2026

Something I have continued to experiment with this winter is what I call the “conservation lay” approach to hedgerow management. 

Last summer we shared an update on the Corn Bunting Project, explaining how detailed fieldwork and chick diet analysis were helping us understand why this once‑common farmland bird continues to struggle. Since then, another breeding season has passed, and it proved to be a challenging one.

Mild winters, periods of flooding and then extended dry spells are increasingly becoming part of the UK’s new climate reality. Managing these extremes is no easy task for farms, or for the people and wildlife that depend on them.

The Wheat Genetic Improvement Network (WGIN) is a Defra-funded partnership undertaking comprehensive research with view to enhancing wheat crop resilience and adaptability. 

Over the last few years, it’s become increasingly clear that farming businesses cannot rely on stability as a given. 

In mid-April the Allerton Project was pleased to host senior representatives from Defra. This was the second time in recent years that Allerton has hosted this senior team and follows recent engagement with the Defra ministerial team in 2025 and shadow farming minister earlier this year.

Following the success of the guided walks over different grouse moors in early April, we were very pleased to organise a similar visit for Scottish Government Wildlife Management and Natural Environment Bill team members. Taking place on Burncastle Moor near Lauder in the Scottish Borders, it was a useful opportunity to discuss upland management, assess practicalities, and exchange thoughts on current legislative requirements.

The competition attracts a whole range of wonderful artwork from lapwing to lamprey, children as young as 4 years old send in the most colourful and brilliant creations.  

Please respond to this urgent GWCT questionnaire by 7th May 2026 to help ensure Government takes an informed and evidence led approach to future regulation.

In all the media coverage of farmers and land managers protests over the additional burdens placed on them by changes to tax rules, the impact of the Iran War on input costs, an accelerated reduction in BPS, the ban on trail hunting and possible licensing of game shooting and the halting and relaunch of the Sustainable Farming Incentive, there is one feature that has stood out...