Anyone done Mid Tier themselves

[jackstor]

Raight so they,ve sent the pack but I'll be buggered if I know where to start

Read through the manual, it’ll make no sense whatsoever, then read through it again and things will start to sink in! See what options you want and take it from there.
I did ours last year, seemed very daunting, but my CSFO told me I’d manage Once you get your head around it, it’s fairly straightforward. The benefit of doing it yourself is it makes you understand the rules and specifications, it’s not a case of getting an agent to fill the application in then forgetting about it throughout the duration of the scheme.
It’s a 5 year scheme so you’ve got to be careful not to tie land parcels up if you were intending claiming on capital items in the future.

 

[steveR]

Read through the manual, it’ll make no sense whatsoever, then read through it again and things will start to sink in! See what options you want and take it from there.
I did ours last year, seemed very daunting, but my CSFO told me I’d manage Once you get your head around it, it’s fairly straightforward. The benefit of doing it yourself is it makes you understand the rules and specifications, it’s not a case of getting an agent to fill the application in then forgetting about it throughout the duration of the scheme.
It’s a 5 year scheme so you’ve got to be careful not to tie land parcels up if you were intending claiming on capital items in the future.

I am a believer of the KISS approach to Agreements, as if you make it too involved and complex, you will fall foul at times over an extended period, even if you are not caught out...

 

[bobk]

FWAG helping with the application foc , trouble is getting it to stack up financially

 

[DRC]

FWAG helping with the application foc , trouble is getting it to stack up financially

Remember you get what you pay for. A few hundred pounds spent with someone who knows what they are doing, won’t cost much per year over the lifetime of the agreement . Will the FWAG person be there for any queries, inspections or help in filling in your annual claim.

 

[bobk]

Remember you get what you pay for. A few hundred pounds spent with someone who knows what they are doing, won’t cost much per year over the lifetime of the agreement . Will the FWAG person be there for any queries, inspections or help in filling in your annual claim.

I'm going to pick everyone's brains first , my agent would charge loads for this project , therefore the rewards need to be comensurate

 

[steveR]

I am a believer of the KISS approach to Agreements, as if you make it too involved and complex, you will fall foul at times over an extended period, even if you are not caught out...

In fact I would go further, and this was agreed with 100% by an old friend who works on the other side of the fence.

Never go for Options that can be assessed subjectively. A fixed area in a block is the safest and simplest and can be easily and quickly measured by the grower. Spend a few quid keeping it right and looking good.

Always add on 2% area to allow for error, contractor driving where they shouldn't etc etc

 

[HolzKopf]

Surely you must have a friend of a friend who is either a farm secretary or works for a rural chartered surveyors that could give you a bit of telephone support if you need it. We've always done our own ELS and Mid-Tier and have picked up some useful grants.

Agree that you have to have the i's dotted and the t's crossed but it's logical and reasonably straightforward to do the applications. Also we've found the telephone agents at the RPA very helpful too.

Having said all that, if you are considering something that has good rewards, why not get some help. There's plenty out there that are conversant and if you feel your agent isn't cost effective, find someone young and on the way up who will be checked out on the process and a darn sight cheaper than the squeaky leather chair and golf club brigade. Look for someone with a new Schoffel Oakham Gilet and a pair of shiny Le Chameau Chasseur wellies

HK

 

[Farmer-George]

I’m a big believer in doing these things yourself and making sure you fully understand what the scheme is about.
Take Elms for instance, there are a lot of good options that are worth serious consideration.

 

[steveR]

I’m a big believer in doing these things yourself and making sure you fully understand what the scheme is about.
Take Elms for instance, there are a lot of good options that are worth serious consideration.

Maybe worth a read of this thread,especially the latter half before commitments to ELMS or SFI...

Natural England knows best?

Telegraph. Bill Potter. Fell ponies. ....link story to this thread please. Criminal waste of tax payer money?

thefarmingforum.co.uk

 

[bobk]

Maybe worth a read of this thread,especially the latter half before commitments to ELMS or SFI...

Natural England knows best?

Telegraph. Bill Potter. Fell ponies. ....link story to this thread please. Criminal waste of tax payer money?

thefarmingforum.co.uk

I was in 2 minds before reading that .
Got a zoom meeting tomorrow , that will be interesting . or quick

 

[steveR]

I was in 2 minds before reading that .
Got a zoom meeting tomorrow , that will be interesting . or quick

Do let us know what your thoughts are afterwards please....

There will be a lot of us looking closer at future agreement offers...

 

[DRC]

Do let us know what your thoughts are afterwards please....

There will be a lot of us looking closer at future agreement offers...

Did you get the email from Severn Trent .
Still time to do something in their spring bio diversity , but not long 18th April

 

[steveR]

Did you get the email from Severn Trent .
Still time to do something in their spring bio diversity , but not long 18th April

Went in 3 weeks ago! Whether the assessors will still love me, is a moot point. I have gone for broke and gone for a large scheme, in an attempt to avoid MT, but the reduced budget will I suspect, hurt... Main STEPS is open all year round now, so I need to sit down after doing BPS, and see if is has anything to appeal.

I had a chat with my ST Adviser and explained just why tree planting had no appeal under STEPS. When I explained to her the issues with NE and their agreements that have become apparant, she was shocked. Her understanding like most of us, was that a "Contract is a Contract!"