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.
Article by Matthew Berryman Open PDF
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.
Article by Kevin Jay Open PDF
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.
Article by Mark Weaver Open PDF
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.
Article by Anthony Weston Open PDF
The Agriculture bill in numbers, Countryside Stewardship Scheme and Planning and Development
Article by CLM Open PDF
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!
Article by Matthew Berryman Open PDF
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?
Article by Matthew Berryman Open PDF
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.
Article by Alex Macdonald Open PDF
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.
Article by Matthew Berryman Open PDF
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.
Article by Matthew Berryman Open PDF