Defra is increasing money available for farmers and land managers.

On the 5th of January, Minister Mark Spencer gave a speech at the Oxford Farming Conference, in which he announced more support for farmers through these difficult times of rising costs.

They are updating payment rates for both Countryside Stewardship revenue options and capital items from the start of this year. 

They are also introducing a new Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) ‘management payment’. In addition to the money already available through the SFI, Defra will pay up to £1,000 for the first 50 hectares to cover the costs farmers incur when entering the scheme. 

The payment will benefit all farmers in SFI, but it will particularly benefit smaller farms (up to 50 hectares). 

Defra state this is one of a series of actions announced to help farmers face challenges in the current economic climate, including increasing the frequency of Basic Payment Scheme payments to help with cashflow and introducing measures to help limit fertiliser costs this year.

Defra suggests there is something available for everyone in their package of environmental land management schemes and one-off grants. They would encourage all farmers to look closely at what’s on offer so they can find what works best for their business.

For more information, read this Defra press notice

The Farmers' union, NFU, welcomed the rise but warned it could be "too little too late" in the economic climate.

The announcement comes amid rises in the cost of food production, with farmers hit particularly hard by increases in the cost of animal feed, fertilizers and fuel.

The increased rates under ELMS will come from existing money, reallocated from the previous direct payment subsidies given to farmers under the EU scheme.

NFU vice president David Exwood said it was still unclear what work farmers - who will be losing direct payments - would actually be paid for under ELMS.

NFU are members of the Rural Services Network.  You can find out more about them here.