Livestock Sheep producers urged to seek help on farm support

• Speed of changes getting faster

• Huge impact on farm businesses

• Planning can help farmers adapt

Rapidly increasing changes to farm support means sheep pro ducers should seek profession al advice, say experts.

The removal of the Basic Payment Scheme means almost all sheep farm ers face big changes, says the Nation al Sheep Association. This includes adapting existing production sys tems, diversification and applying for new schemes.

Lack of clarity

NSA chief executive Phil Stocker says: “With so many changes to farm support being implemented or on the way, it can be challenging for farmers to know which direction to take their business – and which, if any, new scheme is suited to their systems.

Information is readily available for schemes already open for applications, says Mr Stocker.

But the volume can be overwhelming and it is not always clear – so how can farmers ensure they can make the most of what is on offer to them?”

Funding streams

The answer may be using a professional livestock adviser such as a member of the Register of Sheep Advisers (RoSA) – a network of well-rounded professional advisers working within the UK sheep industry.

Advice includes guidance to help sheep farming businesses adapt during and beyond the transition, including ways to join agri-environment schemes and other funding.

The register was established by the National Sheep Association and BASIS Registration in 2021. It directs farmers to advisers with specialisms including business management, electronic reading systems, animal health, nutrition and breeding.

Farm business consultant and sheep producer James Oliver says: “The RoSA network is critical in these ever-changing times with significant shifts in payments and how the government is issuing support.”

Embracing change

Farmers need to embrace change rather than be scared of it, says Mr Oliver. Many produers are already doing a lot of the work needed to receive payments so they should be able to easily tap into these schemes.

“With increasing capital costs in farming, these can help with infrastructure such as fencing and hedging. There are a lot of good advisers out there with practical sheep experience who can relate to their clients and help them to increase their resilience.”

Mr Stocker says the sheep farming sector is likely to be tested by huge forthcoming changes in land use and farm support, driven by global issues

Changes to support mean many producers must adapt the way they farm of food security and environmental challenge.

“If sheep farmers are going to adapt and succeed, its likely more will want and need advice. Therefore, it’s important there is a network of wellinformed, trusted sheep specific advisers and this was the reason for the formation of this register.

“Taking advice, whether that is on policy change or practical sheep farming matters, should not be judged as a cost but by what benefits it will bring to the farm business.”

For details, visit www.sheepadvisers.co.uk

Farmplan and Herdwatch in new deal

Anew partnership will see Farmplan livestock software customers upgraded to the Herdwatch platform.

This partnership will upgrade those customers who are currently using Farmplan’s livestock software suite, specifically dedicated to sheep and cattle products such as Livestock Manager, Cattle Manager and Sheep Manager. Herdwatch delivers an integrated, and feature-rich platform. Customers using Farmplan’s financial, cropping or hardware products and services will continue to have access to the same support, as these areas are unaffected by the partnership.

Farmplan managing director Piers Costley said, “Great care was taken to find the perfect partnership to upgrade our cattle and sheep software customers. Herdwatch is already used on more than 18,000 farms across the UK and Ireland.

“They provide access to cutting edge technology and were deemed the best suited partner on the market. Herdwatch is a natural and logical partner that will equip users with access to valuable cloud integration to futureproof their operations.”

Herdwatch chief executive Fabien Peyaud said: “Our easy-to-use, cloud based solution can be used by multiple users, to access multiple holdings, on multiple devices, making it the perfect solution for Farmplan sheep and cattle software customers.”