Watch: how a White Peak beef farmer uses herbal leys
In the latest film in our White Peak herbal leys series, beef farmer James Frost shares how he establishes and manages herbal leys to support forage quality, soil health and biodiversity.
Graham Higgins
Graham is a creative producer and film-maker.
Innovation in action: how funding is supporting farmers
Posted by:
Graham Higgins, Posted on:
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Categories:
Defra Farming Podcast, Payments for research and innovation
Listen to the latest Defra Farming Podcast to hear how innovation funding is helping farmers turn new ideas into practical solutions. Two guests share how research, collaboration and on-farm trials are helping them improve productivity, reduce costs and build more resilient businesses.
How SFI is helping a small farm improve profitability and resilience
In this video, Gloucestershire Farmer Edward Earnshaw explains how Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) actions are helping his small family farm streamline management, cut input costs, and boost profitability while delivering environmental benefits.
Watch: lessons from farmers growing herbal leys in the Derbyshire White Peak
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:
The Team and Graham Higgins, Posted on:
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Categories:
Conversations we're having, Defra Farming Podcast
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.
ADOPT round 6 opens today: hear how farmers are using funding
Posted by:
Graham Higgins and The Team, Posted on:
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Categories:
Future Farming Podcast, Payments for research and innovation
As Round 6 of the Accelerating Development of Practices and Technologies (ADOPT) Fund opens, we hear from two farmers who have received funding. Thomas Slattery from the Support Hub speaks to Bryony Graham in Essex and Peter Southwell in East Yorkshire.
Farming podcast: how to build a fairer, more transparent supply chain
Posted by:
Graham Higgins and Richard Thompson, Posted on:
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Categories:
Future Farming Podcast, Supply chain
In this post, we share the latest podcast featuring Agricultural Supply Chain Adjudicator Richard Thompson with Paul Tompkins (NFU Dairy Board Chair) and Michael Masters (Barber's Farmhouse Cheesemakers). They discuss building a fairer, more transparent supply chain following new regulations. We also include a link to, and summary of, the ACSA's first annual report.
Soil health and profit: lessons from mixed, arable and upland farms
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.
Farming Podcast: a farmer and agronomist’s perspective on IPM
In this episode, arable farmer and leader of the British On-Farm Innovation Network (BOFIN), Tom Allen-Stevens, speaks with farmer Martin Lines and agronomist Ed Schofield about their experiences of implementing integrated pest management (IPM).
Farming Podcast: improving animal health and welfare on your farm
Posted by:
Martin Jenkins and Graham Higgins, Posted on:
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Categories:
Future Farming Podcast, Grants, Payments to improve animal health and welfare
In this episode of the Farming podcast, our lead for healthier animals, Martin Jenkins, talks to dairy farmer Karen Halton. They are joined by infectious disease expert and vet James Russell. They explain what to expect from the SFI annual health and welfare review,
Related content and links
Our monthly newsletter
Each month, we bring together the latest policy updates, funding opportunities, consultations, research and statistics, helping you stay informed about the issues that matter to you.
Talk to us
7 October Dairy Show at The Bath & West Showground, Shepton Mallet, Somerset.
10 October Alwinton Show at Gallow Law, Alwinton, Northumberland.
Find a list of the other shows and events we’re attending in 2026
Helping farmers access water this autumn
Drought is putting real pressure on farmers this year. The Environment Agency is giving farmers greater flexibility by letting existing abstraction licence holders start refilling their water storage reservoirs early, a month ahead of usual schedule. This temporary change runs from 1 October to 31 October.
We recognise the difficulty in getting a long duration abstraction licence and the blocker this presents to long-term investment in sustainable abstraction practices.
As part of the package announced on 1 October to support farmers to access water, the Environment Agency have made it easier for those who don’t currently have an abstraction license to apply for licences that better support long-term investment.
Full details of the changes and information on how to be compliant can be found on the Environment Agency blog.
Storing fertiliser safely
If you are ordering fertiliser for the coming season, check that it can be stored safely and securely before delivery. The action you need to take depends on the type and quantity of fertiliser.
Follow the relevant guidance to protect people, prevent contamination or deterioration, and meet the rules for storing ammonium nitrate and other substances.
Read the AIC’s guide to storing, handling & transporting ammonium nitrate and the HSE’s steps to take.
Get advice
The Farming Advice Service (FAS) provides free, confidential advice to farmers and advisers.
Catchment Sensitive Farming (CSF) helps farmers in England protect water, air and soil. CSF advisers can provide advice on best practices and specific actions that will benefit your farm business and the environment.
We’ve compiled a list of organisations offering wellbeing support to those in the farming community.
Join a webinar
Livestock disease guidance
Preparing your business for the UK-EU SPS agreement
Read the new guidance to understand what the changes could mean for your business and how to prepare.
