Funding and support for lowland beef and sheep farmers

Transcription

1 Funding and support for lowland beef and sheep farmers How environmental management through Entry Level Stewardship and Catchment Sensitive Farming can complement your farming practices and provide benefits to your business

2 Funding and support for lowland beef and sheep farmers While the task of producing more, while impacting less can seem challenging, Entry Level Stewardship (ELS) and Catchment Sensitive Farming (CSF) provide some of the answers that help support sustainable beef and lamb production systems in England. They can help you stay commercially competitive, while delivering environmental benefits that not only enhance the environment, but also support your business. The schemes provide the opportunity for you to help improve water quality and provide valuable habitats for wildlife, birds and plants. A few simple changes can make a big difference within your water catchment, e.g. preventing livestock from freely accessing rivers could greatly reduce the amount of sediment, nutrient and bacterial contamination that frequently results in water failing its ecological status. There are other benefits too, such as reducing the cost of treating drinking water, "The National Sheep Association welcomes this leaflet which will help farmers understand what funding and support is available under ELS and CSF, and how the schemes complement each other. In these schemes farmers have the opportunity to get financial incentives and rewards for good environmental practices, something that is key to a sustainable sheep farming business. Phil Stocker, Chief Executive, National Sheep Association Sheep on low input grassland creating a better habitat for fish, newts, water voles and otters, and improvements in carbon management. As well as helping you manage areas for wildlife, ELS can also help you maintain historic and landscape features on your farm for future generations. ELS and CSF have been designed to complement each other in benefiting your business, the environment and the people who depend on and enjoy the countryside. What s in this leaflet? This leaflet provides an overview of the funding and advice available to beef and sheep farmers and sets out the sound business reasons for having an ELS agreement, obtaining CSF training and advice and applying for CSF Capital Grants in target catchments. Brief details are also included on Defra and the Forestry Commission grants and support which could also be of benefit to beef and sheep farmers. It is easy to assume there is no funding and support out there, so the National Beef Association is pleased to see Natural England present information on ELS and CSF in this one place. We hope it will encourage even more farmers to get involved, benefitting from the available funds and continuing the good environmental management that British agriculture is increasingly renowned for. Joanne Pugh, Assistant Director, National Beef Association Beef cattle, Herefordshire "As well as producing food for the nation, livestock farmers have a key role in maintaining and improving some of the country s most sensitive habitats and landscapes. The National Farmers Union supports this document, which clearly sets out how farmers can access schemes to support this important role and explains how the work they do benefits the environment. Charles Sercombe, Livestock Board Chairman, National Farmers' Union Entry Level Stewardship ELS is one of three strands in Environmental Stewardship (ES), the other two are Organic Entry Level Stewardship (OELS) and Higher Level Stewardship (HLS). ES was introduced in 2005 and over 34,000 farmers currently have ELS/OELS agreements. Full information is set out in the scheme Handbooks available from Natural England. ELS can offer lowland sheep and beef farmers an opportunity to earn 30/hectare per year for 5 years through managing environmental features on farms. The scheme makes two payments for each year of the agreement, giving a stable and secure source of income for businesses whilst also providing compensation for lost income and management costs. Keith Siddorn, Meadow Bank Farm, Broxton, Cheshire has been in ELS since 2005 and remarked "The enhanced hedgerow management and pond buffer options fit easily into the way that I farm, provide great wildlife habitats and I am guaranteed to receive payments for five years which really helps my cash flow". There are over 60 ELS management options to choose from covering management of grass, hedgerows, arable land, a range of crop types, ditches, ponds and traditional farm buildings. These options provide benefits for birds and other wildlife, water and soil, the historic environment, landscape and climate change. To get the best environmental results from your agreement, it is important to choose the right options for your farm and locate them in the most suitable places. A well planned agreement can fit with and support existing farming practices which protect the environment, facilitate change where this will be beneficial, and complement your crosscompliance and other regulatory requirements. You can get free help with this from Natural England (see below). Awkward corners and existing areas such as less improved pasture and wet areas may be environmental assets which will work better for you by entering them into ELS options. The least productive areas of a farm are often (with the correct management) the best for birds, wildlife and natural resource protection. The tables on pages 6-9 include ELS options which would typically be suitable for lowland beef and sheep farmers. Each ELS option earns a specified number of points. To participate in ELS you must choose sufficient options to reach a points target of 30 points per hectare (different points targets apply for Uplands ELS and OELS agreements). Full information can be found in the ELS Handbook and OELS Handbook available online at or by calling Free ELS Farm Visits and Events You can receive a free ELS farm visit from a farming and environment specialist. Whether you are applying for ELS for the first time, renewing an existing agreement, or want guidance on how to manage your existing agreement more effectively, the support provided can include: a discussion on the options most suited to your farm and information on new / updated options; practical suggestions on option location and management, such as tips on buffer strip weed control, how to get a good sward structure; an explanation of the financial returns and how options can complement your farming practices; information and support on applying for ELS by paper or online. There is also a programme of free farm events regarding ELS. These are aimed at either farmers new to ELS or those looking to renew their agreements. Call to book a free farm visit or for details on local farm events. Wiltshire Horn sheep grazing permanent water meadow grassland eligible for ELS. 2 3

3 CSF Capital Grants Scheme The CSF Capital Grant Scheme is available to holdings within target areas of the CSF priority/partnership catchments. There are a range of capital items available e.g. slurry separation, watercourse fencing, roofing for manure stores and pesticide loading and wash down areas. Potential applicants must make a 50% contribution towards capital works. Catchment Sensitive Farming Catchment Sensitive Farming (CSF) offers farmers practical training, advice and capital grants to help reduce diffuse water pollution from agriculture in 65 priority catchments and nine catchment partnerships in England. CSF is not a nationwide scheme, so is not available to all farmers. The areas where advice and funding are available are shown on the map below. However, the farm practices and infrastructure improvements recommended are applicable on most farms and can benefit your business as well as the environment. There are many examples where both the farm and local water catchment have benefited from changes made on farm with CSF support. CSF is about working with farmers on how to use resources more efficiently and protect the environment. Many small improvements by farms working together can help to improve the water quality in a local catchment, e.g. watercourse fencing can prevent livestock faeces contaminating bathing waters and can reduce the spread of water-borne diseases in livestock. CSF gives cleaner drinking water, safer bathing water, healthier fisheries, thriving wildlife and lower flood risk for the community. As the Capital Grant Scheme is a competitive scheme securing an agreement is not guaranteed and acceptance depends on the quality of all applications. If the total amount of grant applied for by all applicants exceeds the available budget, grants will be allocated to those applications which best meet the scheme s priorities, are within a target area and which deliver the greatest environmental benefit. Advice and training opportunities On-farm training and advice is available to farmers and land managers through a network of CSF Officers, contractors and partners via workshops, demonstrations, farm walks and one-to-one advice visits on the following topics: Whole Farm / Nutrient Management Farm Infrastructure Audits Water Management Slurry/Manure Handling & Storage Specific Sector-Based Training Machinery Testing and Calibration (Fertiliser, Manure Spreaders, Slug Pellet Applicators; Pesticide Sprayers) Soil Husbandry Soil/Manure Sampling Advice and tools on farm practices that improve water quality is also provided through CSF national partnerships via the websites below: Location of CSF priority catchments and CSF local partnerships This map shows the location of the 65 CSF Priority Catchments and the nine Partnership Catchments. To find out whether you are in a Priority Catchment or a Partnership Catchment and for more information about training, advice and grants available from Catchment Sensitive Farming visit: or contact CSF Priority Catchment Partnership Catchment Topic Nutrient management Soil and nutrient management Precision Farming Pesticides Diffuse water pollution from agriculture Website Watercourse fencing A CSF Capital Grant enabled Mr Jones of Sparchford Farm, Ludlow, Shropshire to install fencing along a coppiced stretch of river bank and a livestock drinking bay on the adjacent ditch away from the main river to provide a watering hole for his livestock. Mr. Jones commented Thanks to funding, advice and guidance from all the organisations working together, a whole stretch of the river on my farm has hugely benefitted. Livestock drinking bay 4 5

4 ELS and CSF: Common sense for your business and benefits to the environment The table below lists ELS options and CSF grants which would typically be suitable for lowland beef and sheep farmers. Other options may also be appropriate depending on the individual farm. Full details are available in the ELS/OELS Handbooks, at or by contacting your Natural England local adviser or CSF officer. Activity Commercial benefits ELS/OELS codes and points See footnote 1 for details of payments CSF Capital Grants Grants obtainable for 50% of cost subject to location and availability Other funding sources See page 10 for further details See key on page 10 Boundaries and buffers Fencing and gateways Livestock management Enhanced hedgerow management Ditch management Management of woodland edges Buffering of in-field ponds in improved permanent grassland 6 m buffer strip on intensive grassland next to a watercourse Swales, check dams and sediment traps Fencing to limit livestock access to watercourses Fencing livestock off buffers, marshes, ponds & wet grassland/woodland Field gateways - relocation and resurfacing Maintenance of water course fencing Livestock drinkers and feeders Improving sheep dip facilities Tracks for livestock & machinery Trimming every 3 years reduces costs and makes hedges more stock proof and offers more shelter. Does not encroach on the grassland. Managing ditches in rotation means less work to carry out each year. May reduce risk of localised flooding on farm. Can be used to take out unproductive, heavily shaded land. Maintain value as source of water. Grass buffer can be grazed provided livestock access limited so less than half pond edge is poached. Can graze provided livestock access is limited so as not to poach or compact the buffer. Keeps soil & nutrients in field and encourages water to soak into ground. Swales can be grazed and provide extra grass during drought. Useful for lightly contaminated run-off from hard standing round farm roads & yards. Livestock health benefit by reducing spread of waterborne pests and diseases. Use with CSF grants for alternative water provision for livestock. Reduces lameness, injury and waterborne diseases. Reduces poaching damage to grassland and encourages better forage yields. Enable gate to be moved to a better location for moving livestock or vehicles. Reduces soil lost and mud on roads, lessening risk of accidents and fines. Fits well with the business interest in maintaining stock proof fences and preventing bank erosion. Well maintained troughs saves money by avoiding wastage and feed spoilage. Reduced poaching around feeders / troughs. Feeders especially relevant if livestock are wintered outside. Enables sheep dips to be moved to a better location and improved. Can improve sheep welfare by reducing stress. Easier livestock handling for sheep dip operators. Reduces stock lameness. Saves time spent feeding, gathering and inspecting livestock. Less poaching, improves condition of grassland. EB3/OB3 42 points per 100 m EB6/OB6 24 points per 100 m EC4/OC4 380 points per ha EE7/OE7 400/500 points per ha EE10/OE10 400/500 points per ha EJ11/OJ11 4 points per 100 m For establishing grass swales, installing check dams and excavating sediment ponds/traps. For watercourse fencing, drinking bays, water gates and watercourse crossings. For fencing including seasonal electric fencing. To relocate gates, gap up after relocation and resurface gateways. For hard bases for drinkers & feeders, pasture pumps, ram pumps & troughs with associated pipe-work. To relocate sheep dips & pens, drainage aprons with sumps and for drinking trough in draining pens. For wood chip / hardcore tracks, cross drains & fencing for tracks, installing piped culverts to take water under tracks. England Woodland Grant Scheme 1 ELS/OELS points: Land entered into ELS receives a payment rate of 30 per hectare per year. Each ELS option earns a specified number of points. Applicants must choose sufficient options to reach a target of 30 points per hectare over the agreement area. Different rates apply for land above the Moorland Line and in the Uplands and for Organic ELS (OELS) agreements. Full details are available in the ELS / OELS Handbooks. Biodiversity Landscape Farmland birds Historic Environment (no examples on this page) Soil Quality Adaptation Water Quality Mitigation 6 See explanation on page 10 for more information on the environmental benefits delivered by ELS and CSF. 7

5 ELS and CSF: Common sense for your business and benefits to the environment (continued) The table below lists ELS options and CSF grants which would typically be suitable for lowland beef and sheep farmers. Other options may also be appropriate depending on the individual farm. Full details are available in the ELS/OELS Handbooks, at or by contacting your Natural England local adviser or CSF officer. Activity Commercial benefits ELS/OELS codes and points See footnote 3 for details of payments CSF Capital Grants Grants obtainable for 50% of cost subject to location and availability Other funding sources See page 10 for further details See key on page 10 Permanent grassland with low inputs Good for outlying, less accessible pasture used for grazing or haymaking. Use of Lime, Phosphorous and Potassium is allowed, with some Nitrogen. Supplementary feeding is permissible subject to limitations. EK2/OK2 85/115 points per ha Permanent grassland with very low inputs Good for outlying, less accessible fields used for grazing or haymaking. Can continue to use Lime. EK3/OK3 150/180 points per ha Management of rush pastures Controlling some of the rushes in rush pastures each year helps production. EK4/OK4 150 /180 points per ha Field Management Management of archaeological features on grassland Ryegrass seed-set as winter/ spring food for birds 5 Undersown spring cereals Can still be used for grazing if requirements for stock rotation, supplementary feeding, troughs and licks are met. Useful for grass leys which are to be ploughed out next year. Effective way for worn out ley to self re-seed. Early establishment of grass ley for autumn grazing. Lessens risk of non-establishment if wet autumn. Reduced need for agro-chemical inputs. ED5/OD5 16 points per ha EK20/OK20 80/190 points per ha EG1/OG1 200/150 points per ha Cereals for whole crop silage follow by overwintered stubbles Broadens opportunity for weed control in grassland system. Spring cropping spreads workload. EG4/OG4 230/250 points per ha Legume and herb rich swards 5 Saves on fertiliser costs High nutrient value for animals and extra minerals good for livestock health. Often more drought resistant than normal grass. EK21/OK21 200/259 points per ha Clean & dirty water separation Minimise the volume of slurry to be stored and spread, saving time and cost. Adequate slurry storage enables timely application saving on fertiliser costs. For concreting yard, drainage pipework, inspection pit, rainwater goods & cross drains in farmyards. Rural Economy Grant Buildings and yards Rainwater storage Roofing of silage, manure & slurry stores Saves on water bills. Provides water to outlying buildings. Useful for cleaning machinery and yards. Saves extra investment on extra dirty water storage. Cleaner areas for machinery and livestock operations. Reduces feed contamination. Easier / cleaner handling. Helps maintain nutrient levels in manures. For underground or above ground tanks and rainwater diverters/ filters. For roofing clamp or silo silage stores, self feed and square/ rectangular slurry stores; self supporting or floating covers for circular above-ground slurry stores; floating covers for lagoons. Rural Economy Grant Rural Economy Grant Maintenance of weather proof traditional farm buildings Avoids more expensive restoration later. Can be utilised for storage if no longer useful for stock. ED1/OD1 2 points per m 2 3 ELS/OELS points: Points: Land entered into ELS receives a payment rate of 30 per hectare per year. Each ELS option earns a specified number of points. Applicants must choose sufficient options to reach a target of 30 points per hectare over the agreement area. Different rates apply for land above the Moorland Line and in the Biodiversity Farmland birds Soil Quality Water Quality Uplands and for Organic ELS (OELS) agreements. Full details are available in the ELS / OELS Handbooks. Landscape Historic Environment 5 (no examples on this page) Adaptation Mitigation New options for 2013: Proposed new options to be introduced in At time of printing these options had not received final approval from the European Commission therefore may be subject to change. See explanation on page 10 for more information on the environmental benefits delivered by ELS and CSF.

6 Key Environmental Benefits Explanation of icons listed in tables on pages 6-9 Biodiversity: Intensification and greater efficiencies in food production have led to less space for biodiversity and considerable habitat loss. Farmers can help to halt the loss of biodiversity by providing a network of varied habitats across their farms to benefit species which are rare, declining or of national/local importance. Farmland birds: Birds are a good indicator of the overall health of biodiversity, as they sit high up the food chain. Studies indicate that steep declines in bird populations since the mid- 1970s have been caused by the loss of breeding and year round foraging habitats. Farmers can improve the fortunes of farmland birds by providing critical nesting and foraging habitats on their land. Soil Quality: Good soil quality, including soil structure, soil biology and nutrient status, is essential for crop growth and reduces soil erosion and loss to water bodies. Farmers can manage their soils to protect this key resource through improved cultivation techniques, timeliness of field operations and techniques to avoid compaction. This will reduce soil runoff and erosion and increase organic matter. Water Quality: Good water quality is needed for drinking water and water ecology. It can be improved by reducing agricultural pollutants (e.g. soil, nutrients, pesticides and microorganisms) entering water. Water is an increasingly important resource, with scarcity and flooding both having significant implications on farming. Farmers can manage water better by keeping livestock out of water, managing nutrients well and using and disposing of pesticides correctly and efficiently. Landscape: Field boundaries, woods and trees gives localities their recognisable sense of place, and connects people by linking the natural aspects and our past and current use of the land. As agriculture has intensified and farm machinery become more powerful, many distinctive features have been lost or neglected. Farmers can maintain our varied landscapes through careful management of important features. Historic Environment: Historic features are fundamental to the diversity and attractiveness of the countryside. Intensification and increased farm mechanisation has resulted in many historic sites and buildings being damaged over time. Building maintenance and careful vegetation / stock management can reduce these threats. Farmers can maintain archaeological sites and traditional farm buildings to conserve the farm character for future generations. Adaptation: To enable the natural environment to adapt to climate change there must be space for wildlife: a variety of habitats will enable different species to find suitable conditions. Farmers are in an important position to help provide those conditions. Farm woodlands can also provide shelter and shade for livestock, and help reduce flood risk downstream. Mitigation: Greenhouse gases are emitted by natural processes, e.g. cattle digestion produces methane and nitrous oxide is produced by soil bacteria when nitrogen fertilisers and manures are used. Carbon dioxide emissions result from tillage of soils, electricity consumption and farm machinery. Farmers can take mitigating action by reducing emissions, protecting carbon in peat soils and permanent pastures and by planting and managing trees, woods and hedges. A well managed farm woodland can provide a permanent supply of renewable energy in the form of woodfuel. Other funding and support Defra operate other schemes/services which are relevant to lowland beef and sheep producers: (FFIS) A Defra targeted small grant scheme (maximum grant 25,000) which aims to help make farming, forestry and horticultural businesses more profitable and resilient whilst reducing the impact of farming on the environment. There are specific competitive application rounds. (rdpenetwork.defra.gov.uk/funding-sources/farm-and-forestry-improvement-scheme) Rural Economy Grant (REG) Defra grants are available to enable a significant game-changing, transformational performance in farm, forestry, tourism, agri-food businesses and micro businesses in rural areas. There are specific competitive application rounds - those projects offering the greatest return on grant investment will be more likely to be successful. (rdpenetwork.defra.gov.uk/funding-sources/rural-economy-grant) Farming Advice Service A Defra service which aims to help improve the environmental and economic performance of farming in England. Advice is available on cross compliance, nutrient management, competitiveness and climate change adaptation & mitigation. ( Forestry Commission grants are available under the English Woodland Grants Scheme (EWGS) at gov.uk/ewgs). Advice and financial incentives are available to help you assess and plan the future management of your woods, to undertake routine management, and to improve and regenerate your woodlands. A Woodland Creation Grant is also available to support the planting of new woods, with significantly enhanced rates of grant available in some target areas, e.g. where woods can help reduce flood risk or diffuse pollution. Campaign for the Farmed Environment (CFE) local coordinators can provide advice through farm walks, shows and local meetings on location and establishment of the most suitable ELS options for your farm to support the CFE. Contact details Natural England See back cover Defra Website: defra.helpline@defra.gsi.gov.uk Phone: Farm Advice Service: Environment Agency Website: enquiries@environment-agency.gov.uk Phone: Forestry Commission Website: grnationalteam@forestry.gsi.gov.uk Phone: Campaign for the Farmed Environment Website: cfeonline.org.uk cfeonline@nfu.org.uk Phone: National Beef Association Website: info@nationalbeefassociation.com Phone: National Farmers Union Website: nfu@nfu.org.uk Phone: National Sheep Association Website: enquiries@nationalsheep.org.uk Phone:

7 Natural England contact details Environmental Stewardship Website: Phone: Catchment Sensitive Farming Website: naturalengland.org.uk Phone: (CSF Advice) Phone (CSF Grants): This leaflet is supported by: Photo credits Front cover: John Renner, Bellshill Farm, Northumberland Natural England, John Sansome with Simmental steers in Worcestershire George Sansome, Page2: Sheep on grassland Natural England/Jamie Letts, Beef cattle in Herefordshire Natural England/Dagmar Lewis, Page 3: Pond at Meadow Bank Farm Natural England Wiltshire Horn sheep Natural England/Emma Burton, Page5: Livestock drinking bay Natural England/Emma Buckingham, Watercourse fencing Environment Agency. Natural England is here to secure a healthy natural environment for people to enjoy, where wildlife is protected and England s traditional landscapes are safeguarded for future generations. ISBN Catalogue Code: NE334 Natural England publications are available as accessible pdfs from: Should an alternative format of this publication be required, please contact our enquiries line for more information: or enquiries@naturalengland.org.uk Printed on stock comprising 75% recycled fibre. This note/report/publication is published by Natural England under the Open Government Licence for public sector information. You are encouraged to use, and reuse, information subject to certain conditions. For details of the licence visit Natural England photographs are only available for non-commercial purposes. If any other information, such as maps or data, cannot be used commercially this will be made clear within the note/report/publication. Natural England 2012