Sustainable farming incentive details published today 2 December 2021

[Courier]

Well maybe then it’s partly our own fault for not getting, (in my case), small mixed farmers who use a mix of techniques onto the steering group.
Personally though I think it’s so hard to decide what are “public goods” that either every farmer or no farmer should have the sub.
I’ll never know why there is this insistence that we have to “get rid” of £3bn into agriculture. All it does is inflate our costs and we are back to square one. Just look at the price of direct drills and cover seed mixes, the new crack cocaine of conservation agriculture.

Small mixed farmers (particularly those milking cows twice per day) simply cannot take the necessary amount of time off from working to attend seminars (even online) in the way that an owner/manager of a staffed farm can so are disproportionally under represented...

 

[DrWazzock]

Small mixed farmers (particularly those milking cows twice per day) simply cannot take the necessary amount of time off from working to attend seminars (even online) in the way that an owner/manager of a staffed farm can so are disproportionally under represented...

That’s the truth of it. It’s the same with the NFU and councils. The people who are on these committees seem to have plenty of free time for one reason or another. But this makes them disconnected from the coal face and ordinary working man/woman/farmer/businessman etc.

 

[Hampton]

I was about to say, anyone could get involved with all this if they wanted.

Absolutely true. That was my point earlier.
The caveat is you do have to be chosen to be on a defra steering group and those on it are often high profile.
If you are chosen, you will put the points across that benefit your own business rather than ones that might benefit someone else. It’s entirely natural.
It’s a bit like the syngenta points scheme. If you are a big farmer, they invite you onto it. If you are a smaller farmer, often you have to know someone who can get you onto it.

 

[delilah]

I don't know what this 'steering group' is that folks are referring to, would be pleased to hear more.

The only ELMS input group I am aware of is the EEG, have shared the attached before, anyone who feels that their views aren't being translated into the SFI standards needs to badger these people.

 

[Little squeak]

Almost all of my farm is peat soil deeper than 40cm does that mean I will not be able to apply for Arable and horticultural soils standard of the Sustainable Farming Incentive at all?​

 

[Janet Hughes Defra]

@Janet Hughes Defra has read your post but you are unlikely to get a reply; questions beyond the minutiae of whatever is currently on the table rarely do. If you would like Janet's email address PM me, you may have more joy that way.

I'm very happy to share my email address with anyone who would like to get in touch with me: [email protected]. I also answer questions here and on Twitter as best I can, so you can use whatever channel works best for you.

 

[steveR]

Haven’t used any glyphosate this year. Can’t get any.

Psssst, meet me around the back of Morrisons, 6.30pm, bring a 2l lemonade bottle.....

 

[Vader]

No till and spring crops have helped us control blackgrass. Used to rotationally plough and it didn’t bring a lot to the party, and this soil really does not plough very well.

Thing is every farmer is different and no system works on every farm.
I remember a feature farmer in FW saying he switched to DD as he saw a black grass as a future problem. Had little black grass before switch. Since switch it worse as he not far from us..
We have little grass problem at all. We plough in rotation. Neighbours have bad grass problems, they not ploughed for years.
Lot of our land won't DD. Needs ploughing.
Nothing fits all.

 

[ajd132]

Thing is every farmer is different and no system works on every farm.
I remember a feature farmer in FW saying he switched to DD as he saw a black grass as a future problem. Had little black grass before switch. Since switch it worse as he not far from us..
We have little grass problem at all. We plough in rotation. Neighbours have bad grass problems, they not ploughed for years.
Lot of our land won't DD. Needs ploughing.
Nothing fits all.

Why won’t it DD out of interest?

 

[Vader]

Why won’t it DD out of interest?

Heavy land if dry its like bell metal. DD just scratches it or if can get in, roots can not get down as to hard.
If damp it just leaves a wet slot that slugs love and crows work down and eat seed.

 

[Bill the Bass]

I don't know what this 'steering group' is that folks are referring to, would be pleased to hear more.

The only ELMS input group I am aware of is the EEG, have shared the attached before, anyone who feels that their views aren't being translated into the SFI standards needs to badger these people.

An interesting bunch of ne’er do wells. Why do the two of the biggest recipients of uk farm subsidy (RSPB and NT) get a seat at the table, whilst there is no representation for beef or dairy farmers, whose combined economic ‘value’ is the largest of the whole UK agricultural sector? Arguably we have the most to loose when the brown stuff hits the spiny thing as it usually does when HMG implement ag policy reform.

 

[delilah]

whilst there is no representation for beef or dairy farmers,

NFU are on there .

 

[holwellcourtfarm]

NFU are on there .

What a relief, were saved

 

[delilah]

What a relief, were saved

The NFU screwed up on this from day 1. They said that they expect ELMS to lead to a 30% cut in the number of farmers. What they should have said, is that the public goods that ELMS aspires to can only be achieved if we halt and reverse the decline in the number of farmers.

 

[The Seeker]

this is a mess, no farmer really wants to sign up and i doubt many will- i won't that is FOR SURE , another well thought out movement cock up designed by people so removed for the issue its unreal

 

[midlandslad]

I'm very happy to share my email address with anyone who would like to get in touch with me: [email protected]. I also answer questions here and on Twitter as best I can, so you can use whatever channel works best for you.

When can we expect the details on the Lump Sum scheme @Janet Hughes Defra?

Will these be the details of the scheme or just a summary of the consultation?

These details were expected in October and now it is looking like they are going to be January at least 3 months late.

Still no sign of this. This was first promised in October and then by the end of 2021.

DEFRA continues to set out dates for these new schemes and continues to not deliver.

Also, the current BPS system is as straightforward as it gets. What is the likelihood of them being able to process these new schemes. At least if only a handful of people apply they can have about 10 staff per application.

 

[Vader]

As things change all the time.
Is there grant to put up sheep wire?
Seems cover crops and natural fert via sheep poop is what they want, but can not justify cost of fencing.

Electric stuff will just get stolen.

 

[Janet Hughes Defra]

When can we expect the details on the Lump Sum scheme @Janet Hughes Defra?

Will these be the details of the scheme or just a summary of the consultation?

These details were expected in October and now it is looking like they are going to be January at least 3 months late.

I'm sorry, we've taken longer than expected to work through all the consultation responses and finalise the details of the scheme, we will be publishing scheme information as soon as we can in the new year.

 

[BrianV]

Area aids and headage payments key part of NI farm support​

UFU president Victor Chestnutt, Robert Workman, farmer in Larne, and Daera minister Edwin Poots © UFU
A major consultation has been launched in Northern Ireland seeking views on a wide range of policy measures that will form the basis of future post-Brexit support for farmers – including direct area payments and headage payments.
It follows on from the Future Agricultural Policy Framework Portfolio launched by agriculture minster Edwin Poots last August, adding considerable detail to the broad objectives of increased farm productivity, care for the environment, business resilience and a fairer supply chain.
See also: Farm policy gathers pace in UK devolved regions
“This is the first time in almost 50 years that we have a unique opportunity to redefine our agricultural policy and target support to meet our local priorities and needs much more effectively,” said Mr Poots.
“Schemes and support are needed to help farmers develop their businesses, no matter where they farm, to become more efficient and to maximise the sustainable returns they can achieve from the assets at their disposal.”

Consultation details​

The consultation, which runs to 124 pages, describes eight main workstreams, as follows:

1. A resilience measure – with area-based income payments to provide a basic safety net. This will account for the bulk of the support budget initially, but will be reduced over time. It will include “farm sustainability standards” to replace current cross-compliance.
   Plus…. A crisis framework – including market intervention and private storage aid in the event of a market collapse.
2. A headage sustainability package – accounting for 17% of the budget, this will include support for suckler cows and a “beef transformation measure”.
3. A farming for nature package – with bespoke agri-environment schemes which, over time, will become the “central plank” of support in NI.
4. Farming for carbon measures – providing incentives and training to cut emissions.
5. An investment measure – with grants to increase productivity and to reduce carbon, ammonia and nitrate emissions.
6. Knowledge measures – with an emphasis on continual professional development.
7. A generational renewal measure – to transition farming businesses to those with better training and skills, and who have “a longer investment horizon”.
8. Supply chain measures – encouraging farmer collaboration and a fairer supply chain.

The consultation explores each of these in considerable detail, and then asks stakeholders a series of specific questions relating to each.
For example, on the resilience measure it explains that future payments will be made on an area basis, triggered by land entitlements, which will continue to be transferable. The minimum claim size will rise to 10ha.

Explore moreKnow How​

Visit our Know How centre for practical farming advice

The money will only go to active farmers – excluding those who simply have grass-selling businesses or just manage their land to achieve good agricultural and environmental condition (GAEC) – and payments will be progressively capped above £60,000.

Reaction​

Initial farmer response has been positive.
Ulster Farmers’ Union (UFU) president Victor Chestnutt described it as a once-in-a-generation opportunity to redefine agriculture policies and support.
“It’s extremely positive that the focus of the new future ag policy is on active farmers and growers,” he said.
“Working to meet the growing demand for food both at home and abroad, while also protecting the environment and meeting the demands of climate change, it’s vital that our members are equipped with the right tools to become more efficient resulting in maximum returns.”
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If only the minions at Defra were half as intelligent!!

 

[andybk]

Area aids and headage payments key part of NI farm support​

we def dont want headage payments , variable premium was better , all those sht stock that should be culled ,breeding year after year .