2024 will go down as one of the most active for farm and land sales at Hobbs Parker.
YOUNGSTERS DEFY PROTEST
A young farmers’ group shrugged off protests by vegan activists and went on to raise almost £2,750 at their family fun day.
Police were called to the event in south Ashford after a group calling themselves Kent Young Slaughterers began handing out leaflets offering a “fun-packed tour of your local abattoir”. While there were reports of some youngsters being upset by the spoof leaflet, the organisers pressed ahead with what turned out to be a hugely successful event.
“You know at some point it’s going to happen, but it didn’t spoil the day and it won’t stop the club from having future open days,” explained Laila Hameed, advisory committee member with Swan Young Farmers.
“It was slightly disruptive but everyone still cracked on and made the day as good an event as it could have been – and we raised a fantastic £2,735 for club funds,” added Laila, whose husband Ashley Pickford is club president.
Swan Young Farmers have a small area of land near Ashford’s Swan Centre, where they keep sheep which currently have lambs at foot. “We also have rabbits, chickens and ducks,” said Laila. “Most of the members aren’t from a farming background and looking after animals is a great getaway for them.”
The town-based club relies on getting on well with the local community, and that community turned out in force to support the fun day, which include lamb petting and a
chance to ‘walk the sheep’. “It was an amazing turnout on a lovely sunny day,” said Laila. “We had 1,300 visitors inside the first half an hour. We lost count after that, but the final figure must have been around 2,000 visitors.”
Those visitors enjoyed a range of fun fundraising stalls, food, crafts, raffles and other activities, for the most part shrugging off the unwanted protestors.
“Everyone has a right to their own opinions, but those opinions could sometimes be put across in a different way,” Laila summed up. “There were lot of uncalled-for comments that were made to small children and that wasn’t really fair. Youngsters really don’t need that when they are there for an afternoon out.”
SHOCKWAVES THROUGH RURAL COMMUNITIES
Almost 95% of people who responded to a Country Land and Business Association (CLA) survey had been planning to apply for more Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) options when the scheme was suddenly closed, the organisation has revealed.
Announced without warning, the closure of the scheme sent shockwaves through rural communities, with the CLA survey now showing the extent of its impact. Only 4.5% of those who answered the survey said they had achieved all they wanted from the scheme.
Of 312 respondents:
• Nearly 95% had intended to apply for more options in the expanded offer
• 54% are currently in an SFI agreement
• 40% are not in an agreement but had intended to apply for options in the expanded offer.
Many businesses surveyed said they had been taking advice on their
SFI application and had already invested in professional advisers before the scheme suddenly closed. Others who have agreements ending this year will not be able to apply for another scheme until next year.
CLA President Victoria Vyvyan said: “No farmer can plan for an environmentally sustainable farming future when rules change overnight.
“Without the management contracts which were promised, many face a cash crisis. Work to restore soil, protect nature and cut emissions costs money, and so in the absence of funding there is a danger that important projects will be shelved.
“Trust must be rebuilt and the new SFI must be negotiated quickly. The future of sustainable farming depends on it.”
The CLA is sharing the results of its survey with government ministers and advisers to demonstrate the real-life impact the closure is having on rural businesses and the strength of feeling about the decision.
STILL “SERIOUS PROBLEMS” FACING ABATTOIRS
Rising costs continue to threaten one of the last remaining abattoirs in the South East, despite funding help being provided by West Sussex County Council.
Luke Smith, the owner of Down Land Traditional Meats, told South East Farmer that while he was “delighted” to have received a cash injection, changes in legislation had increased his costs significantly and left the business “massively struggling”.
He praised the ongoing support of Horsham District Council, the Wealden Food Partnership and the Brighton and Hove Food Partnership and said they continued to be “absolutely brilliant” in trying to support the business.
But he said that despite their best efforts, there were still “serious problems” facing businesses such as his, creating severe knock-on effects for livestock farmers who rely on local abattoirs to prepare their meat for farm gate and meat box sales.
News of the grant came from Liberal Democrat MP for Horsham John Milne, who joined the ongoing calls for action. He said: “I am calling on the Government to recognise small abattoirs as critical local infrastructure and to expand investment into these businesses,” adding: “We need action now to protect and grow this essential part of the rural economy.”
Mr Milne said the grant from the county council’s business rates pool had enabled Down Land, based at Morley Farm, Henfield, to update essential infrastructure and remain open, but warned: “We can’t keep taking a chance on survival from month to month. This industry needs a coherent long-term national strategy.”
Luke Smith, though, said the battle to keep Down Land afloat was far from over. The grant, he said, had paid for head restraints that were needed to keep pace with health and safety legislation when processing cattle and for lifting equipment.
“The equipment was urgently needed and I am grateful fpr the help,” he said, before going on to point out that new legislation around getting rid of tankered waste had increased his costs from £400 per week to £2,500 per week. “And there are more cost increases in the pipeline,” he warned.
“This remains a really challenging environment because of increasing costs and rising legislation, and while I am grateful for the help and support, keeping the business running from day to day is far from easy.”
Mr Milne warned: “Without local abattoirs, small farms can’t sell local meat, which is exactly the kind of high quality, carefully reared animals we want to see. Instead, animals would have to be transported hundreds of miles, raising serious animal welfare concerns and pushing small farmers out of business.”
It's bin worse for farmers OPINION
Whether or not you agree with the strike that has seen rubbish piled high on the streets of Birmingham, it’s easy to have some sympathy with the bin men (sorry, refuse operatives) who claim they stand to lose several thousands of pounds a year at a time when the cost of living is affecting us all.
Even setting aside the union’s claim and trusting the council, which has said some 17 people could be just over £6,000 a year worse off (although they would have pay protection for six months), such a fall in income would have a major impact on many people’s lives.
It could, though, be worse for the men who in happier times work so hard to keep the city’s streets clear of rubbish. They could be farmers, facing a cut of many times that amount following the unheralded withdrawal of the environmental scheme that was designed to cushion the transition away from basic payments while contributing to the regeneration of our landscape.
A survey by the Country Land and Business Association (CLA) suggests that fewer than 5% of farmers had got all they wanted from the Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) scheme by the time DEFRA pulled the plug, and while surveys are not entirely scientific, it’s clear that many, many farmers have been left out in the cold by a frankly cruel decision.
And let’s not forget that if this were a true comparison, the bin men would be expected to buy their own, six-figure rubbish combines to harvest the refuse crop and would have no choice but to be paid according to a highly volatile pricefixing mechanism affected by wars, weather conditions and smart capitalists throughout the world.
They would also inherit the job and find it difficult to escape, and when they handed over their refuse combine to the next generation, they would run the risk of saddling their offspring with a massive tax bill unless they had the forethought to die soon afterwards.
So have some sympathy for the workers facing a pay cut if you will, but let’s also be clear that the impact of DEFRA’s random cost-cutting measure on equally hard-working farmers is massive. And let’s not forget that while the Birmingham row is causing a short-term environmental issue for one city, cutting back on SFI agreements could have a long-term impact on the planet.
EMAIL YOUR VIEWS, LETTERS OR OPINIONS TO: sef.ed@kelsey.co.uk or write to the address on page 3
® MALCOLM TRIGGS - EDITOR
SOUTH EAST FUTURE OF FARMING
The remarkable resilience of the region’s farmers was highlighted at this year’s South East Future of Farming conference, held in the impressive surroundings of the AgriFood Centre at Plumpton College.
Given the unremitting pressure on farmers from tumbling grain prices, the changing climate, no-notice changes in government taxation policy, the abrupt end of basic payments and the unannounced decision to halt applications to the Sustainable Finance Incentive (SFI) – to name but a few current hurdles – it was remarkable that the organisers were able to find anyone prepared to talk about the future.
The fact that they came up with no fewer than five great speakers, each of whom not only had plenty to say but shared positive, constructive suggestions for that future, was a remarkable tribute not just to the organisers but to the sheer determination of farmers to ‘keep on keeping on’.
The result was another fascinating afternoon, organised by Plumpton College and the Country Land and Business Association (CLA) South East, sponsored by Virgin Money and followed by a chance to network over a fine spread of college-prepared food and local beer and wine.
The speakers were well chosen and varied
KEEP ON KEEPING ON
in their background and expertise, while the event was well chaired by Molly Biddell, head of natural capital at Knepp Estate and whose other roles include facilitating the Upper Adur Farming Cluster Group.
After a brief introduction by college principal Jeremy Kerswell, who set the scene by stressing “the world is changing”, the conference heard first from Gavin Lane, CLA deputy president and an arable farmer.
He immediately addressed the most recent challenge faced by environmentally aware farmers and landowners by pointing out that by calling a halt to SFI applications without any notice – something which was not on anyone’s horizon as the conference was being planned – the Government had “stymied” farmers.
Moreover, ministers had not offered much of a clue as to the future direction, he pointed out.
Quoting boxer Mike Tyson – “Everyone has a plan until they get punched in the mouth” – Gavin pointed out that farmers’ hopes that the incoming Labour Government would bring some stability to the industry had not been fulfilled.
Highlighting the challenges facing farmers, from the end of basic payments to the probability that future funding for higher level stewardship schemes was likely to be “less generous”, he rallied the audience by pointing out “things do change” and urging those listening to focus on long-term goals, go “back to basics”, set a five-year budget and look carefully at all aspects of the business.
He also suggested that those who were on SFI or other environmental schemes should not think of them as a subsidy. “A contract to deliver public good is no different to a contract to deliver dentistry to the NHS or a contract to build a bridge,” he stressed.
Gavin was followed by another straighttalking speaker, Emily Norton, a lawyer with an MSc in sustainable agriculture and the co-founder of Nortons Dairy.
In what was at times a refreshingly challenging presentation, she warned that campaigners waving ‘no farmer no food’ placards were mistaken, “because a farmer somewhere will grow it cheaper, even if they are overseas,” she warned. Farmers, she said, had to fight for their markets and were “not entitled” to grow food.
Emily warned that one concern around farmers following the environmental route was that the link between the legislative framework as set out in the Government’s Environmental Improvement Plan and the incentives on offer via the SFI scheme was not clear enough.
Suggesting that those links were being reviewed and were likely to lead to tougher regulations, she warned that future funding was likely to be directed towards more specialist environmental challenges, “not ordinary, profitable lowland farms”.
Warning that with other industry sectors switching to electric power more quickly, farming’s impact on the environment would
begin to account for a greater proportion of the UK’s carbon footprint, Emily stressed the need for farmers to reduce their reliance on carbon and pointed out that this would also reduce their costs.
Summing up, she said: “One – there’s stuff coming; two – we can make the most of it.”
For those looking for statistics as well as inspiration, there was plenty on offer from Rupert Claxton, whose 20 years’ experience in meat and livestock sector research with Gira underpinned his thoughts on the future for livestock farmers in the South East.
He stressed that while UK consumers might be cutting back on meat consumption, countries elsewhere in the world were demanding more protein as they became richer. “You can’t ignore world demand,” he pointed out. With demand growing and prices good, his was a positive message backed up by detailed figures.
At the younger end of the speaker spectrum, 25 year-old Archie Evans told the audience how the family fruit farm near Chichester had at one time employed 180 people and used specialised lighting and gas heating to grow soft fruit for supermarkets, packing everything in plastic punnets in what was a multi-million pound business.
Having realised that the operation was far from sustainable in many respects, not least personally, because of the stress involved, the family closed the business. It was at Archie’s prompting, after he returned from Harper
Adams University with a degree in agricultural engineering, that the family returned to fruit production.
Now the family business sells fruit as Berries On Tap, using cardboard punnets and selling from purpose-built, farm gate vending machines. The punnets cost more than five times as much but are biodegradable and compostable, the energy hungry gas burners and specialist lighting have gone and the workforce has been slimmed to 10 people.
Archie is collaborating with other companies on new, sustainable business ventures and is experimenting with productive uses for waste products including compost, carbon dioxide and water. And while business is booming, the important thing for Archie and his family is that they are enjoying “a much better quality of life”.
Diversification was an appropriate topic to round off a fascinating afternoon, with Owen Piper outlining the changes that have taken place on the family farm, where solar PV, holiday lets and a vineyard are among the contributors to the income stream.
After confessing that there was “no structured planning” behind the various enterprises but that the family had “just made decisions at the time”, Owen explained that two-thirds of the income still came from arable and livestock farming, with zero-till cultivations supported by 2,500 tonnes of cattle manure. The business is also entered into stewardship schemes, while the vineyard covers 60 acres.
ONE-DAY FRUIT SHOW HAILED A RESOUNDING SUCCESS
More visitors, a better atmosphere and financial stability were just some of the benefits of the National Fruit Show’s switch to a one-day format, members of the Marden Fruit Show Society were told at the group’s annual meeting.
The annual meeting, held jointly with British Apples and Pears (BAPL) at NIAB East Malling in early April, heard an upbeat assessment of the 2024 event.
Chairman Nigel Bardsley said he had received positive feedback about the first ever one-day show, which he said provided “greater footfall, a better atmosphere and improved staff efficiencies for exhibitors”.
His positive address was supported by treasurer Chris Morris, who reported improved financial stability for the society, thanks, he said to effective cost management decisions, the new one-day format and the continued support of sponsors and exhibitors.
President Catherine Paice welcomed
attendees via a video link from New Zealand. She shared insights from her recent agribusiness tour in Oceania, emphasising how collaboration and innovation helped growers there recover from severe cyclone damage, which she said demonstrated valuable lessons that could help UK growers navigate industry challenges.
The president reinforced the importance of continuous government engagement and effective lobbying, praising the work of BAPL, and she was enthusiastic about the show reaching its centenary, “supported by technological advancements and strong consumer goodwill”.
Nigel Bardsley looked back on key moments from the 2024 show, including the new President's Breakfast, which included the presentation of the Jonathan Jones Trophy to John Breach, and the opening by NFU President Tom Bradshaw.
Given the smaller fruit display at the
2024 show, he encouraged growers to participate actively in the fruit competitions, emphasising that simplified judging criteria had been introduced in an attempt to boost entries and showcase the industry's exceptional produce.
The meeting was also given an update on the society’s education programme, which Mandy Hounsell pointed out had grown from engaging 500 children in its first year to an impressive 11,000 face-to-face engagements last year.
She emphasised plans to strengthen the programme’s online presence, creating resources to help teachers and students aged 11 to 16 connect classroom learning to practical careers within the fruit industry.
The 2025 National Fruit Show will again be a one-day event and will take place on Wednesday 5 November in the Maidstone Exhibition Hall at the Kent Showground, Detling, Kent.
Annette Bardsley, Chris Morris, Claire Seymour, Nigel Bardsley and Eileen Haffenden
A full dispersal sale of the Brian Thompson collection will be going under the hammer at Brattle Farm Agricultural Museum, Five Oak Lane, Staplehurst, in June. The auction will be conducted by Hobbs Parker Auctioneers LLP and will be both live and online with Marteye.ie
In the 1970s Brian Thompson, who had committed all of his energy to making a small 100 acre farm support his family for the previous 25 years, found that he had a little more time to pursue his interests. He bought two vintage cars locally for around £200 each, an Austin 12 and a Ford Model A, at the start of an obsession with saving and restoring historical machinery that he witnessed being lost every day to a general disinterest and a scrap industry hungry for old steel.
After a few more car restorations, Brian discovered, languishing in a bramble thicket where it had spent several decades, an early tractor which turned out to be a Maidstonebuilt Weeks Dungey, thought to be a 1913 Simplex. This was restored with the help of some of his talented engineering friends. Around this time, he and his wife Anita, a keen local historian, began collecting agricultural equipment and associated farming and rural household items that were destined for the
SALE OF MACHINES THAT HAVE SHAPED OUR COUNTRYSIDE
bonfire or the scrap man.
Several more tractors were restored, including the International Junior that had been the only internal combustion enginepowered vehicle on the Channel Island of Sark. The Weeks Dungey tractor and the International Junior will be included in the auction that will be conducted by Hobbs Parker on Saturday 14 June, alongside several other tractors in the Brian Thompson collection.
Over the next 15 years the collection grew to such proportions that Brian bought, demolished and re-erected a Kent barn, part of the Frittenden Brickworks, that was painstakingly renovated in the farmyard. A beautiful display of all the couple’s treasures was installed and several years of museum open days and live demonstrations of farm
work and country living ensued.
Sadly, in 1985 a straw barn fire consumed almost the entire collection, including all the old farm buildings. Local enthusiasts rallied around and helped with the enormous clean-up operation of charred wood and twisted metal. Remarkably, over the next few years the collection grew again with astonishing speed and, like the proverbial phoenix, the museum rose again.
Brian died in 2014 at the age of 84 after a long illness that had prevented him from working for some years. It is now time for all these museum exhibits to find new homes, and Hobbs Parker hopes these historical machines that have shaped our countryside over the past 200 years can be cherished and appreciated by new guardians.
SHEEP WORRYING AN ONGOING THREAT
The ongoing failure of dog owners to recognise the threat their pets pose to farm livestock is leading to continued devastating attacks on sheep, the National Sheep Association (NSA) has said.
At the start of the sheep farming charity’s annual sheep worrying by dogs awareness week, and hot on the heels of South East Farmer ’s own special report in the April issue, the NSA shared the results from its annual survey on the scale and impact of the issue.
Its findings revealed that 87% of survey respondents had experienced a dog attack on their sheep flock in the past 12 months, with the cause usually the simple refusal of dog owners to keep their pets on a lead while walking in the countryside.
NSA project manager Nicola Noble said: “Dog owners often assume their beloved pet could not be capable of causing harm to other animals, yet it is an instinctive response of a dog to chase, and for some, attack prey animals such as sheep. Barking, chasing and physical attacks can all have devastating effects on sheep, especially at this time of the year when so many sheep in the fields are heavily pregnant or have young, vulnerable lambs at foot.”
The 2025 survey results included some sobering statistics that indicate that despite continued work by NSA and other farming and
countryside organisations, owners are simply not heeding the importance of keeping dogs on leads near sheep.
Farming respondents to the survey on average reported four sheep deaths per year due to worrying by dogs, an increase from previous years and a figure that does not take into account additional losses from lamb deaths when miscarried by ewes due to stress from attacks.
As well as sheep deaths, extreme injuries will often cause long term pain and suffering for animals and financial loss to farmers through increased vet bills and fewer animals available to sell, the NSA pointed out.
Nicola added: “A high proportion (80%) of survey respondents also reported a negative experience when approaching dog owners to ask for their dog to be put on a lead, with just under half receiving verbal and, in some cases, even physical abuse.”
Dogs straying from their homes and gardens is also identified as a frequent cause of attacks on sheep. Over half the respondents also reported that attacks happened in private fields with no footpaths, which suggests straying dogs or a failure of dog owners to respect private farmland.
Almost half of this year’s survey respondents did not pursue compensation, reporting
feelings of helplessness if and when cases were reported to the police, prompting Nicola to urge farmers to report all cases to the police to raise awareness of the scale of this issue.
She said: “It is a common misconception that nothing will be done if farmers report cases of sheep worrying to the police, but if they are not reported the true scale of this serious issue will never be fully appreciated and the work of NSA to push for stricter legislation and enforcement will not be realised.”
The charity has set up an online log for cases at www.sheepworrying.org.uk, a site which also includes further advice for sheep farmers who have experienced an attack.
The NFU Mutual also joined the campaign, urging dog owners visiting the countryside over the holiday period to keep their pets on the lead and pointing out that the late Easter meant most lambs would have been born.
Latest figures from the insurer estimate that across the country, farm animals worth almost £1.8 million were severely injured or killed in dog attacks in 2024, a fall of 26% compared to the previous year. In the South East, though, the figure showed a rise of 23% to £139,000
NFU Mutual also found that while 57% of owners let their dogs off the lead in the countryside, only 40% said their pet always came back when recalled.
AN OPEN LETTER TO JOHN MILNE, MP FOR HORSHAM
Dear Mr Milne,
I despair… I recently received a call from an RPA (Rural Payments Agency) inspector who advised me that he needed to inspect my sheep flock as my holding number had been ‘drawn’ from the annual survey results that we complete.
I advised him that I only had four ewes (plus lambs) and asked what he needed to see. I was advised that he needed to see that they existed, that they were tagged, that I kept records and that there were the necessary movement records.
I advised him that the only movements were for the lambs to make a one-way trip to the abattoir (luckily we just about have one) and instead I suggested that when back on the farm that evening I would take a video of the sheep and scan some movement records and forward them to him.
Clearly embarrassed, he advised that he was required to physically attend, and we booked a date to visit. He arrived, was extremely pleasant, very efficient, but hugely embarrassed by this complete waste of tax payers’ money.
This type of visit was not uncommon for him and recently he had been required to visit a farm that had no sheep, a fact which had already been reported to the government body that he represents…
What are you and your colleagues in government allowing to happen to our farming industry? You have recently withdrawn – without notice – the Sustainable Farming Incentive scheme, which was heralded as the replacement for basic payments (with additional environmental requirements – fine) due to lack of funds. And yet you are happy to pay inspectors to travel the country counting miniscule flocks of sheep and spending time completing unnecessary paperwork.
The final straw was that he advised me that even if my records were non-existent the RPA had no power to penalise me anyway. Come on; look beyond the end of your nose and decide whether or not the next generation of your family wants to eat any homeproduced food.
Nigel Parsons, Court Farm, Billingshurst, West Sussex
LEGAL ROBBERY
Dear Sir,
Your anonymous letter writer (Name Withheld, April ) continuous to ‘type-snipe’, with the reference in her latest missive to "misleading information", also used as the headline. No farmer makes any decision without research and professional advice, so to suggest we don`t indicates a naive view of our industry at best and envy/political bias at worst.
Name Withheld (NW) ends the letter with "Please establish the facts before making judgement", which is impossible when the anonymous letter writer’s true situation has been hidden.
Fourteen generations of my family have worked the land within 15 miles of Canterbury since 1465. Most were tenants of assetrich people like NW`s, whose family had a privileged 160 years of ownership. My father started in 1937 like his forebears, as a tenant of a rich landowner, and in 1974 I took on a crippling bank loan and managed to purchase the farm.
Now having cleared the debt with taxed income I am faced with legal robbery by the House of Clowns. My late wife (who contributed a second income) and I survived working sometimes seven days a week to pay off the loan with interest rates up to 18%. My story is, I am sure, familiar to many other farming families.
If NW wishes to be taken seriously, I suggest they stop hiding behind anonymity with this ill-informed dialogue; my address is not anonymous.
David Steed, Spratling Court Farm, Manston, Kent
M A BROWN & SONS LTD & SALES AND SERVICE
REPORTS PROVIDE INSIGHT
Two South East-based growers have published their Nuffield Farming reports following scholarship trips to foreign parts, providing insight into mechanised cherry harvesting and biodiversity in fruit farming.
Berkshire arable and fruit farmer Richard Copas’ report on The Mechanisation of Cherry Production and Harvest, sponsored by the Malcolm Isaac Scholarship, saw him travel to the USA, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands and Chile.
His report pointed out: “The UK sweet cherry sector is reliant on seasonal foreign labour and, with rising minimum wage levels, the pressure to find alternative harvesting techniques is ever-increasing to secure home-grown production against importation from lower labour cost areas of the world.”
Noting that harvesting cherries mechanically is difficult because of the small fruit size, clustered fruit, dense foliage and complex tree canopies, Richard identified individual fruit removal with robotic technology and mass harvest techniques as possible solutions.
His report suggested the industry should “move towards single plain growing systems and work with robotic companies as the technology continues to develop” and said similar growing systems on a Y trellis would reduce fall distances and harvest losses, making mass harvesting using mechanical vibration an option.
David Butler, a Kent fruit grower, travelled to the Netherlands, Italy, New Zealand, Spain and Chile to research his report entitled Biodiversity for the Future of Fruit Farming?, sponsored by Thatchers Cider.
His work posed the question: “With the ever-decreasing chemical arsenal UK fruit growers have to work with, is now the time to take a big leap towards biological control for pest and disease issues in our orchards?”
David explored techniques to maintain good yielding orchards with a high percentage of class one fruit while reducing chemical inputs and using biological control.
He also explored how biodiversity could be integrated into orchards, revealing: “There were fascinating methods of drilling cover crops in alternate rows to combat nematode issues, gene editing solutions to pathogens in trees and plants, wildflower meadows for increased pollination insects, mycorrhizal fungi added to the soil for root health and water retention, beneficial insects released in orchards to combat certain pests and the creation of habitat for year-round housing of such beneficials.”
David’s report, though, pointed out the impact of global price increases on biodiversity practices: “Being green is great but we must not go into the red as a business and I’m unfortunately concerned about the financial implications of green methods impacting the future of businesses and the industry as a whole. Is the juice worth the squeeze?” he asked.
Richard's and David’s full reports are now available on the Nuffield Farming report library: ww.nuffieldscholar.org
David Butler presenting at the Nuffield Farming Conference
ABSORBING INVESTIGATION
It says something for a book when a reviewer who planned to sample a few chapters finds himself so engrossed that he reads the entire work from start to finish, writes Malcolm Triggs.
It’s perhaps even more surprising when the publication in question isn’t an unputdownable novel but a technical exploration of a serious topic, albeit one that could shape the future of our planet.
Journalist and broadcaster Tom Heap’s Land Smart (Atlantic Books, in paperback from 6 June, £10.99) is an absorbing investigation into the ways in which farmers, landowners and others can – and should – make better use of the finite resource on which we all depend.
Subtitled “A Practical Guide to Transforming Our Countryside”, the book is a highly readable exploration of a challenging topic and benefits from insightful interviews with people who are already leading the way in balancing our use of land for food, energy, nature and shelter. Tom meets and talks to those who have potential solutions to the dilemma and explores how they could be used as a blueprint
for the country as a whole, with chapters focusing on everything from the home and garden through solar energy generation, arable and livestock farming and peat and carbon to woodland.
As is to be expected from a journalist of Tom’s experience, the book is well-written and engaging, but it also pulls no punches. His interviews with farmers, scientists, conservations and others who are doing their bit to meet the challenge of how to get the most out of every acre of land come across as relaxed and friendly, but the book doesn’t shy away from laying out the facts and coming up with answers.
A well-judged blend of the academic and the nitty gritty, Land Smart is a fascinating, fully indexed introduction to a topic that concerns us all and will become increasingly important as time goes on.
Reassuringly, perhaps, it is also relatively optimistic, ensuring that the reader is left inspired to take action rather than persuaded that there is no point in even trying to find a solution. The book concludes: “Our one planet
can deliver all the needs of humanity and the natural world but only with the intense application of intelligence and very little dogma. This book showcases people who are doing just that. Spread the word.”
TAKE ADVANTAGE OF ADOPT FUND
Farmers looking to take advantage of the new Accelerating Development of Practices and Technologies (ADOPT) Fund are being invited to register for a webinar that could help them benefit from the grants available.
The fund launched on 28 April and is part of DEFRA’s Farming Innovation Programme delivered by Innovate UK. It aims to accelerate the adoption of cutting-edge practices, from sustainable techniques to agri-tech solutions, by providing grants of up to £100,000.
With support grants of £2,500 also available to kickstart applications, the seminar will outline the details of the programme and the opportunities for farmers and give advice on how to develop ideas into projects.
The free one-hour webinar seminar on
1 May at 8.30am is being led by British On-Farm Innovation Network (BOFIN), one of the programme’s approved project facilitators, and will aim to encourage farmers to explore the opportunities. The seminar will follow the official Innovate UK launch webinar the previous day.
The webinar will include a panel discussion chaired by BOFIN managing director Tom Allen-Stevens and featuring experts Kate Pressland of CEIA, Belinda Clarke of AgriTechE, Becky Swinn of Innovative Farmers, Siwan Howatson of Farming Connect and Holly Shearman of Innovation for Agriculture.
"The long-awaited ADOPT Fund puts farmers in the driving seat of innovation, enabling them to harness the new technologies or innovations they believe could bring productivity gains," said BOFIN’s Tom Allen-Stevens.
"We want to make sure all farmers are aware of the opportunities this fund creates, which is why we are hosting this webinar. I encourage anyone interested to register to learn more and start developing their ideas.
“Going forward, our role as facilitators will be firstly to help farmers apply for grants. Then, for those that are successful, to ensure farmers can focus on what matters, running trials that boost productivity and sustainability for their own businesses and the wider industry, while we handle the paperwork, partnerships and project management."
www.bofin.org.uk/adopt Register for the webinar at www.tinyurl.com/ADOPTwebinar
MONICA AKEHURST AT THE KITCHEN TABLE
EXASPERATING, NAUGHTY CALVES
What a turnaround; from a wet winter to a dry spring. It’s allowed us to turn the cattle out earlier than usual, although grass growth could be better. We just need gentle rain at night and sunny days to give it a boost; surely that’s not asking too much?
Of course, as soon as we start lambing, the weather will probably change. I remember one Easter years ago when it snowed, so we had to bring the young lambs and their mothers back into the sheds.
Our young cattle are now grazing the marshes. Before turning them out, we vaccinated them against blackleg. We deemed this to be a wise precaution, given the large areas of recently disturbed soil on that land.
Last year, the Sussex Wildlife Trust launched a restoration project to enhance their wetlands, aiming to increase biodiversity and bird life. It’s been fascinating to follow its progress and watch the landscape transform. During excavations, archaeologists unearthed some artefacts suggesting there was once an ancient settlement on the marshland, a surprising discovery.
We put the winter-calving cows and their
calves into a field 100 metres away, but a couple of the calves got spooked and refused to venture outside. After some coaxing, they eventually put their tails up and did two circuits of the farmyard. Instead of following their mothers, they dashed to another shed, squeezing through the feed barrier to join the spring-calving cows. Their mothers bellowed but refused to return to collect their wayward offspring. It was so exasperating. Eventually we loaded the naughty calves onto a trailer and chauffeured them to the field.
We’ve held back our cows on Hockham Farm for now, as the handling facilities are better here. We decided to vaccinate cows against bluetongue before they head to the marshes, although they’ll need a second dose in three weeks. Thank goodness for mobile cattle handling systems.
We are halfway through calving and, touch wood, haven’t yet encountered any issues caused by infected midges biting our pregnant cows last autumn. Unfortunately, some nearby herds haven’t been so lucky and are facing high abortion rates and malformed foetuses. It’s disheartening for those farmers,
not to mention the financial burden.
I recently attended a meeting about bluetongue. If the UK follows the same trajectory as the Netherlands, it doesn’t bode well, as 75% of the sheep bitten there by infected midges died. This scenario sounds grim, so I’ll be giving my breeding ewes one dose of the vaccine. It won’t eliminate symptoms completely, but should reduce the severity and save lives. Cattle are more resilient, with low mortality rates, but the disease can still reduce milk production, and raised temperatures can affect bull fertility.
I do feel sorry for our animals; from their perspective it must seem like every time we handle them we inflict pain, which doesn’t help to build up that feeling of trust between farmer and stock. How are they to know that our intention is to improve their welfare? When I insert cattle tags into young calves’ ears, I feel like I’m defacing them; they are beautiful, vibrant and trusting, and their mothers are so proud. One of our first interactions is to inflict discomfort; I often apologise and tell them that it’s not my idea and that they should direct any complaints to DEFRA.
Speaking of DEFRA, The Rural Payments Agency recently informed the Pevensey Levels Cluster Group that its funding is being withdrawn. This group has been running for six years, with key aims being to increase knowledge of 1) water management, 2) predation/invasive species control (scrub/fox/ mink/pennywort) 3) ecology/biodiversity of levels/wetland birds and 4) private funding/ Environmental Land Management scheme/ biodiversity net gain, as well as bringing the group together as a community.
Being part of this group has been a positive experience. I have attended winter lectures and, when time allowed, joined field trips. Even though I’m out on the land every day there’s always more fascinating facts to learn about the creatures and plants with which we share our environment. We’re hoping the cluster group can continue, and alternative funding sources are being explored.
One of its successes has been the deployment of 25 mink traps across the Pevensey Levels and Cuckmere area by members of the farmers’ cluster, supported by the High Weald unit. To date, 62 mink have been caught. The project is part of the Waterlife charity headed by Professor Tony Martin, which is aiming to rid the whole of the UK of this tenacious little predator. Water voles and both ground-nesting and aquatic bird life will greatly benefit from this action.
I think increasing controls on top-end predators is a sensible move. Newborn lambs are vulnerable, so I’ll be keeping a close eye on any foxes lurking near my flock and monitoring crow activity, too.
Our ewes are looking very rotund and their udders are filling. They’ve been dagged and numbered, and had their tags recorded. So, if all is well, we shouldn’t have to catch the ewes but simply spray the lambs with corresponding numbers, colour coded for singles, twins, and (hopefully not too many) triplets. We haven’t scanned this year.
The lambing kit is fully stocked. I even gave Jimny a spruce up, filled the tank and, at great expense, sorted out a spare key in case the collies decided to lock themselves in again. But just when I need it most, Jimny has gone on strike. Major welding job needed on the back axle. Billy to the rescue again.
Meanwhile we’ve had an uninvited visitor who stayed for a couple of days on our farm.
It was first spotted lounging on the hay where our cattle feed, acting like it owned the place, making the most of all available comforts. It was wary but curious, even giving Croft’s livestock lorry a good inspection when it arrived early one morning to take finished cattle to the abattoir. I suggested it might want to hitch a ride, but it was far too savvy for that; ‘farm-wise’ and as cunning as a cartload of monkeys.
There’s something irresistibly cheeky about goats, I quite like them when they’re not mine. Its owner suggested we catch it and confine it; not a chance, I’m not that clever.
The collies are keen to go. Sadly, Jimny’s not
Uninvited visitor
Pevensey Levels restoration of wetlands
How times change. Croft’s vintage livestock lorry
More twins
One of the naughty calves secured in the trailer
Young stock on the marshes
MIKE KETTLEWELL IN
FARMING IN SYMPATHY WITH THE ENVIRONMENT
Diversification is today’s buzzword for protecting or expanding farm incomes against the backdrop and uncertainties of climate change and environmental degradation. Lots of us are adopting measures to mitigate the consequences of both, supported in many cases by government schemes, as well trying to add value to product and space through letting the latter or selling the former direct to consumers.
Farm shops selling home-produced meats and dairy products are now common. A few have filled niches, such as Vinehouse Farm in Lincolnshire and Rectory Farm in Leicestershire, that supply wild bird feed. Others have taken to growing grapes and producing surprisingly exciting English wines.
Daylesford Farm, a member of the North East Cotswold Farm Cluster, is perhaps unique in the UK with a large organic ‘farm to fork’ operation that kept Boris Johnson well supplied during Covid. It has a slick operation that employs many folk, supplying pubs and public through a huge farm shop and online retailers.
It is always instructive, however, to look further afield, and Fattoria La Vialla is, I believe, unique in its totality of evolution, ethos and operation. It is now an estate
of some 1,800 hectares, mainly in Tuscany between Florence and Arrezo but with additional owned and leased vineyards and olive groves elsewhere in Italy.
Its business model is based upon online sales throughout much of Europe, including the UK, but Italian access is exclusively through the farm shop. The main strings to Fattoria La Vialla’s bow are tourism in renovated stone farmsteads, olive oils, wines and vinegars, cheese, pasta, sauces and other ‘home prepared’ products and, most recently, olivebased cosmetics and tonics.
It all started in 1978 when Piero and Giuliana Lo Franco purchased La Vialla, a derelict farmhouse, and five hectares of surrounding land containing some vines and olive trees nestled in the Tuscan hills, as a family holiday project. Piero was a textile entrepreneur before being bitten by the farming bug and a wish to reinvigorate some of the beautiful Tuscan countryside depleted by mid-century changes in agricultural practice.
The Lo Francos soon expanded their holding, lovingly restoring the elegant empty stone farmsteads and buildings. Like many newcomers to agriculture, uncluttered by the conventional wisdom on production they opted to run the farm organically and then biodynamically, something that is also
taking root among the new English vineyards, spawned by climate change.
A decade on, with their three sons reaching adulthood, the family decided to make the Fattoria their primary concern and it is still expanding. The sons, Antonio, Gianni and Bandino, manage it equally, supported by a skilled work force, with eight grandchildren to continue the dream.
I first became aware of La Vialla in the early nineties and have followed their progress for some 30 years. Their product range has increased enormously, is presented beautifully and is absolutely delicious. Guests are encouraged to join in and play an active part. Work and play are often punctuated by al fresco meals among the vines or olive trees, and those seeking Florentine culture may sometimes be treated to a concert.
The prodigious wine list ranges from enjoyable every day wines to those for special occasions and with considerable, personally verified, aging potential. Objective measures of success, steered by the resident oenologist Marco Cervellera, have been the regular and frequent accumulation of prizes at international wine fairs.
Olive oils are a distinct speciality and quite unlike those available in the mass market. They are all extra virgin and definitely a
premium product. Like the wines, they are different blends whose characteristics reflect locale and are a central pillar of the healthy Mediterranean diet.
Fields are generally small, with the flatter valleys used for growing durum wheat, emmer, some barley and a large rotational plot delivering a full range of vegetables and herbs used to make the cornucopia of culinary goodies.
The vineyards and olive groves, underplanted with native wild species, merge with the woods. The botanic variety, proximity of wildness and freedom from pesticides ensures a rich and vibrant ecosystem. Tuscan wooded hills are home to wild boar, polecats, porcupines and occasionally wolves. The farm itself is home to 1,200 Sardinian sheep that are milked to make matured Pecorino cheese. The farm’s other eco-engineers are 250 Valdarense Bianca chickens for the eggs used in the kitchens and a small herd of Podolica cattle, an ancient breed that thrives on rough pasture year round.
The Lo Francos put most politicians to shame, taking their climate and biodiversity responsibility so seriously. They are teamed up with research institutes and universities in Italy and Germany to monitor the estate’s progress.
From 2014 to 2018 they absorbed 20.61K tonnes of CO2 and leave no negative footprint. The small fields, multiple crops, green manures and livestock all make for an abundance of insects, birds, reptiles and wild mammals. This kind of terrain and farming doesn’t need large machinery and so avoids the inevitable compaction and destruction that heavy kit brings. Olives, grapes and veg are hand harvested. The farm machinery is suitably small to work the vineyards, orchards, olive groves and vegetable plots.
So it is clearly possible to make a great success of farming in sympathy with the environment, something that is hugely valued by a discerning public. It doubtless depends much on the extrovert charm and positivity of the current owners and staff, augmented by Mediterranean sunshine. Although we Brits tend to be as gloomy as our weather, perhaps global warming will encourage us to engage more positively with our customers and communities to achieve something equally great.
Photos: Hetty van Oijen
The Piazzetta at lunchtime
Olive harvest nets
Olive trees, vineyards and arable
Sardinian sheep
The wine team
The bakery
SARAH CALCUTT FOCUS ON FRUIT
APPLE AND PEAR SALES TO MULTIPLES AND RETAILER MARKET SHARE (September to
* Grocery market share: Kantar data 12 weeks ending 23/02/2025 **Others: Ocado, other outlets, Symbols and independent
CHALLENGES FACED BY THE SECTOR
The annual British Apples and Pears trade briefing was a beautifully controlled statement on the challenges faced by the sector.
The value of the industry is indisputable; the highest production standards, a product range produced in a climate that lends outstanding flavour, expert growers who have strategically invested in varieties and technology that ensures they deliver what the customer is looking for in an extended season.
The history of British Apples and Pears is punctuated with announcements of advancements in packing, storage and production technology and the launch of new varieties. This year’s briefing covered all of the above, with leading growers Ross Goatham, James Simpson, Tom Hulme, Tony Harding and Ali Capper sharing their expertise, experience and knowledge of the sector and Hannah McIlfatrick of Worldwide Fruit updating the audience on the performance of top fruit in the grocery sector.
High inflation affected the category with
ARA g S Chair, Fruiterers Awards Council
pack growth suffering. Shelf space negotiations have been tough and the cost per kilo has been kept down, bringing the loss of any remaining mitigation for the living wage and cost of production increases.
There is no margin left with which to offset the impact of inflation. Investments in technology and intensive production have transformed the sector but the grower panel was clear that prices must increase to allow any further investment.
James Simpson raised the prospect of robotic harvesting, long awaited to aid the reduction in the largest cost base, wages. Unfortunately, this is still a long way off, and it is likely to be at least another 10 years before speed, accuracy and quality allow the investment to be selfsustaining or offer any cost savings over the dexterity and accuracy of hand picking.
Countryfile and Farming Today host Charlotte Smith hosted the webinar and asked about the future of Cox apples, Tony Harding said there was a low level of planting by a few growers, but the variety was in decline and at risk of disappearing. Currently there is no incentive for the investment as returns were too low and several retailers had stopped stocking it in favour of modern varieties.
Fruit Logistica this year saw between 40
and 50 new club varieties all looking for a breakthrough. Looking at the citrus and soft fruit categories, where there has been an enormous amount of innovation, top fruit has a great opportunity in special and different varieties, both in own brand and private label category development.
With Pink Lady, Jazz, Magic Star, Cameo and Kissabel all worth looking at, there is a good variety base to give the blend of returns needed for a viable business. New variety investment needs assurances from the retailers that there is a long-term commitment to a variety; all growers have orchards that have failed to pay for themselves following a change of buyer and variety shelf mix.
While there have been headlines about grubbing and there has been a number of unprofitable orchards removed in the past few years, the panel reported that the rate of removal had slowed in the last season, though replanting rates are yet to return to previous levels to maintain the volume growth needed. Climate change was on the agenda, but the panel heard that the UK’s maritime climate had always been beneficial for flavour, Ali Capper stated that science is saying that our climate will remain good for top fruit production and will get better.
SARAH CALCUTT
PRODUCTIVE AND ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY
Who says farms can’t be productive and environmentally friendly at the same time? Basking in sunshine, I have been busy lambing and turning out cattle, sharing the lambing fields with bumblebees, butterflies, hedgehogs, egrets, lapwings and a sparrowhawk to name a few. It’s made this year a more pleasurable experience than the daily soaking received while lambing in Spring 2024!
Both the sheep and lambing workforce have benefitted, resulting in thriving lambs and smiles on our faces (most of the time…). I have had the support of a great team in my daughter Gemma, home from the University of Leeds for her Easter holidays, and Charlie Townsend, a level 3, year 1 Plumpton Student who over the past couple of years has helped on the farm when not at college.
Tragically, lambing has been overshadowed this month by Charlie losing his lifelong friend Tom to a rare cancer. Both members of Chichester Young Farmers, Charlie is keen on livestock and Tom was tractor mad, an enthusiastic supporter of tractor runs. Following his diagnosis, Tom
By
NFU West Sussex council representative Caroline Harriott, who is also an NFU Farmers for Schools ambassador, a director of Arun to Adur (A2) farm cluster group, chair of Chichester Young Farmers’ Club advisory group and A2A group representative on the South Downs National Park Farming in Protected Landscapes panel. The family farming business based at Arundel consists of a 180 cow dairy unit and beef, sheep and arable enterprises on mainly tenanted land.
was an inspiration for the inaugural 2024 Arundel Bluebell Tractor Run, in which he took part. He was so looking forward to participating in the 2025 event, once again held at Hiorne Tower, Arundel Park on Sunday 27 April.
This amazing event will now aim to celebrate Tom’s life, and all the proceeds will go to Young Lives vs Cancer, a charity which has done so much to support Tom and his family. Please do try to support this charity in whatever way you can. The Arundel Bluebell Tractor Run Facebook page has all the details, links and Just Giving information. I look forward to leaving the lambing fields and catching up with many friends and familiar faces.
With my NFU hat on, I have also continued engaging face to face with local MPs on the many challenging issues facing farmers and have more on-farm MP appointments booked. Farmers must keep engaging with their MPs, because if they don't hear from their constituency farmers, they don't think there are any issues to address.
On the arable front we are busy drilling fodder beet which will hopefully receive the rain forecast in the near future and which will also benefit the emerged spring barley and the grass shut up for first cut silage for the dairy herd. The herd is busy with spring calving and the cows are happy to be out grazing in the daytime.
Pedigree Texel twins lambing outside in late afternoon sun
Thomas (left) and Charlie
NIGEL AKEHURST VISITS: CASTLE FARM
LOW-INPUT SHEEP AND CATTLE
This month Nigel Akehurst visited Langrish Farmers at Castle Farm in
Winchelsea, East Sussex.
He met up with Frank Langrish to learn more about the low-input sheep and cattle family farming enterprise, as well as an innovative new project to improve the
As soon as I stepped out of the car at Castle Farm, the salty sea breeze hit me; a clear reminder of just how close the farm is to Winchelsea Beach and Rye Harbour Nature Reserve.
The farmyard was bustling with activity, a young woman energetically pressurewashing a livestock trailer while another team member prepared a Valtra tractor, complete with power harrow and drill, for the day's fieldwork. Nearby, a smart blue livestock lorry, proudly branded "Langrish Farmers", caught my attention, parked neatly in one of the larger barns.
With a little time to spare before meeting Frank Langrish, I launched my drone for some aerial shots. Instantly, I was struck by the majestic sight of the 16th-century Camber Castle nestled within the farm boundaries.
Built by King Henry VIII and now managed by English Heritage, the castle provided an impressive backdrop to one of the farm's main lambing fields.
A LEGACY OF THREE GENERATIONS
Soon enough, Frank pulled up in his well-used pickup truck. Offering a hearty handshake, he warmly suggested we take a drive around the farm to understand its scale and operations better. As we drove through lush fields rich with grass and vibrant clover, Frank began recounting the Langrish family's long farming history.
"It’s changed a lot since my grandfather’s time," Frank remarked thoughtfully. His grandfather Frederick began farming in Beckley back in 1914 with just 50 acres, managing cows, sheep, and pigs. "It was a
profitability of wool.
modest start," Frank added, "but he laid the foundation for everything we have today."
Frank's father Bob expanded the business considerably in the late 1930s, gradually moving away from pigs to concentrate on hardy local breeds of sheep and cattle. A significant step was acquiring Castle Farm’s 350 acres in 1978, alongside an additional 400-acre block at nearby Pett Level. "My father was a visionary," Frank explained with pride. "He could always see potential where others couldn’t."
Frank and his late brother Robert joined the family business and continued expanding it to its current size of around 700 hectares, a mix of owned and rented land. "At our peak, we managed about 5,000 breeding ewes," Frank said, "though these days we've scaled back slightly to around 4,000, mainly Romneys.
We’ve also got about 400 cattle, including a pedigree herd of 55 Sussex cows.”
Today the team comprises Frank, his son Ed, the fourth generation, who joined him in the business in 2010, Frank’s wife Celia and Ed’s wife Verity, who both provide valuable admin back-up. They are supported by a team of four part-time and full-time staff.
SUSTAINABLE FARMING PHILOSOPHY
As we drove on, Frank passionately described the business’ sustainable, grass-fed farming philosophy. "Everything raised here is 100% grass-fed," he explained – a principle deeply rooted in his family's farming tradition. He recalled one of his father's favourite sayings: "Patience is cheaper than a bag," referencing the cost-effectiveness and ecological benefits of avoiding expensive bought-in feeds and fertilisers.
"Our soil does the hard work," Frank explained. "Most of our land is grade 1 or 2, deep alluvial soil rich in nutrients, and the clover naturally fixes nitrogen.” This low-input approach hasn't just benefited farm economics; it has significantly boosted local wildlife, with much of their grazing land in Higher Level Stewardship and being designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest, a Special Protection Area and a Ramsar site.
In addition, the business also manages several outlying blocks of land, such as Hastings Country Park Nature Reserve in Fairlight, carrying out conservation grazing practices and demonstrating a commitment to environmental sustainability.
EFFICIENT LAMBING AND LIVESTOCK MANAGEMENT
We soon arrived at the lambing fields, where Frank detailed the streamlined outdoor lambing system. "Simplicity and efficiency are key," he noted.
Ewes are maintained on tight, poorerquality grazing, encouraging easy lambing. They receive minimal intervention and are checked just three times daily. "The ewes winter off-farm, often in the West Country or in Norfolk," Frank explained, "returning about two weeks before lambing to be scanned and grouped into singles, twins, or triplets.”
Their flock, predominantly Romneys improved with New Zealand genetics, regularly achieves strong lambing percentages. Frank and the partners breed their own replacements and each year approximately 1,000 lambs supply local butchers and wholesalers, with the remainder sold at markets in Ashford and Hailsham either fat or as stores.
Frank emphasised: "Quality and consistency are essential. We've built good relationships locally because of that." >>
FARM FACTS
• 700 hectares of owned and rented land
• Low-input, wildlife-friendly farming practices
• 4,000 breeding ewes (mainly Romney), outdoor easy lambing system
• 400 head of cattle including a herd of 55 Pedigree Sussex
• Operates its own livestock lorry and trailer, carrying out haulage for other farmers
• Higher Level Stewardship agreement
• Much of the grazing land is designated Site of Special Scientific Interest, a Special Protection Area and a Ramsar site
• Snowline UK sheep project aims to improve the quality and value of wool
• Four partners in the business plus a small team of part and full-time staff
• Supplies local butchers and wholesalers with beef and lamb
NIGEL AKEHURST VISITS: CASTLE FARM
INNOVATING WITH BRITISH WOOL: THE SNOWLINE UK SHEEP PROJECT
When we moved onto wool production, Frank's eyes lit up, reflecting his deep passion and continued involvement with the British Wool Board (Frank was chairman from 1999 to 2011). He shared a striking anecdote: "In 2019, it cost me £16,000 to shear our sheep, yet we only made £5,000 back from wool sales. That was my wake-up call.”
Determined to improve wool profitability, Frank discovered Snowline sheep during a world-record sheep-shearing event involving Megan Whitehead, a renowned New Zealand shearer. "Watching Megan shear these Snowlines on Facebook," Frank remembered vividly, "I was amazed by the beautiful fine wool. I knew immediately this was something special.”
Curious to learn more, Frank contacted John McDonald, the owner of Snowlines in New Zealand. Despite initial challenges, including significant import and quarantine hurdles
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exacerbated by the Covid pandemic, Frank successfully imported Snowline genetics.
"The effort and cost was immense," he said, "but I’m hopeful I’ll get my money back. I didn’t want to go down the ‘no wool’ route and I couldn’t see any other way of making it work.”
Snowline wool, valued for its fineness (below 28 microns), commands a significantly higher price than standard wool. A kilo of 24-micron wool is worth four times as much as a kilo of above 30 micron wool as it is no longer ‘scratchy’ against the skin.
With a £45,000 DEFRA Innovation UK grant, Frank launched the Fabulous Fibre feasibility project in 2024, aiming to enhance UK wool through selective breeding and micron testing. He’s also actively pursuing funding to import handheld micron-testing devices, a technology that could revolutionise wool sorting and marketing.
"We have the potential to really change things here," Frank emphasised, clearly excited about the possibilities.
Frank took me to see a group of his young Snowline rams, which we penned to take a closer look. Putting my hand on their fleece I could clearly feel the difference between the Snowline rams and the pure Romneys; the wool was much softer to the touch and they also looked cleaner than the Romneys. Frank pointed out how long bodied they are, remarking: “Length always equals weight, so the wool is a bonus.”
He added: “The McDonalds have been breeding them for 40 years and on their system, lambing outside un-shepherded, they are getting 150-160%, which is pretty good. I’d be happy to get that on my shepherded ones.”
The next step is reaching a critical mass, he said. He’s hoping to get together with the other Snowline UK sheep breeders in the UK to sell the wool collectively under the Snowline UK brand, to which he owns the licence. He said they were already working with the Peregrine knitting company in Bristol and had other large brands interested.
ECONOMIC AND SUPPLY CHAIN CHALLENGES FACING BRITISH FARMERS
Our conversation turned candidly to economic challenges, including cuts to Basic Payment Scheme payments and looming concerns about inheritance tax. Frank expressed frustration, noting that such financial pressures significantly impacted farm investment decisions.
"It's forcing us to rethink everything," he admitted, "We're now carefully restructuring our farm partnerships to mitigate future impacts.”
We stopped at Ship Farm Shop in Winchelsea for coffee and a chat with Jamie, the shop's butcher. Jamie raised concerns about rapidly rising beef prices, reflecting broader market volatility. Frank agreed, observing: "It's been a swift correction, but the speed has taken everyone by surprise and has largely been driven by the demand for mince, which has nearly doubled in less than a year.”
Frank also touched on broader market conditions. "This autumn, I suspect we’ll see several farm sales as more farmers decide to retire rather than struggle through another tough year," he surmised.
Despite these challenges, Frank remains actively engaged in policy advocacy, mentioning an upcoming visit from his local MP to discuss critical farming issues. "We need supportive policies," he asserted firmly, "or the future of British farming could look quite bleak.”
On the topic of local abattoirs, Frank said more needed to be done to stop any further closures and he’s keen to find funding for a feasibility study into opening one or even two new purpose-built facilities in the South East, to boost capacity.
ADVICE AND OUTLOOK FOR NEW FARMERS
As we headed back towards the farmyard, Frank offered candid advice for new entrants
into farming. "Honestly, unless you've got significant financial backing or secure tenure of land, it's incredibly challenging to start farming today," he said bluntly. "Banks aren't lending readily, input costs are rising and land prices are prohibitive.”
He suggested gaining experience firsthand instead: "There's plenty of day work available. It's a great way to learn the ropes without the enormous financial risk." Yet despite these practical warnings, Frank remains cautiously optimistic about the future. "Farmers are resilient," he reminded me, smiling warmly. "We've weathered worse storms before. With the right support and innovation, I genuinely believe we can create a sustainable and profitable future.”
As we shook hands and said goodbye, Frank’s parting words resonated strongly: "We need forward-thinking policies and better incentives for young farmers. If we can achieve that, British farming has a bright future ahead."
AT COLCHESTER MARKET
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RECORD PRICES BEATEN EACH WEEK
Another month and another rise in the prime cattle trade throughout March and early April, with numbers still totally inadequate for the demand in livestock markets, although by the middle of April it was noted that perhaps a cap was being put on the prices, although at a high level.
In Colchester, we had seen week after week of cattle making from 400p/kg to 428p/kg liveweight, with weight being no issue.
Even more remarkably, we saw our top prices per head for prime beef rising to over £3,000, with the record prices being beaten each week. By mid-April we were seeing cattle over £3,300 per head and averages between 370p/kg and 390p/kg liveweight.
Remarkably, 12 months ago, we saw averages between 270p/kg and 280p/kg liveweight and top prices around £2,100 to £2,200 per head. An amazing increase of 30% on the year.
With numbers becoming tighter as yards empty, it will be interesting to see how the trade develops over the next few weeks and months.
The over 30 month and cull cow trade is still remarkably strong, with similar insatiable demand for processing beef, with best cows over 300p/kg. When you compare this with 12
months ago, again we are seeing prices up by over 30%.
As a direct result of the tremendous prime stock trade, store prices have also been hitting record levels. Many stores are reaching over £2,000 per head, with stronger types nearer £2,600 and above. This is again a remarkable trade. Numbers are totally insufficient for store buyers and finishing yards are becoming very short in numbers.
In the sheep market, we did see a disappointing trend, with prices now below 12 months ago. The highs of 2024 are not being seen, particularly on the heavy lambs where there is a national surplus, resulting in a difficult demand for lambs over 50kg liveweight. This is disappointing, but last year we had seen a remarkable increase over the previous 12 months and perhaps we are just seeing a readjustment in the sheep trade.
We still saw quality lambs trading around £160 to £190 per head and, remarkably, lower weight lambs weighing around 42-58kg making as much, if not more, than the heavy lambs.
Trade continued at a very stable level throughout the period, despite numbers not being great in any markets.
The ewe trade has been remarkably strong, with plenty of ewes seen at over £200 per head
and peaking at over £300 per head for strong continental ewes.
The ewe trade is going in the opposite direction to the old season lamb trade, being dearer than 12 months ago.
The first few new season lambs were coming forward, their trade reflected through the old season trade and less than 12 months ago. Hopefully, with Easter the week after this report is being written, we will see an uplift in that trade.
As always at this time of year, the store sheep trade is becoming more difficult, with the issue of erupted teeth still being a major concern for producers, due to the discounts being applied by abattoirs.
The pig trade continues at similar levels to previous months, with supply and demand equating. With the price of feed inputs being relatively low, at the cost of the arable producers, pig producers are still in a positive mood.
The exceptionally dry spring continued throughout the period, with rainfall being desperately needed. Irrigators were working at full pelt in early April to enable spring seeds to chit. Rain was desperately needed by mid-April, and hopefully by the time this report is being read, that rain will have appeared.
PETER KINGWILL
T: 01233 502222
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What a wonderful month we have all enjoyed with the British countryside at its spring finest. A cold wind, certainly, but the dry conditions have been a big help to all calving and lambing after the horrors
THE JOY OF THE MARKET IN SPRING
of the past two wet years. Moisture has just about held out and a good soaking mid-month has seen grass growth take off. I sense we will see some early cut grass amongst the dairy farmers.
From our point in the marketplace, we are always pleased to see good calving and lambing conditions, and good grass and cereal growth as this has such a positive impact on the farming industry right through until the end of next winter.
Market conditions have been spectacular this spring, and April moved onto another level with cattle prices signalling a new future for the livestock sector as the world recognises the shortage of production and just how many have been driven out of business over the past few generations.
Great Britain, and Ireland, have been similarly impacted by this well-reported failure of retailers to recognise the importance of protecting the future of production by paying a fair price. But it goes further throughout Europe and beyond, with much of the population of the middle and far east ever more demanding.
Prices have risen considerably, particularly in the cattle arena, and, of course, unlike the widget factory that can operate 24/7 and immediately increase output, farming is a long-term process with cows, at best, calving once a year at the start of a two-year production process. Sheep may have two lambs, but still only once a year. In order to expand production, females need to be retained in the short term, tightening stock available for slaughter, and a heifer going to the bull today will mean close to three years before extra beef is on the plate.
Prospects, short, medium, and even long term, are positive and encouraging. Certainly the work will be as long and hard as ever, but rewards will encourage our dynamic youngsters in farming. Fears over ‘madcap boffins’ developing protein in a petri dish are unreal, and more likely to impact the industrialised meats of chicken and pork, if at all. Consumers, surely, are not that crazy to go down this route of big business?
At Ashford, we enjoy so much tremendous support from so many; a support that works ultimately to the benefit of us all. We thank you all from the biggest to the smallest.
Sellers come largely from a line south east of Hampshire through to Norfolk, and are balanced with buyers who can come from any county, from Cornwall to Northumberland.
Hauliers start early and finish late, serving their clients and the wellbeing of their entrusted and valuable livestock. Market staff work tirelessly to process animals, recording not only the ownership and value, weight and price, but also the ear number in every animal for onward transfer to the regulatory authorities. Café staff provide excellent food throughout the working day. Then the market needs to be washed and disinfected before stall markets and car boots take place
at the weekend; 4,000 head of livestock leave a fair bit behind!
It is difficult to single out prices when breeds, age, sex, production, finish and type all have a bearing ultimately on a purchaser’s final decision, but in this store cattle season it is appropriate to record some of the high points of the past three weeks.
Karen Husk, Dover, Limousin x steer 17m £2,700; H J Emery & Son, Tonbridge, Limousin steers 14m £2,580; A J Bray, Faversham, Limousin x steers 18m £2,480; N Tong, Ashford, British Blue x steer £2,450; G Stokes, Dover, Angus x steers 20m £2,420; L E Humphreys & Sons, Maidstone, Limousin x steers 14m £2,440; J C & C Lewis, Sheerness, Sussex heifers 20m £2,300; G Bates, Maidstone, Limousin x steers 14m £2,200; G & R Bailey, Robertsbridge, Hereford x steers 16m £2,160; B C Ginger, Maidstone, Angus x and Hereford steers 24m £2,160; Pynn Contracting, Canterbury, Limousin x steers 13m £2,100; R D E Spencer, Canterbury, Limousin x steers 13m £2,080; R W Goddard & Partners, Canterbury, Angus x steers 13m £1,990; R Haydon & Ptrs, Arundel, Angus x Friesian heifers 20m £1,970; W J Hurley, Hythe, Sussex steers 17m £1,960.
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WRAPPING UP
Before we wrap up semester 2, the academic year at Plumpton and our South East Farmer magazine column until September, we wanted to share two fantastic pieces of student journalism.
Experiential learning in food and wine
By Louisa Inverarity, First year wine business student
As part of the wine and food module, students recently took their learning outdoors, enjoying a sunlit session of wine and dessert pairing.
Against the scenic backdrop of the South Downs, students sampled an array of sweet treats alongside carefully selected wines, analysing how acidity, sweetness, and texture interact on the palate. Think tiramisu and a
A call to action for a Crouch Valley PDO
By Holly Macdonald, third
year viticulture and oenology
student
Official demarcated regions have existed in the wine world since the 1700s. Surely it’s time for the UK to protect the regions producing award winning wine?
The Sussex Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) was ratified in 2022, allowing producers in the counties of East and
big, juicy red, or cherry bakewell with a funky rosé – each bite and sip sparked discussion and debate.
The session wasn’t just about indulgence; it was a hands-on exploration of how wine complements different flavours, a crucial skill for future wine buyers, sommeliers and marketers. By tasting in a relaxed setting, students refined their palates and deepened their understanding of why certain combinations work, and why others don’t.
With Plumpton’s emphasis on experiential learning, it’s clear that studying wine business here is as delicious as it is educational.
West Sussex the option to certify their wines as ‘Sussex Sparkling’. But award-winning wineries such as Nyetimber, Ridgeview and Wiston Estate source grapes from neighbouring counties, highlighting the fact that county boundaries established over 10 centuries ago are perhaps not the determining factor of high quality that the Sussex PDO credits.
Sussex is without a doubt home to areas suited to the production of the sparkling wine style the UK is becoming known for, but in my opinion the parameters set in the Sussex PDO document aren’t unique enough from other counties. My impression is that, if sub regions are to be made, they should be smaller areas, producing recognisable styles, unable to be produced to the same standard elsewhere.
For example, the most densely planted area of the UK, the Crouch Valley, is producing exceptionally ripe fruit every year, acting as a source for wineries across the country, including many urban wineries. This area of Essex has the potential for becoming a successful PDO, with signature clay-based soils and micro-climate that produces the sought-after grapes.
Staff spotlight
David Bell, assistant vineyard manager
Wine was an interest for me from an early age, the domestic wine scene growing up in South Africa playing a significant part, and the interest did not diminish when we moved to England.
What set my route into the industry was a Wine & Spirit Education Trust (WSET) course bought for my 18th birthday which convinced me to enter the on-trade rather than heading to university. I worked at several restaurants and bars during which time I continued with WSET studies until I enrolled as an undergraduate at Plumpton College in 2018. During my studies, time spent in the vineyard at Fox & Fox in Mayfield and in Portugal shaped the formative part of my career. Next for me was a move to Bolney in 2021 where, after graduating, I eventually worked up to the position of vineyard manager over an important transitional period for the business. At the end of 2024 I was very pleased to rejoin Plumpton as assistant vineyard manager.
David Bell
VET DIARY
SPRINGTIME IN SUSSEX
What a great year for spring lambing. We couldn’t have asked for better weather and hopefully a little bit of rain now will get the grass growing.
The weather has meant that we have seen a lot less watery mouth and navel ill because it has been that much easier to keep the lambing shed clean and turn out lambs faster. It just goes to show how important keeping the environment clean is, but that is definitely easier said than done. We have been busy this spring with both calvings and lambings, and even the odd goat kidding. One client saved themselves a trip and brought four ewes which were lambing at the same time to the office. The sheep were having a variety of issues including ringworm. Isabel and Claire used their skills at both lambing and surgery to produce five lambs and save all the ewes. It was a successful visit.
Unfortunately, this winter we have seen the effects of bluetongue virus infection from the autumn. These cattle were never seen to be ill but have suffered abortion or stillborn calves. It has been expensive on some farms.
The virus attacks the developing brain of the foetus in the middle third of pregnancy. We have seen dummy calves born alive that have huge sections of brain missing. We highly recommend taking the time this spring to vaccinate both cattle and sheep before the midges emerge. Please discuss this further with your vet and check the information on the AHDB (Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board) website.
The downside of the good weather is that we have already treated a couple of cases of fly strike. The flies are attracted to fleece contaminated by dung and reproduce quickly in the warm weather.
The best way to reduce the risk is to dag out ewes, use fly repellent when the risk is high and proactively monitor for high worm burdens using worm egg counts. As the weather is more unpredictable due to climate change, we cannot rely on seasonality to predict the risk of worms. Worm egg counts are a great way to both confirm a worm issue and warn you that Haemonchus (barber’s pole worm) burdens are increasing in the group.
Native dung beetle species help reduce the populations of flies on our farms. Wormers, especially ivermectin products, are very harmful to these insects, so if we only use wormers when we need to, we help protect the dung beetle populations as well as reducing the risk of resistance.
I have enjoyed driving around the countryside this past month and seeing all the lambs and calves out in the fields. I am looking forward to seeing some of you at the county shows this summer; look out for the Cliffe Farm Vets stand and come say hello.
ADVICE FROM THE VET
PAIN MANAGEMENT
Our ability to recognise, manage and alleviate pain in animals is essential. It is also improving vastly as there are more means with which to monitor animal movements and rumination and painscoring scales available for farm animals.
Importantly, we must control pain to uphold animal welfare, but also to ensure the production efficiencies that lead to economic benefits. Anyone who has been called about a lame sheep in a field will also realise that public perception of animal pain heavily influences the reputation of the livestock industry in the consumers’ eyes; we must all be confident that production animals in the UK are ethically raised and treated.
The stoic nature of farm animals means that they do not always outwardly display pain, choosing instead to mask it. To show vulnerability would make them exposed to predation, so some signs of pain are as subtle as facial expression, isolation from the herd or flock or lying down more often than usual.
Some notably painful conditions such as foul in the foot, or scald, will cause an animal to limp, thus making them more obvious to
the observer, but other animals with mastitis may not show outward signs of pain and discomfort until stimulated by touching the affected quarter, for example.
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are the most readily available pain-relieving medications in food-producing animals, though steroids and other types of pain relief may be prescribed for different presentations and illnesses.
If considering antibiotic therapy in an animal for any condition, it stands to reason that there may be inflammation present that could be resolved by NSAIDs. Inflammation can cause discomfort, and providing the animal is well hydrated, NSAIDs given under veterinary advice can promote recovery, alleviate pain and encourage animals to move and eat.
Studies show that utilising NSAIDs in lame cattle can improve mobility and increase the speed of recovery. They are also effective at reducing post-operative pain in routine husbandry and emergency procedures in cattle and sheep.
NSAID therapy in mastitis significantly improves milk production and reduces
inflammation, and administration to calves and lambs with various conditions can both reduce mortality and improve subsequent weight gain.
Your vet can advise on recognising even subtle signs of pain to help you bolster recovery rates from various ailments or diseases, as well as advising on appropriate dosing regimens to promote recovery, increase productivity and improve cure rates in livestock.
Technical references are available on request.
LAMBING IS DONE
Almost there. At the time of writing, except for a single Herdwick ewe, lambing is done. The hanger-on comes as no surprise. Being so fiercely independent, they do what they do as and when they want to do it; the laggard has been the last to lamb for the past few years, a title she seems determined to retain.
The finale of this year’s lambing is certainly looked forward to with rather more relish than its start, which was attended by a degree of foreboding following the dog attack in mid-February; a feeling of inevitability that there would be a consequential impact on lambing and a fear that a number of them, although they had not aborted, would be carrying dead lambs.
Sadly, this was a correct assumption, and we started with a run of stillbirths, a rare occurrence in our Lleyn, both entire litters and deliveries with one live and one or more stillborn. To further complicate things we experienced significantly more malpresentations than we would ordinarily expect, rather more small lambs and an exceptional divergence in the size of some litter mates; all, I suspect (know), due to substantial disruption to placentas and nutrient supply during the attack. Not knowing quite what to expect in terms of lamb deliveries certainly generated considerable additional stress when checking the ewes at the start of the season.
Fortuitously, as lambing progressed, having been through the full spectrum of problems, things did, eventually begin to settle down and improve. With all the Lleyn producing within 16 days, lambing went quickly; considering what the ewes had endured we do have some good, strong lambs on the ground, albeit with some rather oddly paired sets of twins. To their eternal credit, the ewes have performed well, have
an abundance of milk and are doing their lambs very well so far; thankfully almost all of the lambs born alive are still with us, even though some are really quite small, with a mortality of just 3%.
Unfortunately, the net result has been that lamb numbers are substantially adrift from where they should be, with our lambing percentage taking a huge knock from its usual 200%-ish. That said, I am aware that the impact could have been considerably worse, and I am thankful for the numbers we do have. Luckily, the Herdwick ewes were not involved in the dog attack and, to add insult to injury, look set to out-perform the Lleyn this season, something that I’m sure the boss (the Herdwick are her pride and joy) will not allow me to forget for some considerable time.
Sadly, we are not alone, with dog attacks and the consequential impacts on both sheep and sheep keepers are a daily reality for sheep keepers across the country. We lost the final natural predator on sheep when John Corbett and his hunters killed the last English wolf in 1290, only to be supplanted now, more than seven centuries later, by out-ofcontrol dogs and irresponsible owners.
The law in relation to sheep worrying by dogs was significantly enhanced in 2021 in Scotland, where owners of dogs that worry sheep may now be fined up to £40,000 and/or face a prison sentence of up to 12 months. All we have here is a proposed amendment to the Dogs (Protection of Livestock) Act 1953, which simply gives the police greater powers of seizure, an amendment that has, for almost a year, made little progress through Parliament; our legislators really do not seem to be taking the issue very seriously.
Although lambing went better than expected, grass availability is now giving some cause for concern. March may have provided good lambing weather, particularly for those lambing outside, but a run of cold nights has kept soil temperatures down, hindering spring grass growth, particularly after an autumn and winter during which grass took a bit of a battering. Generally, by
Testament to the hardiness and resilience of sheep; still carrying her battle scars from the dog attack, she still managed to produce a good set of twins, even if one is a bit of a rabbit
mid-March we would have a decent bite of grass for the ewes to lamb onto, plus a bit in reserve, but now, even into April, supplies are rather tight; we do have grass in front of the ewes, but it needs careful grazing management.
Now, with the sunniest March since records began and a significant lack of any meaningful rainfall, things are beginning to dry up a bit, providing further impediment to grass growth. Again, we are not alone; I had a conversation with a fellow breeder in North Wales last week and, surprisingly, he is in just the same position, chasing grass around the farm and now, unusually, considering the strategic use of some creep feeding as a buffer, taking some of the pressure off the grass and the ewes to husband grass supplies and avoid excessive loss of ewe body condition.
The past 12 months have generally not been kind to sheep, and we could all do with a bit of a respite, a decent drop of rain even, but I will certainly be holding a bit of creep feed in reserve.
ALAN WEST Sheep farmer
ANITA HICKSON ORGANISED CHAOS
HELL BENT ON DESTROYING UK AGRICULTURE
Since Ted was unanimously voted in as the new prime minister of our country he has made some significant changes. He has obviously taken a leaf out of Mr Trump's book and decided to abolish inheritance tax and all associated costs, reinstate basic payments and encourage self-sufficiency in the UK. The feedback that we received from the last article convinced me that this was in essence the best way forward.
On a different note, Mr Starmer is still hell bent on destroying UK agriculture. He seems to believe that importing food is high on the government’s agenda. In fairness, the fact that UK lamb and beef prices continue to rise will make it inevitable that meat will be drawn in from overseas.
During 2024 total sheep meat imports into the UK grew by 37% to 76,500 tonnes, 45,500 tonnes from New Zealand and a further 19,000 tonnes from Australia. The principal reason for this increase is a shrinking domestic supply as our national
sheep flock declines. In the past two years our sheep flock has seen a decline of 6% and the percentage within hill flocks may be considerably higher as many are removed through environmental schemes.
However, for those thinking that importing is a simple task, the New Zealand and Australian sheep flocks are also on the decline. In New Zealand in 1982 there were 70 million sheep and in 2023 there were only 24 million.
In Australia it is projected that by June 2025 the national flock will have fallen by 7.5% in one year alone. And all the while the population rises and demand for red meat grows.
It makes absolutely no sense that we are witnessing the destruction of our valuable sheep industry, which is predicated around sustainable hill sheep production. Instead of getting rid of sheep and shepherds we should be investing in them and striving for better productivity while improving the natural environment as part of the job description. Yet the government seem intent on going down the route of sheep
depopulation while the cargo ship numbers coming in keep increasing.
Some of the first-cut silage has been cut, baled and wrapped, with 10 April making this year the earliest start we have ever made. The yards have been cleaned out and, so far, the cows have been milking well.
As I write this, we are on imminent baby arrival, so fingers crossed he/she is well timed so that it won’t interfere with mowing. Fergus could be a busy chap.
The large differential in day/night temperatures have been playing havoc with the calves, but as we move closer to summer things can only improve. Before we know it half term and the summer holidays will be with us.
Until next time, stay safe.
ANITA HICKSON Farmer
GROWING PRESSURES
March dry spell underscores South East’s water challenges.
We’ve touched previously on the growing pressures the South East faces with increasingly erratic weather patterns. As we move into spring 2025, this concern has become even more pressing following one of the driest Marches on record in England.
According to provisional data from the Met Office, March 2025 was exceptionally dry across much of the UK and particularly in England. Average rainfall for England during the month was just 18.1mm; only 29% of the long term average for March. In the South East, some areas received even less, with parts of Kent and Sussex seeing under 10mm of rain across the entire month. These figures place it among the top five driest Marches since records began in 1836.
This shortfall in rainfall follows a winter that, while wet in parts, failed to consistently replenish soil moisture and groundwater reserves in key growing areas. As a result, growers are already seeing signs of early soil drying, with field capacity not fully restored before the critical spring growing season. For fruit producers, this creates a worrying outlook, particularly given how much yield and quality rely on consistent water availability during flowering and early fruit set.
The South East, home to a large proportion of the UK's top fruit and soft fruit production, is especially vulnerable. Shallow, freedraining soils typical of parts of Kent, Surrey, and Sussex offer limited water-holding capacity and rely on timely rainfall or supplemental irrigation to sustain healthy crop development. A dry March, coupled with an uncertain April forecast, increases pressure on already stressed water systems.
This year’s conditions are prompting renewed conversations about long-term water security. While emergency irrigation may plug short-term gaps, sustainable strategies are critical. As previously discussed, technologies like drip irrigation remain one of the most efficient ways to deliver water directly to plant roots, reducing
evaporation and runoff. In dry springs like this, such targeted approaches make the most of limited resources.
Rainwater harvesting is another valuable tool, yet it hinges on sufficient winter and early spring rainfall to fill storage tanks. With dry months becoming more frequent, some growers are reassessing their storage capacity and considering larger reservoirs or secondary containment systems.
In-field soil moisture sensors are also proving invaluable. By providing real time feedback, they help growers make informed decisions about when and where to irrigate, preventing waste and ensuring crops receive water only when it’s genuinely needed. With less room for error in years like this, these tools are fast becoming essentials rather than luxuries.
Looking ahead, climate projections suggest that dry springs could become more common, even as winter rainfall becomes more extreme
and concentrated into shorter periods. This imbalance of too much water when it's least useful and too little during critical growth periods will demand thoughtful adaptation across every area of agriculture.
In response, several grower groups and water management organisations are calling for enhanced funding and policy support to accelerate on-farm water infrastructure improvements. This includes streamlined permissions for reservoir construction and clearer guidance on abstraction during periods of prolonged dryness.
While the weather cannot be controlled, the way we prepare for and respond to it can make a crucial difference. March 2025 has served as another reminder that water management is no longer a seasonal issue but a year round strategic concern. For South East growers, investing in resilience now may prove the key to sustaining quality yields in an increasingly unpredictable climate.
MEGAN FITZPATRICK
YELLOW RUST MAIN DISEASE OF NOTE SO FAR
By Peter Cowlrick, Technical director.
What a contrast to last year this spring has been so far. With just six millimetres of rain since the beginning of March and a plethora of cold nights, both septoria and brown rust pressure are reassuringly less prevalent as I write this in mid-April. Unlike in 2024, the main disease of note so far has been yellow rust, particularly in late October/November sown wheats.
Previous seasons, however, offer salutary reminders of what can happen later in the season, and as recently as 2022 a dry early season was followed by a wet late May/June, resulting in significant lower leaf loss and subsequent yield reductions due to the impact of septoria where fungicide programmes were not robust enough.
With regards the all-important flag leaf (T2) fungicide options, programmes will be influenced by a combination of variety and sowing date, with the latter a key consideration this season, when over half of the winter wheat crops here in the south were drilled from late October.
For crops sown from late September through to mid-October, adequate septoria protection to cover both the flag and leaf two is essential, with product choice
also accounting for other varietal disease weaknesses such as brown rust; there are a number of excellent combinations of actives available that offer robust disease control, such as the SDHIs Pydiflumetofen (Miravis + Era) and Isoflucypram (Vimoy + Proline et al), along with the picolinamide Fenpicoxamid (Univoq/Jessico One et al) all of which need partnering with a triazole (eg Prothioconazole or Mefentriconazole). Don’t be tempted to skimp on rates as maintaining green leaf area on the top two leaves is critical to optimising yield potential, with T2 fungicide inputs typically delivering around 60% of fungicide yield responses.
If brown rust pressure is a concern, then adding in a strobilurin (eg Azoxystrobin or Pyraclostrobin) could be an option. Consider increasing water volumes and using fan jets to improve spray coverage, as all fungicides are acropetal (move towards the leaf tip), and poor spray coverage at the leaf axil (particularly leaf 2) is often obvious later on with disease reinfecting this area.
Although later-sown (end October/ November) crops are likely to be carrying considerably lower levels of septoria inoculum, the T2 fungicide is still the most important
CCC AGRONOMY
Chichester Crop Consultancy is a farmer member run co-operative agronomy service that aims to deliver truly independent, research/ science-led agronomy advice with no commercial bias and now covers the South of England.
CCC works closely with Crop Advisors, which supplies independent group purchasing on crop inputs as well as sourcing cover crop/environmental scheme seed mixes.
timing with regard to protecting the upper leaves, even if the lower canopy looks clean; similar combinations of actives should still be considered, but against a backdrop of both lower yield potential and disease pressure slightly lower rates can be considered. If yellow rust has been previously active in the crop, then ensure that this is adequately covered. Where possible, and if budgets permit, the addition of protectant chemistry (such as Folpet) to T2 fungicide programmes typically provides around a 0.3t/ha return on investment and will help protect the systemic fungicides as an anti-resistance strategy. The flag leaf timing is also important at reducing inoculum pressure from the ear-colonising fungal species (eg fusarium and michrodochium), with Prothioconazole playing a key role in this, and Pydiflumetofen (Miravis) appears to have a useful additional benefit of reducing inoculum pressure ahead of ear emergence, which could be particularly useful in managing fusarium risks in crops following maize.
Peter Cowlrick
OPTIMISING NITROGEN USE AND PROTEIN IN MILLING WHEAT
Hutchinsons’ Tim Kerr, crop nutrition manager, and Leo Page, farm business consultant, share their views on how to optimise nitrogen use to meet protein specifications without overstepping economic thresholds.
Modern wheat varieties have huge yield potential, but growers have to be realistic about whether or not these can be achieved on their own farms.
A well-timed application of nitrogen after the flag leaf final dressing will increase the amount of nitrogen available to crops during that crucial stage of protein development.
Without a well-timed late application of nitrogen, crops may struggle to contain enough protein to satisfy the requirement for yield and quality. The later this dressing is applied, the more influence it will have on grain protein up to ear emergence. After flowering, the uptake of nitrogen declines.
The experts pose three pivotal questions to ask around late season nitrogen requirements for a group 1 milling wheat established in autumn 2024 with the aim of being sold for a milling premium with a protein threshold of HFN250.
1. WHAT IS THE LIKELIHOOD OF ACHIEVING MILLING WHEAT SPEC?
This is an important starting point and should be based on the historical success of meeting milling spec weight with a particular variety. If regularly or even occasionally achieved, then it would be sensible to follow past nitrogen fertiliser strategies. If not, don’t apply additional nitrogen; it doesn’t make economic sense.
Recommendations also shift with low spring rainfall. If the weather stays dry, later applications of foliar urea at the milky ripe stage will become more important.
Beware the terms of some milling wheat contracts which exclude the use of foliar urea. Alternatively, consider forms of methylene urea applied with the T3 fungicide which is now a well-established practice, very crop safe and reduces the need for extra field passes.
2. SHOULD I THEN CONSIDER A LATE NITROGEN APPLICATION TO PUSH FOR PROTEIN?
Use the protein prediction test to decide whether a late application of nitrogen is needed. Hutchinsons have been using this test since 2019 and Andrew Pitts at Helix National farm uses it routinely for his milling wheat samples.
The test involves digging up five to 10 wheat plants from across a field and sending them to the lab. Samples can be taken from third week in
Canterbury: 01227 830064 www.hlhltd.co.uk
Wheat Spring 2025
Milling Wheat Variety Established 2024
Additional nitrate fertiliser decisions based on the historic milling spec success
achieved
Don’t apply additional nitrate fertiliser if at risk of missing milling quality this year
nitrate fertiliser policy
Adjust the policy in low spring rainfall conditions to:
Apply additional nitrate fertiliser earlier*
Consider a late foliar applied nitrate fertiliser*
Follow historic nitrate fertiliser policy for milling wheats on farm*
*Consider a protein prediction test from the third week of May. Consider forms of methylene urea applied with the T3 fungicide. There is still time to apply bagged ammonium nitrate (AN) fertilisers, but beware of applying it ahead of rainstorms.
May onwards. The test retails at £36.50 per sample. For further details see www.hillcourtresearch.co.uk/product/protein-prediction-in-milling-wheat
3. HOW CAN I CALCULATE THE EFFECT OF MORE NITROGEN ON MY BREAK-EVEN COSTS WHILE ACCOUNTING FOR UNCERTAINTY AND VOLATILITY?
Milling wheat requires about 5kg of extra nitrogen per tonne of wheat, so a 10-tonne milling crop needs about 50kgs extra nitrogen than the equivalent feed wheat crop. Taking into account the reliability of achieving milling spec and depending on the fertiliser product bought, this is an additional variable input cost of £5-£6.50/tonne of wheat, which, when the crop is sold for an additional milling premium, is money well spent.
KERR
Manager
Milling
FUNGI AND FUTURE THINKING
Hadlow College heads to RHS Chelsea Flower Show.
There’s no such thing as a toadstool, or that, at least, is what the students and staff at Hadlow College will be telling visitors at this year’s RHS Chelsea Flower Show.
As Kent’s only rural and land-based college, Hadlow is once again stepping into the spotlight of the world’s most celebrated horticultural event later this month (it runs from 20 to 24 May), with this year’s exhibit set to spark conversation, curiosity and a deeper understanding of one of the most mysterious of life’s organisms: fungi.
Enitled: “No Such Thing as a Toadstool”, the college’s exhibit invites visitors into a woodland-inspired space where fungi take centre stage, not just as familiar mushrooms sprouting from tree stumps but as critical players in everything from ecosystem health to future technologies.
The garden highlights fungi’s essential roles in decomposition, symbiosis, soil health, food and medicine, while also exploring potential uses such as mycoremediation, sustainable materials and biopesticides.
START THE JOURNEY
The exhibit not only features a wide array of woodland plants and trees, but also edible fungi grown at the college, celebrating the form and diversity of mushrooms available. Student involvement has been integral throughout the process, from growing and tending plants, to being on site at Chelsea for the build, to representing the college during the show itself.
The college is no stranger to the show and has a proud history at Chelsea, with a reputation for nurturing award-winning talent. Alumni such as James Basson, Bethany Williams and Nick Dunn have gone on to win prestigious horticultural awards.
The college itself was named Floristry College of the Year at RHS Chelsea in 2015, and last year its “Grow Your Mind” exhibit earned a bronze medal at the show.
APPLY NOW TO STUDY
Founded in 1919 and based on 265 acres of Kent countryside, Hadlow College has long championed innovation and sustainability in land-based education.
To find out more and start the journey to studying at Kent’s only rural and land-based college, visit www.hadlow.ac.uk/courses or visit www.hadlow.ac.uk/events to book a place on the open evening.
From its high-tech glasshouse, home to the UK’s first centre of excellence in greenhouse growing, to its cutting-edge robotic orchard and vineyard, Hadlow blends tradition with the future, ensuring students are industry ready from day one.
If you are interested in studying at Hadlow College, you can apply now to start in September. The college offers a huge range of both further and higher education courses. The college is also holding an open evening on Wednesday 4 June. Running from 3pm to 7pm it will give visitors the chance to explore its wonderful rural and land-based facilities and speak to industry trained lecturers and current students.
STEPHEN CARR
WHEAT PRICE HAS DECLINED
As regular readers of this column will know, the current price of wheat is a big gripe of mine. Indeed, there is nothing I like more than reminding anyone who will listen (so not my family, then) that when I started farming in the 1980s the price of a tonne of wheat could buy the farm next door, a new combine, pay a man’s wages for a year and still leave me enough change to buy a two-week holiday on the French Riviera.
OK, so the passage of time might have rose-tinted my memory a little, but you get the picture: it was a lot easier to earn a living as a cereal grower 40 years ago than it is today.
To reinforce my fond memories of those arable farming days of yore, farm business analytics company Yagro has just published a report that shows just how far the wheat price has declined since the 1980s. Apparently, wheat would need to be £600 per tonne today to match the price back then, when factoring in inflation in growing costs. This obviously stands in stark contrast to the measly £160 my parsimonious grain merchant is currently offering me for last year’s harvest.
Let’s just imagine for a moment what receiving £600 per tonne for wheat would feel like. Even a modest crop, yielding 7.5 tonnes of wheat per hectare, would produce a gross output of £4,500 per hectare. With such returns, what arable farmer would worry that the Sustainable Farming Incentive has been closed for further applications this year? With such profits to be had, why fret about Chancellor Rachel Reeves’s unexpected slashing of decoupled basic payments in her budget last October? And as regards a bit of inheritance tax, well, just sell a bit of grain to pay it off.
But to crash back to reality, how have we all coped with a gradual but relentless fall in the real value of wheat over the past 40 years? The truth, of course, is that we haven’t. Some of us have, but that usually involved gobbling up the land of what used to be our neighbours. Only through economies of scale have we worked out a way of continuing to earn a living. The result is that the arable farms that survive are now bigger. But bigger hectareages mean bigger investment, bigger risk and bigger stress.
Long gone, then, are the halcyon days when 100 hectares of continuous wheat constituted a commercial arable farm from which a good living could be made. This is before the days of blackgrass resistance to herbicides, so continuous wheat was a possibility then. And, if truth be told, it was probably continuous Huntsman. What a variety that was. Disease proof in its day, you know.
It had to be a terrible crop of Huntsman to yield less than seven tonnes per hectare; and with a fraction of the inputs required today. We didn’t even have tramlines in those days. Just kill off the weeds in the spring, slap on your Nitram and spend the summer watching cricket and playing golf. Why, I remember one year, I think it was 1986. Perfect growing season. Bumper harvest, and …. Hello? Hello? Is anyone still there?
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STEPHEN CARR
Stephen farms near Eastbourne in East Sussex in partnership with his wife and four of his daughters. The farm has a pub, the Sussex Ox at Milton Street, which serves the farm's pedigree Sussex beef, Southdown-cross lamb and fruit and vegetables from the farmhouse kitchen-garden.
BUYING GROUP
MORE LIKE A COMMUNITY THAN A BUYING GROUP
Discounted prices may be one advantage of joining Southern Farmers, but it’s by no means the only benefit of signing up.
The renowned agricultural buying group, which works with farmers and landowners across Kent, Surrey, Sussex, Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, has earned a reputation for providing much broader support to its members.
“Southern Farmers operates more like a community than a buying group,” explained managing director Brigitte Fifield. “Our members know that we are here to help, and they get in touch on all manner of issues if they think someone out there can lend a hand.
“As an example, on occasions we have had members who have an issue with their water supply ring in to ask us if we know anyone in their area who might be able to lend them a bowser. It’s that kind of community spirit that sets us apart from most other companies of this kind.”
For farmers who generally work alone, ringing in to make an order can offer a chance to hear a friendly voice as well as an opportunity to save money by taking advantage of the 1,200-strong group’s impressive buying power.
“One of our members said to me at the annual meeting that when he calls in to talk to the office it makes his day because everyone here is so cheerful,” commented new chairman of the board Lee Maitland, who took over towards the end of March.
“That friendly reputation is something that I am keen to make sure the team continues to build on as it is vitally important to the way we operate.”
That focus on delivering a friendly, personal service is also the
reason why Southern Farmers is not out to play the ‘numbers game’. While membership has increased steadily over the years, the group is determined not to scale up to the point where that focus is in danger of being lost.
“All the time we can continue to develop that kind of close relationship with each and every member, we will continue to grow the group, but if we ever feel we are too busy to give members the time they need, we will closely monitor new signups,” explained Brigitte. “That’s always been our philosophy, and it’s allowed us to deliver a service we are proud of.”
The same focus on personal relationships applies to suppliers, too, and means that Southern Farmers members receive not just discounted prices but good service. Businesses benefit from being on the company’s suppliers list as they know they will get paid in full and on time.
Those close links are particularly useful when there are potential supply issues with a product. Fertiliser is a case in point at the moment. Although prices have dropped, strict rules around transportation and the volume of orders placed have made deliveries an issue.
“It’s an area where our close links with suppliers can mean our members get what they need. Trying to negotiate on your own in such circumstances is much more difficult,” explained Brigitte.
In general, Southern Farmers works with a limited number of suppliers in each category, allowing it to negotiate the best possible discount across virtually every product or service that farmers and landowners could need.
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“We don’t supply groceries, although we have suppliers who can sell you a fridge to keep them in,” commented Brigitte.
From stationery to silage wrap, animal feed to fencing materials, mobile phone contracts to roofing sheets and tractor tyres to fertiliser, Southern Farmers members know that they can get a good deal and swift service using the buying group’s carefully selected list.
Other areas where members regularly take advantage of good rates include machinery hire, skips, aggregates and ready-mix concrete, along with veterinary products, where prices can be significantly cheaper than those available from other sources. Southern Famers also benefits from having two suitably qualified person (SQP) in the office, Sarah Tester and Abi Sommerville, who can discuss potential treatments as well as supplying products.
On average, three or four new members join the group every month, and each one of them is visited by one of the Southern Farmers’ directors. “It’s not to vet the new member but to welcome them aboard, make sure they understand the breadth of what we offer and get to know a little bit about their business and the kind of service they are looking for,” explained Brigitte.
As new chairman Lee explained: “It’s always a pleasure to spend some time chatting to new members, learning about what they do and making sure they will be able to get as much out of their membership as possible. It’s always been a part of the director’s role I really enjoy.”
Brigitte Fifield
<< two men into the ranks. Famously, although purely coincidentally, an all-female affair until recently, it now includes Rhys Tuppenney and Angus Sherriff in the accounts team led by manager Jan Dickerson.
Southern Farmers currently has nine directors but is actively looking to recruit more. “We need to make sure that we have directors in a good spread across our area so that we can continue to meet and greet all our new members right across the patch,” Brigitte said.
One vacancy that will be difficult to fill is that of Chris Bishop, who first served as a director of Rother Valley Farmers more than 30 years ago (“He can’t remember exactly when he joined,” Brigitte said). He continued in that role with Southern Farmers when the two organisations merged in 2000, along with East Sussex Farmers.
“He has served Southern Farmers incredibly well for over a quarter of a century and he will be missed,” said Brigitte. It is the input from people like Chris, together with the history and origins of the group, that has prompted Brigitte to consider asking an archivist to research and write the story one day. “It’s just an idea from a member at the moment, but it would be an interesting story,” she said.
The buying group, which consists of 12 people plus Brigitte at the helm, has moved into new territory in the past year by taking
The purchasing team that uses its expertise to find the best deals for farmers and is renowned for going the extra mile in offering support and advice when needed, continues to be expertly led by Rosie Wickham.
The part played by the team is a major factor for many of the 1,200 members who now benefit from Southern Farmers, with members regularly pointing out how important the service on offer is.
“Each member of the purchasing team has a farming background of some kind, and they have all gained additional experience while doing the job, and that can be invaluable, particularly when helping newer members,” explained Rosie.
“Often, members who are tackling a large project and need a range of products, perhaps for a building conversion, will give us their shopping list and ask us to get on with it,” she said. It’s also not unusual for one of the purchasing team to point out things they might have forgotten or suggest alternative
ways of tackling a project.
“We are there for our members, whether they need us to find an unusual product, source a competitive price or just give them a bit of feedback on the best way to tackle something,” Rosie went on.
While members can just visit a Southern Farmers supplier and claim the agreed discount, as listed in the comprehensive directory given to members, many will ring in and ask for the team’s advice or help, particularly when they have a large shopping list or value a second opinion on the best way to tackle a project.
“Being a member of Southern Farmers means never having to ring round several suppliers to check out the best price then repeat that exercise for everything on the list,” explained Brigitte. “Our members just have to make one call to the office, give one of the team the list and then get on with their day job.”
And while the purchasing team saves time at the start of the project, the accounts team comes in for just as much praise at the end of it, when farmers are sent just one invoice listing that month’s purchases that are all highlighted on a comprehensive statement. >>
Abi Sommerville, Dawn Fleming, Rosie Wickham and Maria Weeks
Sarah Tester, Rachael Cooper and Rosie Budd
Jan Dickerson, Hannah Gray, Leighanne Martin, Rhys Tuppenney and Angus Sherriff
THE DIFFERENCE AN ACCOUNT CAN MAKE
New Southern Farmers chairman Lee Maitland, who took over from David Fuller at the buying group’s annual meeting at the end of March, tells her own story of the difference an account can make.
She and her husband Simon have been restoring the farm and buildings at Strawberry Hill Farm, Robertsbridge, a 125-acre holding that is home to 125 breeding ewes “along with three pigs eight chickens, three geese, two sheep dogs and several cats”. This has included planting new hedges, coppicing overgrown hedges and woodland, installing new fencing and repairing some of the buildings.
As part of some building repair work, Simon had already rung around a number of suppliers to get the price for rainwater goods to take water from the barn roof to their nearby pond and had been quoted around £2,000, a figure they thought was far too high.
“I told him to ring the office, and when he was given the Southern Farmers price – a little over £800 - he was amazed,” recalled Lee. “He nearly fell off his chair and
immediately became a fan. He just hadn’t realised quite what a difference Southern Farmers could make.”
Lee, a solicitor who previously lived in London, and Simon, moved out to Strawberry Hill Farm, a former dairy farm that had not been lived in for some time, around eight years ago. “We both had a rural background although we had spent the last ten years of our office-based working lives in the city, and we were keen to get back to the countryside,” she explained.
“The neighbours and local farming community were generous with their time and advice as we began our new life in Robertsbridge and it is good to be able to give something back as chairman of Southern Farmers.
“I have been on the board for a number of years and see my role, working with the board, as supporting Brigitte and her team and all the hard work they do. Southern Farmers has an amazing reputation, particularly as an approachable, supportive team, and I am
“There’s no scrabbling around in the bottom of the truck trying to find random receipts from a range of suppliers to match up against numerous invoices,” explained Jan Dickerson. “Everything is there, set out clearly and ready to be settled with a single payment.”
The accounts team also checks the invoices before forwarding them to the member, and has even been known to raise, and solve, queries before the member even knew there was a problem.
A new accounts system that has been operational since October 2022 has made life easier for members as well as for the team. Members who ask for a copy of an invoice or statement can have it emailed to them within minutes, with filing cabinets long since a thing of the past.
There is, inevitably, a cost to be a member of Southern Farmers, but calculations show that anyone spending more than £5,000 a year on agricultural supplies will find themselves well in pocket. “Given that we supply everything from fuel and fertiliser to chemicals, electricity and even water, it would be difficult to find a farmer who isn’t spending much more than that,” Brigitte pointed out.
The fee of £125 a year will rise to £150 in October, while there is an admin fee set at a minimum of 95p but capped at £25 per invoice.
proud to be able to play a part in it.”
Lee and Simon also host farm visits funded through a Countryside Stewardship mid-tier agreement, and recently hosted two groups of 20 teenagers for a visit and lunch.
Lee Maitland recalled one real life cost-saving example from a local farming family. “A young farmer phoned a supplier direct to buy fuel, while his father bought fuel the same day but went through us. When they compared notes that evening, the son discovered that he had spent 11p more per litre on a large quantity of fuel,” she said.
Another benefit enjoyed by some members is that aggregate companies that need ‘as dug’ chalk cleared from the quarry often advertise it to members for the cost of delivery only, with no charge for the product.
Members also enjoy free advertising of their own ‘for sale’ items on the Southern Farmers website and newsletter, while suppliers have their own portal through which they can upload special member offers and discounts.
Lee Maitland
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Southern Farmers members return to a familiar theme when asked why they joined the buying group. While they all enjoy the convenience and low prices, the friendly support given by the team in the office is inevitably given as an important reasons.
Steve Cloute, farm manager at Twyssenden Manor, Goudhurst in Kent, did his apprenticeship with Edward Barham at Hole Park Estate, which is near the Southern Farmers office, so he has always known about the organisation.
When he took on the job at Twyssenden Manor he found there was nothing in place, so he suggested to owner Lloyd Amsdon that the estate, which is home to 300 breeding sheep and a game shoot, should join Southern Farmers.
“I love the way it operates as a ‘one-stop shop’,” said Steve. “I ring up and tell them what I need and they source the best prices from their suppliers. It makes my life a lot easier and they are a very friendly bunch to deal with.” As well as sheep feed and cartridges, the estate buys pheasant pen materials, estate equipment, building materials, central heating oil and red diesel.
The simple billing system is one of the reasons James Newington, farm manager with Heathdown Partners, likes using Southern Farmers. “We get one invoice a month and it’s all there,” he pointed out.
Having used Southern Farmers for around 20 years with previous employers and in his own right, James was quick to sign up in his current position, and the company now uses the buying group for a range of products including seed, building materials, steel, Adblue and lubricating oils. “Having a network of trade accounts is brilliant and allows us to buy all the bits and pieces we need,” said James. “And the prices are as good as you can get.”
James farms at Vexour Farm, Chiddingstone, nr Edenbridge, where the 1,500 acres is home to 200 single suckler pedigree cows and 150 pedigree ewes, along with 1,000 acres of arable crops. He also appreciates the support provided by the purchasing team. “They really know what they are talking about,” he said.
“Even if you throw them a bit of a curve ball they will try to find a supplier who can help.”
Former farm manager Daniel DeBaerdemaecker, set up DCD Rural, based near Crowborough in East Sussex, after the red deer herd he had been managing was culled because of TB.
He now does general estate management and fencing and works as far afield as Goodwood, Buckingham and West Yorkshire. He had used Southern Farmers in the past
and so it was an easy decision to sign his new business up to the buying group. “It’s much easier than trying to set up trade accounts with multiple companies,” he pointed out, “and the office team is incredibly helpful. They find the best prices, put the order in and it’s done. It’s so straightforward.”
Daniel uses Southern Farmers for fencing materials, skips and hire equipment and also has a fuel card. “It just makes life easier,” he concluded.
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IN THE PIPELINE
While Southern Farmers members already benefit from discounted prices on a wide range of goods and services, along with the convenience of a ‘one stop shop’ and the experience on offer from the purchasing team, managing director Brigitte Fifield and her team continue to seek out new opportunities.
At the moment the buying group is working with Benenden Health on a package of benefits that will be available for family members and staff as well as for members. “Down time through ill health is a problem on farms, particularly now they run with less manpower, so good value health care is important,” said Brigitte.
Southern Farmers is also looking to set up a ‘fuel hedging’ opportunity that will operate in a similar way to the forward fixing on fuel prices that ended with the Covid-19 pandemic. “It can be useful to be able to budget ahead for your fuel costs and that’s what we are looking to provide for our members,” Brigitte pointed out.
With lambing here and warm weather on the way, the group has also been working on setting up a group deal on fly protection products for sheep farmers. “Vaccination products are expensive and
there is also a shortage, so we are working hard to make sure our members can get what they need at a good price,” Brigitte said.
Southern Farmers is one of five buying groups across the country working together to get better discounts in some areas. The combined buying power has already produced lower prices for building products and the groups are now working on other products. “We meet two or three times a year,” said Brigitte. “It’s a big change from the secrecy that used to surround individual buying groups and it’s paying dividends for our members.”
Such is Southern Farmers’ reputation that a French buying group is travelling to the UK in June to see how it operates as well as visiting a farm on Romney Marsh.
Members also have a farm visit of their own to look forward to, with a trip planned to the Peppering Project at Arundel, where grey partridge have been saved from local extinction in an example of how shooting and conservation can work together to improve biodiversity. The trip was arranged following a fascinating talk on the project at the Southern Farmers annual meeting.
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DIVERSIFY TO SURVIVE
Farmers turn to diversification amid looming threats from economic shifts.
Almost of a quarter of farming business owners have identified the need to diversify their operations to ensure survival, research from full-service law firm Shakespeare Martineau has revealed.
Key reforms to inheritance tax, widely seen as unfavourable to landowners, and a rise in employer national insurance contributions could dramatically increase the financial burden on farmers. Combined with the accelerated phase-out of the basic payments scheme, it has increased the pressure on businesses to find alternative income streams.
In a survey of farm business owners, 22% said diversifying their operations was essential for the business’ survival, while 30% planned to make changes before passing the concern onto the next generation.
Amy Cowdell, head of agriculture at Shakespeare Martineau, said: “Farming businesses are being squeezed from all sides.
The implications of the autumn budget were especially stark for farming families, with higher tax liabilities threatening the viability of passing farms to the next generation.
The removal of subsidies, combined with tax reforms, places an even greater onus on farmers to innovate.
“Diversification is nothing new. However, more traditional options, such as transforming old outbuildings into commercial units, creating wedding venues out of barns and building holiday cottages, are now complemented by more novel enterprises, like selling eco system services.
“While diversification can be a lifeline, it can also be fraught with challenges. Every move carries legal, tax, financial and operational risks.”
The Environment Act 2021 mandates that developers deliver at least 10% biodiversity net gain (BNG) on projects, providing an opportunity for farmers to sell off-site biodiversity units to developers by engaging
in rewilding.
While 44% of farming businesses see this as a chance to boost income, 22% remain sceptical about its benefits, particularly given the long-term land commitments BNG agreements require.
Amy said: “Values should also be carefully considered. While a BNG agreement may look good income-wise, land needs to be set aside for a minimum of 30 years, which could reduce its capital value and also may take the land away from food production and potentially more profitable revenue streams, such as hospitality or housing development.
“As farmers adapt to a rapidly changing industry, the need for diversification is clear, but so too is the importance of understanding the legal, tax and financial frameworks that underpin these opportunities. Diversification may help to secure the sustainability of farming businesses for generations to come, but careful planning and professional guidance is key.”
ENSURING YOUR WISHES ARE HONOURED
As a farmer or rural business owner, your livelihood is deeply intertwined with the land you work and the business you run. The unpredictable nature of farming, coupled with the potential for sudden health issues, emphasises the importance of having robust crisis management plans in place.
Personal crises, particularly the loss of capacity in the owner of an agricultural business, can have an immediate and profound impact on farm operations. One critical aspect of protecting yourself and your business in this scenario is having plans in place to ensure your wishes for you and your business are clearly outlined and legally enforceable.
THE RISKS AND IMPACTS OF LOSS OF CAPACITY
Lack of capacity can have a significant impact on business operations. Day-to-day management, decision-making and longterm planning are all at risk of disruption and the financial health of the business can deteriorate rapidly if responsibility for financial management is unclear.
In the case of family-owned businesses, as many farms are, the lack of a clear plan in the event of loss of capacity can create family disputes and, in the worst case, jeopardise the future of the farm.
ESTABLISHING LASTING POWERS OF ATTORNEY (LPA)
A lasting power of attorney (LPA) is a legal document that can help you mitigate these risks. An LPA allows you to appoint one or more individuals (known as attorneys) to make decisions on your behalf if you become mentally incapable. You should choose attorneys who are trusted individuals, who understand your business and share your values, for example family members or business partners.
There are two types of LPAs. Property and financial affairs LPAs allow your attorneys to manage your finances, including your farm’s bank accounts, investments and property transactions, which will ensure that your business operations can continue smoothly. Health and welfare LPAs cover decisions about your personal health and care, such as medical treatment, living arrangements and daily care. While a health and welfare LPA is not directly related to your business operations, having a dual approach with both types of LPA provides more robust protection in time of crisis.
Effective communication strategies are crucial for implementing an LPA, ensuring family and stakeholders are informed of your plans. You will need to outline your wishes regarding the management of
MARY RIMMER
Partner, Brachers LLP
T: 01622 655296
E: maryrimmer@brachers.co.uk www.brachers.co.uk
your farm, which can include instructions on crop rotation, livestock management, equipment maintenance, managing farm finances, paying suppliers, handling loans, making investments and succession planning. Directions on how the farm should be passed on to the next generation or managed in the long term are essential.
DEVELOPING A COMPREHENSIVE CRISIS MANAGEMENT PLAN
Ideally, an LPA should sit as part of a comprehensive crisis management plan, which addresses the broader range of potential risks to your business, such as natural disasters, disease outbreaks or market fluctuations. This plan should also identify key individuals and outline their roles in a crisis, and include a communications strategy so those individuals know who to contact and their responsibilities. Maintaining an emergency fund to cover unexpected expenses will also help to ensure that your business can continue operating during difficult times. By taking these proactive steps, you can ensure that your farm or agricultural business is well-prepared for any eventuality. A well-crafted LPA and a robust crisis management plan will provide peace of mind and make sure your wishes are known so your business can continue to thrive, even in your absence. As your business evolves, so should your LPA and you should regularly review and update it to ensure it reflects your current wishes and business practices.
Farms & Land
BUOYANT LAND MARKET DESPITE IHT PROPOSALS
The year 2024 will go down as one of the most active for farm and land sales at Hobbs Parker, heavily influenced by a general election, anticipation of capital gains tax changes in the autumn statement and, thereafter, the unexpected changes in agricultural property relief and business property relief.
This was met with solid demand, with prices holding firm. The South East remains a popular area, with buyers ranging from existing farmers looking to increase their holdings, particularly here there are rollover funds, to non-farming investors and those seeking land for natural capital purposes.
Highlights included the sale of Little Forsham Farm and Little Thornden Farm at Rolvenden, a 165-acre traditional grassland farm which sold in lots well in excess of the £2,250,000 guide price, and Lower Frognal Farm, Teynham, a 300-acre mixed arable and grassland farm with two dwellings which carried a guide price of £3,350,000.
2025 looks to be an equally active year, and with the weather improving, our farms and land agency team is delighted to launch a number of farms, land and rural property to kick start the spring market.
Harrison Farm at Charing is a 100-acre arable farm set at the foot of the North Downs. The sale comprises the former grade II-listed farmhouse, which is currently arranged as two cottages, an attractive Kent Barn with conversion potential, and productive, mostly grade II arable land which may be suitable
for viticulture. The farm is offered for sale as a whole or in up to five lots, with an overall guide price of £1,750,000 - £1,850,000.
On the North Downs at Lyminge, Hobbs Parker is offering White Dove Farm, which sits above the village in an elevated position. The farm comprises a detached, modern, two-bedroom chalet dwelling with an agricultural occupancy condition (AOC), farm buildings with potential, and pasture land extending to about 47 acres. There is an interesting cold war bunker in one of the fields.
Down on the Low Weald the agency is instructed on two small farms. At Staplehurst there is Overbridge Farm, a 21-acre grassland farm with an attractive grade II-listed farmhouse and useful farm buildings, one of which has planning permission for conversion. The farm is offered for sale at a guide price of £1,375,000. At Biddenden, Ashenden Farm is a small farm with a three-bedroom farmhouse (with an AOC), farm buildings and planning permission for a new four-bedroom dwelling. The guide price is £1,250,000 for the whole, although the existing farmhouse, buildings and land can be acquired for £895,000.
Keep a watch out for future announcements as Hobbs Parker is instructed on a number of other land sales that will be coming to the market soon, including a block of arable land at Shorne, Gravesend, and a small farm in Shipley, West Sussex.
Looking ahead, the proposed amendments to agricultural and business property relief may influence buyers and sellers in the market
place. It is possible that supply will reduce as vendors take stock of the proposed reforms. While it is too early to predict the impact of these changes, Hobbs Parker is not expecting values to change noticeably this year and farm and rural property will continue to attract solid interest from a wide range of buyers.
Farmers and landowners with rollover funds from development continue to be very active in the market place and seek the larger commercial opportunities. With interest rate pressures possibly easing slightly, borrowing will hopefully become more attractive to buyers.
Now could be a sensible time to sell. Taking specialist advice and targeting the correct market will be crucial to achieving a successful outcome.
If you are considering selling your farm or land, please contact a member of our farm agency team to discuss your plans in confidence.
E: jon.rimmer@hobbsparker.co.uk
MATTHEW
E: matthew.sawdon@hobbsparker.co.uk
VICKY
E: vicky.phillips@hobbsparker.co.uk JON
Land & Property Experts
Maytham Road, Cranbrook, Kent
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0.4
Nonnington Farm, East Kent
A versatile and well-equipped East Kent arable farm with good access and close proximity to the A2 and Port of Dover. Grade I & II arable and pastureland on deep loamy soils, 22,000 sq. ft of high quality modern farm buildings including 1,800 tonnes of on-floor grain storage, 35kW roof-mounted solar panels. Available as a whole or in up to 6 lots.
A ring-fenced parcel of mainly good quality arable land between Laddingford and Yalding in the Weald of Kent. Primarily used for cropping, with some permanent pasture to the south-west. It has frontage to Gravelly Ways Road and single bank river frontage to the Medway and Teise, with fishing rights. Offers potential for naturebased solutions with 119.88 potential BNG units and an available baseline.
Artist Impression
TRUMP AND TARIFFS
– TESTING TIMES
Against a backdrop of a world economy thrown off course by “Trump’s tariffs”, the rural land and property market closer to home appears less volatile as we move into the spring sale season. An early test will be Nonington Farm in East Kent, which is offered for sale as a whole or in six lots. At just over 300 acres, with good quality grade 1 and 2 arable land and a modern range of farm buildings, the local farming fraternity has a range of options to choose from. The guide for the whole is £4,225,000.
Other instructions for the summer include 66 acres of free-draining land adjacent to the A20 at Lenham which, with its gentle southerly aspect and chalky soil type, could be an attraction for those considering viticulture in Mid Kent. The guide here is £995,000.
Further west, near East Grinstead, instructions have been received on a small, ring-fenced pasture farm overlooking Ardingly Reservoir with a centrally located house for improvement and a range of modern traditional farm buildings. This will be launched in mid-May and is quite a spectacle.
Away from the farms market, we have instructions on some well-presented small country estates in the Weald with principally period houses with land and outbuildings, along with cottage and building plot instructions which will all appear between now and June.
On a general note, less than favourable cereal prices and interest rates that stubbornly refuse to come down are a test for the arable sector at the moment, especially
with a line drawn under basic payments and sustainable farming incentive applications for this year. Other sectors in the industry, however, are faring much better, with pigs, poultry, beef, sheep and dairy all deservedly getting a reasonable price for their products despite continuing cost rises.
Over the past five years, we have seen the buyer profile for all land types changing, particularly for arable land, with individuals and companies vying for land for biodiversity net gain opportunities, tree planting, nature and the environment, and viticulture.
An example of this was the sale of 1,400 acres of arable land in Lincolnshire which, despite significant interest from local farmers, was sold to a national organisation for tree planting. Other examples closer to home where there has been interest from
RICHARD THOMAS Director, BTF Partnership
T: 01233 740077
E: richard.thomas@btfpartnership.co.uk
www.btfpartnership.co.uk
non-farming purchasers have included 160 acres of grade 3 arable land near Ashford which is now in the hands of solicitors at around the guide price. Wickhurst and Hoathly Farm at close to 475 acres near Lamberhurst has also created considerable interest from environmental purchasers. Rollover funds remain available, but for those not in that position looking to expand their holdings, a boost in cereal prices and a point or two off interest rates is probably needed to re-stimulate their interest.
Have the agricultural property relief proposals had an impact on the market, most people would ask? The answer is yes to the farmer buyer, but with an expanding market with significantly more buyer profiles, perhaps the lack of interest from one part of the market has been superseded by another.
ALEX CORNWALLIS Director, BTF
Partnership
T: 01233 740077
E: alex.cornwallis@btfpartnership.co.uk
www.btfpartnership.co.uk
Washenden Manor for sale
South East Farmland Market Update
The supply of farmland in the South East region increased in 2024, with more than 15,300 acres coming to the open market, compared with only 11,600 acres the year before. However, analysis of the data shows much of the increase was the result of the launch of a handful of substantial farms and estates, rather than a significant uplift in the number of properties being marketed.
Demand was somewhat dampened last year by uncertainty following the announcement of the General Election in early July – several months sooner than had been anticipated. Further disruption followed on the run up to the Autumn Budget.
However, the outlook for 2025 is more encouraging. The South East remains one of the most competitive and varied regions in England. It is an area where a broad mix of landed property types come to the market, ranging from bare ground and commercial farms to vineyards and high-value houses with land. It also attracts a very diverse range of buyers.
Farmers are active in the market, especially where commercial arable land is on o er, and the right opportunities continue to generate strong interest. There is particularly strong demand for smaller parcels of bare land adjoining existing farms. While wider pressures – such as falling Basic Payments and the pause on the Sustainable Farming Incentive –are slightly weighing on market sentiment in some other parts of the country, the South East appears slightly more insulated from this trend. This is perhaps because the region’s proximity to both London and Europe helps to draw a diverse pool of purchasers – from existing farmers to lifestyle buyers and environmental investors.
So far, values appear to be holding firm and in line with late 2024, but, as has been the case for some time, can be very variable. Buyers are becoming more selective, which means in less popular areas, or if a property has certain drawbacks, vendors should be prepared for a potentially longer sales process and the need to be realistic on price. However, overall the market remains resilient, with strong prices still achievable for the right farm in the right location.
Whether you are buying or selling, our expert team is here to help you make informed decisions in this evolving market. Please do get in touch.
A collection of strategically positioned let farms adjacent to the town of Luton. Including seven residential properties and a substantial range of traditional and modern farm buildings offering additional income.
Available as whole or in lots
About 1,278 acres
East Sussex, Hurst Green Guide Price: £5,500,000
A contemporary house with staggering views, surrounded by rolling fields and copses, providing unbeatable privacy, only 57 miles from Central London.
About 201 acres
Kent, Linton Guide Price: £850,000
An accessible parcel of arable land with a block of mixed woodland at its heart.
About 96 acres
Essex, Stansted Guide Price: £8,500,000
Two first class, strategically located, commercial arable farms. Productive Grade 2 land interspersed with woodland.
Available as whole or in lots
About 765 acres
Kent, Selling Guide Price: £950,000
An attractive parcel of Grade 2 arable land and pasture with viticulture potential.
About 89 acres
West Sussex, The Haven Guide Price: £1,750,000
A commercial vineyard coming into prime production protected by hedging with a newly built winery and surrounding pasture.
About 38 acres
A rare grassland farm & nursery set in a superb rural location incorporating :-
• Grade II listed farmhouse, timber framed barn and cottage
• 3 further cottages
• Assorted outbuildings & glasshouses including a former farm shop
• Land, 2 reservoirs & a small parcel of woodland, in all approx 74.8 acres
Viewing strictly by appointment only with the sole agents
Vintage Tractors to include Very Rare Weeks Dungey “Simplex”, Overtime Model N, International Junior, 1922 English Built Austin amongst others
60 x Stationary Engines from 1hp to 22hp to include Lister, Petter, Rustons, Detroit
Assorted Horse Drawn Implements and Carts
Vintage tools, machinery and collectables
For more information, contact Dan Kendall at Savills Sevenoaks on 07800 912487
OPPORTUNITY TO RENT 264 ACRES OF FARMLAND IN KENT
A productive block of 264 acres of arable land is available to rent near Maidstone in Kent.
Buston Manor Farm, located north east of the village of Yalding, is being offered on a farm business tenancy from 29 September, 2025. The land has been farmed under a typical arable rotation and current cropping is spring oats.
Savills is marketing the opportunity on behalf of the Tregothnan Estate, with the holding being offered as a whole, let by informal tender. Applications must be submitted by 12 noon on 4 July.
Attractive Wealden Farmland with planning consent f or a detached farmhouse
High Hurstwood, East Sussex
Uckfield: 3.1 miles, Tunbridge Wells: 12.4 miles, Central London: 46 miles
Planning consent for a modern farmhouse (subject to an Agricultural Occupancy Condition). Predominantly permanent pasture. Newly constructed farm building. Fine views over the High Weald toward the South Downs.
Available as a whole
Freehold
About 132 acres | Guide Price £1.9 million
A diverse and well located rural investment opportu nity
Petworth, West Sussex
Petworth: 2.7 miles, Midhurst: 4.5 miles, Central London: 58 miles
Approximately 49.65 acres of mixed-use farmland. Reservoir with capacity for 10m gallons. A modern steel portal frame packhouse producing significant rental income. Potential for vines with south / south west facing slopes.
Available as a whole or in two lots
Freehold
About 59.33 acres | O.I.E.O £1.62 million
LAKE AND WOODLAND IN A GLORIOUS STRETCH OF UNSPOILT COUNTRYSIDE
Possingworth Park lake and woodland is situated in a glorious stretch of unspoilt countryside. It includes an extremely attractive block of mixed woodland with an exceptional nine acre lake with islands and three further ponds – in all about 104.5 acres.
Batcheller Monkhouse offers this very rare opportunity to acquire a combination of high quality woodland, both broadleaf and coniferous, and a nine acre lake, both of which offer commercial and amenity potential.
The woodland dates back to the 1600s and a pinetum was established in the 1800s, with beautiful trees remaining, including a superb wellingtonia. There is also a fine mature lime avenue together with some adjoining mixed crops which are understood to date back to circa 1900, which is believed to have been planted as a folly.
During the 1980s and 1990s small areas were cleared, following the 1987 storm, and re-stocked or naturally regenerated. The planting included oak, cherry, sweet chestnut, Corsican, Scots and lodge pole pine. Naturally regenerating birch has been accepted in some areas.
Re-stocking took place in 2020 with a mixture of commercial conifer – fir, cedar and spruce – and English oak. The woodland has been carefully managed in recent years.
Of particular note is the outstanding nine acre lake, which offers enormous amenity value for both fishing and boating/sailing. It was created by the construction of a substantial retaining bank/dam with a concrete spillway along the southern end. The spillway enables the water level to remain constant.
Due to the substantial nature of the lake, its water capacity brings it under the scope
of the Reservoirs Act 1975/Flood and Water Management Act 2010. In compliance with this act, an annual inspection is undertaken by a qualified engineer. The most recent inspection occurred in December 2024.
The sporting rights are owned and included in the sale. The fishing rights over the lake are currently let to the Sussex Piscatorial Society under a fishing agreement with a rent payable annually in advance of £7,500 per annum. The shooting rights are not let.
This woodland could qualify for 100% relief from inheritance tax under business property relief up to the value of £1 million. In order to qualify for this relief the woodland would need to be owned for two years or more and be commercially managed.
The woodland is sold subject to a claw-back on future non-woodland development. This is effective for 30 years from March 2018.
ATTRACTIVE WEALDEN FARMLAND WITH PLANNING FOR A MODERN FARMHOUSE
An attractive block of Wealden farmland with planning permission for a modern farmhouse has come to the market through Savills.
Reads Farm is in an idyllic position in the High Weald National Landscape, just south of Tunbridge Wells.
The farmland extends to about 132 acres in total and is classified as grade 3, comprising generously sized pasture fields, protective shaws and Stonehouse Wood, an attractive block of broadleaf woodland extending to about 29 acres.
At the heart of the farm is a range of redundant, brick-built former bull pens, which have planning permission for conversion into a three-bedroom farm dwelling, with
an agricultural occupancy condition (AOC).
The consent is for a three-bedroom detached property extending to about 2,467 sq. ft of accommodation.
There is also a newly created yard area with hardstanding and a modern, steel-framed, six-bay, open-fronted barn. There is lapsed planning permission to erect a second barn of the same size.
The land is accessed by a hard track leading from Rocks Lane to the top fields, from which there are views over the High Weald towards the South Downs.
Chris Spofforth, of Savills rural agency team in the south east, said: “Reads Farm is in a great position, just south of Tunbridge Wells, with lovely views to the South Downs. While it
is idyllic and peaceful, it is within easy reach of the pretty hamlet of High Hurstwood and the larger towns of Uckfield, Crowborough and Tunbridge Wells.
“The farm benefits from planning permission for a house (with an AOC), presenting a rare opportunity for an incoming buyer to create a wonderful home with sustainability at its heart, in this sought-after position close to Ashdown Forest. The location, combined with the tranquillity and stunning views, could offer potential for tourism or leisure uses, such as glamping, eco-pods or shepherds’ huts, subject to the necessary consents.”
Reads Farm is being marketed by Savills for a guide price of £1.9m.
For more information, contact Savills rural agency team in the south east on 01732 879050 or visit https://search.savills.com/property-detail/gbmqrumru250004
GUIDE PRICE: £1.9M
132 ACRES
TUNBRIDGE WELLS | KENT
We understand the distinct challenges and opportunities facing the agricultural and rural sectors, and we are committed to helping you plan for the future.
Speak with one of our experienced advisors today to see how we can provide tailored support for your farm, land, or rural business, including guidance on inheritance tax planning.
Charlotte Pearson-Wood MRICS FAAV 01892 509280
Leo Hickish FRICS FBIAC 01892 509280
Chris Tipping FRICS FAAV 01444 412402
Alex Wilks MRICS FAAV 01798 877555
Should tax be the tail that wags the dog?
Land at Buston Manor, Kent
Yalding, Kent
Approximately 5 miles southwest of Maidstone
The holding is offered on a Farm Business Tenancy from 29th September 2025. Offers by informal tender are invited and tender applications must be received by 12 noon on 4th July 2025.
About 264 acres
Dan Kendall Sevenoaks 07800 912 487 dan.kendall@savills.com
Kent and East Sussex
West Sussex, Surrey and Hampshire
The benefits of Biodiversity Net Gain for rural landowners
Farmer Alison wanted a land diversification option that would support her sustainable farming practices and her ongoing nature restoration work.
After learning about Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG), Alison chose to transform part of her East Sussex family farm into a BNG Habitat Bank that would be managed, in part, by sustainably grazing her own flock of sheep, and a flock owned by her neighbour.
Since 2023, Environment Bank has been helping Alison create and enhance habitats on her land. Working together, we’ve set up a Habitat Bank that is building ecological connections between stunning new wildflower meadows and the surrounding woodland, home to majestic oak trees that have stood for centuries.
What made you consider a BNG Habitat Bank for your land?
“We’ve run our farm with nature in mind for decades – planting hedges, woodland, and wildflower meadows – and we’ve always been looking to do more.
I first heard about BNG at my local farm cluster group and somebody mentioned Environment Bank. We initially looked at doing
skills, and risks involved meant that it wasn’t really for us.
So that’s when I looked into what Environment Bank offered so I could see how it would fit in with what we were already doing and what we wanted to do next for the land.”
Why did you choose to partner with Environment Bank?
“We felt that working with Environment Bank would suit our current operations and everything else we’re doing. BNG had to fit in with our style of management, the skills that we’ve got, and the time we’ve got available – and, by working with them, it seemed to fit very well!
Doing it with Environment Bank was also a lot safer because we don’t take on much of the risk associated with BNG and the annual rent and management payments we receive give us more security.”
“Doing it with Environment Bank was a lot safer because we don’t take on much of the risk associated with BNG.”
What was involved in the early stages of your BNG Habitat Bank?
“Environment Bank’s ecologists surveyed the existing species to
could be achieved on our land. We had six fields that we hoped to use for planting or some other nature scheme, and Environment Bank chose four of them.
We’re right on the edge of the High Weald in East Sussex and we have areas of Ghyll woodland which are typical of the area. So far, we’ve done some edge planting with scrubby species to join up the woodland, including some places where it was removed in the past, and create connections between the woodland and habitats in the fields.
We’re currently managing the Habitat Bank with sheep grazing in the winter and hay cuts in the summer, which is working especially well for all the wildflower meadows, and we have plans to dig new ponds this autumn, so it’ll be interesting to see what happens for the wildlife!”
How is the Habitat Bank supporting your land and farming business?
“My family work well as a team: I manage the grass and the sheep, my eldest son is a forester who manages the woodland, and my second son does all the tractor work, fencing and laying hedges.
My sons are pretty committed to staying on the farm – with some of our grandchildren really keen to stay – so the BNG Habitat Bank is a layer of security for them.
And now the wildflower meadow mixes have gone in, we can already see a diversity of plants coming up which is nice for the butterflies and bees – and for our livestock to eat!”
What advice would you give to others considering BNG?
“Investigate the available options for BNG and choose the route that best suits your skills and criteria. The BNG Habitat Bank we are creating with Environment Bank meets our goals for supporting wildlife and suits the work we’ve been doing for years, now on a larger scale.”
BNG Habitat Bank before and after
Alison at the Habitat Bank with Environment Bank’s Chief Land and Nature Officer, Emma Toovey
CHANGES IN CAPITAL TAXATION
How do you plan your future?
Much has been written about the changes to inheritance tax (IHT) which come into effect in April 2026. While most in-hand farms and rural businesses have enjoyed agricultural property relief (APR) or business property relief (BPR) at 100%, these reliefs are to be dramatically reduced after the first £1m to a rate of 50%
The impact for most farms and businesses will be significant.
So, how can you plan for the future? Each case will be different, but the following steps are integral to most successful tax planning strategies.
STAGE ONE –DEFINE YOUR BUSINESS PLAN
The first step must be to decide what you want and what is right for the farming business. Do you wish to farm throughout your life? Does the next generation wish to take over from you now or in the future? In what parts of the business do you wish to invest?
STAGE TWO – KNOW THE FACTS
While firm decisions must await detailed legislation, it is important to establish the facts now.
• What do you own? Outright or jointly? Does the partnership own outright?
• What is each asset worth?
• What assets might attract APR or BPR?
• What is the current and future exposure to IHT?
STAGE THREE –REDUCING YOUR IHT LIABILITY
While the effectiveness of APR and BPR has been weakened, there is still a valuable 50% relief on assets that meet the rules. The table sets out where APR or BPR might apply and where the case may be arguable, which is where we spend a lot of our time. Creating the
right structures to ensure APR or BPR apply to as many assets as possible is key.
A major area of work lies in securing APR on the farmhouse. For an active farmer in their middle years, this should not be an issue, but what about the elderly farmer who no longer runs their own livestock? Relying on grazing or forage agreements can lose relief on the farmhouse and a contract farming agreement may be better. Ensuring the elderly farmer can be shown to be actively involved in managing the farm is essential. A farming partnership or company can also prove useful.
Lifetime gifts have always been valuable in tax planning, but three key points need considering. Will the transfer give rise to a capital gains tax (CGT) charge? Holdover relief may be available on the transfer
HICKISH FRICS FBIAC Chairman and Partner
of business assets, thus deferring CGT. Remember, any lifetime gift is a ‘potential exempt transfer’, with full tax relief only secured after seven years. Finally, beware reservations of benefit, which can undo any gifts with disastrous consequences.
STAGE FOUR –GET THE BASICS IN PLACE NOW
We are often called in to assess liability on the death of the owner, only to discover fundamental issues that could have been dealt with earlier.
• Secure a valuation of your property now
• Check all property is registered
• Investigate the options open to you
• Ensure farming partnerships are in writing and up to date
• Review your Wills.
Finally, get the right team in place now. There is likely to be a comparatively short time in which to decide on the best course of action and implement it.
Specialists in the Agricultural, Industrial and Equestrian sectors
Steel frame buildings.
Sheeting, cladding and oversheeting.
Gutter replacement, repairs and lining.
Steel frame, concrete frame alterations and repairs.
Asbestos removal.
Roof light and sheet changes.
Refurbishments and usage changes.
Demolition, groundworks and site clearance.
24 hour call out in the event of fire or break in.
Roller shutters, sliding and personnel doors.
Condition reports and dilapidation work
before solar panel installation
Mezzanine floors
Insurance and repair work
On site welding and steel fabrication
Solar panel installation ALL WORKS GUARANTEED
jez@JRJconstruction.co.uk
Industrial Commercial Agricultural
We are a Hampshire-based family run company specialising in the refurbishment, renovation, alteration and upgrade to the external envelope of buildings within the industrial, commercial and agricultural sectors.
Our services
COMPLETE OUR CROSSWORD TO WIN
A mixed box of 500ml sparkling ciders including four bottles of Biddies 5, Red Love cider and Biddies 8
ACROSS
1 South Country ------- (7)
5 Undergrowth (5)
8 Commended, praised, applauded (9)
9 Obvious, unconcealed (5)
11 A valley (4)
12 Small bird associated with forests (4,3)
14 Mathematical term (4,2,8)
16 Fish eating bird of prey (6)
18 Tree used for cricket bat (6)
21 A three-legged camera stand (6)
24 Hint (4)
26 Oxfordshire village (6,3)
27 Common name for Antirrhinum (10)
28 Fit of fury (4) DOWN
1 Leafy green vegateble (5)
2 Be very good at something (5)
3 ---- Lendl, tennis player (4)
4 Break from work (4,3)
6 Permanent fastener (5)
7 Agricultural equipment (7)
10 Structural part of a plant (4)
13 Arthur ----, Wimbledon champion (4)
14 A forceful statement of fact (9)
15 Burrowing mammal (4)
17 Decompose (3)
18 Printing term for a single word that appears at the top of a column (5)
19 Nocturnal bird of prey (3)
20 Small stone (6)
22 Make someone annoyed (5)
23 Flatbread (5)
24 Seat (5)
We are offering readers the chance to win a mixed box of our 500ml sparkling ciders including four bottles of Biddies 5, Red Love cider and Biddies 8. For more information about the vineyards, please visit www.biddendenvineyards.com or call 01580 291726.
*Subject to availability
LAST MONTH’S ANSWERS: LAST MONTH’S ANSWERS:
Crossword by Rebecca Farmer, Broadstairs, Kent
Land & Property Experts
The Cross Field Land Lenham, Kent
A ring fenced parcel of arable land with south facing aspect. Potential for viticulture use with chalky soil types. Located between Harrietsham and Lenham, with long frontage to the A20 and additional access from the Pilgrims Way. Gently undulating and easily accessible, sitting between 115–140m above sea level.
Approx 66.89 Acres Guide Price £995,000
Grove Farm, Woodchurch, Kent
A detached 4-bedroom farmhouse providing spacious accommodation in need of light modernisation with annexe and extensive equestrian facilities, benefitting from far reaching views and set in a rural yet entirely accessible location. The property includes 21 loose boxes an indoor 5 Horse Walker and 60m x 20m Menage along with a large range of barns and storage areas with potential for expansion if required.
Approx 48.68 Acres
New Street Farm, Sevenoaks, Kent
A self-contained smallholding with over 1,300m² (14,500ft²) of B8-permitted industrial/ agricultural buildings set around a 2.94-acre yard. Includes 78.05 acres of agricultural land currently laid to grass and cut for hay or left fallow and a 4-bedroom farmhouse needing light modernisation. Rural yet accessible location near the M20 and M25, on the outskirts of Sevenoaks.
