Another busy month for farmers everywhere. The weather has picked up and the grass is growing. The farming calendar always amazes me how things come back around so fast. I find May a funny month, that time of year where there seems to be a bit of everything overlapping; finishing up with spring births, sorting crops/land, getting ready for silage and then prepping ahead for the summer. It can certainly be as mentally tiring as well as physically.
Here in the NFU we are also busy, with so many sector specific active consultations running. We've been encouraging members to have their say on Environmental beef and dairy permitting and the animal health and welfare proposals. With the current middle eastern conflict also having a knock on effect amongst all farmers, the NFU have called upon government with two tiers of asks.
- Regular price reporting to combat the lack of transparency and allow farmers and growers and have some chance of planning.
- Install a five point plan to tackle the immediate inflammatory pressures affecting the industry right now. This includes progressing the fairness in the supply chain as a whole, postponing the CBAM (carbon border adjustment mechanism) implementation for fertilisers and rethink and postpone standing charges.
Not only are the NFU working on all the of above and beyond, but new information has been released on the SFI 2026 this week as the window is still set to open in June for small farms and those who do not currently hold an agreement. NFU North are doing a series of SFI meetings in the next month, but here in Northumberland we are going to be hosting things a little differently, with a day of ‘What’s next for your farm?' slots starting in Alnwick, Morpeth and finishing up in Hexham in the evening. More details will follow in the event boxes below and on socials - keep your eyes peeled!
The county awards are another new element brought in over this year. It is just something we have thought up as an idea to engage our Northumberland farming members and to give some positivity and a reason to celebrate farming successes during this time where most things can seem negative. It is mainly some low-stress fun and we have a judge lined up from out of the county where myself and/or the officeholder will drive them round the farms that we have entered to cast their eyes over flocks/herds and crops to award marks for and then trophies will be presented at the county AGM in December. We urge everyone to think about it and to get in touch about entering. More details will be in the event boxes below and on social media!
Rodenticide training session will be run once more, this time, at Alnwick RUFC on 12 June, with both am and pm slots. Get in touch to book your place, more information will be in the events boxes and over socials!
Northumberland Show is fast approaching, and is one of the early shows in the calendar for us. It is set to be a good day from our side of things - we can only hope the weather is also on side. We have NFU Deputy President Paul Tompkins attending in the morning, so we have Paul on hand for any questions you may have for him. Our theme this year will be all about ‘Backing British farming’ with a special focus on Northumberland farmers and what food is produced right here in this amazing county. The stand will be full of enthusiasm and activity all day, ranging from NFU Mutual staff, NFU county officeholders, members and it is the first year for myself! We look forward to seeing you there!