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A n e w v i s i o n f o r g r a n t m a n a g e m e n t r e q u i r e s f a m i l i a r I T B y N e t c o m p a n y Richar d Davies, Countr y Managing Par tner at Netcompany.
With the UK’s exit from are familiar across governments and society wants. the EU, the too – with the need to improve the Government has a efficiency of grants administration, Innovate around proven solutions golden opportunity to the effectiveness of the grant re-think how grant funding and reduction in losses If government needs to underpin funding can better support policy, from fraud driving innovation. a reimagined grants management while also increasing its function with a new platform to effectiveness and reducing loss Grant management following exit ensure it meets its ambitions, how from fraud. But big challenges from the EU should it do that? It could, in the remain from grant management established way, start from platforms stuck in the 1950s. While the Grants Management scratch and build something that Function in the Cabinet Office is might work. Yet we know projects At its very heart, the business of continuing with its ambitions to often fail to deliver on time, government is mostly about either make grant management more exceed the budget, and do not taking in money or giving it away. effective efficient and safe, the provide the value promised. The Of course, that’s a simplified view UK’s exit from the EU is ensuring alternative is to look at what grant management is a large, that grant management is rising others are doing. As we said important and complex area of up the agenda across many other before, the grant management government. Its raison d’être is to departments as they re-think how function remains relatively the support policy objectives across grant funding can better support same from government to government from education, policy. government, as do the challenges health, rural affairs, innovation and aspirations to streamline and research as well as abroad For farming in particular, the end processes and improve through international aid for public of EU farm subsidies represents transparency. good. one of the biggest changes to farming policy in half a century. With this in mind, wouldn’t it be Adopting prevention strategies to With the end of the Common better to adopt proven solutions minimise long-term risk Agricultural Policy (CAP), Defra that create agile, future-proof will assume responsibility for systems, based on open At present many government designing, implementing and components that ensures full departments simply do not managing its own domestic flexibility and the opportunity for possess the necessary agricultural policies and schemes. ongoing innovation? Take this technology, time and employee And is now starting its 7-year approach and government can availability to action the plethora transition towards a system that spend 20 per cent of the effort of grants available. Not only that, pays farmers to improve the getting 80 per cent of the way to a number of departments may be environment, improve animal the digital national scale grants incorrectly actioning grants and health and welfare, and reduce solution they need. Why should creating more complicated carbon emissions. Defra and the like build their own matters further down the line when suppliers have already during an audit, such as revealing Essentially, they are moving away delivered these proven solutions that expenses were not from decades-old practices of to other governments? accounted for. With these hidden funding based on land size, to costs not factored into the instead reward farmers for work With little effort government can process from the get go, there that only they can do – whether create a cutting-edge grant could be an increasing chance that’s ensuring the survival of management system, own it and that the spending will not be threatened species or locking up be responsible for it, leaving more reimbursed. carbon on their land. Work that space to innovate around the benefits everyone in society. edges creating the impetus, Grant management requires both through data-led funding and process flexibility and mandatory This move will have to be both subsidies strategies, to create security and monitoring to ensure driven by long-term policy, and behaviour changes that will safe case management and the reactionary to need. Yet, the UK benefit society. payment of grants. And while the grant management function is funding mechanisms, rules and underpinned by platforms and scopes may differ, grant processes formed in the 1950s. management is something nearly Platforms that are clunky and every department of every rigid, and not realistically up to the government does. The challenges job of delivering what government
D e f r a a n n o u n c e s f u n d i n g b o o s t a n d n e w p a r t n e r s h i p w i t h F o r e s t f o r C o r n w a l l
Defra and Forest for Cornwall have today [19 March] joined forces to form an innovative new National Woodland Creation Partnership pilot to drive regional tree planting. This new partnership will be supported through an initial £120,000 uplift from the Nature for Climate Fund, the Forestry Minister Lord Goldsmith has announced. • Funding boost and new woodland creation partnership formed between Defra and Forest for Cornwall • Trees are a precious natural asset and central to the fight against climate change Following on from the successful Northumberland Forest Partnership announced by the Environment Secretary in 2019, the Government is backing this Cornwall Council-led woodland creation partnership to help identify sites in Cornwall for woodland creation and bring local stakeholders on board. Partnership Forum members include Cornwall Wildlife Trust, Duchy of Cornwall, Forestry Commission, Environment Agency, Natural England, Woodland Trust, National Trust, Tamar AONB, ConFor, CLA, NFU, South West Water, Cornwall Association of Local Councils, and West Country Rivers Trust. The ambition of Forest for Cornwall, set out and led by Cornwall Council as a key part of it’s Carbon Neutral Action Plan, is to ensure that the woodlands created are best suited for the needs of communities in Cornwall. A mix of targeted tree and woodland planting will be carried out to achieve this, including: • planting trees to provide shade in urban areas to help counter the high rates of skin cancer shown in the county • planting trees in areas of high deprivation to provide well-being benefits for local communities • enabling economic benefits for the county by developing well-designed woodlands of scale to encourage visitors • planting woodlands to enhance nature’s recovery and flood mitigation Today’s announcement highlights the essential role that local authorities and their partners have to play in achieving the Government’s ambition to increase tree planting rates to 30,000 hectares per year across the UK by 2025. To meet this ambition, a locally led approach to tree and woodland creation is needed, and local partners are in a unique position to inform the delivery of tree planting on the ground.
Forestry Minister Lord Goldsmith said:
“This exciting new partnership in Cornwall emphasises the importance of working together and using a locally-led approach to help build back greener. “I am pleased to announce that through the government’s Nature for Climate Fund, trees will be planted where they are most needed, allowing more communities in Cornwall to have access to nature and in turn, to experience real benefits for health and wellbeing.”
Forestry Commission Chair Sir William Worsley said:
“Trees are the backbone of our urban and rural environments and essential in tackling the climate emergency. As the largest land managers in England and the government’s expert forestry advisors, we are excited to be part of this new pilot. This partnership will be crucial for deciding where trees need to be planted in Cornwall to provide maximum benefits for people, climate and nature.
Councillor Edwina Hannaford, portfolio holder for Neighbourhoods and Climate Change at Cornwall Council, said:
“We are delighted that Defra is supporting our Forest for Cornwall Programme. “As part of our commitment to tackle climate change, we are working with partners to appropriately plant hundreds of thousands of trees in our beautiful county. This funding will enable us to support more landowners and land managers who want to plant trees in different areas. “In 2019 Cornwall Council issued a climate emergency and has set the ambitious target of being carbon neutral by 2030. As it grows the Forest for Cornwall will help us towards reaching that goal and help us create a better, greener future for the next generation.” By growing, protecting and restoring our trees, forests and woodlands we can help reduce carbon emissions, encourage biodiversity and nature recovery, grow our sustainable timber market, and improve people’s health and wellbeing. Defra is committed to protecting and restoring our natural environment. This is part of a series of Nature for Climate Fund announcements this spring, leading up to the publication of the government’s action plan on trees, woodland and forestry. In recent months, the government has announced £12.1 million of investment for tree planting in Community Forests across the country, as well as a new £3.9 million pot to support innovative planting schemes in towns and cities and near rivers to reduce flood risk.
NEW HayBoss 7 Series Application Equipment fot the Massey lar ge baler H ayBoss is releasing the NEW 7 series system for the Massey large square baler. The 7 series bucks the USB port located in the tractor cab IIC control unit. As normal trend of price with the increases for new products. There has previous 600 been approximately a 15% reduction on series the list prices while improving the automatic system still fully applicators functions and quality over the integrated to previous 600 series. the Massey New star wheel moisture sensors built Ferguson large with sealed bearings while still being the square baler market leader for moisture accuracy, electronically range. The sensors pulse 10 volts and between the 2 star wheels reading mechanically. moisture through the entire width of the The HayBoss bale with no calibration required between data is crop types and densities. The 7 series displayed via utilises integrated encoders for the baler’s monitoring the baling performance terminal replaces the external proximity sensors whether on the of the previous 600 series. baler or Tractor The pumping system is more responsive ISO terminal. replacing 3 variable rate pumps with a For those operators who require to see second terminal increases the data, single high-capacity bypass pump with the full HayBoss data while baling providing a live baling speed, time lapse twin pulsing solenoids for instant utilising the new PRECISION BALING moisture data and adjustment of settings application rate changes. As the balers app for iOS or Android tablets. This new on the go. performance or the crop moisture feature bringing Android tablets into the The HayBoss range also includes changes the 7 series responds line-up provides a more cost-effective systems for round and small square immediately controlling the correct solution to adding an additional terminal. balers with simplified systems to suit a amount of Baler’s Choice hay and straw The ISO terminal displays the live and full range of budgets. Contacting you preservative. previous bale moisture along with HayBoss specialist to work out the most Job records are now downloaded via the preservative application rates. Adding a suitable system for your specific needs.
V a n t a g e s t r e n g t h e n s s e r v i c e b a c k u p w i t h e n g i n e e r i n g e x p e r t i s e
Dedicated to delivering up to date products and the best back up in the business, Vantage England & Wales have added a new installation & Service engineer to their team. Harry Hamer is the most recent addition and will be based in the North West of the companies trading area, England, and Wales. Joining the company from a CNH dealership, Harry is looking to apply his knowledge of modern machinery architecture and develop it further with Trimble solutions. “I have had an interest in agriculture and equipment from a young age which has seen me pursue a career in mechanical and electrical engineering. Joining the Vantage team will allow me to build on this with the added benefit of being exposed to all makes, models and types of machinery’. Harry’s family have been involved with Agriculture, which triggered a natural interest in the industry. After graduating from Reaseheath college with a distinction in Land Based Technology, Harry went on to operate equipment in the local farming community which included harvest/ cultivation work using GPS. Looking for a new challenge Harry then joined a CNH dealership where he witnessed first-hand diagnostics, service management, integration with implements and first-class customer service. “Having used the systems on farm and then supporting customers who use them, I can see the pitfalls in not being dedicated to a particular area of technology as there are so many variables. Joining Vantage allows me to focus on the technology side of Agriculture, which is what I enjoy, it will allow me to focus on delivering a solution for customers. Being able to provide support and back up on farm, by phone and remotely using the WIFI connectivity will be hugely satisfying, for both me and the customer”. Mark Griffiths, national sales manager at Vantage England and Wales, says ‘Harry’s appointment will help strengthen our customer promise regarding service. We support customers, dealers and OEMs to deliver the best technology, having people on the ground is key to support it on farm’. ‘Harry will be located in a key area of the UK helping us to cover challenging geography associated with the West such as North Wales and the Peak District, but with the benefit of travel links to service all of our customers. Having experienced our equipment on the farm as a user and technician, we look forward to Harry helping our customers and increase their performance further than even they expected’.
The availability of seasonal labour is of huge concern to vegetable and flower farmers - particularly given Brexit - but it could be a thing of the past thanks to an innovation from Kernow Robotics. Founded in 2019 by Ben Green, Kernow Robotics aims to ease pressures on seasonal labour by introducing selfdriving mini tractors to farms. Having gained experience of fruit picking robots when working with Fieldwork Robotics at the University of Plymouth, Mr Green saw potential to overcome the labour issue. “This pressure is unlikely to change so we started looking at using robots for tasks instead,” he says. With Brexit restricting availability of seasonal workers from abroad, labour shortages have been an ongoing trend, explains Mr Green. “I think Cornwall got 200 workers on the new seasonal worker scheme, which is enough for one daffodil farm – nowhere near the requirements.” However, the robot isn’t necessarily designed to replace jobs, but to supplement them. “For example, you wouldn’t pay someone to walk around a field scaring crows all day but with a mobile robot there’s no cost.” Working with Agri-Tech Cornwall, Mr Green secured a £7,200 grant to create a self-driving agricultural robot. The first step in the design process was to create a mobile platform, known as a mini tractor. “On top of this will be tools, such as precision spraying and weeding options.” Mr Green hopes the first prototype will be up and running by the end of April, with the machine ready to hit the commercial market in three years, priced at a likely £10,000. “We are looking to form partnerships with local producers and key parties – not necessarily to sell the product but to work together while generating some interest about what the robots can do and set about solving some of these problems.” The mini tractor will have interchangeable tools and Mr Green plans to offer the whole service as a package, in which the farmer will contract the Kernow Robotics team to bring several of the robots to a field and oversee the process, without the farmer needing to be there or having to shell out for the robot itself. “Practices like ploughing are energy intensive and you need a big tractor, but for precision spraying you can have a small robot driving over every row of vegetables with a camera that specifically identifies a weed and has a nozzle to spray it,” explains Mr Green. “Chemical usage could be cut down astronomically to more sustainable levels. That’s the exciting bit for us because we’re enabling brand new schools of thought on how we can approach these barriers that have always seemed insurmountable.” Beginning with local challenges, Kernow Robotics will focus on how the machines can help Cornish daffodil farmers before looking into options on livestock farms. “As we go forward, we will discover more uses for the machines; for livestock we have researched monitoring which could be used for calving or lambing. The robot will be able to identify when an animal is in labour and send a message to the farmer in case it needs assistance. “I’m really focussing on local problems and helping local farmers – I hope to make a real difference to the future of Cornish farming.”
FA R M E R S N E E D T O G E T T H E I R A F FA I R S I N O R D E R A F T E R B R E X I T C H A N G E S “The higher reduction rates will apply to Property Relief could be cut or even abolished to help pay for the furlough those farms currently scheme and other COVID-19 support
Farmers are being urged to receiving larger direct payments. A farm schemes. The government may ensure they have up-to-date receiving more than £150,000 will see a announce their future plans for changes succession plans in place 25% reduction in 2021 followed by 40%, to the inheritance and capital gains tax following the start of the 55% and 70% reductions in the regime as part of their post budget Agricultural Transition Plan subsequent scheme years with the last of announcements on 23 March. which came into being after the UK’s the direct payments being made in 2027. All of this means that farmers need to be departure from the EU. “Meanwhile the direct payments will be in a state of financial and legal Tom Chiffers, from leading national law replaced by a new universally accessible preparedness with a robust succession firm Clarke Willmott LLP, says farmers Environmental Land Management (ELM) plan in place which should include the have entered into a period of great scheme, that will reward farmers, right kind of will.” change and need to be ready to deal with growers and land managers for Clarke Willmott has recently launched the consequences to avoid future costly delivering public goods, with an its #GoodWill campaign which aims to disputes over succession. anticipated 50-60% drop in funding in encourage people to take steps to The government’s Agricultural Transition real terms by 2030. safeguard their family’s future wealth Plan (ATP) outlines a timescale to “Defra is also offering a lump sum exit by pledging that they will make a will this change the way farming is funded, scheme from 2022 to help farmers who year. managed and incentivised which will wish to retire in place of any further BPS have a significant impact on the income and delinked payments enabling them to The firm has developed a free, of farms and the farming industry. capitalise the future stream of direct online ‘Which Will?’ tool to help Tom, a partner in Clarke Willmott’s payment income that would otherwise be people that prompts the user to think Private Capital team, says that the available until 2027. about what is important to them when support payments farmers currently “Whilst there is still much uncertainty and making a will and recommends receive in the form of BPS will start to be lack of clarity as to what the new which will best meets their needs. phased out from 2021, becoming payment schemes will look like, there is delinked in 2024 and eventually getting an expectation there will be a significant Clarke Willmott is a national law firm with replaced with a system which pays drop in funding for all farmers at the end offices in Birmingham, Bristol, Cardiff, farmers for specific types of of the transition plan in 2027.” London, Manchester, Southampton and environmental land management. “In addition to the ATP, the government Taunton. It is also the NFU legal panel “All direct payments will be reduced has also been applying greater scrutiny firm for Dorset, Somerset, progressively but with bigger reductions to both inheritance tax and capital gains Gloucestershire and Wiltshire. on the higher payment bands; operating tax and given its current pandemic For further information contact much like income tax bands. For spending, there are concerns that the tom.chiffers@clarkewillmott.com or visit example, everyone will have a reduction generous inheritance tax reliefs currently www.clarkewillmott.com of 5% on their first £30,000 of payments available to farmers in the form of in 2021. Business Property Relief and Agricultural www.farmingmonthly.co.uk
U K ’ s b i g g e s t e v e r f a r m l a n d b i r d c o u n t s h o w s f a r m e r s c o m m i t t i n g t o c o n s e r v a t i o n
Participation in an annual nationwide survey of farmland birds has more than doubled. Britain’s farmers and gamekeepers have shown their long-term commitment to conservation alongside productive land-use by completing this year’s GWCT Big Farmland Bird Count in record numbers. The Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust’s Dr Roger Draycott, who organised the count, said “We could not be more delighted with the response to this year’s GWCT Big Farmland Bird Count. Despite much of the country being blanketed in snow during the count (5-21 February) participation has shot up, with 2,500 counts returned, representing a 65% increase in the number of counts submitted compared to 2020, which was also a record year. The land area covered by the count has more than doubled to over a million hectares and 81% more birds have been counted this year by more than 700 additional volunteers. “All of this helps us to build a detailed national picture of the state of Britain’s farmland birds, allowing us to better understand what is really going on in our countryside. It clearly shows that farmers, land managers and gamekeepers care for the land they work and, given that they look after 71% of all the land in the UK, that is extremely good news for the future of our treasured bird species. “We would like to thank everyone who took part for demonstrating that land managers can lead the way in protecting our countryside alongside effective food production.” The 2021 GWCT Big Farmland Bird Count has shown some encouraging results. A total of 25 species from the Red List for Birds of Conservation Concern were recorded in this year’s count, with 8 appearing in the 25 most frequently seen species list. Of these, Starlings, Fieldfare, Lapwing and Linnet were the four most abundant red-listed species recorded, with over 112,000 spotted in total, which equates to 22% of all the birds counted. The five most abundant birds counted were woodpigeons, starling, rooks, fieldfare and chaffinch. A total of 190,000 were seen, making up over 37% of the total number of birds recorded.
The GWCT Big Farmland Bird Count asks land managers to spend 30 minutes recording the bird species they see on their land as part of an annual nationwide survey which helps to identify any species which are struggling. The count is a simple way for farmers and gamekeepers to assess the natural capital on farm, an increasing requirement under the government’s Environmental Land Management scheme, and to chart the effects of any conservation they carry out. Completing it year after year can help to establish the bio-diversity gains from long-term conservation efforts. The scheme was launched in 2014 to highlight the positive work done by farmers and gamekeepers in helping to reverse the decline in farmland birds. The National Farmers’ Union (NFU) has sponsored the count for the last three years. NFU President Minette Batters said: “These results are tremendous and I would like to thank all those farmers who responded to this year’s count in record numbers despite the wintry weather back in February. It’s great too that so many different threatened species were spotted such as Lapwing and Linnet. “British farmers are proud to produce your food and it is often unappreciated that they also provide habitats for wildlife and additional feeding for farmland birds during the winter months. The Big Farmland Bird Count is always a fantastic way for farmers to record the birdlife found on their farms and why I am really pleased that the NFU could sponsor this year’s count once again.” Land managers from around the UK took part in the 2021 count. Surveys were undertaken in every county of England and across much of Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales, with Norfolk topping the leader board with 189 submissions and Lincolnshire in second place with 131. Participation rates increased in England, Wales and Scotland. Word of the scheme had also spread beyond the UK’s shores, with surveys coming in from a number of farmers in Austria. The average farm size of those taking part was 1,027 acres. 48% of participants were in agri-environment schemes, demonstrating their long-term commitment to environmental management. 39% provide some form of extra support for birds, through growing bird seed mixes or by winter feeding. The GWCT would like to thank the NFU for sponsoring the GWCT Big Farmland Bird Count, which it delivered in partnership with the CLA, FUW (Farmers Union of Wales), Ulster Farmers’ Union (UFU), Kings, CFE, the FWAG Association, National Sheep Association, Camgrain and LEAF.
S t a y i n g s u n n y s i d e - u p : F a r m l a y c o n t i n u e s t o p u t i t s e g g s i n A l d i ' s b a s k e t
Brunch enthusiasts continue to enjoy a full range of 100% Scottish hens eggs at Aldi thanks to cracking success with Aberdeenshire-based supplier, Farmlay. Now one of the largest egg production units in Scotland, the family business started rearing poultry on a farm in 1946. Farmlay then went on to specialise in eggs in the 1970s, and now packs almost 5 million eggs of the highest quality each week. Farmlay's Robert Chapman says the secret to their eggs is having happy hens. The business is devoted to the highest levels of bird welfare and ensures it provides the best conditions for its almost-one-million hens. Farmlay, run by husband-and-wife team Robert and Ethel Chapman along with their son Iain, has supplied Aldi with its finest quality Scottish eggs since 2010 as part of the supermarket's ongoing commitment to championing Scottish produce. Farmlay has continued to enjoy success over the years thanks to this strong partnership and is Aldi's sole supplier of Scottish eggs, currently sending almost 2 million eggs to Aldi stores in Scotland each week. Now in its third generation of familyownership, Farmlay manages each stage of the production process and even uses its own transport fleet to ensure safe delivery. It works with 23 contract producers and is committed to making sure each egg is enjoyed as fresh as it possibly can be. Robert Chapman, Managing Director of Farmlay, commented: "We are a proud Scottish company and it has always been clear that Aldi echo our beliefs in championing the best produce that Scotland has to offer. It was definitely one of the main attractions to working with Aldi. "Their support has been key for our growth over the years, and I am very proud that we are still their sole egg supplier in Scotland. We are so pleased that our delicious eggs are available for customers across the country to enjoy at a fair price." Farmlay supplies Aldi with its full everyday range of 100% Scottish eggs, which include Free Range, Golden and Organic. Together with Aldi, it is now working to refurbish its barns to coincide with Aldi's commitment to be 100% cagefree across all their shell eggs and egg ingredients in products by 2025, due to this commitment, Aldi was awarded the 'Good Egg Award' for Compassion in World Farming in 2020. Graham Nicolson, Group Buying Director, Aldi Scotland, said: "I am extremely proud of our long partnership with Farmlay, which epitomises the kind of companies that Aldi is keen to support – those that produce top quality Scottish produce. I look forward to a long future of working with Robert and his brilliant team." The full range of Farmlay's 100% Scottish eggs are on sale at all 96 Aldi stores as part of their everyday range. You can find your nearest Aldi store here.
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