Your Leicestershire, Northants and Rutland county NFU update

Marie Charles

Marie Charles

LEICESTERSHIRE, NORTHAMPTONSHIRE & RUTLAND COUNTY ADVISER

April saw our LNR Arable Roadshow unfold across the county, as well as our County Meeting which was held at Melton Mowbray Livestock Market on the subject of bTB.

In May, we are busy attending Young Farmers' Club rallies across the patch, as well as the Beef Expo being held at Melton market on 30 May, and Rutland County Show on Sunday, 31 May. June planning is already in full swing!

Round-up of April

Arable roadshow

Members who attended the arable roadshow learnt a lot about the ongoing EU-UK negotiations and how dynamic alignment might impact arable businesses.

Whilst the overall aim of these changes would be to remove frictions at the border for agri-food products and be beneficial for trade, there are risks of losing some products UK farmers rely on heavily to produce their crops.

For those who could not attend our in-person events, you can catch up on the different sector webinars on NFUOnline

County meeting

We had a very interesting county meeting during which NFU bTB Adviser Mike Weaver went through the current position and latest updates.

NFU Midlands Livestock Board Chair Oli Lee covered what the board is currently working on, including the Animal Health and Welfare Strategy and cattle environmental permitting.

We were also joined by the Leicestershire and Rutland Rural Policing Team who reminded members about the different layers of security which can be implemented on farm.

The Melton Mowbray Branch is doing another trailer tagging event at Melton market in June, which is for all members and farmers in Leicestershire and Rutland to benefit from.

YFC rallies – getting closer to the next gen

Assistant County Adviser Ellie Edwards and I attended the Leicestershire & Rutland YFC Rally on Saturday, 9 May.

It was great to speak to the next generation of farmers and them finding out a little bit about what we do at the NFU in collaboration with our members.

We will also be at the Northamptonshire YFC Rally on Saturday, 23 May, so come say hello if you are there too!

Beef Expo and Rutland County Show

We will be at the Beef Expo on Saturday, 30 May, at Melton Mowbray Livestock Market and at Rutland County Show on Sunday, 31 May. Do pop by our stands to say hello, have a chat and for refreshments.

We are planning a county meeting for the end of June before harvest kicks off and a health and safety event on 24 June for LNR members.

Do keep an eye out on your inbox for more information to come soon. 

Stay connected - join the NFU LNR WhatsApp group

Join our county WhatsApp group to keep up to date with the latest news and events.

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Local news

Innovation for Agriculture - Water Quality Farmer of the Year Award

A new national award is now open to recognise farmers improving water quality through practical land management. 

Open to farmers and land managers in England and Wales, the Water Quality Farmer of the Year Award celebrates the practical work already taking place on productive commercial farms to protect and enhance water quality.

The award has been launched by Innovation for Agriculture, with support from Portsmouth Water, Wessex Water, Southern Water, Severn Trent Water and Anglian Water.

Entries close on Friday 29 May 2026.

Apply here

Local news

Anglian Water Farmer Training Grant

The grant is available to all farm/amenity land management businesses in the Anglian Water region.

It's aim is to raise knowledge of land management practices, with a focus on improving water quality, with particular focus on:

  • soil management
  • nutrient use efficiency 
  • reduced pesticide use / IPM e.g. FACTS, knowledge exchange events such as Groundswell

One grant of 50% of the training / event cost, up to a limit of £600 is available per farm / amenity land management business.

T&Cs - applications must be approved before course / event is booked and payment made.

  • One application per business for a single attendee from that business
  • Excludes legally required training e.g. PA courses and NRoSO annual update courses
  • Successful applications will be notified within 2 weeks of application being received
  • Successful applicants contact details will be shared securely with Ricardo Ltd to enable payment
  • Proof of payment must be submitted to Ricardo Ltd before 1st March 2027 or grant funding may be lost

Application closing date 18 January 2027. The grant is budget restricted and will be granted on a first-come, first-serve basis for relevant applications, and could be closed at any time.

www.anglianwater.co.uk/business/help-and-advice/catchment-services 

Take part

Local news

Rutland Neigbourhood Mental Health Cafe

Drop in support for when you're struggling to cope, supported by Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland NHS

Times

Thursday - 5.30pm - 8.30pm

Sunday - 4pm - 7pm

Venue

Pepper's - A Safe Place, 2a High Street, Oakham, LE15 6AL

Contacts
Mobile 07955 344126 or email [email protected]