At the moment there is a lot going on in the agricultural world in terms of new and emerging agri-environment grants and schemes, as well as local events and training. You can find out more about these in the latest edition of the Mersey Rivers Trust farming newsletter here.

Of major note is the Slurry Infrastructure Grant, opened for applications last week with the deadline of 17th January 2024 to use the online checker to submit an expression of interest. This grant will help farmers improve thier slurry storage facilities and ensure adequate storage throughout the winter months. More information on this is available here.

Farming groups and landowners are also being encouraged to bid for share of £2.5 million Countryside Stewardship Facilitation Fund, which supports groups of farmers, foresters and land managers that wish to collaborate to improve thier local environment and habitats on the land they manage, such as enhancing wildflower and grassland or protecting meadows and woodlands. Applications are open until the 15th January 2024. There is more information on this scheme here.

The latest 'Pasture News' newsletter has also been released by the Environment Agency Agriculture Team. The newsletter explains a bit more about the regulatory activity the EA is carrying out on farms, what they have found and how they're working with farmers and landowners to solve the issues they have found. You can read this newsletter here

Lasty, we have the Water Freindly Farming Hub on the Mersey Rivers Trust website where we link funds, training courses, events, case studies and advice on how you can make your farm more water friendly.  You can explore the hub here.   Mersey Rivers Trust is still providing free business advice to farmers in the Cotebrook, Utkinton, Darnhall, Wettenhall and Winsford areas, so please get in touch here to find out more and book and appointment with one of our farm advisors.