Fisher German have produced a BPS 2016 receipt calculator to check the payment received is as expected. In many of the cases where the payment is incorrect, this is as a result of an error in the 2015 claim payment, which was not rectified prior to the 2016 payment. The RPA are beginning to send out claim statements; these should be checked carefully and any queries over the payment received should be logged with the RPA. Most agents will now have been appointed with a ‘Relationship Manager’ at the RPA, who may be better placed to deal with any queries.

‘Majority’ of BPS 2016 Payments now received

The latest RPA news release stated that 93% of claimants have now received their 2016 BPS payment. Claimants yet to receive a payment are those with common land, cross-border land or those subject to an inspection (physical or remote-sensing).

Entitlements

The entitlements section of the RPA online facility was updated in late 2016, and now shows the total number of entitlements held as well as any recent transfers. This should be checked carefully by claimants as any errors during the processing of the 2015 and/or 2016 claims may have resulted in a loss of entitlements.

It is also a good opportunity to check that the total entitlements held match the claimable land area and consider entitlement trading to correct any difference.

2017 application

The RPA have confirmed that 2017 BPS applications will be made online as for the 2016 claim. The RPA are in the process of updating the aerial imagery and mapping of claimants’ land parcels. However, where changes are made these will not be communicated by letter and it will therefore be important to carefully check the data held prior to making the 2017 application.

The ability to transfer land and entitlements online is expected from mid-February. Unless boundary changes are required, it is recommended to wait and use the online facility rather than complete an RLE1 form, as the online transfers are completed with immediate effect.

Greening

There have been no changes to the greening requirements for 2017. However if greening measures are not correctly in place this year, in addition to losing a proportion of the greening payment (approximately 30% of the total BPS receipt) the RPA can now apply an additional penalty.

NVZ letters

All farmers are being sent letters from DEFRA regarding the newly designated Nitrate Vulnerable Zone (NVZ) areas as of 1 January 2017. Farmers should check the Environment Agency website to see if their land is located within an NVZ. Most areas remain unchanged, with the largest new area of designation being south west Peak District including land around Leek and Ashbourne.

For further information contact Charlotte Gore on 07785 425317 or email here

The Government has made available a new round of RDPE grant funding under the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Developments Growth Programme.   The grants, administered by Local Enterprise Partnerships, are focussed on helping existing and new rural businesses to expand, diversify and create more rural jobs.

The available funding focusses on three different areas:

Business Development

This is aimed at new and existing small rural businesses who want to diversify into non-agricultural activities to create more rural jobs. It can help pay for constructing or improving buildings and buying new machinery and equipment.

The Business Development Grant will normally cover up to 40% of the project’s total eligible costs. Minimum grant funding varies depending on the Local Enterprise Partnership but starts from &35,000 up to a maximum of &170,000

Food Processing

This is aimed at food and drink businesses that process agricultural and horticultural products and wish to expand the business,  creating more jobs. The funding can help pay for constructing or improving buildings and buying new machinery and equipment.

The Food Processing Grant will normally cover up to 40% of the project’s total eligible costs.Minimum grant funding varies depending on the Local Enterprise Partnership but starts from &35,000 up to a maximum of &1,000,000 in some circumstances.

Rural Tourism

This is aimed at new or existing farms and rural businesses to help fund the capital costs associated with tourism infrastructure. The focus is on projects that encourage more tourists to visit,  stay longer and spend more money in rural areas.

The Rural Tourism Grant will normally cover up to 40% of the project’s total eligible costs although if the project is ‘not for profit’ then up to 100% funding is available. Minimum grant funding varies depending on the Local Enterprise Partnership but starts from &35,000 up to a maximum of &170,000

The application process is competitive and applicants will be subject to a rigorous 2 part application process starting with an Expression of Interest. If initially successful, applicants will then be invited to submit a full application. The Application process is now open and closes 31 January 2018

To find out more about the grant process and whether your business might be eligible for funding, contact Tom Heathcote 07918 628983 or email here

Further information can be found at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/rdpe-growth-programme

The uplift in commodity prices has come too late for most of the Tiger Farm’s 2016 harvest, due to storage constraints oilseed rape was moved at harvest for an average price of &285/t (plus oil bonuses).  Values have reached &360/t (excl. oil bonus) in January 2017.

This difference equates to almost &20,000 for Tiger Farm and highlights the need to explore storage options including third party storage.

Average sale prices for Tiger Farm:

As discussed in our Winter update, crop yields down from 7-20% have increased the net unit cost of production and meant that all crops apart from winter wheat have made a loss.

Arable Update 2017 crops

A generally mild and dry winter has meant that crops have grown well through the winter.  Attention turns to planning spring fungicide programmes.  Focusing on wheat programmes the decline in curative efficiency of triazole fungicides on septoria mean that a preventative, protective approach must be taken.  Considering product choice and rates to ensure adequate protection from septoria and rusts are important decisions.  The cost of a four-spray fungicide programme can vary from &90/ha - &140 and more. 

As the results from harvest 2016 have shown, yield can be the dominant factor in determining net unit cost of production so it is important to try to make savings in the right places without compromising output.

Sheep

With ewes lambing in March, they have been pregnancy scanned and housed in advance of lambing.  1.75 lambs sold per ewe mated or higher is considered to be good performance.  A more accurate benchmark is the ration of kg of lamb sold per kg of ewe mated with a ratio of 1:1 the aim.

For more information about our model farm project contact Tom Paybody on 07870 807236 or email here