After the hot, dry weather at the end of May, many of us will be relieved to see some rain in the forecast this week!

There's still plenty happening on the funding front. Defra has now published guidance on the new Capital Grant scheme, but we're still waiting for further details of the new SFI offer, which is expected to open at some point this month. As soon as we know more, we'll make sure you do too.

June is shaping up to be a busy month for events. Our Feeding Smarter Farm Walk Series gets underway this Wednesday, sharing practical ideas to help livestock businesses improve feed efficiency and make more of home-grown forage – still time to book on if you want to join us – details below. We'd also love to see some familiar faces at the Three Counties Show on Saturday 13th June, where we'll be in the Future of Farming Tent for a breakfast session at 10am with Farmers Guardian, followed by a farmer led discussion on the role of Rural Hubs and farmer-led initiatives at 10.30am.

We hope to see many of you over the coming weeks!

Upcoming Events

Webinar: The Land Use Framework for England has been Published: So what next for Farming?   

Mon 1st June

6pm to 7pm  

A webinar to hear what the new Land Use Framework will mean for farming and farmers.  

To book your place click here

Feeding Smarter: Beef & Lamb Farm Walk 

Wed 3rd June     

10:30am to 2pm 

Hedge House Farm, Tedstone Delamere HR7 4PU

For more information please click here

To book your place click here

Webinar: Tree Production Capital Grant: How to Apply  

Thurs 4th June

2pm to 3:30pm  

The Forestry Commission  will cover how to apply for funding, allowing you  to invest in facilities, equipment and technology used in domestic tree production.  

To book your place click here

NFU Herefordshire Pre-Harvest Health & Safety Event

Fri 5th June

8:30am to 12:30pm 

Court Farm, Tillington HR4 8LG

For more information please click here

To book your place click here

Leaf Open Farm Sunday

Sun 7th June

10:30am to  2:30pm
Wicton Farm, Bromyard HR7 4LR 
To book click here

11am to 3pm
Lower House, Suckley WR6 5DQ
For more info click here

Webinar: Trees for Resilient Arable Farming 

Mon 9th June

6:30pm to 8:30pm 

The webinar will focus on the latest in silvoarable research and design.

To book your place click here 

Royal Three Counties Show

Fri 12th to Sun 14th June

Three Counties Showground, Malvern WR13 6NW  

Join the Hub team & farmer speaker's on Sat 13th,  for breakfast with The Farmers Guardian from 10am.

For more info and to book tickets click here

ADAS Open Day at AHDB Herefordshire Monitor Farm

Tues 16th June

12pm to 3pm 

Garnstone Farms, Ledgemoor, Weobley HR4 8PZ

See plot demonstrations and discuss pests, weeds and diseases with technical updates and experts on hand.

To book your place click here

Webinar: Tree Production Innovation Fund 

Thurs 18th June

2pm to 3:30pm 

The webinar will guide you through the TPIF appliction process, sharing hints, tips and advice on applying.

To book your place click here

Herefordshire Grassland Society: Summer Farm Walk & BBQ 

Thurs 25th June

6pm to 9pm 

The Haven, Dilwyn, HR4 8JB

Open to all.

Kindly Sponsored by CXCS

For more information please click here 

To book your place click here

Feeding Smarter: Beef & Lamb Farm Walk 

Fri 26th June     

10:30am to 2pm 

Kingstone Grange, Thruxstone HR2 9AY

For more information please click here

To book your place click here

Webinar: Getting Trees in the Ground

Tues 30th June

1pm to 2pm 

Learn how to get trees in the ground, from understanding your England Woodland Creation Offer agreement to working with tree nurseries and contractors.

To book your place click here 

Hub Go-To-Businesses
link

The vital role farmers play at the heart of the rural economy - and the challenges and opportunities facing the industry - are being explored in a dedicated podcast series aimed at those working across agriculture.

As part of its successful Legal Lounge podcast, law firm Lanyon Bowdler has launched Grounded in Agriculture, a series of conversations with leading figures from across the sector, shining a light on the issues that matter most to farmers and the wider industries they support....

Funding & Schemes

Capital Grants 2026 – Get Ready for July Applications

Farmers and  Landowners in Herefordshire can now begin preparing for the reopening of Capital Grants this July, with £225 million available nationally to support environmental improvements on farms.

The updated Defra guidance has now been published, giving applicants time to review requirements before applications open.

Funding Available

Capital Grants will continue to support practical on-farm improvements, including:

• Boundaries, Trees and Orchards – up to £35,000
• Water Quality – up to £25,000
• Air Quality – up to £25,000
• Natural Flood Management – up to £25,000

Applicants can include items from multiple categories within one application, with one application allowed per SBI.

Key Changes for 2026

There are several updates to the scheme this year:

• Agroforestry items and woodland condition assessments have been removed from the standalone offer and are expected to move into Higher Tier later this year.
• Tree guard item TE6 has been withdrawn and replaced with new item TE19.
• Items TE7 and TE8 have updated specifications.

Defra is also placing greater emphasis on submitting all supporting evidence upfront, following delays and rejected applications in previous rounds.

Preparing to Apply

Farmers are encouraged to prepare early by:

• Checking RPA registrations, maps and land parcels are up to date
• Gathering supporting evidence before applying
• Claiming completed Countryside Stewardship works to free up parcels
• Reviewing cashflow, as grants are paid after work is completed

Applications over £50,000 will require proof of available funds from a qualified accountant.

Tenant Farmers and CSF Support

Tenant farmers with less than five years remaining on their tenancy may need landlord consent and will need to complete a land ownership control form.

Some items will also continue to require Catchment Sensitive Farming (CSF) support before applications can proceed.

Full guidance and item specifications are now available on GOV.UK click here.
Learn more via Defra Farming Blog click here.

Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) - 2026  
What’s New in the Sustainable Farming Incentive

Full guidance for the Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) has not yet been published. However, Defra has outlined a number of key proposals and updates. Here’s what we know so far:

Application Windows & Eligibility

• Small farms (up to 50 hectares)
• Farms without an existing ELM revenue agreement.

Window 2 opens in September 2026 and will be open to applications from all farms.

Simpler & More Flexible

What’s Ahead

Defra will publish the full SFI26 guidance and budget ahead of the first application window opening. Regular updates will also be provided as the funding windows launch. 

They expect a high level of interest when applications open in June, farmers planning to apply are encouraged to prepare as much information as possible in advance.

Further updates will be announced on the Defra Farming Blog : Keep up to date click here

Training & Development

Apprenticeships, Training and 
Short Courses 

• Animal care and Welfare
• Farm Worker
• Forestry and Arboriculture
• Welding
• Farriery
• Equine
• Countryside Ranger

• Safe Use of Pesticides
• Telehandler/ ATV
• Tractor Driving
• Welding, Metal Work & Fabrication
• Blacksmithing
• Chainsaw Maintenance

• Short Courses
• Apprenticeships

The Jack Hughes Fund supports the cost of training for members of Herefordshire’s farming community.

Advice & Support

FarmersAid: Real-Time Guidance for Serious On-Farm Accidents

Farming remains one of the UK's most dangerous industries, and when serious accidents occur, the first few minutes can be crictical.

Launching on 4 June 2026, Farmers Aid is new free app from RABI providing step-by-step emergency guidance for the 10 most serious on-farm accident scenarios, including bleeding, crush injuries, falls, burns, machinery incidents and livestock-related injuries.

Designed for use while emergency services are on their way, the app offers clear, practical support to help people respond quickly and confidently in high-stress situations.

Developed with leading rural emergency medicine specialists, FarmersAid aims to improve outcomeswhen every second counts.

Available from 4 June on the App Store and Google Play.

For more information click here.

New Free-to-Use Crop Rotation Planning Tool 

Developed by ADAS as part of Nitrogen Climate Smart project.

Based on data from hundreds of crops in the Yield Enhancement Network (YEN), the Crop Planner tool will help estimate how a change to a crop rotation will impact farm greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, gross margins, nitrogen balance, and overall energy and protein output.

The aim is to help assess the benefits and trade-offs before making any cropping changes, such as introducing a new crop type or altering the frequency a crop is grown.

To access the free-to-use tool please click here.

Farming with Nature 

Herefordshire Wildlife Trust supports customers with habitat and conservation advice including:

• Wildlife & Habitat Surveying
• Habitat Management Plans
• Biodiversity Net Gain

Find out more and get in touch via www.herefordshirewt.org/farmingwithnature

Practical Microbial Solutions for Farming  

BactoTech UK helps farmers improve efficiency, soil biology and crop resilience with proven microbial products.

We can support farms looking to: 

• Improve nitrogen and phosphorus efficiency, helping reduce the cost of artificial inputs
• Support soil health and root development
• Improve crop establishment and resilience
• Accelerate straw and crop residue breakdown
• Improve slurry and manure management

At a time when fertiliser costs remain a major concern, biological solutions can help farmers explore more efficient ways to support crops and soils.

Visit our website to learn more, or get in touch to discuss which products may suit your farm. 

https://bactotech.co.uk/
hello@bactotech.co.uk

Flower-Rich Grassland: Advisory Services from Herefordshire Meadows

• Advice & guidance on management, restoration and creation of diverse swards and species-rich grassland.
• Grassland assessment and plant surveys for for suitability of SFI/ CSHT/ other grants for livestock, soil health, flood and drought resilience and biodiversity.
• Guidance on all aspects of permanent grassland including in floodplains and creation of diverse swards on cultivated land. 
  

Expert advice. Tailored support. 

Helping your farm stay compliant, pass inspections, secure funding and gain accreditation.

Specialist advice and tailored documentation to help you comply with regulations and stay inspection-ready.

We can help with:

• Agricultural Compliance
• Farm Assurance
• Stewardship & Grant Applications
• Carbon Auditing
• Health & Safety
• HR Support

T: 01981 590514 E: info@cxcs.co.uk W: https://cxcs.co.uk

Get in touch to find out how we can support your farming business.

Cyber Security Protection for
Small & Rural Businesses

• Threat monitoring & early detection.
• Secure firewalls and antivirus tools.
• Staff cyber awareness training.
• Cyber Essentials & CE+ support. 

Catchment Sensitive Farming (CSF) Support

CSF has farm advisers working across Herefordshire, covering the Arrow, Lugg, and Frome, Wye and Leadon catchments.

CSF offers free, confidential and impartial advice. The team of local advisers can help you with: 

• Nutrient management and planning
• Slurry and manure management
• Soil health
• Pesticide handling
• Natural flood management
• Reducing ammonia emissions
• Sustainable water use
• Guidance on farming schemes and regulations

If you are considering applying for future grants, we would strongly recommend getting in touch with CSF as soon as possible to ensure you have the appropriate supporting documents in place ahead of the next application window.

Booking a CSF Visit
To request support, email a completed Catchment Sensitive Farming Advice Request form to  csf.severn@naturalengland.org.uk.

Further information can also be found at Catchment Sensitive Farming - Our advice | Farming Advice Service

Maize Under-Sowing
Service Available Locally

• Winter/ Spring grazing opportunities (up to 3-4 tonnes DM/ha)
• Compliance with Farming Rules for Water (England)
• Enhances soil structure with active root mass
• Retains soil nutrients (+50kg/Ha N + K)
• Reduces soil erosion
• Builds fertility and organic matter
• Mitigates compaction from harvesting machinery
• Eligibility for SFI cover crop option (CSAM2)

Consultations

To advertise events, services, training and job opportunities with us click here. 

Deadline for print copy 25th of each month.

Meet the Team

Kate Speke-Adams -
Hub Managing Director

For details about our projects & opportunities to work with us click here.

Sarah Starkey -
Hub Farm Resilience Project Manager

For info about any of our resilience projects click here.

Sue Powell -
Hub Finance Officer

For queries about finance & invoicing 
click here.

Jennie Hermolle -
Hub Wyescapes Engagement & Communications Manager

For information about our Wyescapes Landscape Recovery project click here 

We're proud to be part of the
Royal Countryside Fund's
Farm Support Group Initiative

We're proud to be a Collaborative Partner with Dwr Cymru Welsh Water