County update
This week we held our summer health and safety event at Holme Lacy College. It was great to have over 80 there to hear from various different health & safety experts as well as practical demonstrations. We are soon to be heading into the busy summer period, with long and tiring working days, but exhaustion is dangerous for you and staff. Take that extra five minutes to think about safety. More information can be found on the NFU’s ‘take five, stay alive’ campaign page here.
As a final reminder, Herefordshire Council are asking farmers and landowners to look at the Local Nature Recovery Strategy (LNRS) mapping and submit any changes by 30 June. You can view the map at the bottom of the webpage here. Use the search location function to find your farm, you can then print the map, annotate it, and email [email protected] with any feedback or requested changes. This is a chance to ensure your farm’s potential environmental opportunities, e.g. traditional orchards or open habitats, are properly represented. Also, if there are areas that aren't suitable for nature-focused schemes, e.g. prime agricultural land or development areas, you can ensure they are excluded.
On 16 July the Hereford and Kington office are holding a farm walk at Moorcourt Fruit, Lyonshall. After the walk a ploughman’s supper will be served. If you would like to attend, please book your space(s) by contacting [email protected] by email.
Environment Agency - Sprayline
An information service for abstractors in the River Wye catchment.
It applies to abstractions from rivers, streams, springs, ponds, lakes and reservoirs within the catchment of the River Wye and its tributaries.
Call: 0870 905 6061
Sprayline tells you what the flow in the river is and whether any restrictions will be imposed on your spray irrigation licence.
Farm for the Future – Royal Countryside Fund
Do you want help navigating agricultural policy changes including help with understanding ELMs and SFI (Sustainable Farming Incentive)?
If you’re an owner-occupied or tenant farm in England that received BPS, The Royal Countryside Fund’s Farm for the Future programme is in its final year, offering a last chance for free support which includes a 1-2-1 session with a consultant to talk about your farm.
Its online workshops can be joined from the comfort of your own home via Zoom to help you and your farm business navigate policy changes and become more resilient and sustainable.
To find out more and sign up to the online group, contact Christina Hutchings via email [email protected] or call 07715 353 546 or visit www.royalcountrysidefund.org.uk/farmforthefuture
West Mercia Police online survey
West Mercia Police are inviting you to take part in a short online survey to tell us how we’re doing and where we can do better.
- How visible are your local officers?
- Do you feel engaged and heard?
- How do you find out what we’re doing?
- Do we understand the issues in your area?
- How confident are you with policing in your area
This survey gives you the chance to help us understand what we’re doing well – and just as importantly, where we might need to improve.
The survey takes approx. 10 minutes to complete.
To complete the survey please click here
Please share this with friends, family, and neighbours – the more voices we hear, the better we can serve you.
RABI – Return to School Grants 2025
Phase 1 opens – 16 June 2025 at 9am
Phase 2 opens – 30 June 2025 at 9am
As the new school year approaches, RABI is committed to helping thousands of school-aged children (4–16 years old) start September confident, equipped and ready to thrive. Grants of £200 per school-aged child (4–16 years old) are available, providing vital assistance to ease the financial burden and ensure every child has what they need to succeed.
This year, there are 5,000 grants available in total, split across two phases – 2,500 in Phase 1 (Monday 16 June) and 2,500 in Phase 2 (opening Monday 30 June). To ensure your application is processed in the most efficient manner, we strongly encourage families have their key information ready as soon as the applications open.
For more information, please click here
Farmer perceptions of police resourcing and training in response to farm crime.
Andrew Corner is a PhD student at Harper Adams University studying the relationship between police and farmers within England and Wales.
As part of the study, he is asking farmers to take part in an online survey which you can view here. If you would like to take part, please do so before 1 July 2025.
Are there differences in colostrum quality between UK dairy breeds
Megan Edwards is in her final year as a master’s student at Aberystwyth University.
As part of her end of year dissertation, she is investigating the following title: Are there differences in colostrum quality between UK dairy breeds?
In order to obtain research for this title, she is naturally trying to collect data representing a wide range of dairy breeds from across the UK.
If you would like to take part in the research, please click here (completion takes around 15 minutes)