News

February 2019 – Is Brexit really that important?

Bill and Ben are at their local.  “The boss is still talking about going to 300 milkers. An extra 50 cows won’t make much difference to the workload but what happens if there is no one to buy the milk?” They chat about Brexit and conclude they know far too little about WTO or international trade agreements to form a meaningful opinion. 

January 2019 – Winter talk turns to funds and scheme

Winter is conference and farm discussion group season.

In the past, my attendance has always peaked to coincide with a review of the Common Agricultural Policy. It is perhaps no surprise then that I find myself attending these events on a frequent basis this winter.

December 2018 – Succession planning vital in era of “dramatic” change

Our industry is populated by SME entrepreneurs who aren’t in general afraid of anything, but mention succession – whether through inheritance or retirement – and the tension levels rise.

I recently had the privilege of speaking to a farmer discussion group about succession planning.

November 2018 – New Agriculture Bill could herald more regulations

Sometimes the devil is in the detail and as a detail man, lack of it worries me.

We are told by government that “the Agriculture Bill provides for a range of enabling powers to ensure stability for farmers as the UK exits from the EU’s Common Agricultural Policy and compliance with the World Trade Organisation Agreement on Agriculture.

CLM Spring 2019 Update

The Agriculture bill in numbers, Countryside Stewardship Scheme and Planning and Development

October 2018 – Cheaper Land

29 March 2019 will be a watershed. Currently, the 33.6 million that voted in the referendum watch with increasing disbelief as UK leaders attempt to negotiate an exit from the European Union while parties fight openly among themselves. And as for the exit process this appears to do no more than stagger from side to side like a passenger aboard a cross channel ferry in rough seas!

October – 2019, A Good Year!

Bordeaux, Napa Valley, Stellenbosch and Tuscany; all are recognised for producing quality wines with reputations established over centuries of consistent production. Is it now plausible to include Southern England alongside this illustrious list and, if so, should viticulture be an option for your land?

October 2018 – 7 tips for young farmers when tendering for a tenancy

Getting your foot on the farming ladder is tough. Opportunities to rent land do arise, however, so you need to make sure you’re perfectly placed to take them when they do – and coming up with a winning tender is a key part of that.

August 2018 – Why not invest in farm land?

Farmers are known to complain. If it’s not the weather, it’s the ruthless supermarkets not paying enough for milk or the countless rules they must obey before receiving annual subsidy payments.

June 2018 – Land subsidies: Help or hindrance?

For more than three decades farmers and land owners have been able to claim subsidy designed to support agricultural production and also to encourage environmental protection.  Recently these have been worth in excess of £3 billion per annum to the UK land-based sector but their future is less certain as we approach Brexit.