reform ELMs so small farms make a profit’
Farm support payments should be refocused so smaller producers can turn a profit while enhancing the environment, says a think tank. The Green Alliance argues that the current structure of the government’s Environmental Land Management scheme (ELMs) is unfair and inefficient because it rewards large arable farms that are... Read more
Award recognises champion of UK crop production
A top accolade for services to agriculture has been awarded to Sarah Cowlrick, chief executive of the Association of Independent Crop Consultants (AICC). Ms Cowlrick received the 2023 British Crop Protection Council (BCPC) award for outstanding services to the UK crop production industry. She accepted the honour at last... Read more
Fast-paced changes prompt fresh furrow future for farming
The next few years will be crucial for British agriculture – and there will be winners and losers. To put it bluntly, those who win will be the ones that adapt quickly and read the changing market. With the Basic Payment Scheme now worth 50% of what it was... Read more
East Midlands farmland values increase as supply surges
Average farmland values in the East Midlands have continued to increase year on year across all land types despite a surge in supply. Some 14,276 acres of farmland were marketed during the first three quarters of 2023, according to a quarterly analysis by Savills. It analysed sales across Derbyshire,... Read more
Diversification is ‘vital boost’ to farm incomes
Non-farm income is an increasingly important source of revenue for farmers as they seek to offset reductions in government support. UK farm income from diversification enterprises has risen to 13% of turnover in 2023, suggests research from rural insurer NFU Mutual. Some 34% of farmers now run a diversified... Read more
Farmland market levels off, but outlook still positive
Farmland values have plateaued following eight successive quarters of sustained growth, suggest the latest estimates. Arable land prices have averaged £10,900/acre so far during 2023, according to Strutt & Parker’s farmland database, which records sales of farms, estates and blocks of publicly marketed land larger than 100 acres. This... Read more
Graduate surveyors join expanding team at Hal
Shropshire-based land agent Halls has strengthened two of its divisions by recruiting graduate surveyors. Kate Oakes, 22, from Penkridge, joins the rural professional team led by Halls’ associate director Louise Preece at the firm’s Shrewsbury headquarters. At the same time, Ellie Studley, 21, from Malpas, joins the commercial team... Read more
RASE award honour for farm conservationist
The Royal Agricultural Society of England has named farm conservationist Alastair Leake as the recipient of its 2023 National Agricultural Award. The award recognises Dr Leake’s outstanding contribution to British agriculture through his work leading the Allerton Project – the Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust demonstration farm which showcases... Read more
Conference to debate way forward for modern farms
The future of farm management will be debated at a major agricultural conference in London next month. Organised by the Institute of Agricultural Management (IAgrM), the National Farm Management Conference will see a host of top speakers take to the stage on Tuesday, 7 November at the QEII Centre,... Read more
Environmental funding up for grabs for Midland farmers

Farmers are being urged to seek private funding support alongside grants to bolster incomes as the basic payment scheme is phased out.

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