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The Dorset National Landscape, formerly known as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB), has released its draft Management Plan for 2026–2031. The plan outlines a vision for the region, focusing on priorities for landscape management, community engagement, and planning. A public consultation is now open and will close on 22 September 2025. Stakeholders and residents are encouraged to review the draft and share their views. »Ê¼Ò»ªÈËwill be submitting a response, and members wishing to contribute should contact [email protected]. The draft plan and consultation details are available online for public access and feedback.

In recent months, members of the Hardy Farmers breakfast group have explored a promising new form of political engagement - direct dialogue with local Labour Party branches - and the results have been striking.

It began with an invitation to Bridport Labour Party. Their response was swift and open: representatives attended a meeting, listened carefully to concerns about farming policy, and engaged in constructive discussion. The dialogue went so well that both sides agreed to hold a public meeting in Bridport. Over 100 people attended, and what could have been a tense exchange turned into a positive experience. Even some of the more left-wing attendees who had intended to challenge the speakers opted instead to listen - and in some cases, voice their support. Unite the Union also contributed, highlighting the shared concern for rural jobs and the wider economy.

The group then engaged with Yeovil Labour Party, who likewise responded promptly and positively. After their visit, they followed up by relaying the group’s concerns to government. This resulted in direct communication from Farming Minister Daniel Zeichner - a testament to the impact of local political engagement.

These experiences underline a simple truth: when local party members hear directly from farmers, the message gains authenticity and weight. It becomes part of their narrative and can eventually reach the top.

There’s growing interest in engaging with members of the Co-operative Party, which has long operated in tandem with Labour. With 43 MPs and 15 peers, they could become important allies, especially given that many are more receptive to rural issues than the wider party. Although their presence in the South West is limited, building connections where possible is a logical next step.

This initiative doesn’t aim to replace national lobbying by the NFU, but to complement it through local-level pressure. Where MPs are already advocating for farming, it’s important not to undermine those relationships - but in other areas, engaging directly with Labour constituency parties could prove to be a valuable strategy.

The Hardy Farmers experience suggests that when farmers speak directly to the grassroots, real understanding and progress can follow.

In Dorset, the recent reintroduction of beavers, under license, at Purbeck has sparked both hope and concern among NFU members.

While conservationists hail the move as a milestone for ecosystem restoration, farmers are wary of the potential disruption to productive land.

Beavers, known for their dam-building, can transform landscapes by creating wetlands that boost biodiversity and potentially slowing the flow of watercourses. However, past experiences in Scotland have shown that unmanaged beaver activity can damage riverbanks and farmland, leading to costly repairs.

To address these concerns, Natural England has provided a statutory guidance in a five-step approach that should be followed to manage and mitigate any impacts and land managers are encouraged to engage with beaver management groups.

However, it has also emerged that some beavers have been released illegally, raising concerns about unregulated impacts and the need for robust monitoring and enforcement.

Locally the NFU remains cautious, urging careful monitoring to prevent economic losses. As Dorset adapts to living with beavers, the balance between nature recovery and agricultural sustainability will be key.

For farmers, the success of this initiative hinges on collaboration, transparency, and effective mitigation strategies.

»Ê¼Ò»ªÈËhas submitted a detailed response to Dorset Council’s consultation on the Local Nature Recovery Strategy (LNRS), reinforcing the vital role of farmers and landowners in shaping and delivering nature recovery across the county.

»Ê¼Ò»ªÈËhas been actively involved in the development of the Dorset LNRS through the farmer and landowner engagement working group. While the NFU welcomed the opportunity to contribute and encouraged members to respond individually, it also highlighted the need for clearer guidance on how LNRS mapping could affect planning and land use decisions.

In its response, the NFU emphasised that agriculture must be recognised as a keystone activity in the countryside. Farms not only produce food, fibre, and energy but also play a central role in environmental stewardship. The LNRS must support, not hinder, farm businesses in their efforts to diversify, modernise, and access both public and private environmental funding.

Key recommendations included:

• Early and transparent engagement with farmers throughout the strategy’s development.
• Recognition of existing and planned environmental contributions by farmers.
• Use of sound, ground-truth scientific data.
• Sensible and flexible mapping that avoids unintended consequences for productive land.
• Ensuring access to funding opportunities through ELMs and private markets.
• Consideration of the impact on farm infrastructure and planning.
• Careful selection of priority species and actions to avoid negative effects on food production.
• Respect for farmer choice and data privacy.
• Coordination across LNRS boundaries to reflect the reality of farm businesses.

We will continue to work with Dorset Council and other stakeholders to ensure that the LNRS is practical, fair, and supportive of the farming community’s role in nature recovery.

is open until 30 July.

Hemsworth Farm, nestled in the heart of Witchampton, Dorset, recently hosted a visit from the Farming Community Network (FCN), offering a valuable opportunity to explore the workings of one of the region’s leading organic dairy farms.

Run by Sophie Alexander, the 500-hectare farm is a beacon of sustainable agriculture, combining arable and dairy operations with a strong commitment to biodiversity and regenerative practices.

At the core of Hemsworth’s dairy enterprise is a herd of 240 Viking Red cows, contract farmed by Roaming Dairy Ltd. The cows calve in a spring block and are grazed on herbal leys, with outwintering also taking place on these diverse pastures.

The farm’s innovative approach includes silage mixes rich in clover and vetch, and plans for silvopasture to enhance animal welfare and environmental resilience.

FCN’s visit focused on the farm’s holistic management and the challenges and opportunities facing organic producers. Discussions highlighted the importance of mental health support in farming, especially in systems that demand high levels of planning and adaptability.

Sophie shared insights into the farm’s biodiversity initiatives, including 28 km of hedgerows, extensive buffer strips, and woodland expansion.

The visit also showcased Hemsworth’s involvement in agri-tech innovation, such as remote biodiversity monitoring projects that track pollinator activity and birdlife. These efforts underline the farm’s role as a model for integrating technology with traditional farming values.

FCN praised the openness and forward-thinking ethos at Hemsworth Farm, noting the importance of peer support and knowledge sharing in building resilient farming communities.

As organic farming continues to evolve, Hemsworth stands out as a testament to what’s possible when ecological stewardship and community engagement go hand in hand.

Dorset’s Police and Crime Commissioner, David Sidwick, held an online meeting of key stakeholders to discuss the latest developments in rural crime prevention and community resilience across Dorset.

The session opened with a focus on Country Watch (CW), a growing initiative aimed at supporting rural communities through better communication, visibility, and partnership.

Attendees heard updates on the CW website, which now features local news, an events calendar, and a dedicated QR code for easy access. New signage and consistent use of the CW logo across social media and community events are helping to raise awareness. Importantly, partners were encouraged to actively promote CW and explore how it can support their own efforts to build resilience in rural areas.

The conversation then turned to rural resources, highlighting the role of the Rural Crime Team (RCT), national policing bodies like the NPCC, and specialist units and were praised for their growing membership and impact. The group also discussed how partnership resources are being used to tackle rural crime more effectively.

Helen Fletcher from the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner (OPCC) provided valuable insights into strategic priorities, while Dorset Police representatives Adam Gill and Andy Turtle shared operational updates.

Dorset Police presented new farm packs designed to support local landowners, alongside a demonstration of how drones are being used to monitor remote areas and deter criminal activity.

The meeting closed with a shared commitment to collaboration and innovation in protecting Dorset’s rural communities.

At the end of May we met with David Sidwick, Police and Crime commissioner for Dorset. 

The key headlines from the discussion include:

Fly-tipping
Dorset Council has an enforcement officer, Chris Burch, who is partially funded by the PPC and who's sole role is to investigate fly-tipping. 

He is urging all farmers and landowners to report fly-tipping events. All reported will be reviewed and investigated by his team. 

Where you have previously experienced fly-tipping, Chris has produced some signage which can be displayed to reduce future events. If you would like a sign or two then please contact Chris directly. 

Report a fly-tip

Reporting Intelligence
The rural crime team updated the group on the process they follow when intelligence is reported to them. You can report intelligence through the single online reporting system used by Dorset Police. This will be picked up by the rural crime team and helps them to build an intelligence picture. 

You can also report rural crime , rather than waiting on the phone for 101.

Stay updated
To stay up to date with the latest reports from the rural crime team, including  rural crime information, .
 

Members in South Dorset joined us for a meeting with their Labour back bench MP, Lloyd Hatton on Friday 27 June. 

The changes to Inheritance tax featured very highly on the agenda with Lloyd agreeing to write to the Treasury to highlight the concern of his constituents. In the meantime, Lloyd asked for constituents to continue to feed in examples of the impact these changes will have on their farm businesses. 

Other topics discussed included the closure of SFI and the need for urgency in the creation of the new scheme to allow farmers to plan. It was made clear to Lloyd that confidence in the sector is low and there is no longer any trust in the Government. 

Food security was also touched on, with the need for a long-term strategy to support the sector. Lloyd agreed and promised to provide the group with more detail on the Government’s commitment to procuring 50% British in the public sector. 

Lloyd reported to the group that he has been working hard to secure funding for the Dorset studio school rebuild, he recognised the importance of this the school as a feeder for KMC and likewise was keen to work with the industry to make sure that the college is fulfilling the counties educational needs especially with regard to agricultural apprenticeships. 

Lloyd agreed to meet with us again in the winter and in the meantime asked his constituents to get in touch or attend one of his surgeries or coffee mornings to engage further.
 

It was great to see faces from across the county at the health and safety day in June. 

Those who attended heard from speakers on topics including machinery and road safety, Fire safety, CPR awareness, HSE investigations, mental health and overhead power cables. 

County chair Tim introduced the day and shared a story of his own near miss; an important reminder of the need take care and think about what we do and how we do it. 

Throughout the summer we’re supporting the ‘Take 5, Stay Alive’ campaign; over the busy harvest period do take five minutes to pause, to think, and to take care of your physical and mental wellbeing. Thanks must go to all speakers and to the Cox family for hosting us once again. 

We are always keen to make sure members get the most out of our events, please complete the feedback form and let us know which topics you would like included for next year. 
 

Bovine TB continues to pose a significant challenge for local farmers, with the county remaining in England’s High Risk Area. 

The latest government statistics show ongoing herd breakdowns, prompting continued six-monthly testing and strict movement controls. The badger cull remains in place while a full review of the national TB strategy is underway, and farmers are encouraged to maintain robust biosecurity measures. 

From 15 July 2025, new legislation will expand the geographic scope of TB control and enhance information sharing, helping farmers better understand local risks. 

On 16 June, the NFU elected James Cossins, former County Chair, to lead Dorset’s Bovine TB Management Group - bringing local experience and leadership to the forefront of the fight against the disease. 

While the emotional and financial strain of TB remains high, these changes aim to improve disease management and transparency. Farmers are urged to stay engaged with APHA and local advisers for support.