The RPA Podcast

Welcome to the fifteenth episode of The RPA Podcast . In the latest episode, we look at a topic that generated a lot of interest when we covered it on the RPA blog in May last year, Integrated Pest Management or IPM . Last year we explored the research being done to help farmers tackle pests, weeds and diseases more sustainably and the funding available to help farmers get involved. Since then a l...

Welcome to the fourteenth episode of The RPA Podcast . In this episode we take a look at the benefits of moving over to CTS Online. We look at the new RPA email notification and how to avoid being the target of fraud, we look at the controlled roll-out of Countryside Stewardship Highter Tier and in a new section at the end of the podcast, we do a round-up of shorter items of news from RPA over the...

Welcome to the thirteenth episode of The RPA Podcast . In this episode we take an in depth look at two of the How to videos produced by RPA to provide farmers with helpful information about what to expect from an RPA field officer visit.  These cover sheep and goat, and also cattle visits. We also look at what other RPA videos are available, designed to support farmers with advice on various topic...

Welcome to the twelfth episode of The RPA Podcast . In our latest episode, we speak with Peter Clampett from RPA’s Regulatory and Advice Service about the hedgerows management regulations covering which hedgerows the rules apply to, the hedgerow cutting ban which is in force from the 1 March to the 31 August each year, how the rules apply to the 2 metres buffer strip, exemptions to the rules, how...

Welcome to the eleventh episode of The RPA Podcast . In our latest episode, we look at five things you can do to ensure you’re well prepared to apply for Environmental Land Management schemes such as the Sustainable Farming Incentive. Kevin Lamacq, a Continuous Improvement Manager from RPA’s Customer team, talks about what you can do to get scheme ready, ensuring the application process will be qu...

Welcome to the tenth episode of The RPA Podcast . In our latest episode, we have a roundtable discussion with RPA’s senior customer leadership team: ‘Inside the RPA: Leadership and Vision’.  And in our second part, we bring you an interview with the Farming Advice Service (FAS) to give you more information on their new partnership with Catchment Sensitive Farming. RPA senior leaders Marie Hardeman...

In today’s podcast, we discuss the opening of the claim window for existing Countryside Stewardship revenue and Environmental Stewardship agreements, delinked payments, RPA’s shows and events schedule and the new round of Farming Equipment and Technology Fund Grants. We also have an interview with Marie Hardeman, RPA’s Customer Director, who talks about her year into the role and improvements in C...

Item 1: ·  Danielle Bragg, from the RPA Grants Service Team, runs us through all the grants available to farmers, under the Farming Investment Fund. ·  The Farming Investment Fund offers funding for equipment, technology, and infrastructure that improves farm productivity and benefits the environment.  This fund provides grants to farmers, foresters, and growers so that they can invest in the thin...

Welcome to the seventh episode of The RPA Podcast . In our latest episode, we dive into some of the questions and feedback we’ve received at the RPA from those applying to the 2023 offer of the Sustainable Farming Incentive.  After opening to applications in August, we received a number of technical and general questions, both from farmers in the process of applying and those considering doing so....

Welcome to the sixth episode of The RPA Podcast . In our latest episode, Ali Johnson, RPA’s Engagement and Operational Readiness Director, discusses the 2023 Sustainable Farming Incentive and highlights the greater flexibility available  in SFI23. We also discuss the roll out date, application process and transition from other schemes. Later in the episode, Anne-Marie Rafter, from RPA’s Geospatial...

Welcome to the fifth episode of The RPA Podcast . In our latest episode, the RPA’s Chief Executive, Paul Caldwell, speaks to Andrew Hawnt, from the RPA’s Internal Communications team, about his reflections of 2022 and ambitions for the year ahead.   Faye Slade, from the RPA’s Countryside Stewardship Agricultural Transition team, talks us through the recent Countryside Stewardship updates and gives...

Welcome to the fourth episode of The RPA Podcast . In our latest episode, Richard Anderson, who leads the Field Officer teams at the RPA, talks about the RPA’s more collaborative approach to inspections and visits, and the improvements we can expect to see in the coming months. Richard highlights how his team will support farmers by offering greater levels of advice, guidance and signposting to he...

Welcome to the third episode  of The RPA Podcast . In our latest episode, Daneka Rodgers, Senior Business Analyst at the RPA, explains why it’s crucial to keep your personal information up to date in the Rural Payments Service and offers some great tips on how to update your details. Daneka also talks us through the importance of ‘setting permissions’ in the Rural Payments Service, and highlights...

Welcome to the second episode of The RPA Podcast . In this episode, Sustainable Farming Incentive Pilot Delivery Manager, Alex Hills, talks about the Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) pilot scheme, and the important findings that have already been applied to the SFI live service that’s due to launch later this year.  We also explore the Countryside Stewardship applications window with Rozanne Ki...

Welcome to the Rural Payments Agency’s first ever podcast! During 2022 we’ll be bringing you a series of podcasts to help farmers, landowners and rural communities keep up-to-date on developments at the RPA, offer support and guidance, and navigate agricultural transition. In today’s episode, we reflect on 2021 with Customer Director Sandy Kapila and look forward to what’s coming up in 2022 with S...