ENVIRONMENTAL LAND MANAGEMENT SCHEMES – REVENUE PAYMENTS TO INCREASE ON AVERAGE BY 10%!

We are extremely pleased to hear that today at the Oxford Farming Conference, Environment Secretary Steve Barclay, confirmed that there will be an average uplift of 10% on Environmental Land Management Schemes actions.

Those already in schemes such as SFI and Countryside Stewardship, will automatically benefit from the uplift.

Additional updates from Mr. Barclay, and from DEFRA, today included:

• Up to 50 new actions to be added to Environmental Land Management Schemes.

• Promises to deliver streamlined paperwork for schemes, including a single application service for farmers to apply for SFI and CS Mid-Tier.

• Premium payments for high ambition actions or for delivering packages of actions that will achieve greater environmental benefits (a list of the premium payments can be found at https://defrafarming.blog.gov.uk/2024/01/04/environmental-land-management-in-2024-details-of-actions-and-payments/ ).

• Continuation to prioritise an “advise and prevent” approach across all schemes and regulation, which will make things fairer for all farmers participating in schemes.

• Plans to look at ways to make access to grant funding easier as it is understood some farmers find it hard to find capital.

• More grants to become available in 2024 to assist farms to “grow more, sell more and make your business more sustainable and resilient for the future..

With the 10% uplift in payments imminent, evaluating your SFI options in 2024 could further help your farming business bridge the gap of declining BPS payments. Book your free telephone consultation with one of our consultants today to discuss how SFI could fit your farming system!

Charlie Davies

07904 601104

charlie@kellyfarmconsulting.com

Laura Cureton

07399 117257

laura@kellyfarmconsulting.com

Sam Kelly

07777 696080

sam@kellyfarmconsulting.com

Office 01454 614624

Improving Farm Productivity Grant – ROUND 2

EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW!

Are you looking to improve your farm productivity through the use of robotics or automation systems, wavelength specific LED lighting, advanced ventilation control units or solar PV systems? If yes, then this grant may be for you!

Who can apply?

You must be a farmer or registered contractor in England.

Both land owning and tenant farmers are eligible. For tenant farmers, it is your responsibility to obtain the permissions from the landlord for projects. You can also ask your landlord to underwrite the agreement if necessary.

What is available under the grant funding?

Capital items are available to help improve farm productivity through the following ways.

1. Improving efficiency and effectiveness of primary agricultural production.

2. Reducing the farm’s environmental impact resulting in a positive contribution to net zero and greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction.

3. Introducing technical innovation to optimise livestock production and field operations.

4. Using automation in areas where access to labour is an issue.

How much funding is available?

For farm productivity grants where robotic/ automation equipment, wavelength specific LED lighting and/or advanced ventilation control units are included (not including solar PV equipment), the minimum grant is £25,000 (40% of £62,500). The maximum grant is £500,000 per business.

If your application is for solar PV equipment only, the minimum grant you can apply for is £15,000 (25% of £60,000). The maximum grant being £100,000 per business.

You must submit two separate applications if you wish to apply for both the Solar grant and Farm Productivity grant.

What items could be funded?

Table 1 gives further detail on the items you may consider under the grant funding.

Application Process

The application process is 2 stages and will be scored against the funding priorities. Grants will be awarded to the highest scoring applications!

Stage 1 – Online Checker

The online checker will determine if you are eligible and how well the project will meet the funding priorities.

We do not have an official date for the online checker opening, but it is anticipated to open in January and run through to March 2024.

Stage 2 – Full Application

If successful at Stage 1, you will be invited to make a full application. If the full application scores highly enough, the RPA will make a grant offer.

If you have a project that will fit the grant funding items above, get in touch with a member of the Kelly Farm Consulting Team to further discuss your options! We will also be in touch with clients who have already expressed interest in projects eligible under this funding.

Charlie Davies

07904 601104

charlie@kellyfarmconsulting.com

Laura Cureton

07399 117257

laura@kellyfarmconsulting.com

Sam Kelly

07777 696080

sam@kellyfarmconsulting.com

Office 01454 614624

Slurry Infrastructure Grant – Round 2

Details for Round 2 of the Slurry Infrastructure Grant have now been announced by DEFRA and the RPA. We have answered some Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) to outline the detail of the scheme!

Am I eligible to apply?

• ·You must already be producing slurry and be a pig, beef or dairy farm.

• Landlords and tenants can apply. As a tenant you must obtain necessary permissions from the landlord. A landlord can also underwrite the agreement i.e. if the tenancy ends, the landlord agrees to continue the project.

How much funding is available?

• £25,000 - £250,000 per applicant business (per round).

• Final grant payments will be based on the reference cost contribution for the items needed (see Table 1) or 50% of the actual invoice costs at claim stage. i.e. whichever is the lowest amount.

What will the grant pay for?

The grant will pay for improving storage to 6 months for beef and dairy and has increased to 8 months for pigs. This includes;

• Replacing existing stores that are no longer fit for purpose

• Adding additional storage, if other stores that will stay part of your system meet slurry storage regulations, were built to relevant standards and remain fit for purpose

• Expanding an existing store, for example by adding another ring to a suitable steel tank

• Covering new and existing stores.

The full list of items is detailed in Table 1.

How do I apply?

The application is a 3 stage process.

Stage 1 - Slurry Wizard and Online Checker

• Open November 2023 (date tbc).

• You must understand your current and future slurry storage requirements. To do this, you must use the latest version of the Slurry Wizard (October 2023).

• You should then complete the online checker to see if you are eligible and how much grant funding you may get.

• If there is a high demand, projects will be prioritised based on locations with the greatest environmental outcomes. These locations have been updated for Round 2 and will be released in November.

Stage 2 - Slurry store location and design assessment

• If successful at Stage 1, you will be asked to complete a slurry store location and design assessment form which will then be assessed by the Environments Agency (EA).

• This must be submitted by 30th September 2024.

Stage 3 - Full application

• If the EA are satisfied the location and design assessment, you will then be invited to submit a full application. This will be assessed by the RPA to ensure the project is viable.

• This must be submitted by 27th June 2025.

• If the full application is successful, the RPA will offer a grant.

What are the changes to the scheme from Round 1?

1. Pig farms will now be offered funding up to 8 months storage. All other species will continue to be offered funding for 6 months storage.

2. Grant will be available for slurry separators (screw or screen press separator units, gantry and temporary storage of stackable materials)

3. Support for covering existing stores with impermeable covers. This option can be used on its own or alongside building a store but must meet scheme storage requirements and minimum grant thresholds.

4. Added option to build in-situ cast concrete stores as an alternative to circular and panel stores, lagoons and bags.

5. Introduced option for landlords to underwrite grant funding agreements. This will give tenants more confidence to apply. i.e. the landlord agrees to take over the agreement if tenant does not complete project.

6. If you were successful in Round 1, the RPA will contact you directly to discuss updating your application to include the above changes if necessary.

Will there be any further Rounds of the grant?

Round 3 is anticipated to open in 2024.

Where can I find out more detail?

Get in touch with the Kelly Farm Consulting Team to discuss your options! Our consultants can help determine how the grant could be utilised on your farm and assist with the application process.

Further detail can also be found at About the Slurry Infrastructure grant Round 2, who can apply and what it can pay for - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk) .

DEFRA, along with the RPA and EA will also be hosting a webinar on the 9th November at 14:30. Tickets for the free webinar will shortly be available at the following link A Defra webinar: The Slurry Infrastructure grant Round 2 Tickets, Thu 9 Nov 2023 at 14:30 | Eventbrite

Table 1 - Round 2 Slurry Infrastructure Items