SFI26 Window 2
Following the debacle that was SFI26 Window 2, I have spoken to many farmers, some who successfully applied, many who missed out, and some, who for the sake of their sanity, chose not to engage.
The NFU continues to call for clarity and urgency from Defra after the rapid closure of SFI26 Window 2 fewer than six hours after opening, following the NFU’s repeated warnings of a lack of sufficient budget.
Defra has now provided some clarity, particularly around the exceptions they are allowing, these include ‘assisted digital’ farmers who need the RPA to complete an application on their behalf and applicants who have experienced ‘technical issues’. Further details of these can be found online.
As well as supporting members who have missed out, we are doing all we can to lobby government to ensure there is enough money for SFI in 2027, that a fairer, and more robust, application process is implemented and that Defra opens the scheme application window early in 2027 to minimise the funding gap.
We are also seeking your feedback on how you think the SFI27 application process can be improved through a short survey:
Infrastructure projects
Earlier this month we welcomed NFU Vice-president, Robyn Munt, to Staffordshire so that we could highlight ongoing issues with HS2, the Packington Pipeline and other proposed infrastructure projects causing, and likely to cause, disruption to our members’ businesses.
We are grateful for the time Robyn took to listen to members. What Robyn took away with her is best summed up in a social media comment she posted after her visit:
‘This week I spent the day with farmers in Staffordshire looking at the reality of major infrastructure projects … not the consultation document...not the press release...the reality.
First and foremost...farmers aren’t anti-infrastructure. We know this country needs investment in roads, railways, water, energy and the environment.
But accepting that something needs to happen doesn’t mean accepting that it can be done TO YOU rather than WITH YOU.
We heard from farmers who have lived with HS2 since 2010 - and for many the consequences are still very present even if the news reel has moved on, as well as more recent other projects
Drainage. Access. Reinstatement. Environmental commitments. Compensation. Restrictions.
Generational impact ...children who have known nothing but this looming over their homes & futures...businesses unable to plan for the next generation or ongoing investment. The scars here are not just on the landscape and they run deep
Yet still, the message wasn’t don’t build it.
It was... talk to us early, explain it clearly, understand the land and, if something goes wrong; make sure someone is accountable for putting it right
It sounds simple, logical and yet, when you’re dealing with a major organisation, a regulator or a government project, the process can become incredibly complicated for an individual farmer
Too much of the damage can’t be undone here but the takeaway was there is an opportunity to do this better
We must ensure infrastructure is properly planned, properly delivered and properly finished! And the project isn’t finished when the machinery leaves, it’s finished when the farmer can get on with farming again.
Reasonable behaviour, human respect, accountability - there has to be a better way’.
As another major infrastructure project gets underway, taking a Severn Trent Water pipeline across the Staffordshire Moorlands from Carsington Water to Tittesworth Reservoir, it is clear that there is much to do, particularly in exposing the culture that has developed over the years of large companies and their agents, who think that they can divide and conquer farmers and landowners and bully them into agreeing deals that are detrimental to their farming businesses.
As always, if you are facing such issues, please get in touch.
Ongoing drought and STAG
Although we have had some rain that has helped autumn sown crops establish and enabled a further silage cut, the county remains in drought status, with considerable rainfall needed over the winter to replenish reservoirs and aquifers, to prevent an extended drought in 2027.
This week, the Environment Agency declared severe drought in some parts of England. Fortunately, Staffordshire has escaped this.
Also this week, the government launched a new Flood and Drought Taskforce. The NFU says this reflects the need for a more joined-up approach to water management, while urging the government to take practical action now to improve resilience:
Over the last few months, members, Group Secretary for Lichfield, Rugeley and Tamworth Simon Spencer and me have been working with Sarah Faulkner, from Water Resources West, to set up a small company to represent the interests of water abstractors, to help ensure that in the future their need of water for food production is given due recognition as demand for water for business, residential and environmental need increases.
The company is one of several WAGs (Water Abstraction Groups), being established across the country. The Staffordshire WAG has been named STAG (Severn Trent Abstraction Group) and is currently chaired by your County Chairman, Martin Brown. We need more farmers to get involved with this group, so please get in touch with me if you would like to know more.
The temporary adjustments to some of the SFI, CS and HLS options, introduced in August, are still in place and won’t end until the Environment Agency changes the drought status to ‘normal’ for the county your land is located in. Details of these can be found online.
English Uplands Farming Survey
We'd like to hear your views on the challenges and opportunities facing upland farming. This survey will help us better understand the current pressures and priorities across the sector.
If your farm business operates in an upland area, we'd appreciate your feedback. Your input is vital in shaping NFU policy and guiding the work we do on your behalf. By taking part, you'll help ensure we're representing your interests and focusing on the issues that matter most to upland farmers
The survey, which can be accessed by clicking on the above heading, should take around 10 to 12 minutes to complete and will be undertaken in line with the Market Research Society Code of Conduct. All responses will be aggregated and analysed anonymously. The survey closes on 26 October.
Staffordshire County AGM
This year, our annual general meeting is on Tuesday, 8 December, at the County Showground. Our guest speaker this year is Sophie Throup, who joined the NFU as director general in May 2026, bringing with her expertise in food manufacturing, processing and retail.
Before joining the NFU, Sophie spent a decade in the veterinary sector, running research and training programmes. She most recently held the roles of Head of Agriculture at Morrisons and then as a Senior Director of the Myton Food Group.
I had invited Sophie to speak at our AGM last year, but she was unable to make the date, so I’m very pleased that she’ll be joining us this year.
After a challenging two years as our County Chair, Martin Brown, will be stepping down. I’d like to thank Martin for the tremendous amount of work he’s done and the support he’s given to members during his time in office.
This means that we’ll be looking to elect a new chair and vice-chair for 2027 – 2029. If you are interested in one of these posts, please get in touch with me.
At the AGM we will also be awarding the Burton Trophy. This is awarded annually in memory of RA Burton, ‘Dick’ Burton, who was an instrumental figure in Staffordshire farming and the NFU. The award recognises achievements and work for Staffordshire farming and the NFU in the county and is an engraved crystal claret jug and stand. Last year the Burton Trophy was awarded to Daisy and Michael Shelley, in recognition of their many years of support for and dedication to RABI. If you have any nominations for the Burton Trophy this year, please let me know.
A free hot buffet will be available to members attending the AGM, so please register your attendance so that we can ensure there is enough to go around.
Autumn Budget
There is much speculation in the media about what the Chancellor of the Exchequer, the Rt Hon John Healey MP, will announce in his Autumn Budget, which is only a couple of weeks away.
Your NFU has been working hard to ensure that your interests are given proper consideration and to highlight the potential farming has for growth, to boost the economy, and importantly, to increase resilience and food security, if appropriate support is given. A timeline on your NFU’s work on this issue can be found online.
Staffordshire county WhatsApp group
If you’ve not already joined the Staffordshire NFU Community WhatsApp group, you may like to do so via the following link.
The aim of this group is to share factually accurate information and details of events relevant to NFU members in Staffordshire. The group will be operated in accordance with the NFU's WhatsApp policy and your information will be protected in line with GDPR legislation.
By joining this WhatsApp group you will need to make sure that you have read, and agree to be bound by, the NFU Usage Rules (WhatsApp).