The RPA Podcast

Latest Episodes:

The RPA Podcast - Episode 15 May 18, 2026

Show notes

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 lot has been happening putting these practices into action, both in the research field and on farms.

On this episode of the podcast we talk to four guests to find out how things have moved on - Dr Sam Cook and PhD student Charlotte Robb, from Rothamsted Research. And farmers Chris Gemmill and Fergus MacGregor, who have been working with the team at Rothamsted, sharing their experience on how they use IPM, as well its cost effectiveness and the challenges they face on their farms.

The discussion covers Rothamsted’s research into IPM, pesticide resistance and its future, flowering field margins, and the range of digital tools available to farmers to help plan and implement IPM.

The RPA Podcast is an opportunity to engage with farmers and land managers in a new way, and we encourage you to contact us with suggestions of particular topics that you’d like us to cover with our subject experts. You can email us at External.Affairs@rpa.gov.uk.
Follow us on social media for the latest updates and information on the following accounts.

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The RPA Podcast - Episode 14 Dec 17, 2025

Show notes

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 past few months.

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The RPA Podcast - Episode 13 Sep 02, 2025

Show notes

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 topics.

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The RPA Podcast - Episode 12 Apr 30, 2025

Show notes

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 to apply for a derogation and when civil sanctions may be used.

The implementation of the new hedgerow regulations (Management of Hedgerows (England) Regulations 2024) came into force in May 2024.

There is more information on GOV.UK. Farmers, land managers and general public can read the Hedgerow-management-rules-cutting-and-trimming page. There is also the Hedgerow management rules: buffer strips page on GOV.UK

You should also consider that if you do need to cut your hedgerow in the closed period, does it fall under an exemption? And if it does, and you need to apply for a Derogation, read How to apply for written permission (a derogation). You can find guidance on all the rules and exemptions on GOV.UK.

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The RPA Podcast - Episode 11 Nov 26, 2024

Show notes

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 quicker and easier.

In our second section, we speak with Emma Bryan from RPA’s Regulatory and Advice Service about the public consultation which has been launched to seek views on how the implementation of the new hedgerow regulations (Management of Hedgerows (England) Regulations 2024) which came into force in May, will be approached.

If you would like to participate and add your views to the consultation on the regulatory approach and use of civil sanctions for hedgerow management, please click here. The consultation closes on the 10th December 2024.

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The RPA Podcast - Episode 10 Sep 09, 2024

Show notes

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, RPA’s Customer Director, Emily Edwards, Head of Customer Insight and Gareth Jones, Head of Customer Experience engage in a discussion about how they’re working to improve customer service and how listening to, and understanding customers, are the pillars for improving the customer journey and satisfaction.

In our second section, we speak with Laura Harpham from the Farming Advice Service (FAS) about their services and their new partnership with Catchment Sensitive Farming. The FAS is a national network of qualified, independent advisers under contract to Defra who provide free and confidential government advice to farmers and farming industry advisers.

The Podcast is also an opportunity for RPA to engage with farmers and land managers, and we encourage you to reach out to us with suggestions of particular topics that you’d like us to cover with our subject experts. You can e-mail us at External.Affairs@rpa.gov.uk

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The RPA Podcast - Episode 9 Apr 09, 2024

Show notes

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 Customer Services.

Item 1:
Gregg Bulman a Countryside Stewardship Processing manager, runs us through Opening of the claim window for existing Countryside Stewardship revenue and Environmental Stewardship agreements and delinked payments·

The claim window for existing Countryside Stewardship (CS) revenue and Environmental Stewardship (ES) agreements has opened on 14 March 2024.
All farmers must submit a claim or annual declaration for CS and ES before 15 May to receive payment for works carried out through the schemes in 2024 without a reduction. The final deadline for submitting a claim with reduction is 2 September.
In 2023 the RPA supplemented the existing online claim process for CS with a more straightforward annual declaration option in cases where no changes are required. This will still be available in the Rural Payments service for 2024, with farmers able to generate and submit an automated revenue claim without needing to complete each section of the claim form.

Item 2:
In our second section, we speak with Katie Yon from RPA’s shows and events team, about the range of shows and events the team will be visiting this year and what visitors to the RPA stand can expect.
Please come and visit RPA at Agricultural Shows across the country.

Item 3:

In our third section, we speak to Caitlin Smith from RPA’s Grants Service team, who talks to us about the new round of the Farming Equipment and Technology Fund.
Grants for productivity and slurry management items are available now. The deadline to apply is midday 17 April 2024. Farmers, foresters, growers and contractors to those sectors can apply.
You can apply for one grant from each of the 3 themes. The fund is competitive. Successful applicants will receive a grant of:
- a minimum of £1,000 and a maximum of £50,000 towards productivity items
- a minimum of £1,000 and a maximum of £50,000 towards slurry items
- a minimum of £1,000 and a maximum of £25,000 towards animal health and welfare items
We will pay a percentage of the cost depending on the item. For many items, this percentage is an increase on last year. This funding will go towards either:
- the average cost of the item – if an item costs you the same or more than the expected average cost in the item list
- the actual cost you pay for the item – if an item costs you less than the expected average cost in the item list
Read the FETF 2024 guidance for information about the grants and the item lists.

Item 4:

In our last segment, we are joined by Marie Hardeman, RPA’s Customer Director who is here to talk about all things Customer Service.

RPA has supported thousands of customers this year to access funding so as well as continuing to deliver funding through existing schemes, we’ve delivered a variety of new schemes and new grants.
We have improved how our customers can contact us, how they can get through to the right person on our telephone lines or by web chats.
RPA has increased the way we share information to reach more customers, newsletters, podcasts, videos to show guidance, videos to share real life examples from customers on how they’re using our funding to deliver great outcomes.

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The RPA Podcast - Episode 8 Jan 22, 2024

Show notes

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 things they need to improve productivity and enhance the natural environment.

· The Farming Investment Fund is made up of 2 parts; for smaller grants, there is the Farming Equipment and Technology Fund (FETF) while larger grants are covered by the Farming Transformation Fund. We discuss the different options available under these grants and provide guidance on how and when to apply.

Item 2:

· In our second section, we speak with Jim Bubb, owner of Shropshire Petals Farm in Newport, about how the Improving Farm Productivity grant has made his business more efficient with the addition of droid robots and other ways in which this has benefitted his business.

Item 3:

· In our last segment, we are joined by Rachael Dale, from RPA Geospatial Services, to discuss the launch of the new digital service, that allows you to edit your mapping information online.

· The recently launched Rural Land Changes service allows customers to notify RPA of mapping changes online, streamlining this process. This digital option for farmers, which will replace the RLE1 form, will reduce the length of time to action submissions from customers. The Rural Land Changes is more convenient, faster, and easier.

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The RPA Podcast - Episode 7 Nov 15, 2023

Show notes

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. Speaking to our expert in the RPA Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) Delivery team, Stephen Veasey, we get the answers to the most frequently asked questions RPA has received.

Stephen will be discussing the benefits of applying, looking into how the scheme has been created to allow all farmers to tailor to the needs of their land and actions that can be taken before applying, to streamline the application process. We will also discuss the number of accepted applications and offers in the pipeline. This figure was correct at time of recording but will increase over the coming weeks.

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The RPA Podcast - Episode 6 Aug 03, 2023

Show notes

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 Services, talks us through how to update land details and why it is essential to do so as soon as possible, to ensure there are no delays to receiving agri-environmental grants. We also discuss how the process of updating land data has been simplified and how it will soon be possible to amend land details online.

Finally, we hear from Helen, from New Hall Farm in South Yorkshire, about her educational farm visits and their benefits, along with how her recommendations helped to improve the Farm Visit Declaration Form, which is completed by agreement holders before and during each visit.

The RPA Podcast is an opportunity to engage with farmers and land managers in a new way, and we encourage you to reach out to us with suggestions of particular topics that you’d like us to cover with our subject experts. You can e-mail us at External.Affairs@rpa.gov.uk.

Follow us on Twitter @ruralpay
Sign up for our blog at blog.gov.uk
Facebook: facebook.com/RuralPaymentsAgency
YouTube: Rural Payments Agency

By following and subscribing to our social channels and blog, you’ll be able to see the latest updates about important information.

Follow us on Twitter @ruralpay
Sign up for our blog at blog.gov.uk
Facebook: facebook.com/RuralPaymentsAgency
YouTube: Rural Payments Agency

By following and subscribing to our social channels and blog, you’ll be able to see the latest updates about important information.

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