Farming Updates

There is a lot going on in the agricultural world in terms of new and emerging agri-environment grants and schemes

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.    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 to find out more and book and appointment with one of our farm advisors.

News

Bollin Pollution Education
This education campaign aims to reduce the risk of future pollution events from Lyme Green industrial estate thereby preventing serious impacts to fish and other aquatic ecology in the River Bollin.
Water Friendly Farming
Mersey Rivers Trust are working to help protect and improve water quality in Upper Weaver Catchment in Cheshire by working with farms in the Darley Brook, Ash Brook, Valley Brook and Englesea Brook catchments.
Natural Flood Management
Natural flood management (NFM) uses natural processes to reduce the risk of flooding.
Alt Catchment NFM
We are thrilled to announce that our £2.1m bid to the Environment Agency’s Natural Flood Management programme has been successful!!
Bentley Project
The Bentley Environmental Foundation raises funds for sustainability and environmental projects all over the world by working with various NGO’s and charities.
Invasive non-native species
Local Action Groups that deal with invasive species can be found all over the country, and are co-ordinated by the GB Non-Native Species Secretariat (GB NNSS).
Big Give Green Week
It's the Big Give Green Week: all donations doubled!
Big River Watch 2025
10/03/25
Big River Watch 25th April - 1st May
Liverpool partnership agreement signed
Landmark partnership agreed to create an ambitious plan for a cleaner Mersey.
We are hiring!
Senior Project & Partnerships Manager - Greater Manchester
New Book!
A History of Fish & Fisheries of the River Mersey
Pie & Pint Feb 2025
Alvanley Arms - February 2025
Alt Crossens Newsletter
A look back at the projects and achievements in 2024 in the Alt Crossens catchment
Alt Crossens Workshop
November 2024
River Guardian Newsletter Issue 4
04/11/24
Thank you for volunteering with us and helping us to get to know the state of our rivers. We’re so excited about your data. Please remember to upload your Riverfly data to Cartographer and email us your water quality data at riverguardians@merseyrivers.org.
Pie & Pint Sept 2024
Pie and Pint Evening - The White Lion - September 2024
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