Climate scheme options

[Bossfarmer]

Looking at picking a climate change scheme option which is reasonably easy to do and good return, what are everyones thoughts on this, leaving stubble unploughed till march looks a good earner?

 

[colhonk]

?

 

[Colin]

If only it was that easy, you will need to choose a few options to get enough points to get in, they all pay quite well but you need to commit a good % of your ground to the scheme, again to gain more points. They have cut back the amount you can put in overwintered stubble but you could also have overwintered stubble followed by green cover which looks like a good earner. Tie that in with some unharvested conservation headlands, hedge management, watercourse protection and beetle banks and you might stand a chance.

 

[Archie]

10ha is maximum you can put in over wintered stubbles.

As @Colin says you have to do a selection from various other options to stand a chance of gaining enough points to get in.

Think 14 points was cut off point in first round. Expect it will be nearer 18-20 next time as more people try and get in and advisors get more of a handle on how the scoring works.

 

[Colin]

The thing is I don't think there was even a guide to what points you would get for each thing last time! We didn't apply but over 2000 acres I reckoned we could be up to £50k/year! But a scheme as big as that starts to affect your flexibility to do actual farming after you allow for greening etc.

 

[billboy 1]

Is this the new stewardship scheme

 

[Bossfarmer]

10ha is maximum you can put in over wintered stubbles.

As @Colin says you have to do a selection from various other options to stand a chance of gaining enough points to get in.

Think 14 points was cut off point in first round. Expect it will be nearer 18-20 next time as more people try and get in and advisors get more of a handle on how the scoring works.

would that be 10 ha at the rate of £299 per year or is the £299 per ha split over the 5 years?

thanks

 

[Sandy]

We applied last year did everything right had more points than we needed and still didn't get in

 

[Colin]

would that be 10 ha at the rate of £299 per year or is the £299 per ha split over the 5 years?

thanks

Per year

 

[Bossfarmer]

could be a no brainer to put 10 ha down for that then?

 

[Archie]

could be a no brainer to put 10 ha down for that then?

Could be. Depends on your farm.
Like @Colin says a lot of the other options you would need to do to gain the points are things that you would otherwise put down for EFA greening but if you have enough areas to do both without creating too much extra hassle for yourself go for it.

 

[Archie]

Is this the new stewardship scheme

In Scotland, yes.

 

[Lincsman]

In Scotland, yes.

So this will change the climate up there then... too warmer or colder??

 

[Crex]

Closing date for this round is 20th April, so you need to get your arse in gear.

 

[Bossfarmer]

agreed, does anyone understand the points system seems a bit complicated?

 

[Crex]

agreed, does anyone understand the points system seems a bit complicated?

Some bits are, some aren't. Do you have any designated sites near by? SSSIs and the like?