Tag Archives: farm

‘Health, Beauty and Permanence’ – Reflections on Michael Gove’s NFU Conference speech

I haven’t made it to the NFU Conference this year, but thanks to the wonders of youtube I was at least able to catch outgoing NFU President Meurig Raymond’s speech and Defra Secretary Michael Gove’s speech (thanks @NFUtube!). You can of course read the full speech from the Secretary of State here. Here is a briefContinueContinue reading “‘Health, Beauty and Permanence’ – Reflections on Michael Gove’s NFU Conference speech”

‘Meet the Farmers’ – episode 14 – Tom Bradshaw at Fletchers Farm

Tom Bradshaw is a forward thinking arable farmer with diversification key to his overall business. The equestrian yard at his home farm in Essex seems to be just as important to the long-term health of his business as the main arable enterprise which is based on contracting agreements with neighbouring farms. Tom is also aContinueContinue reading “‘Meet the Farmers’ – episode 14 – Tom Bradshaw at Fletchers Farm”

Countryside Stewardship field update

I promised that I would give you updates regarding progress of our higher tier countryside stewardship scheme which started a few weeks ago. It runs until December 2022 and we are receiving payment for undertaking works for conservation on the farm through Pillar 2 of the Common Agricultural Policy. The scheme consists of a rangeContinueContinue reading “Countryside Stewardship field update”

Winter pruning of Sea Buckthorn

You might think that the summer is the busiest time of year on a farm, and you’d probably be right. However, at all times of year there is something to be done. On our Essex farm at the moment a small team is intent in our task of winter pruning sea buckthorn plants, ensuring weContinueContinue reading “Winter pruning of Sea Buckthorn”

First day of #ORFC18

Around 800 people descended on Oxford Town Hall yesterday morning to attend the 9th Oxford Real Farming Conference. This is my third time attending the event, but it feels just as exciting and in many ways just as groundbreaking as my first a few years ago. This year the ORFC is focusing on four distinctContinueContinue reading “First day of #ORFC18”