Your Warwickshire county NFU update

Nick Watts

Nick Watts

WARWICKSHIRE COUNTY ADVISER

August has been a challenging month for a lot you with field fires and wildfires across our county, to witness the farming community pulling together to help fight fires with bowsers, putting in fire breaks cultivators or the communication amongst you coordinating help where it was needed.

This was very humbling indeed to see. I know the fire service have been thankful fir your assistance.

We will be meeting with Warwickshire Fire Service in October to discuss adaptors more formerly and how we can work together in the future. One of the subjects is adaptors for all fire engines to carry to enable to connect on farm. This summer has highlighted how important it is to communicate with neighbours and keeping a look out

MP visit

We held an MP visit with Matt Western (Leamington & Warwick) out on an arable farm in his constituency to talk through the challenges this summer has brought to members.

We discussed the international conflicts that continue to disrupt supply chains and driving up prices of oil, gas and fertiliser, which are all major cost inputs in Agri-businesses. This was all compounded by a severe drought this summer which has significantly affected crop yields, not to mention a record six-week early harvest date compared to previous years.

This visit gave the MP first-hand experience of this year’s harvest challenges and now the challenging questions of next year’s crop.

Short term loan campaign

The NFU is launching a campaign to amplify its ask to government for short term crisis loans for farmers and growers.

Farming organisations have warned that without immediate action, next year’s food production and the future of the next generation of farmers are at risk.

This follows the hottest summer on record resulting in drought conditions across the country and an unprecedented bluetongue outbreak affecting livestock and dairy farmers, as well as geopolitical uncertainties.

We are calling on the government to provide short-term loans and introduce a fallen stock scheme, to enable farmers and growers to recover and plan next year’s production.

Without these loans some members will struggle to plant next year’s crops or sadly replace animals lost to the bluetongue disease.

Please add your support to this campaign and share the hand raiser with your contacts The aim is to gain support that can then be woven into our autumn political messaging enabling us to highlight the level of public support to strengthen our asks adding weight to our case.

Back British Farming Day Events in Warwickshire

We headed to Shire Hall on 8 September with a gazebo and a tractor engaging with district and county councillors and seeking their support. We also held a similar event on 9 September in Atherstone town square, again do join us if you can.

Rodenticide training

I will be hosting another Rodenticide test if you are interested or still need to organise a new certificate. This will be on 27 October at Stoneleigh in the Warwickshire room. Please contact Midlands admin on 02476 939402.

Until the next time, stay safe!

Stay connected: join the NFU Warwickshire WhatsApp group

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Event

Harvest Tea in aid of RABI

A harvest tea fundraising event in aid of RABI is being held on 11 October at St Michaels Church, Budbrooke, CV35 8QL at 2.30pm followed by tea in the church hall.

For more information and to book please contact Helen Moore on 07544 888976

Start date

11 October 2026 at 2:30pm

End date

11 October 2026 at 4:30pm

Event

Midlands Seasonal Poultry Meeting

Our Midlands seasonal poultry meeting is open to all producers, not just those growing for Christmas.

We will be visiting the ForFarmers mill and packhouse in Newcastle under Lyme on 30 September at 7pm.

For more information, please click on the link provided.

Start date

30 September 2026 at 7:00pm

End date

30 September 2026 at 10:00pm

Book Now

Local news

RABI Launch FarmersAid Free App

RABI – the Farmers Charity has launched FarmersAid, a pioneering free app designed to support individuals in the critical moments following a serious on-farm accident. 

For more information and to download the app click on the link attached.

Download the App

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