Bps/sfi
- Thread starter Gedd
- Start date
- Location
- Lincolnshire
My mission is to manage with zero sub going forward. And I’m enjoying the challenge. If it means doing a few shifts in Tescos then I’d rather do that than complicate the farm or eat into productive effort or capacity with some half arsed poxy scheme.
To a certain extent SFI isn't actually that great as you have to spend ever so much to get something back
Get sub in December and give 40 % back in January ! I will be able to manage without it and will be pushing productivity harder to make up for the shortfall.
- Location
- Exeter, Devon
BPS was the bottom line, SFI (payment for income forgone) will add little if anything to the bottom line. As @DrWazzock says, the irony of SFI is that it will push many into more intensive production.
Flatland guy
Member
- Location
- Lincolnshire
Basically machinery will have to last longer in this case, streamlining a couple of things to give more time in winter to refurbishing machinery/ overhaul engines etc. Prior to harvest really studied/costed things out and could not make it stack up(may be able to get some pounds) but decided not worth the aggravation. We will see how things pan out, could enter at a later stage if circumstances alter.
I would not say intensive production, more a case of less spending which might hurt supply trade more, anyway soon find out now.
is that a bad thing ? produce food more intensifying where soils / climate suits and off set with subs to improve environment on land where soils / climates make that economic food production more marginal or even impossible ?
…… i suspect this is very intentional
- Location
- Exeter, Devon
It wouldn’t be a bad thing if it was balanced across all sectors, but when it’s so skewed in favour of arable and against livestock it won’t work.
Who will buy all that feed grain in 10 years time?
lot of arable will go out of production (33% here will and im sure i won’t be alone in that !) and we already export feed wheat so uk has been long short of enough livestock to eat it
i’m not saying this is good. …….. but it is reality
unless output / input prices change significantly i wouldn’t be surprised if uk osr and bean acreage was less than 100k acres within the next few years - i just can see no reason to grow these crops anymore when there are sfi options that offer greater gross margin risk free ?
- Location
- Exeter, Devon
I think my point is that those most in need of support are those least likely to get it. If the support isn’t there, alternative sources of income need finding and many will try intensifying production first.
Flatland guy
Member
- Location
- Lincolnshire
The only thing i would say is that marginal poorer soils/climate are not worth as much or command such a high rent therefore the investment is pro rata, owing to lower output.
My heart says it won't be there in 10 years time but I may be wrong. My impression of it is Defra/RPA are currently spending all of the money on civil servants/consultants altering things all of the time that after a few years the aims will not be really achieved and be quietly binned or altered.
Devil's advocate
Member
- Location
- Posh side of Barnsley
Arable farmers will have their own stock or a joint venture.
- Location
- Exeter, Devon
Quite possibly, but only if they’re financially viable.
Devil's advocate
Member
- Location
- Posh side of Barnsley
So more stock then? not less?
Been over stocked has seldom paid in my lifetime, especially with sheep.
livestock 1
Member
We don’t appear to be going to get anything for the offset you speak of
livestock 1
Member
Quite unlikely for many unless some of us hill farmers become staff for such like
snipe
Member
- Location
- west yorkshire
Not looked closely yet, but had a free visit from an ADAS advisor yesterday who knew less than me, what a waist of time and money. Is the an option that would be a good break and control grass weeds.
Devil's advocate
Member
- Location
- Posh side of Barnsley
Looking forward to more extensive sheep on short term herbal leys & 1st wheats. Plus lots of grants to help with the very high costs of fencing, laying on water etc.
Devil's advocate
Member
- Location
- Posh side of Barnsley
Joint ventures, already happening locally. Hill farmers buying lowland farms.