Mark Spencer, DEFRA Farming Minister has recently (5th January 2023) announced Countryside Stewardship (CS) payments are to rise by an average of 10%. Capital payments will rise by an average of 48%. This is alongside other announcements which aim to make entering and administrating the scheme simpler and fairer. Feedback from farmers has led to […]
Posted on January 9th, 2023 by Ellen Cottrell
Wildlife Offer Countryside Stewardship agreements provide a simplified scheme option for farmers with a set list of options under each Wildlife Offer type and provided the minimum requirements are met then an agreement will be offered. The aim of Wildlife Offer’s is as the name suggests, to support wildlife by providing sources of nectar and […]
Posted on March 17th, 2021 by Ellen Cottrell
Capital grants are new for Countryside Stewardship 2021 and replace the former ‘Water capital grants’ and ‘Hedgerow and Boundary grants’. Whilst many of the options remain the same as in the previous schemes, a new area of grants has been included which aims to improve air quality. What does the grant offer funding for? The […]
Posted on March 17th, 2021 by Ellen Cottrell
Mid-Tier Countryside Stewardship is very similar to the old style ELS schemes. It is designed to provide environmental benefits at an on-farm level with a range of options that can be tailored to suit most farming systems. What do Mid-Tier Stewardship schemes fund? Grant funding is available for land management practices which protect and enhance […]
Posted on March 17th, 2021 by Ellen Cottrell
As of Tuesday 9th February the Countryside Stewardship application window has now re-opened. The individual options available for Stewardship are largely the same as before but there are some key changes to be aware of: Greening has been removed so existing greening features such as buffer strips can be used in a Countryside Stewardship application. […]
Posted on February 9th, 2021 by Ellen Cottrell
Wildlife Offer Countryside Stewardship agreements provide a simplified scheme option for farmers with a set list of options under each Wildlife Offer type and provided the minimum requirements are met then an agreement will be offered. The aim of Wildlife Offer’s is as the name suggests, to support wildlife by providing sources of nectar and […]
Posted on June 9th, 2020 by Ellen Cottrell Mid-Tier Countryside Stewardship is very similar to the old style ELS schemes. It is designed to provide environmental benefits at an on-farm level with a range of options that can suit most farming systems. What do Mid-Tier Stewardship schemes fund? Grant funding is available for land management practices which protect and enhance the natural environment, […]
Posted on June 8th, 2020 by Ellen Cottrell
*** The deadline is fast approaching for 2020 Countryside Stewardship applications to be made *** Water Capital Only Grant: Contact to be made with Catchment Sensitive Farming Officer by 31st May 2020 Mid-Tier special options: Contact to be made with RPA by 31st May 2020 Mid-Tier application request: Application to be requested by […]
Posted on May 28th, 2020 by Mike Cluley
With the upcoming changes to the subsidy regime, now is likely to be a good time for many farmers to consider entering into a Countryside Stewardship agreement. From 2021, Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) payments will be starting to be phased out through to a complete phasing out by 2028 making this year the last […]
Posted on May 20th, 2020 by Ellen Cottrell
Despite the persistent inclement weather, spring is “technically” here and the BPS season is only just around the corner. Mike Cluley takes a quick look at the Basic Payment Scheme 2020 with a particular focus on what the options are to comply with the Crop Diversification rules under Greening given the consistent wet weather which […]
Posted on March 4th, 2020 by Mike Cluley