Field sizes/ mapping and calculation of area

[AJR75]

Morning all, hopefully this is in the correct place.

Can anyone tell me the methodology used for determining area/ field size with a view say for payments/ tenancy/ grass keep arrangements? Is it as crude as measuring the perimeter of the field or should it be inclusive of hedgerows etc etc.

 

[essexpete]

I can imagine a different answer for buying, selling, renting or claiming!

 

[AJR75]

@essexpete absolutely! I didn't know if there was an industry standard method of measure or is it literally as crude as getting on google maps and measuring?

 

[Spud]

It varies.

If it's a whole farm tenancy, then it includes everything, hedges, ditches, tracks, everything.

If it's a short term land let (for spuds for example) then it's usually plantable area, so including in field turning areas, but not cross compliance margins etc.

 

[AJR75]

Ok thanks, so in terms of land ownership and payments it would include the whole lot- that's understandable. And say for grass keep would this be the grazable area?

So how is it actually measured?

 

[solo]

Most areas will already be mapped by rural payments agency which I believe is measured to the hedge centres. There is a mapping tool on their online site for measuring lengths and areas. The pre rpa system just used os map areas which is ok for rental agreements, but if claiming payments it will need to be more accurate.

 

[Spud]

Ok thanks, so in terms of land ownership and payments it would include the whole lot- that's understandable. And say for grass keep would this be the grazable area?

So how is it actually measured?

I walk/drive round the perimeter (crop edge) with a gps measuring device. Google Earth is a good guide, but not accurate enough for payments, due to the distance.