News

August 2018 – 1981 or 1984… It’s much the same

From my own slightly hazy point of view these two years were indeed pretty similar and if I’m listening to any music from this period I invariably guess the wrong year. But fortunately perhaps for you I’m not proposing to talk about my entirely dubious musical taste; rather the altogether more prosaic world of rural legislation.

July 2018 – Does UK farming offer value for money?

As arguments rage between soft and hard Brexiteers and those entirely against the self-imposed divorce from our most important trading region, the farming industry is no wiser as to the likely impact on profitability. Many who voted will retire before the true impact can be assessed, let’s hope the next generation has no reason to question the wisdom of its forebears!

June 2018 – Time for the younger generation to take up the challenge?

Last month Anthony Weston stated “from the year after next BPS will be cut or capped very significantly and from 2024/25 it will be gone.”  He then posed the question “What will you do about it?”

The many potential answers to this question will range from sitting on your hands and waiting to see what unfolds to packing up farming altogether.

May 2018 – Poor, Poorer, Poorest; Rich, Richer, Richest

Just what is productivity anyway?

I have a love hate relationship with the Spring, I think a lot of people do. It’s exciting, it’s vibrant, it’s full of promise and new life, growth and renewal. It’s also been a long time coming, frustrating, already hinting at missed opportunities, not to mention exceedingly busy! 

April 2018 – Energy Efficiency Regulations

As many of you will have seen in the press, new regulations are coming into force on 1st April 2018 that will make it illegal to let a private rented property to a new tenant if the energy performance certifi cate (EPC) has a rating of F or G.

March 2018 – Love Thy Neighbour

As you stand on the ridge of Garden field and look South West across the Medway valley towards the Ashdown Forest with the sun rising over your shoulder you could be forgiven for thinking that all was right in the world.

February 2018 – Marsh Wars – A new hope

I noticed quite recently that an email I received from a member of staff at Natural England gave their job title in the signature at the bottom as a member of the Field Unit; a group so secret that most Natural England advisers I have asked since reading about it do not even know of their existence.

January 2018 – More grapes = more acres

Generating £20 billion in economic activity and £10.9 billion in sales, the UK’s wine market is the sixth largest in the world, the second largest trader by volume (behind Germany) and the second largest trader by value (behind the USA).  With UK sparkling wines sales up by 37% since 2012, there can be no surprise that the UK wine industry is bursting to increase its share of the market.

January 2018 – What makes a good shoot?

What makes a good shoot is clearly very subjective but if you take soundings around the game cart, over lunch or over a pint you will invariably fi nd that there are some clear common denominators.  Interestingly – although obvious for some – the size of the bag isn’t anywhere near the top of the list, indeed in most cases it isn’t on the list at all.

January 2018 – A winning formula?

Dear Father

You asked that I might refl ect on the passing year and also consider what lies ahead. I am relieved, of course, that you are confi dent we will all be spared!  Physically the farm performed well in 2017.