So bps soon to be 0 what’s that going to do for the average farm, are they basically finished now.
Adapt and overcome seems to be the Mantra of some.
Part time farming, with jobs off-farm maybe? I remember chatting with a German farmer back in the late 80s near Stuttgart where I was staying with a friend. He farmed 40-50ha (I think) with some cattle, sugarbeet and a bit of arable for the cereals to feed the stock.... and worked in a car parts factory in the day.
Be more efficient we are told. ELMS will be arriving in 2024 but don’t expect that to make up the shortfall
The 80’s have gone and I would like to think we’ve got a little bit more sensible since then.
I for one wouldn’t spend a week in a car factory to then turn round and produce cheap food at cost for the world on weekends - got to be abit of an idiot to do so.
I think that by the time ELMS kicks in it will be too late. I can't see too many farmers being motivated by limited money and extra cost when their businesses are in a worse position than today.
I think that individual farmers need to be making their moves now, based on your overview which I believe is spot on.
I would say reading between the lines the direction of travel is reasonably clear (even if the details aren’t)...... It’s just not the one we are used to, or want, so there is a lot of trying not to see it and hoping something changes in the meantime.This is true. Sadly there is much uncertainty and a lack of a clear direction which is encouraging farmers to not do this.
If the country wish for food - pay for it properly.
If the country wish to have land as parks - pay for it properly.
Currently, neither system appears to exist.
Farmers will happily respond if they know which side their bread is buttered. Currently the bread is an unknown.......let alone the butter!
Be under no illusions, ELMS will be no replacement to BPS income, it will do little more than cover costs and potential income forgone for the options taken.I think that by the time ELMS kicks in it will be too late. I can't see too many farmers being motivated by limited money and extra cost when their businesses are in a worse position than today.
You have hit the nail right in the middle with that statement.This is true. Sadly there is much uncertainty and a lack of a clear direction which is encouraging farmers to not do this.
If the country wish for food - pay for it properly.
If the country wish to have land as parks - pay for it properly.
Currently, neither system appears to exist.
Farmers will happily respond if they know which side their bread is buttered. Currently the bread is an unknown.......let alone the butter!
Be more efficient we are told. ELMS will be arriving in 2024 but don’t expect that to make up the shortfall
Cant wait too see the day the LL is paying us to Farm there Land then... if thats the case... YeessshhhFarms that are unprofitable without BPS and that are unwilling to get involved with ELMS won't have much choice but to let out their land (BPS reductions will have to come off rent). Easy enough with arable as apparently the big boys will keep growing and don't need subs. Permanent pasture/marginal ground may not attract much if any rent in some areas. Convert the sheds to storage/units/offices etc. The farmer potters about keeping things tidy.
That's the best realistically achievable outcome I can see for the average small farm that relies on BPS
Its not all the LL that should be taking this hit but poss because the BPS is all too do with the earning cap of the holding there the 1st in the firing line iam afraidFarms that are unprofitable without BPS and that are unwilling to get involved with ELMS won't have much choice but to let out their land (BPS reductions will have to come off rent). Easy enough with arable as apparently the big boys will keep growing and don't need subs. Permanent pasture/marginal ground may not attract much if any rent in some areas. Convert the sheds to storage/units/offices etc. The farmer potters about keeping things tidy.
That's the best realistically achievable outcome I can see for the average small farm that relies on BPS
Anyone who makes no changes and carries on business as usual (far too many I suspect) is going to run out of money fairly quicklyIts not all the LL that should be taking this hit but poss because the BPS is all too do with the earning cap of the holding there the 1st in the firing line iam afraid
all the Input boys starting with the Machinery Men then the Agchem/Fert boys all gonna feel the draft of this huge change to UK farming
Most of them clueless atm
Its quite simple for us to somehow survive inputs right across the board have to be cut
How & why is a minefield tho