Farmer Innovation Fund in Wales

[SilliamWhale]

gents,

Theres a new thing in Wales called the Farmer Innovation Fund and basically they want to give it to projects to increase production efficiencies and improve the environment.

http://www.menterabusnes.co.uk/farmingconnect/farmer-innovation-fund

I'm wondering if its worth trying to do something no till related, I'm sort of struggling to see how to fit something in with their criteria but would appreciate some alternative views.

Off the top of my head I'm thinking about soil erosion, improving grassland production with DD cheaply, the problems with maize etc, improving lamb finishing or extending the season by means of looking at systems of cheap and not terribly time consuming ways of making no till systems fit in with farms to their benefit.

Any ideas? I'm not sure if it quite fits with me personally as I know what i'm trying to do on my own place but just wondering if any of you sages think there is an opportunity to do something with such a fund?

The only thing I can think of is monitoring erosion, beetle and worm numbers and soil mineral factors in a no till system at the moment.

p.s. the main idea of their funds seems to be to pay "ex-spurts" but to be honest do we need them?

 

[Jim Bullock]

Will
If you think you can get some funding for a project that is of use to you I would go for it...

Off topic: but possibly relevant: "No-Till" in the UK is seen as being extreme... however "Direct-Drilling" appears to be acceptable, probably going back to the ICI Plant Protection days.
At LAMMA I had a number of discussions with farmers that are up for direct-drilling as and when it fits in with their cropping and local conditions but are not prepared to be committed to the whole concept of No-Till... We all know that it takes time for our soils and management to adapt to C/A - Direct-Drilling. I was unaware of just how little the vast majority of growers know or understand about the concepts involved with direct-drilling probably because they have been fed all the propaganda by the chemical, fertiliser, agronomy and machinery companies.

 

[SilliamWhale]

Hi,

I'll admit I'm fairly hardcore on no till but only because for me it seems to make logical sense (bar a little bit of subsoiling here and there mainly from poor wheeling management or muck heaps). I'm lucky to have seen plenty of it in action as well so its potential is still significant I reckon. anyway i digress.

I'm not sure if the funding criteria is relavent enough to be honest on further thinking. We'll see. The best I can come up with is using it for monitoring certain parameters but not sure if I can be bothered to jump through the hoops.

 

[martian]

They want a group of farmers (ie at least two of you), but might be quite interesting to measure quality of water running off tilled land versus no-till, and quantity if you could work out a way of calculating it. I'm thinking of a photo you posted on the other forum (I think) some years ago of the clear water coming off your fields mingling with silt laden water off a (ploughed) neighbours land.

However I do agree with you, the hoop jumping usually puts me off before I get very far filling the form out.

 

[SilliamWhale]

They want a group of farmers (ie at least two of you), but might be quite interesting to measure quality of water running off tilled land versus no-till, and quantity if you could work out a way of calculating it. I'm thinking of a photo you posted on the other forum (I think) some years ago of the clear water coming off your fields mingling with silt laden water off a (ploughed) neighbours land.

However I do agree with you, the hoop jumping usually puts me off before I get very far filling the form out.

Having spoken to the person some more its really not worth it.

Money can be used to pay "consultants" and hire some kit but you the farmer cannot put in anything for expense, cost, work done etc. and then you must share all the info for free. I was thinking of trying to do a few maize trials with something like a mzuri and monitoring what happens environmentally and yield wise.

Just won't fit in really.

thanks for the suggestions though boys.

There was some interesting data from Aber uni from last year where they did some DD vs cultivation cereal crops and I think infiltration tests and yield results. They made DD look very good but the bugger who did it won't let me publicise the results.

 

[farmideas]

Thanks for posting this Will. First I've heard of it. I'd be happy to publicise it in Prac Farm Ideas which is after all concerned with innovation, without needing the support of agri-business or public money. On a wider point, please let me know of funds such as these, as the departments involved are not always so good at publicising them.

 

[SilliamWhale]

Thanks for posting this Will. First I've heard of it. I'd be happy to publicise it in Prac Farm Ideas which is after all concerned with innovation, without needing the support of agri-business or public money. On a wider point, please let me know of funds such as these, as the departments involved are not always so good at publicising them.

I think @neilo is doing something with it but more about grazing?

It will be interesting to see if there is something in the modulated money that's being diverted as well.

 

[neilo]

I think @neilo is doing something with it but more about grazing?

It will be interesting to see if there is something in the modulated money that's being diverted as well.

Yes, I'm involved in a project looking at rotational grazing of sheep. Originally we were hoping there might be a way of using the funding to finance fencing equipment and/or plate meters, either through purchase or some sort of hiring agreement. As @SilliamWhale posted though, the money can only really go into funding the FC gravy train. If you can make use of the consultancy available on that train, then this stream might be a way of accessing it, otherwise, it's a job to see how it will help financially.

Also got my name down for another group that is looking at CT scanning as a means of measuring carcass yield, which would almost all go to outside service providers too.

I reckon consultancy will be the next big growth area in Welsh agriculture, given the RDP consultation that is out now. Maybe the way forward would be for a couple of us to 'employ' Will to offer us advice on direct drilling forage crops?

 

[Penmoel]

@multi power seemed keen to become a facilitator, seems the only way to get some of this money into some ones pockets is to play them at their game.


Money cant be used on any capital items only on seeking advice really.

What can you come and mentor me on MP?

 

[multi power]

@multi power seemed keen to become a facilitator, seems the only way to get some of this money into some ones pockets is to play them at their game.


Money cant be used on any capital items only on seeking advice really.

What can you come and mentor me on MP?

well i dont know what i know about that you dont, maybe i could help you make better use of grass

 

[SilliamWhale]

Yes, I'm involved in a project looking at rotational grazing of sheep. Originally we were hoping there might be a way of using the funding to finance fencing equipment and/or plate meters, either through purchase or some sort of hiring agreement. As @SilliamWhale posted though, the money can only really go into funding the FC gravy train. If you can make use of the consultancy available on that train, then this stream might be a way of accessing it, otherwise, it's a job to see how it will help financially.

Also got my name down for another group that is looking at CT scanning as a means of measuring carcass yield, which would almost all go to outside service providers too.

I reckon consultancy will be the next big growth area in Welsh agriculture, given the RDP consultation that is out now. Maybe the way forward would be for a couple of us to 'employ' Will to offer us advice on direct drilling forage crops?

Damn good idea that old boy. I will ring Farming Connect and announce myself as a consultant

 

[Penmoel]

well i dont know what i know about that you dont, maybe i could help you make better use of grass

I am sure you can teach us something in a couple of days, we can then knock up an invoice for just under £5k between us

 

[Penmoel]

well i dont know what i know about that you dont, maybe i could help you make better use of grass

You have a PM