»Ê¼Ò»ªÈË

County Update

Shropshire Chamber Of Ag – On Friday the 28 February, the Chamber held their annual lunch and the guest speaker was our President, Tom Bradshaw.  To a packed room, Tom spoke about the on going fight over IHT as well as discussing the many other pieces of the policy that the NFU is continuing to work on.

Shrewsbury Food Hub – This week the County Adviser held a meeting with the Shrewsbury Food Hub. They are in the process of applying for grant funding to look at how it can be made easier for farmers to donate surplus food for the local community. This is all to help in the reduction of food waste. The Hub help our community by  sharing surplus food with community groups and individuals, helping their food budgets stretch further. They already get more than 200 tons of food that would otherwise go to waste into good use to support groups from our homeless shelter, hospice and women’s refuge to schools and youth groups.  

This could be anything from out of spec potatoes and carrots, to offering the group gleaning opportunities either in fields or fruit trees.

Please contact the County Adviser if you think your farm may be able to help.

David Exwood County Visit – The 6 March saw our Vice president visit the County, where he met a group of tenant farmers from the Market Drayton Branch, along with Mark Wycherley, who has just been appointed to the National Trust’s Council as the NFU Rep.  Those present got the opportunity to voice their concerns about the tenanted sector to David and hear from him what is happening (sometimes behind the scenes), such as the new Tenant Farm Commissioner.  The evening was hosted by Paul Griffiths of Willaston, and our thanks go to him and his family.

Green Futures | 13 & 19 March

Green Futures, our annual joint online event with the CLA, is back for 2025 with two topical events.

This year's Green Futures will feature the latest updates for farmers relating to schemes, grants and policy changes. 

For more information and to register click here

Cyber Security – Addressing Risk in the Digital Age (free)

A joint initiative between the Staffordshire and Shropshire Growth Hubs. This webinar will provide a starting point for organisations looking to increase their resilience and signpost to free cyber security advice and services from the National Cyber Security Centre.

Topics we’ll cover

• Learn about the most prevalent cyber risks facing businesses today and how to recognise potential vulnerabilities
• Discover actionable strategies to enhance your businesses cyber readiness, helping to protect your data and systems from attack
• Get guidance on accessing free tools, advice and services from the National Cyber Security Centre to support your cyber security efforts
• Find out if your email and website security are leaving your business exposed to cybercriminals
• Learn how to check if your business credentials have already been leaked on the dark web

Key takeaways:

You will

• Understand the most common cyber risks, gain tips for getting cyber ready
• Understand how the government can help your business become more resilient to cyber attacks
• Identify quick, practical steps to secure your email, website, and business data from cyber threats
• Learn how to access free cybersecurity tools to check for vulnerabilities before hackers find them

Date

12 March 2025

Venue & Timings

10am until 11am online

Booking

To register for your free place please click

The Big Farm Tea Break

Date

24 - 30 March 2025

Spring is the time of year on a farm when it seems everywhere you look there is a job waiting. Lambing, calving and tractor work all add to the pressure, it’s easy to feel there is no time to breathe.

Due to this pressure, we miss out on visits to the local shops, markets, Young Farmers or the pub. Those communities we are part of are still there and keen to always be there for you.

It’s amazing how stopping for a conversation puts everything into perspective for you and people around you.

So, during the Big Farm Tea Break, let’s all come together as a community.

Lynda and Andy wish they could have had the chance to say the right words at the right time.  They can’t but you can.

Please share your photos and #Lens Light

No one in the rural community should feel isolated or alone.

Blymhill Agricultural Discussion Group

Have a series of winter meetings taking place in 2024/25 at Blymhill Village Hall

5 December at 7.30pm is members night – this meeting will have members talking about their rural businesses 

• Henry Robinson – Dairy farmer
• Scott Walker – Arable farmer
• Hugo Rolland – Arable farmer

23 January 2025 at 7.30pm – the guest speaker will be Hannah Batty. 

Hannah is a farm animal vet and clinical advisor, and Nuffield Scholar. Not born into a farming family, Hannah is fiercely passionate about the benefits of working within the UK dairy industry, having been welcomed in with open arms. Hannah believes in the importance of developing people within our industry and that defining and refining processes can benefit both cattle health and business profitability. 

20 March 2025 at 7.30pm – speaker to be confirmed.

For further information contact Bob Jones, BADG secretary, on 01952 691420 or via email [email protected]

Call for Participants: Advancing Fairness in the UK Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Sector – University of Leicester

Are you into fresh fruit and or vegetable cultivation in the UK? University of Leicester are conducting a study on advancing fairness in fresh fruit and vegetable sector and would love to hear from you!

Participation in the study involves farmers who are into the cultivation of fresh fruits and vegetables in the UK and who are suppliers to large retailers in the UK.

All data collected will be handled with the utmost confidentiality and anonymity based on University of Leicester's guideline and used solely for academic purposes.

To participate or learn more, please Visit  or contact Nike directly through [email protected].

Members support would be invaluable to the success of this research.

Questionnaire for pilot study -

Farm for the Future – Royal Countryside Fund

Do you want help navigating agricultural policy changes including help with understanding ELMs and SFI (Sustainable Farming Incentive)?

If you’re an owner-occupied or tenant farm in England that received BPS, The Royal Countryside Fund’s Farm for the Future programme is in its final year, offering a last chance for free support which includes a 1-2-1 session with a consultant to talk about your farm.

Its online workshops can be joined from the comfort of your own home via Zoom to help you and your farm business navigate policy changes and become more resilient and sustainable.

To find out more and sign up to the online group, contact Christina Hutchings via email [email protected] or call 07715 353 546 or visit

Cyber Crime

The Midlands NFU held an online member meeting with WMRCCU in autumn 2023, the opportunity to register with them is still available, this is aimed to improve your business’s cyber security.

With membership at the WMRCCU, you will receive regular tips and guidance on how to firm up your business’s cyber security. 

Register to become a member (for free) today at 

Be vigilant of scam callers

If you receive a call that looks like it is from NFU Headquarters and are unsure then please hang up, do not pass on any personal details.

You can contact NFU CallFirst on 0370 845 8458 to check if we are doing any calls or promotions.

Ragwort – control & disposal

»Ê¼Ò»ªÈËis reminding livestock farmers to remain vigilant to the risk of ragwort poisoning. Here's some advice on control and disposal.

Ragwort poses a real risk to animal health, with potentially fatal consequences if it is ingested by horses or livestock, either in its green or dried state. Left unchecked, a ragwort problem is likely to become worse, as the species is highly vigorous. A single specimen can produce up to 150,000 seeds with a germination rate of up to 70%.

For more advice on control and disposal click here

Ludlow Charity Race Day in aid of RABI (chargeable)

Enjoy a fabulous date featuring:

• Champagne reception
• Three course lunch
• An exciting auction
• Full access to thrilling racing

Date

20 March 2025

Venue & Timings

11am at Ludlow Racecourse, SY8 2BT

Cost

£90±è±è

Booking

To register for your place please click

CVD Health Checks

Shropshire Council, Public Health Community Wellbeing Outreach Team would like to offer CVD (cardiovascular disease) health checks.

We can provide two types of checks

Mini health check- 30 mins

• Body Mass Index (Height, weight, and waist measurements)
• Blood Pressure/Pulse
• Alcohol audit
• Physical activity assessment
• Q risk/heart age
• Signpost/Referral to appropriate lifestyle support

Full health check- 40 mins

• Cholesterol check
• Diabetes check
• Body Mass Index (Height, weight, and waist measurements)
• Blood Pressure/Pulse
• Alcohol audit
• Physical activity assessment
• Q risk/heart age
• Signpost/Referral to appropriate lifestyle support

Date

26 March 2025

Venue & Timings

10am until 4pm at Oswestry Livestock Market

Booking

This is a drop-in service so no requirement to book a slot.

In conjunction with RABI, Shropshire Rural Support and NFU Mutual

National Shire Horse Show 2025 – NFU Ticket Offer.

Shire horses will be put through their paces over three days of competition in various classes giving horse lovers a unique insight into the gentle giants of the horse world.

A spectacular weekend of family fun including: National Championships, Ridden Shire Horse Classes, Daily Grand Parade, Training and Education Lecture Theatre, Children’s play area including farm animals, Farriery Demonstrations, Access to stables, Agricultural classes.

Date

7 March – 9 March 2025

Venue & Timings

7.30am -6.30pm at Bingley Hall, Staffordshire County Showground, Weston Road, Stafford, ST18 0BD

Booking

Advance tickets only 20% off for members with the code NFU20

Tickets available from

Children aged 4 and under are Free

Children aged 12 and under, go Free on Sunday