OAKBANK NEWS AND BLOG

August is a critical month for game cover management. By now, the season’s early optimism has given way to reality: some plots look...

Version 3 of the Woodland Carbon Code (WCC), the quality assurance standard for verifying woodland carbon credits in the UK, was unveiled...

Herbal leys are more than just a latest fashion in livestock grazing swards - they play a strategic role in arable rotations, delivering...

Discover how to make the most of the England Woodland Creation Offer (EWCO) including tree survival during extreme drought - with innovative mulching, GPS planning and sustainable grant-backed solutions.

Harper Adams placement student Louise Webster reflects on her year with Oakbank - from woodland planning and environmental surveys to Groundswell and social media strategy.

Maximising IPM and soil health with well-designed companion crops under IPM3 / CIPM3. Establishment guidance, research and practical tips.

[APPLICATIONS NOW CLOSED] Defra's offer of £150m capital grants for farm investment in England.

With hot, dry days dominating much of the UK and some combines already rolling across the South and East before the end of June, many...

Local Nature Recovery Strategies (LNRSs)  are spatial plans, stemming from the Environment Act 2021, to drive habitat restoration, nature-based solutions and environmental improvements across England. With nature in decline (e.g. species studied across the UK have declined on average by 19% since 1970) and in the context of national targets for reversing this decline, LNRSs should provide locally led roadmaps showing where best outcomes (i.e. most needed and most likely to su

There is no hiding the fact that our wildlife is in need of some help. In the UK, 41% of species have experienced declines since 1970. Farmland birds have been some of the hardest hit, with an overall 56% decline in populations in the same 50 years. Corn bunting, grey partridge, turtle dove and tree sparrow have all declined by over 90%, with the turtle dove fast approaching extinction in the UK. As farmers, gamekeepers, and land managers, many are well placed to contribute t

Join us for the Cover Crop Clinic - begging you for MERCI session at Groundswell this year

What is a living mulch? A living mulch typically consists of low-growing plants - often clovers or another legume - sown between or...

We held our second annual demonstration evening at Pilsgate, Stamford, on the 4th June 2025. An audience of almost 100 people gathers in...

At Hadleigh Castle, a new chapter in the landscape's history is unfolding. Beneath its ancient ruins, over 100 hectares of tired arable land are being transformed into vibrant wetland through a Higher-Tier Countryside Stewardship project. Designed to support lapwing, redshank and other wildlife, the scheme blends ecology with regenerative farming, using native grazing livestock, predator-proof fencing, and expertly crafted habitats.

The term " regenerative agriculture " has rapidly gained traction in recent years, for better or for worse, but what does it really mean?...

In a previous article, I discussed the statutory duty of care that landowners in the UK have in relation to trees on their land. I...

[Latest update]: 'Barringer's Army' will be attempting to complete the National Three Peaks Challenge - by climbing Ben Nevis, Scafell...

What exactly is a weed?  In basic terms, the term 'weed' refers to any plant growing in an unwanted location, whether that’s in a garden...