Menu

Know How / Environmental schemes

Each of the UK’s devolved administrations has its own agri-environment scheme – for example, the Countryside Stewardship Scheme in England and the Agri-environment Climate Scheme in Scotland.

Find out what’s involved in signing up to a ‘green scheme’ and get practical tips on putting together your application.

Advice and tips

ARABLE

How to achieve success with IPM2 flower-rich margins in SFI

At £798/ha, IPM2 is one of highest paying Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) options and is attracting interest from lots of growers. But it also might be one of the trickiest…

ARABLE

How to maximise performance of NUM3 legume fallows

A mix of familiar and new actions make up the Sustainable Farming Incentive offer launched last September, which seeks to protect and improve the farmed environment through various sustainable farming…

BUSINESS

Biodiversity net gain – legal issues for farmers

Biodiversity net gain (BNG) sites are already in demand. Here, Julie Robinson, agriculture partner at Roythornes Solicitors, talks to Farmers Weekly about the legal considerations. See also: Defra BNG credit…

AGRICULTURAL TRANSITION

Expert advice for making trees work on your farm

Large-scale tree planting has come under fire for taking up productive farmland and altering the character of local environments. But the right tree, planted in the right place, can generate…

See all

Case studies

ROTATIONS

How arable estate gets the best out of stewardship schemes

Agri-environment schemes have already provided resilience and risk management at Buckminster Farms, a large-scale farming business on the Leicestershire/Lincolnshire border. The challenge ahead is to integrate elements of the Sustainable…

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…

ENVIRONMENTAL SCHEMES

How agriculture policies affect our Arable Insights farmers

Uncertainty still reigns over Scotland and Northern Ireland’s future agricultural policy, while English farmers are now able to apply for Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) income, albeit having had their Basic…

See all

Insights

OTHER CROPS

How to get the best out of IPM3 companion cropping in SFI

Companion cropping is perhaps one of the easier options to include in Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) agreements, particularly if you’re growing oilseed rape or perhaps maize, or for an end…

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…

See all

News

ENVIRONMENTAL SCHEMES

Claim window for existing CS and ES applications opens today

The claim window for existing Countryside Stewardship and Environmental Stewardship agreements has opened today (Thursday 14 March). Farmers must submit an annual declaration or claim form for Countryside Stewardship (CS)…

NEWS

Tenants being pressured into joining Landscape Recovery scheme

Tenant farmers across England have been “cajoled” and even “duped” into signing up for Defra’s Landscape Recovery scheme. Farmers Weekly understands the practices are taking place in multiple areas, but…

ENVIRONMENTAL SCHEMES

Farmers stuck on lower payments after SFI switch blocked

Farmers in England have complained at the lack of flexibility in switching between traditional stewardship agreements and Defra’s Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI), which has left many stuck on lower payment…

AGRICULTURAL TRANSITION

Welsh farmers use coffin to warn of death of industry at demo

A coffin bearing the inscription “In memory of Welsh farming” summed up the despondent mood at a mass gathering of farmers in Carmarthen on Thursday night (8 February), with thousands…

See all