Watkins Rural

27/09/2026

Lots has been going on in 2026, consequently social media has taken a bit of a back seat as a result! Here’s a few of the planning successes of the previous few months. 🤝 🏡 🐶

11/08/2026

We’re very proud to sponsor Longtown Show, as ever a lovely day out for all the family. 🐑 🧁 🌺 🐎

08/08/2026

If you’re heading to the Shear Ride over the weekend help yourself to a cap from the Watkins Rural stand and when you’re out and about tag , let’s see where our caps get too 🧢

Link to donate to this fantastic cause: https://www.justgiving.com/page/theshearride?utm_medium=FA&utm_source=WA&fbclid=IwZnRzaATkAOtwZG9mAWZkaWQWUMGJiMCipdlJoC4NLqgWvoAbellYSGV4dG4DYWVtAjExAHNydGMGYXBwX2lkCjY2Mjg1NjgzNzkAAR7RQT_J7y3SRvBZxug1tneShnwfEHHbSC-MqNM2S0qLiPD27H-OKn4e9kwpHA_aem_xb4hlMYDd0bDvNkWcPgm4A

07/08/2026

We are very much looking forward to cheering on Sam and Jamie this weekend 🐑✂️ 🚲

Please join us in supporting the boys at what looks to be a jam packed weekend at Cross Lyde Farm, Pontrilas.

Be on the lookout for some new Watkins Rural Merch 👀

🚴🐑 WHAT'S HAPPENING THIS WEEKEND? 🐑🚴

The countdown is on for The Shear Ride 2026 and we've got a fantastic weekend planned for everyone! Whether you're coming to cheer on the riders, enjoy the food, support the shearer, or bring the family for a great day out, there's something for everyone.

📅 Saturday (8th August) – Starts 8:00am
🍔 Food & Bar until late (both days)
👕 Official Shear Ride clothing on sale all weekend (while stocks last!)
🎈 Kids' activities all day
🏰 Bouncy Castle (2pm–6pm)
🚜 Pedal Tractors
🐟 Marcus Fish & Chips from 4pm
🔨 Charity Auction at 9pm

📅 Sunday (9th August)
🍔 Food & Bar until late
🥡 Hungry Farmer Chinese Food from 2pm
✂️ The Big Shave
🎈 Kids' activities all day
🏰 Bouncy Castle (2pm–6pm)
❤️Face Painter
🚜 Pedal Tractors
❤️ Silent Auction closes at 4pm
🚴 Final Ride finishes at 4:30pm
🎶 BBC Band playing a set in the last runl and another set afterwards to celebrate!

🙌 Please come along and support everyone taking part!
The event runs from 8:00am Saturday through to until after the last run, 4:30pm Sunday, so pop in at any time over the weekend and help us create an amazing atmosphere for all the riders, shearers, volunteers and supporters.

❤️ Every pound raised goes to support Birmingham Children's Hospital and Ronald McDonald House Charities.
Bring your family, bring your friends, and help us make this year's Shear Ride the biggest and best yet!

02/06/2026

🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 SFI Update - Hot off the Press 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿

15/05/2026

Absolutely delighted to be sponsoring Jamie and Sam for their mammoth challenge. 🐑 🚴🏻

12/04/2026

🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 English Grant Update 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿

📆 Lots of up and coming deadlines and schemes to be aware of.

🚜 Last round of the equipment grant as we know it open now, deadline 28th April

🌱 Do not forget Mid Tier Annual Revenue Claims still need to be submitted by 15th May 2026

17/03/2026

🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 Farming Equipment & Technology Fund 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 opens today.

40-50% Grant funding available under three themes:

🐄 Slurry
🚜 Productivity
🐑 Animal Health & Welfare

🤝 Please do not hesitate to contact us if you would like assistance.

26/02/2026

🌟 FOR SALE BY INFORMAL TENDER🌟

🌱 79.12 acres of pasture near Grosmont, Abergavenny, NP7 8HP

📅 Tender Deadline: Friday 10th April 2026, at 12 noon

A fantastic opportunity to acquire a substantial block of pasture close to the village of Grosmont. This well farmed block of ground is split into useful sized enclosures, and benefits from a strong natural water supply.

For further details please see the listing: https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/172621025 #/?channel=COM_BUY

☎️If you have any queries, or would like any further information please do not hesitate to contact us.

25/02/2026

⭐️SFI 2026 - What to Expect ⭐️

📅 June 2026 - to open for "small farms" (less than 50ha) and those without an existing ELM agreement (ELM agreements include SFI 23, SFI 24, HLS and CS Mid Tier)

📅 September 2026 - Window 2 to open for all farms.

💷 New agreements will have maximum cap of £100,000 per annum
1️⃣ One SFI 2026 agreement per farm
✏️ No SFI Management Payments
3️⃣ All actions will now have a 3 year duration
🌾Rotational areas cannot be increased in value or area from the first year of your agreement (parcels can still be rotated)
⬇️Actions reduced from 102 to 71
❌ Report writing actions, species rich grass, cattle grazing supplement and winter cover after maize crops have all been removed.

These popular actions have had their payment rates reduced:
☘️CSAM3: Herbal leys from £382/ha to £224/ha
🪿CAHL2: Winter bird food from £853/ha to £648/ha
🌱CNUM3: Legume fallow from £593/ha to £532/ha

If you would like any further information about SFI 2026, please do not hesitate to contact us.