Finally some rain! I hope you have all benefitted from the showers falling sporadically over the last few days. With early harvest lots of people are getting muck spread early too – we’re holding a webinar with the Environment Agency to help answer questions about the changes to guidance on manure applications under Farming Rules for Water. This session will explain the changes to guidance and ensure you understand the approach needed when it comes to planning and applying nutrients this year – there is an opportunity to submit questions in advance too – see full details below.

As we forge ahead in to September we have the first of our Farm Safer emergency first aid workshops, a day at Kington Show and will be spending lots of time on farm completing nutrient balance assessments. These are free, confidential, and normally take less than an hour, providing valuable insights in to nutrient load of your enterprises. This initiative is creating a locally owned dataset that can help us to quantify and communicate how farming is really doing in regards to nutrients and water quality in the rivers. The only way we can dispute negative press about farming in the Wye is with data, so please do get involved as we need as many farms as possible to build a robust dataset for the county.

Upcoming Events

NFU Midlands: Summer BBQ Social

Thurs 4th September

5:30pm to 9:30pm

The Hill Farm, Castle Frome HR8 1HL

Herefordshire NFU members are invited to a summer BBQ!

To register please click here 

Farm Safer: Free First Aid Training Workshop

Fri 12th September

9am to 4:30pm

Moccas Village Hall, Hereford HR2 9LQ

*Fully Booked*

Farm Herefordshire Partnership Stand at Kington Show

Sat 13th September

9am to 6pm 

The Ovals Farm, Kington HR5 3LN

Come and speak to the FH Partners in person for support & advice.

WEBINAR: Changes to Autumn Spreading under Farming Rules for Water  

Tues 16th September  

12:30pm to 1:30pm  

Update on the recent changes to the Farming Rules for Water on manure spreading.

Click here to book your space and if you have a question submit it in advance. 

HR Essentials Training with Marches HR  

Thurs 18th September  

9:45am to 2:30pm 

Venue TBC, Leominster HR6

Click here for more info & to book

WAFM - Women what Farm Comedy Night

Thurs 18th September

7pm to 10pm  

Lyde Court, Lower Lyde, HR1 3AE

*Booking is essential* 

Click here to book 

Farm Safer: Free First Aid Training Workshop

Fri 10th October

9am to 4:30pm

Brockhampton Village Hall, Hereford HR1 4SG

Click here to book your space

Don't miss the FREE BridgeAI Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning in AgriFood Workshop

Tues 18th November 2025

10am to 4pm 

Ledbury RFC, HR8 2LP

Click here for more info & to book

Hub Go-To-Businesses

Farms and rural businesses know that every day counts during peak seasons and busy periods. From April 2026, changes to Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) mean that staff could be eligible for pay from their very first day off sick. While these reforms aim to protect workers, they could also impact your labour costs and how you manage absences. Planning now will help you stay ahead and keep your business running smoothly...

Regulation & Compliance

Changes to Autumn Spreading under Farming Rules for Water : Webinar

• What has changed in the Farming Rules for Water.
• Question & Answer Scenarios

Bluetongue Update

From 1 July 2025, the whole of England became a single Bluetongue Restricted Zone (RZ) in response to the continued spread of Bluetongue virus serotype 3 (BTV-3). This aims to simplify livestock movements and better reflect the disease situation.

The total number of BTV-3 cases in Great Britain for the 2025 to 2026 vector season is 22. 

The risk of transmission via infected midges is now considered to be very high in England and most of Great Britain.

Bluetongue is Notifiable

All suspected cases—including abortions or birth defects potentially caused by bluetongue—must be reported immediately to APHA.

For full guidance on animal movements, restrictions, and disease control measures, visit the government information and guidance page.

Training & Development

FarmSafer: Lifesaving Training for Herefordshire Farmers Launched

FarmSafer has been made possible through funding from Herefordshire Community Foundation and the Jack Hughes Fund. This vital support will enable 48 farming businesses across Herefordshire to access the fully funded “Emergency First Aid with Forestry” training – a course designed to respond directly to the types of serious injuries most likely to occur in farming settings.

Dates & Venues

Fri 12 Sep - Moccas Village Hall *FULLY BOOKED*
Fri 10 Oct - Brockhampton Village Hall 
Mon 10 Nov - Monkland Village Hall
Mon 1 Dec- Stoke Lacy Village Hall *FULLY BOOKED*
Please note workshops are initially limited to one participant per business.

To book your space, state your Name, Address, Contact Tel No., If your address is different to the farm/business address please state that also.  Click here to email - secure your space

Ready to harness the power of Artificial Intelligence and
Machine Learning in your AgriFood operations?

Book your FREE space for a in-person workshop.  Discover how cutting-edge technologies can boost sustainability, increase effeciency and drive profitability in your business.

Apprenticeships, Training &
Short Courses available

• Animal care & welfare
• Farm Worker
• Forestry & arboriculture
• Welding
• Farriery

• Felling & processing trees
• Safe use of pesticides
• Tractor Driving
• Welding, metal work & fabrication
• Blacksmithing
• Chainsaw maintenance

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

Funding & Schemes

Defra has confirmed that applications for Countryside Stewardship Higher Tier will open in September for those who have been invited to apply, or have received pre-application advice, and completed the necessary preparatory work. 

If you have been invited, your pre-application invitation email from the RPA includes details on how to respond, and what will happen next.  The pre-application process must be completed before you will be eligible to be invited to submit an application. 

Once you have confirmed you are ready to start the pre-application process, a Natural England adviser or Forestry Commision woodland officer will be contact with you to discuss what you need to do before you can apply. 

For more information check the GOV.UK blog.

Defra confirmed on the 1st August, that the Capital Grants scheme budget is now fully allocated.

With over 8,000 applications submitted in under 5 weeks, it has been the fastest uptake ever for the Capital Grants scheme.

Grants for reducing water pollution, such as yard proofing and livestock exclusion fencing, were the most popular. 

Approved applicants will receive payment once work is complete and claims submitted.   Applications not submitted before the closing date are no longer accepted., though exceptional cases are being reviewed individually by the RPA.

A new round of funding is expected to open in 2026, with futher improvements planned.

For full details check the GOV.UK blog.

Grazing relief now available for farmers affected by dry weather..

Livestock farmers in England experiencing forage shortages this summer can now request temporary changes to grazing rules under the Countryside Stewardship and Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) schemes.

To help ease the impact of severe local drought conditions in parts of the UK, the Rural Payments Agency (RPA) will review applications for derogations on a case-by-case basis.

Farmers can submit their requests using either the: 
SFI query form (PDF) or the Countryside Stewardship Minor and Temporary Adjustment (MTA) form (PDF).

Advice & Support

FarmGate Nutrient Balance Approach Expanded for 2025

Species-Rich Grassland: Advisory Services from Herefordshire Meadows

• Advice & guidance regarding management or restoration of species-rich grassland.
• Grassland assessment for suitability of SFI options for livestock, soil health, flood and drought resilience and biodiversity.
• Grassland surveys e.g. assessing suitability for GRH6 option.
• Guidance regarding permanent grassland, floodplain and cultivated land.

Catchment Sensitive Farming (CSF) Support

CSF have five officers working across Herefordshire: Alice Probert and Rob Edwards cover the Arrow, Lugg, and Frome catchments, Nick Hinchliffe and Tom Lancashire cover the Wye, and Amy Stephens handles the Leadon.

CSF offers free, confidential advice to help you meet regulations and improve farm efficiency through better nutrient, manure, and soil management. Officers also assist with government schemes the upcoming Higher Tier.

Capital Grant Scheme Update
The Capital Grant Scheme will reopen this summer after a pause. Some items require CSF approval, so if you’re planning to apply, arrange a visit soon. The scheme will provide up to £25,000 for water, air, and flood management projects, and £35,000 for boundary and tree works.

Book Your CSF Visit
To request support, email Part 1 of the Request_for_CSF_support_form to csf.severn@naturalengland.org.uk.

Herefordshire Natural Flood Management (NFM) Project:
Advice & grants available

• Bodenham Brooks (above Bodenham)
• Brimfield Brook (above Brimfield and Orleton)
• Cheaton, Cogwell and Ridgemoor Brook system (above Leominster and Frome)
  
• Dulas Brook (above Ewas Harold)
• Pentaloe Brook (above Mordiford)
• Tedstone Brook (above Bromyard)
• Red, Norton and Twyford Brook system (above Rotherwas, Hereford).

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

Deadline for print copy 24th 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