CLM Ltd

2024 – A year in Birds Each January we collate the records of birds sighted over the previous 12 months. 2024 has been an exceptional year, with a total of 148 species observed, some in huge numbers, others passing through. Of these 77 (52%) had conservation status, 13 were new entrants into the all-time list bringing the total on that list to 177 with 95 having conservation status.   We were very excited in May to welcome a pair of White Storks for a week or so, while work by Rachel Bicker for the Scrubland Superheroes Project identified 2 pairs of breeding Nightingales, a first for Iford, and a sighting of an American Golden Plover over the summer was surely one of the rarest records. As usual the diversity of raptors was astounding, with Marsh and Hen Harriers regularly seen, Barn Owls appear to have had a recovery after the bird flu of 2022 and 2023 and the kites and buzzards are never far away. The receding flood waters in the spring created ideal breeding habitats for lapwing, greenshank and a probable redshank as well, with numbers far exceeding anything we’ve noted before. Ironically many of the chicks were used as hunting practice for the juvenile Peregrines – nature is a cruel beast! There is no doubt that Iford is a key stopping point for migrants as they make their journey south, waves of migrants come and go throughout the Autumn, while residents seem to be thriving on the diverse habitats found on the Estate. Ongoing work to create new habitats and enhance existing ones can only help, and as our BNG scheme gathers pace we are looking forward to more and more sightings in the years to come. CLM Ltd Graeme Lyons Anthony Weston Sarah Westbrook South Downs National Park Authority Neve Clatworthy Photo credit - Ben Taylor, Brian Cox

𝗔𝘀𝘀𝗼𝗰𝗶𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗼𝗳 𝗜𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗽𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗖𝗿𝗼𝗽 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘀𝘂𝗹𝘁𝗮𝗻𝘁𝘀 𝗧𝗲𝗰𝗵𝗻𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗳𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 Last week CLM’s Oli Pilbeam attended the three-day AICC (Association of Independent Crop Consultants) technical conference, where all things #agronomy, #technology, #sustainability and #policy were discussed with leading industry experts. Oli recounted his highlights from the event: “Despite the 2023/24 season being the most challenging for over 50 years due to extreme weather and high crop disease, it did serve up some interesting trial results when new chemistry was put to the extreme test. Study results were shared on the viability of break crops, this was analysed and discussions were hosted around ideas and experience on how #SFI crops could help or hinder farm performance on the ground. Finishing with a panel debate on the future of agricultural land use, we had insightful talks from Ben Abell - Head of Agronomy at Dyson Farming Farming, David Exwood - NFU (National Farmers' Union) Vice President, Professor Paul Wilson - Director for University of Nottingham Food Policy and Peter Craven - Head of Agriculture at Natural England .”

𝗗𝗘𝗙𝗥𝗔 𝗮𝗻𝗻𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗰𝗲𝘀 𝘂𝗽𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗖𝗼𝘂𝗻𝘁𝗿𝘆𝘀𝗶𝗱𝗲 𝗦𝘁𝗲𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗱𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽 𝗛𝗶𝗴𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝗧𝗶𝗲𝗿 (𝗖𝗦𝗛𝗧) 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗦𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝗙𝗮𝗿𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗜𝗻𝗰𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 (𝗦𝗙𝗜) DEFRA announced updates to the new Countryside Stewardship Higher Tier (CSHT) and existing Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) schemes via a webinar on January 8th. While there are still many unanswered questions, it’s put more flesh on the bones of what the schemes are offering.   💡 To date, Defra has officially announced 132 actions (25 of which are new) and 151 capital items, all of which will be available in CSHT. Alongside this, there are 14 new SFI endorsed actions which will be available from summer 2025.    💡 The aim of the new and improved management actions is to be more flexible and less prescriptive. 59 of the actions are similar to actions available in SFI, these are to be included in CSHT so agreements can easily be tailored to the site.   💡 For existing agreement holders, those with CSHT agreements which expired in 2024 (not including woodland) will be offered five- or ten-year mirror CSHT agreements. Further to this, two-year extensions are being offered to those with HLS agreements which expired in 2024. Finally, one- or two-year extensions will be offered to those with an agreement ending in 2025.   💡 The application window for CSHT will open in summer 2025, but will be by invitation only, and there will be a focus on people who have developed woodland management plans or completed feasibility studies.    💡 In February, DEFRA is expected to announce how and when those not invited can apply for new CSHT. It was announced that woodland management plan holders (those which began in 2023 up to the end of 2024) who have not applied for woodland HT will be prioritised, and that they are working through this list in date order.   💡 It has been announced that the new CSHT scheme will be non-competitive. This means there is no scoring system as previously was the case. Defra is only considering applications from people who either have an existing woodland management plan or have completed a feasibility study, as this is how they will judge which applications will deliver the highest environmental benefit.   💡 Additionally, the revenue payments under CSHT will now be paid in quarterly instalments, similarly to those under SFI. If you’d like to discuss support with your Countryside Stewardship Higher Tier (CSHT) or Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) schemes get in touch by calling 𝟬𝟭𝟴𝟵𝟮 𝟳𝟳𝟬𝟯𝟯𝟵 or visit 𝘄𝘄𝘄.𝗰-𝗹-𝗺.𝗰𝗼.𝘂𝗸 #defra #agrienvironment #ruralgrant #sfi #highertier #ruralconsultancy

Everyone at CLM would like to wish all our clients, past and present, a very Merry Christmas! 🎄 🎁

𝗖𝗟𝗠 𝗪𝗿𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗲𝗱 𝗷𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗱. So, what have we been up to? #wrapped #yearinreview #ruralconsultancy

🎄 𝗖𝗟𝗠 𝗟𝘁𝗱’𝘀 𝟭𝟮 𝗗𝗮𝘆𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗖𝗵𝗿𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗺𝗮𝘀 🎄 Today marks the final day of our 12 days of Christmas, where each day we share one of the services we provide, centred on helping our clients make the most effective use of their property and resources.   ✨ 𝗗𝗮𝘆 𝟭𝟮 – 𝗙𝗮𝗿𝗺 𝗖𝗹𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘀 ✨   When times are hard and the political focus is rapidly changing, it is good to come together to share knowledge, learn from professionals and collaborate on innovative solutions.   At CLM, we go the extra mile to support the farming community by facilitating farm clusters across the country to provide collective action with tackling the most important environmental issues.   We currently facilitate 5 farm clusters: 👨🌾Eastern South Downs 👩🌾Upper Ouse 👨🌾Middle Ouse 👩🌾1066 👨🌾Swale     𝗢𝘂𝗿 𝘀𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗶𝗰𝗲𝘀: ✨Creating and facilitating a Countryside Stewardship Facilitation Fund Group ✨Creating bespoke groups focused on specific problems ✨Project development and management ✨Ecological surveying ✨Event management ✨Training in environmental matters, including SFI, CSS and BNG ✨Engagement with funding bodies ✨Grant support     If you like the sound of our Farm Cluster services above, get in touch by calling 𝟬𝟭𝟴𝟵𝟮 𝟳𝟳𝟬𝟯𝟯𝟵 or visit 𝘄𝘄𝘄.𝗰-𝗹-𝗺.𝗰𝗼.𝘂𝗸     #farmcluster #facilitationfund #farmingcommunity #farminggroups

🎄 𝗖𝗟𝗠 𝗟𝘁𝗱’𝘀 𝟭𝟮 𝗗𝗮𝘆𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗖𝗵𝗿𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗺𝗮𝘀 🎄 Today marks the eleventh day of our 12 days of Christmas, where each day we share one of the services we provide, centred on helping our clients make the most effective use of their property and resources.   ✨ 𝗗𝗮𝘆 𝟭𝟭 - 𝗟𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗽𝗲𝗿𝘁𝘆 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗲𝗿𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗹𝗲𝘁𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴/ 𝗺𝗮𝗻𝗮𝗴𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 ✨   We manage a portfolio of commercial property, providing a range of services from helping you find the perfect tenant to a full management option.   We’ll give you peace of mind, knowing you’re meeting your legal obligations and are generating the best possible income from your asset, whether that’s a piece of agricultural land or a commercial premises.   Whether you’re a landlord with a sizeable town or country portfolio, a light industrial building or a small parcel of agricultural land you wish to let, we’ll make your property work for you.     𝗢𝘂𝗿 𝘀𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗶𝗰𝗲𝘀: ✨Tenant finding and referencing ✨Tenancy agreements ✨Deposit management ✨Property inspections ✨Meetings/viewings with prospective tenants ✨Arranging repairs and safety certification including EPCs and Gas Safety Certificates ✨Arranging professional cleans and inventory ✨Access to local, fully insured and vetted contractors ✨Serving legal notices and carrying out rent arrears procedure     If you like the sound of our Land and Property Commercial letting/ management services above, get in touch by calling 𝟬𝟭𝟴𝟵𝟮 𝟳𝟳𝟬𝟯𝟯𝟵 or visit 𝘄𝘄𝘄.𝗰-𝗹-𝗺.𝗰𝗼.𝘂𝗸     #commercialpropertymanagement #lettings #tenancyagreements #propertyinspection  

🎄 𝗖𝗟𝗠 𝗟𝘁𝗱’𝘀 𝟭𝟮 𝗗𝗮𝘆𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗖𝗵𝗿𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗺𝗮𝘀 🎄 Today marks the tenth day of our 12 days of Christmas, where each day we share one of the services we provide, centred on helping our clients make the most effective use of their property and resources.   ✨ 𝗗𝗮𝘆 𝟭𝟬 – 𝗙𝗮𝗿𝗺 𝗔𝗱𝘃𝗶𝘀𝗼𝗿𝘆 𝗦𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗶𝗰𝗲𝘀 ✨   Our friendly and efficient team are well versed in providing advice to farmers, producers, and rural businesses on a range of business management strategies.   We can help, whether you have a query about a piece of legislation, need guidance on grant funding, help with budgeting, advice on cost analysis, assistance with joint ventures, or support with agronomic and livestock decisions.     𝗢𝘂𝗿 𝘀𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗶𝗰𝗲𝘀: ✨‘Boots on the ground’ farm management support ✨Environmental management guidance with SFI & CSS support schemes and capital grants ✨Assistance with Succession planning ✨Recruitment support ✨Business appraisals and due diligence  ✨Detailed farm budgets, including net farm income, Profit and Loss, balance sheets, gross margins & cashflow ✨Monthly or quarterly Profit and Loss variance reporting ✨Practical livestock husbandry advice  ✨Independent crop management agronomy advice      If you like the sound of our Farm Advisory services above, get in touch by calling 𝟬𝟭𝟴𝟵𝟮 𝟳𝟳𝟬𝟯𝟯𝟵 or visit 𝘄𝘄𝘄.𝗰-𝗹-𝗺.𝗰𝗼.𝘂𝗸     #farmadvice #profitandloss #successionplanning #farmmanagement #farmbudget #agronomy

🎄 𝗖𝗟𝗠 𝗟𝘁𝗱’𝘀 𝟭𝟮 𝗗𝗮𝘆𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗖𝗵𝗿𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗺𝗮𝘀 🎄 Today marks the ninth day of our 12 days of Christmas, where each day we share one of the services we provide, centred on helping our clients make the most effective use of their property and resources.   ✨ 𝗗𝗮𝘆 𝟵 – 𝗪𝗼𝗼𝗱𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗱𝘀 ✨   Interest in woodland and forestry is growing, with UK-grown timber in strong demand and climate change mitigation a big priority.   Deciduous and coniferous plantations can generate income, attract grant funding, provide private and public enjoyment, sporting benefits and boost the capital value of your land.   We can help you rejuvenate neglected woods and create new ones, from small amenity parcels to larger agro-forestry operations and commercial plantings, making them an integral part of your rural enterprises.     𝗢𝘂𝗿 𝘀𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗶𝗰𝗲𝘀: ✨Advice on woodland creation, management and harvesting ✨Woodland management plans ✨Grants ✨Ecological surveys and reports ✨Viability reports ✨Woodland-related diversification projects ✨Management for biodiversity and conservation ✨Sales and acquisitions ✨Amenity site creation     If you like the sound of our woodland services above, get in touch by calling 𝟬𝟭𝟴𝟵𝟮 𝟳𝟳𝟬𝟯𝟯𝟵 or visit 𝘄𝘄𝘄.𝗰-𝗹-𝗺.𝗰𝗼.𝘂𝗸   #woodlandmanagement #woodlandgrants #woodlandcreation #forestry

🎄 𝗖𝗟𝗠 𝗟𝘁𝗱’𝘀 𝟭𝟮 𝗗𝗮𝘆𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗖𝗵𝗿𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗺𝗮𝘀 🎄 Today marks the eighth day of our 12 days of Christmas, where each day we share one of the services we provide, centred on helping our clients make the most effective use of their property and resources.   ✨𝗗𝗮𝘆 𝟴 – 𝗕𝗶𝗼𝗱𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗡𝗲𝘁 𝗚𝗮𝗶𝗻✨ Our team includes in-house experts accredited with the Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management (CIEEM), planning specialists, and farm and estate management consultants, so can offer a complete suite of services.   Having been selected to be involved with one of Natural England’s nine pilot projects to help establish the legislative framework for BNG, we have been close to the market from the start and involved in a raft of agreements.   We also have decades of experience of farm habitats and stewardship agreements at individual farm level, as well as with ‘cluster groups’ and landscape-scale habitat schemes.   Whether your primary aim is to fulfil a statutory obligation or to go ‘above and beyond’ because of your commitment to the environment, working with us allows you to focus on doing what you do best, knowing the BNG element is in safe hands.   𝗢𝘂𝗿 𝘀𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗶𝗰𝗲𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗙𝗮𝗿𝗺𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗟𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗼𝘄𝗻𝗲𝗿𝘀: ✨Identify opportunities ✨Calculate your baseline ✨Model habitat creation ✨Carry out introductions, negotiations and contracts ✨Help with delivery   𝗢𝘂𝗿 𝘀𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗶𝗰𝗲𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗗𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹𝗼𝗽𝗲𝗿𝘀: ✨Help you understand your site from a biodiversity perspective ✨Connect you with farmers and landowners ✨Design and aid delivery of habitat enhancement and creation ✨A full solution in-house     If you like the sound of our Biodiversity Net Gain services above, get in touch by calling 𝟬𝟭𝟴𝟵𝟮 𝟳𝟳𝟬𝟯𝟯𝟵 or visit 𝘄𝘄𝘄.𝗰-𝗹-𝗺.𝗰𝗼.𝘂𝗸     #BiodiversityNetGain #SmallSites #StatutoryMetric #HabitatEnhancement #CIEEM