Sustainable farming incentive details published today 2 December 2021

[serf]

I recon they will be investing in a new 'stick ' cos the 'carrots'

sure ain't gona work !

 

[Velcro Gloves]

I have meadows full of orchids like these, do I have to plough them up to get anything under the sfi?

 

[serf]

I have meadows full of orchids like these, do I have to plough them up to get anything under the sfi?

Fraid so , get that round up on ....

 

[Janet Hughes Defra]

Thank you, @Janet Hughes Defra

How about the non Govt "stewardship" schemes such as STEPS, as found here here in the Midlands, Janet? I believe that there are similiar schemes in other parts of the country too...?

I have large blocks of land in PP, newish Herbal Leys, Bumblebird type mixes, as well as Wild Bird and Game cover mixtures, some being partially funded by ST Water

No CS here now...

You can go into non-gov schemes alongside SFI, there are no restrictions on that for 2022 (but we have said we will keep that under review in future years, to avoid the risk of paying for the same things twice)

 

[Wombat]

SFI soil payment rates revealed but disappointment abounds - Farmers Weekly

Industry leaders are disappointed with the payments on offer for managing soils under Defra’s Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) for 2022 – but stress

www.fwi.co.uk

Payment rates shouldn't stop people from applying

If anyone thinks i am putting my head in a defra noose for £40/ha with the RPA on the trapdoor handle.........................

 

[steveR]

And would those standards and ambitions be Defra's 'options', and a tag on to existing agreements?
Been caught like that before.

And the Soil organic matter calculations for every parcel - what happens if, despite all your best efforts, the level drops?

Take another sample from the right location.....

 

[Janet Hughes Defra]

Will The Government be launching (industry wide accepted ) Carbon Calculators with facilities to input individual farms and varied business interests to produce proven calculations soon please also ?

There are a wide range of carbon calculators in the market - we're not at this stage planning to provide one through SFI.

However I know there are other teams in Defra working on the question of how we can best support the development of the market for carbon in farming, including how you monitor and verify carbon sequestration and emissions in agriculture, and my team works closely with them. We'll continue doing that and keep this question under review.

 

[Janet Hughes Defra]

My post number 44 not answered yet?

Sorry I had missed that one, have now answered

 

[Velcro Gloves]

My post number 60 not answered yet, or my post 122, @Janet Hughes Defra are you avoiding me?

 

[markbury1]

I live next door to a pub they need help behind the bar two evenings a week. If I take the job I will earn a little more per year than Defra is offering. No paperwork no inspectors no hassle..........no brainer.

 

[Rob Holmes]

My post number 60 not answered yet, or my post 122, @Janet Hughes Defra are you avoiding me?

…or post #40 @Janet Hughes Defra

 

[snarling bee]

Or a comment on post 117.

 

[snarling bee]

I have a nationally important SSSI on my farm. The Govt and its agencies are not interested in giving a sensible scheme on it, so stuff them, I'll let it go to ruin. If they don't care then why should I ??

 

[Janet Hughes Defra]

My post number 60 not answered yet, or my post 122, @Janet Hughes Defra are you avoiding me?

I'm certainly not I'm just working through the questions and answers, I'll take a look at yours now

 

[Janet Hughes Defra]

I have meadows full of orchids like these, do I have to plough them up to get anything under the sfi?

Of course we would not like you to do that, for any reason at all. Meadows are incredibly precious and important.

I'd suggest that if you have meadows and you would like to have them in a scheme then your best option would be to go into / stay in CS until we introduce the relevant standards into SFI - we'll be adding more standards in 2023, 2024 and 2025 and we'll provide a smooth way for you to transfer from CS into SFI when SFI is ready.

 

[Goffer]

To put this into perspective or rationally as a business this would deliver us less than 2% of turnover and costing us 80% of that

 

[HatsOff]

On the face of it, it looks like our best option is to intensify our farming and ignore SFI. The administration burden hasn't been lessened and the payment rates don't reflect the work required.

 

[B'o'B]

@Janet Hughes Defra any further details on what would constitute a “multi species green cover” for the intermediate arable soil scheme?
The detailed description section doesn’t currently give any details on it.

 

[Hindsight]

The price of wheat and rape may overtake the ambitions of the Minister.

 

[Hindsight]

@Janet Hughes Defra any further details on what would constitute a “multi species green cover” for the intermediate arable soil scheme?
The detailed description section doesn’t currently give any details on it.

As ever I assume and we await the fine print.