County Update
It was great to see many of you at our spring update and pub night last month. Having this get together to discuss county matters and what the NFU is doing on your behalf was well received, as was spending time away for a chat and catch up. As a result of all the positive feedback, we will be having another pub night in June.
This week the NFU, Farm Herefordshire and the Herefordshire Rural Hub met with Defra to discuss the recently published River Wye Action Plan and how the £35 million grant will be delivered. Defra would like to speak to poultry farmers in the Wye catchment to understand what this grant could fund to support investment into solutions to improve the management of manure on their farms. If you would like to be involved, please contact [email protected] to find our more.
We are continuing to work with Defra and Herefordshire Council to make the case that Herefordshire should be eligible for the Farming Recovery Fund. In the meantime, if members have concerns, please call NFU CallFirst on 0370 845 8458 so that they can be logged and evidence gathered.
With a General Election coming up we will be hosting farm walks for potential parliamentary candidates this month. We have already held a very informative farm walk with the Green Party, and over the course of next month we will be holding similar events for the Liberal Democrats as well as Jesse Norman, the current Conservative MP for South Herefordshire and Hereford. Dates of these walks will be published in due course and we would urge farmers and growers to come along. This is a good opportunity to raise important issues which should be part of the politician’s priorities for farming in the county should they be elected.
On 22 May we will take a group of NFU members to Lichfield to visit Clive Bailye’s farm. Clive, alongside farming, is the co-founder of the Farming Forum and Direct Driller Magazine. Spaces are on a first-come first-served basis so if members are interested in coming email [email protected] to find out more or book a space.
Be vigilant of scam callers
The NFU has received reports from members who have been receiving calls that look like they come from NFU Headquarters. The company purports to be selling insulation.
These companies have no relation to the NFU, NFU Cymru or NFU Energy and should be ignored.
Please do not pass on any personal details to these callers.
You can contact NFU CallFirst on 0370 845 8458 to check if we are doing any calls or promotions.
Read our advice on how to deal with scam callers.
The King’s Awards for Enterprise Herefordshire
Join our HM Lord-Lieutenant, Edward Harley CBE, and find out about award categories, the application process, hear the stories of previous Herefordshire winners and what it means to receive this award, the highest accolade for business in the UK.
This free to attend event is open to all, and is kindly sponsored by Westons Cider and the Shell Store
Date
16 May 2024
Venue & Timings
5pm for 5.30pm until 7.30pm at the Shell Store, Canary Drive, Skylon Park, Hereford, HR2 6SR
Booking
To register for your place visit Eventbrite
Three County Show Tickets – half price offer for NFU members
The NFU has negotiated a half-price ticket deal for the Three Counties Show from 14 to 16 June. Tickets are available at £14 per person – which is half the gate price of £28.00. Members can purchase their tickets from any Herefordshire NFU Mutual office.
Book your space! NFU visit to Farming Forum HQ
Join us on a trip to visit well-known farmer, Clive Bailye, for a tour of TWB Farms in Lichfield, Staffordshire. Clive, alongside farming, is the founder and owner of digital media company AgriWebMedia Ltd which operates The Farming Forum , Farm Classifieds, Farm Marketplace websites and publisher of the very popular Direct Driller Magazine.
Clive was awarded FCCT’s first ever Soil Farmer of the Year in 2016 is a 2019 Oxford Farming Conference Emerging leader and now regularly speaks internationally to groups interested in his innovative approach to his farming business and the environment.
During the afternoon Clive will show the group his farming business, storage facility, and digital work including how the forum operates.
Date
22 May 2024
Venue & Timings
You are welcome to drive yourself or join us on the bus. Pick up times and locations will be confirmed nearer the time, but we will be leaving Hereford at around 12pm on Wednesday 22 May, and returning at around 9pm (calling for a meal on the way back). This will cost between £15-£20 depending on numbers – plus dinner.
Booking
If members are interested in coming email [email protected] or WhatsApp 07747 763056. Due to access at the destination the bus size is limited so spaces are on a first-come first-served basis.
English Farmers wanted, to test agroforestry advice in ELM
Considering Implementing Agroforestry on Your Farm? Join the Woodland Trust to test different forms of advice and guidance for Defra.
The aim is to test a range of advice and guidance structures with farmers as you go through the process of designing your own bespoke agroforestry scheme. Payment available as a contribution for your time and support to apply for funding if you want to implement your scheme.
If you are interested in getting involved, please email [email protected] with subject ‘Defra Test and Trial’.
- Details of your farm size
- Location and type of farm
- A brief outline of the type of agroforestry you are interested in
- Summary of your agroforestry experience to date.
- Contact details
We will then contact you to discuss the Test in more detail. The Test is being delivered in partnership with the National Trust and the Organic Research Centre. Third party advice providers will also be commissioned.
Phase 2 activity will start from 1 September 2024.
Thank you, we look forward to hearing from you.
If you’d like to find out more on agroforestry, visit https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/plant-trees/trees-for-landowners-and-farmers/
Bromyard & Leominster Branch have the following member event:
Farm Walk and SIF update
Date
4 July 2024
Venue & Timings
6pm at The Hawkins Farm, Church Way, Stanford Bishop, Bringsty, Worcester
WR6 5TQ by kind permission of John and Rachel Hawkins.
For more information please contact branch on 01568 612427
Cyber Crime
The Midlands NFU held an online member meeting with WMRCCU in autumn 2023, the opportunity to register with them is still available, this is aimed to improve your business’s cyber security.
With membership at the WMRCCU, you will receive regular tips and guidance on how to firm up your business’s cyber security.
Register to become a member (for free) today at www.wmcrc.co.uk/membership
Farming for Britain's Future: our election manifesto
Our general election manifesto – Farming for Britain's Future – outlines our key asks of the next government to ensure farmers and growers can continue to deliver for the environment, economy and local communities while producing more of the great British food we all enjoy.
We need politicians to work with us so we can fulfil our potential and continue to farm for Britain’s future.