At the Oxford Farming conference today, Emma Reynolds, Environment Secretary, has made a welcome announcement with regard to the future of SFI. She has confirmed that DEFRA will open 2 application windows for SFI in 2026 – with the first window opening in June for farmers with small farms and farmers without existing environmental land management a...

What is a Tree Safety Survey A Tree Safety Survey is an assessment of the health and condition of trees within a defined survey area to identify any potential hazards, usually through a Visual Tree Assessment (VTA) by a suitably qualified person who holds a Professional Tree Inspection qualification. The end product is a report that summarises the ...

DEFRA have this morning (15th October 2025) announced that farmers with Countryside Stewardship Mid-Tier agreements due to expire this year will be offered a one year extension.  This will allow over 5,000 farmers to continue their environmental and sustainable farming activities while more long-term schemes are reviewed.  The Rural Payme...

Commercial leases in rural areas are evolving. As farms and estates diversify into new income streams - from farm shops and offices to repurposed agricultural buildings and holiday lets - the rules governing these leases, including potential reforms are gaining renewed significance. A clearer understanding of the legal and practical considerations ...

The long-awaited opening of the Countryside Stewardship Higher Tier Scheme is now upon us. It is a glimmer of good news for those who have been lucky enough to be invited to apply for a scheme. DEFRA have opted to have a controlled roll-out of the application process as they are wanting to ensure that the service runs smoothly from the outset, inst...

Defra has confirmed that the £150 million budget for the 2025 Capital Grants scheme has been fully allocated as of Friday 1st August, just four weeks after applications opened on 3rd July. This is following a sudden closure of the grant offer last November. Over 8,000 applications were received and DEFRA commented "this is the fastest uptake ever f...

The 81st Annual General Meeting of the Central Association of Agricultural Valuers (CAAV), was held at The Dalmahoy Hotel, Edinburgh on Friday 27th June 2025, where members elected Julie Liddle a Director of PFK Rural to the position of President, meaning Julie becomes the first woman to hold this position in the Associations long history. The CAAV...

This sale of land opposite Inglewood Edge offers an opportunity to purchase some good quality mowing land which would be capable of being ploughed but which is all currently sown down to grass.  Both Lots of land benefit from roadside access with a mains water supply. Approximately 17.64 hectares (43.59 acres) or thereabouts of grazing & m...

The Department for Transport has officially confirmed full funding for the A66 Northern Trans-Pennine dualling project, which will upgrade the route between Penrith and Scotch Corner. The announcement forms part of a wider £92 billion national infrastructure investment package. This significant milestone means the long-awaited improvements to the A...

On the afternoon of Thursday 26th June 2025, PFK Rural offered for sale four Lots of land at Penruddock which offered a rare opportunity to purchase land which has not been on the market for many years. Auctioneer Andrew Maughan from Penrith and District Farmers Mart assisted PFK Rural with the sale and faced a full room of interested parties at Th...

In recent years, the UK has seen significant fluctuations in property rebuilding costs, largely driven by soaring material prices, as well as updates to building regulations in 2022. While increases have stabilised in recent times, it remains vital for property owners to make certain their insurance cover reflects current rebuild costs. Failure to ...

This sale of land at Kirkby Stephen offers an opportunity to purchase a useful parcel of grazing land, together with access to the River Eden and is located approximately ½ mile to the North West of the market town of Kirkby Stephen.  The land benefits from direct roadside access off the public highway and has a natural water supply.  The...

 The sale of land at Great Salkeld offers an opportunity to purchase a useful enclosure of land which extends to approximately 3.53 acres (1.43 hectares) or thereabouts of grazing land located on the periphery of the popular Eden Valley village of Great Salkeld. The land will be of interest to farmers looking to extend their existing landholdi...

The Farming Equipment and Technology Fund (FETF) 2025, which will open for applications on the 29th of May 2025, is split into 3 grant themes that offer funding to help with the purchase of equipment and/or technology to help improve one of the following areas: improve productivity manage slurry improve animal health and welfare You can apply for a...

This land sale offers an opportunity to purchase a useful block of upland grazing land which benefits from roadside access and a natural water supply. The land is easterly facing, rising up from its eastern boundary to the most western boundary which adjoins Mungrisdale Common. The land offers good upland grazing, with diverse vegetation adding to ...

As many will be acutely aware, the Government stopped accepting new applications for SFI on 11th March 2025. The Government confirmed the reason for closure was due to the budget for SFI having been allocated, quoting more than 37,000 live SFI agreements. However, the closure was made very abruptly and without warning, leaving many farmers and land...

As I sit here looking out of the window, Spring is in full flourish and I hope as I write this that everyone has had a good lambing and calving season, and for once at least the weather has been on everybody's side. Sadly, Spring started with the shock announcement from DEFRA that, with no warning, they had closed the Sustainable Farming Incentive ...

This sale of land at Penruddock offers an opportunity to purchase some good quality land which is all currently sown down to grass, but of which some is capable of being ploughed. All Lots of land benefit from roadside access with access to a natural water supply within all Lots.  Approximately 48.54 hectares (119.94 acres) or thereabouts of a mix...

I write this article at a time when clients and property owners are increasingly being asked to enter new leases by Telephone Mast Operators, predominately under their Telecommunication Code powers. We are thankfully getting more clarity over the rents and terms that can be negotiated and agreed, although all owners should be aware that the rents a...

The Renters' Rights Bill, presented to the UK Parliament on 11th September 2024, seeks to transform the private rental sector by offering enhanced protections for tenants and promoting a fairer balance between renters and landlords. As of today, the bill is advancing through parliament with the government aiming for it to become law by late 2025. W...