Your Warwickshire county NFU update

Nick Watts

WARWICKSHIRE COUNTY ADVISER

What a month that was.

At the beginning of May was the first of our health and safety events, kindly hosted by John Plumb at Southfields Farm near Coleshill for the north of our county.

This was very well attended with members getting insight on safety form, Warwickshire Fire Service and the large animal rescue unit, Startin Tractors, NFU transport and National Grid.

With the statistics of deaths registered related to agriculture already worse than last year, it is vital we continue to highlight to our members the importance of events such as this to help refocus the minds and to take 5 to stay alive.

With the month of May kicking on at a rate I attended the Warwickshire Young Farmers' Club's County Rally with the NFU-branded trailer. The rally was kindly hosted by the Heath family near Shipston-on-Stour.

We had a great location and my team of Alison Price and Jess Madge, our student ambassador, were there on a very hot day to engage with YFC members taking part in the rally competitions. It was great to see so many getting involved and the trailer proved to be very popular as a source of shade!

The overall results for the rally trophy were: 1st Brandon & Wolston, 2nd Kenilworth, 3rd Wormleighton, 4th Leamington Hastings and 5th Pailton. I understand that the speed shearing at the end of the day proved very popular.

On 14 May we held our second health and safety events, which was kindly hosted by Warwickshire College of Agriculture, Moreton Morrell, down on the farm. Again, a very well attended event with members and employees of members getting safety advice and tips from NFU transport, R.E.B Training on first aid, AGCO machinery safety and National Grid.

We ended the month with another very successful County Quiz held at NFU HQ Stoneleigh with around 90 people attending and £1,158 raised for the RABI.

A big thank you goes out to David Grindal and his wife Rose. Without David’s expertise in delivering a fun packed quiz and Rose keeping the scores this event would not be the success it is year on year. I must also thank Sharon Barnes and the team of RABI volunteers that helped behind the scenes.

Until next time, stay safe!

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Local news

Severn Trent’s Environmental Protection Scheme (STEPS)

STEPS 2026 is here

Familiar to many farmers, land agents and estate owners across our region, STEPS is part of our Farming for Water catchment management programme.

STEPS provides practical funding and expert advice to help farmers make improvements that work for their farms and support local water quality.

Every farm is different, and STEPS is designed to help farmers identify the right action for the right farm. Like STEPS 2025, STEPS 2026 is based around 6 core objectives, all of which are designed to support your farm and benefit water quality.

Last date for application will be 11 December 2026.

For more information about STEPS and to apply please use the link attached.

To find your catchment click here

Apply here

Local news

RABI Return to School Grant 2026

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.

To find out more visit the link attached.

Find out more

Event

County Farm Walk

NFU Warwickshire have arranged for a farm walk at Ragley Hall Estate on the 17 June, starting at 7pm by kind permission of Lord Hertford.

Andrew Keyte, the estate manager will take members on a trailer tour of the estate, we ask members to arrive at 6.40pm for a 7pm start.

For more information and to register please use the link below.

Numbers are limited, so booking is essential.

Start date

17 June 2026 at 6:40pm

End date

17 June 2026 at 9:00pm

To register

Surveys and questionnaires

Water Resources West - Environmental Destination Workshops

Water Resources West are partnering with local water companies to hold a series of Environmental Destination Workshops.

The events are focused on requirements set out in the National Framework for Water Resources, which includes protection for rivers and in some cases reduced abstraction.

Each water company's water resources team is building a baseline picture of each catchment, what water is available now, who uses it, and where rivers may be under pressure. This helps identifies where abstraction may need to change and where there may be chances to support river habitats.

To get this right, a mix of practical solutions is required, and your input matters.

Farming businesses' local knowledge and day to day experience can highlight issues and options that don’t show up in the data. The workshops will help confirm what’s happening on the ground, test realistic water options, spot opportunities to improve river habitats and shape partnership projects that fit local priorities. By working together, changes can be planned that protect rivers while supporting the businesses and communities that rely on water.

•    Worcestershire Middle Severn, 9 July,
•    Severn Vale, 8 July,
•    Warwickshire Avon, 16 July.

If you cannot attend your local workshop you can also share your local knowledge through the contact forms on each catchment page, your insights will help build a more accurate and informed picture of each catchment.

Book onto your local catchment workshop