The NFU elects…?

Today the NFU Council will elect its new President, Vice President and Deputy President – except there is a fair chance that all three will be re-elected. The NFU has a very progressive voting system – in some ways.  If you are the incumbent then you need to get an increasing proportion of the votes…

It’s mad!

Yesterday’s blog suggested a different  way of paying by results for success in agri-environment schemes – regional top-ups for participating farmers if the regional farmland bird index rises.  It’s a tricky thing to administer, perhaps, but it is essentially a good idea (in my humble opinion). This month’s copy of The Field – with an…

Paying farmers by results 2

Last week I posted a blog about paying by results in agri-environment schemes which generated lots of comments.  Here’s another way that we could pay by results.  Like any system, including the current failing one, this proposal has its problems of monitoring, cost, fairness etc but it’s worth thinking about alternatives when the current system…

Just another member

I was up in t’northwest this week and managed to fit in a visit to the RSPB’s Leighton Moss nature reserve.  I hoped to see a few good birds, remind myself of what a pretty place it is, maybe have a spot of lunch in the cafe and slip out again without being recognised as…

Nature of Harming update

There is a clear leader in this poll but it’s nip and tuck for second place. But comments keep accruing – there are well over 100 already.