25th August 2023

Categories:

Rural Rap

CANTII WAY: TOURISM BOOST AS THOUSANDS USE CYCLE MAP ROUTE

A new cycling route through Kent has given the county a tourism boost, a cycling charity claims.
The Cantii Way, a series of trails and roads described as a circuit of Kent by the campaign group Cycling UK, opened in May 2022.

Read more. 

DEADLINE FOR COUNTRYSIDE STEWARDSHIP APPLICATIONS EXTENDED

The application window for 2024 Countryside Stewardship Mid Tier agreements has been extended until Friday 15th September to allow more time for people to submit their applications online, following direct feedback from farmers.

Read more. 

‘Stop-start’: GB harvest slowly progressing, AHDB says
Recent sunny spells has meant that harvest is now progressing, but continued variable weather by region is still contributing to a ‘stop-start’ harvest.Read more.

Over 100 MPs urge retailers to add ‘buy British’ tabs to websites

More than 110 MPs have signed an open letter calling for supermarkets to back the nation’s farmers by adding ‘buy British’ tabs to their websites.

The filter would direct shoppers to homegrown food to help boost the economy and cut the UK’s carbon footprint, according to MPs.

Read more. 

Parts of England at risk of running out of water last year, official files show 

Water companies risked running out of supplies in some parts of England during the heatwave last summer, according to official documents that will add to concerns about their investment in infrastructure.

Read more. 

BAPL expands net-zero project

British Apples & Pears Ltd (BAPL) has announced an expansion of its existing Farming Innovation Pathways feasibility project to analyse the impact of British apples on the environment.

Read more.

“Tough winter ahead’ for dairy sector as financial pressure continues

The dairy sector has warned of a ‘tough winter ahead’ as the gap between farmgate milk and retail prices, as well as high input costs, continues to add significant financial pressure.

Read more. 

Bird flu: Defra lifts ban on gatherings of poultry

Defra has lifted its ban on gatherings of certain poultry and birds, including chickens, turkeys and pheasants, following the UK’s largest ever outbreak of bird flu.

Since Wednesday (23 August), gatherings of birds, which also include partridge, quail and guinea fowl, are permitted.

Read more.

Inheritance tax penalties increase by more than a third to £2.3m 

Bereaved families are paying higher inheritance tax penalties, with £2.28m penalties raised in the last tax year, a Freedom of Information request has revealed.
This was a 34% increase compared to the year before, the FOI from financial advisers NFU Mutual has shown.

Read more. 

Bees to the rescue for UK blueberries

Bumblebees have been credited with helping blueberries withstand wretched summer weather and produce a quality crop.

The wettest July since 2009 and the sixth wettest July ever was a major concern for UK berry growers, with blueberries particularly sensitive to overly wet conditions.

Read more. 

A look back at the 92nd Kent County Show

It has now been over a month since the Kent County Agricultural Society hosted it’s 92nd Kent County Show and we thought we’d take a look back at the weekend’s highlights! As we celebrate the centenary of the Society, the show was a momentous occasion and an opportunity to reflect upon the history of farming in Kent.

Read more. 

 

Romney Marsh Ploughing Match and fun dog show - Sunday 3rd September 2023

Old Ashford Road, Brenzett Green, Romney Marsh TN29 0BE
by kind permission of Robert Thompson.

Ploughing starts at 10am. Fun Dog Show at 12 noon (book in from 11am)
£5 entry, children under 16 free (cash only)
romneyploughing21@gmail.com
07821009693

Weald of Kent Ploughing Match - Saturday 16th September 2023

We look forward to welcoming you all to the Weald of Kent Ploughing Match at

Reed Court Farm, Hunton Road, Chainhurst, Tonbridge, Kent, TN12 9SX
by kind permission of Fridays Ltd and sponsored by BTF Partnership.
Gates open 8am.

For full details and tickets

https://www.wkpma.co.uk/

Gravesend & Rochester Agricultural Association Ploughing Match - Saturday 23rd September 2023

Lillechurch Farm
Lower Higham
Rochester
Kent, ME3 7HW

Starts 9.30am

For full details and tickets

www.graa.org.uk

The National Fruit Show - 1st & 2nd November 2023

Kent County Showground, Detling

9.00am-5pm daily.

Free to attend and full programme of events and speakers over two days including keynote speech given by Minette Batters, President of the NFU.

Tickets to dinner (1 Nov, 6.30pm-midnight) with champagne reception and networking now for sale, contact info@nationalfruitshow.org.uk

Come and celebrate the 90th year of the show and support the industry as it looks forward to a bright future.

For full details, to enter fruit or cider or to register attendance click here.

CLA Rural Business Conference- Thursday 30 November 2023

This year’s CLA Rural Business Conference ‘Competing visions: the future of land’ will help those who own or manage rural land to make sense of the vital role of land in an increasingly political and polarising landscape.

Taking place at the QEII Centre in central London, our flagship event will allow landowners and land managers to explore the complex relationship between themselves, consumers, corporations, governments, environmentalists and political campaigners.

More details.