The countryside is opening its doors, after the financial and psychological trauma of lockdown.
Some vineyards are again offering tours and other events and, while the effects of Covid-19 will be felt for many years, there is still cause for optimism in the medium and long term.
Article by Matthew Berryman Open PDF
All eyes in the shooting community have been focused on Wild Justice’s demands for a judicial review into game bird release, but a lesser publicised planning decision could also have big implications.
The authorities recently rejected an appeal against an enforcement notice which restricted the number of shooting days on a much-respected South Downs estate.
Article by Alex Macdonald Open PDF
‘Planning’ and ‘simple’ are two words that rarely go together.
As anyone who has had dealings with it will know, the planning system can be complex, confusing and costly.
The existence of Permitted Development Rights (PDRs), however, offer farmers a streamlined – and, yes, simple – process for erecting or converting buildings.
Article by Matthew Berryman Open PDF
It is, or course, a clarion call for the benefits of mixed farming, highlighting how the fortunes of the various sectors are rarely in step and how tough times in one often coincide with periods of relative prosperity in another.
Article by Mark Weaver Open PDF
Article by Mark Weaver Open PDF
“Thank you to British Farmers” the full page message from the supermarket Morrisons proclaimed, recognising the sterling work done by farmers keeping food on the nation’s tables during the coronavirus crisis.
Article by Kevin Jay Open PDF
There’s BPS, NVZ, GMs, SSSI, AONBs and the RPA just for starters. We’ll need to get used to a new one, though – BNG.
It stands for Biodiversity Net Gain and it might just prove to be one of the most important concepts some farmers can be involved with over the coming years.
Article by Anthony Weston Open PDF
A lot of viticulturists can’t think further ahead than the next week – or even the next day – at present, as they fight to keep businesses afloat in these unprecedented times.
Article by Matthew Berryman Open PDF
We all know the prerequisites for vines to thrive – south-facing, less than 300 feet above sea level, high average temperatures, low frost risk and free draining soils.
But often less appreciated is the fact that a successful vineyard has other requirements nearly as important as the quality of the land.
Article by Matthew Berryman Open PDF
We suspected the poor animals had probably had enough of being pushed around the field by various dog walkers and had attempted the ovine equivalent of The Great Escape.
Article by Jonathan Morris Open PDF