A South West Perspective

RAYMOND CRERAR, REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT MANAGER, SOUTH WEST SCOTLAND

Rain, rain and more rain.

So far, 2024 has been a challenging year for agriculture. All farm types were affected by the very wet winter then spring and unfortunately this has continued throughout the summer months. Growth rates of grass, crops and livestock have been behind previous years. In our region, silage making has been very much a snatch and grab process due to limited weather windows. On average, silage quality has been poorer this year.

A welcome change in the weather in July allowed second cuts, and third cuts for some, to be made, winter barley was combined and straw baled with reasonable yields of both being reported. August, however, has been persistently wet and some parts of our region have had in excess of 280 mm (11 inches) of rain this month. Some recon this year is as bad as 1985 albeit we now have more advanced and quicker methods of ensiling forage which has been a saving grace for farmers. We all have our fingers crossed for an upturn in the weather to allow the last of the forage to be conserved and spring cereals to be harvested.

Planning for the winter housing period is essential. As silage quality has been extremely variable, famers should be analysing their forage stocks as soon as possible and carrying out rations to plan how it will be supplemented this winter. Calculating the volume of forage in store and preparing feed budgets is important to ensure that you have sufficient forage to take your stock through the winter.

Prices for straw are currently around £130/t delivered and unless we see improvements in the weather, housing will be earlier this year. It is looking like it could be a long and expensive winter so plan ahead now.

On the plus side, the store market for sheep and cattle remains strong with sheep prices across the board being well up on this time last year whilst the store cattle trade remains similar. Breeders can take advantage of these good prices by cashing in trading stock to minimise wintering costs. Selling store is not an admission of defeat but a good business decision and will allow prioritisation of grass to breeding stock, allowing them to regain condition pre-mating or pre-housing as many suckler cows and breeding ewes are behind their target body condition score for the time of year.

Other than the weather, what else is there to talk about?

Besides the weather, the recently announced Whole Farm Plan (WFP) has created a stir and is another common talking point within the agricultural community. The additional requirements of this plan will affect all farmers and crofters that claim and receive Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) support. Scot Gov have recently released the WFP details and outlined the additional requirements that producers will need to adhere to for them to be eligible to claim Basic Payment Scheme from 2025 onwards.

For next year’s Single Application Form (SAF) submission, two of the options will be required to be undertaken and by 2028, all relevant options to that business will be required. Change can be unsettling, and this may seem daunting to some. However, most will be well on their way to having at least two of these elements already.

Do you keep livestock?

Now is the time for every business to plan out when to undertake the additional elements of the WFP - it is worth remembering that there is grant support to assist you with the cost of some of this. Our consultants in the south west are arranging a series of workshops for Autumn which will inform clients of the WFP requirements and timelines, and advise you on how to undertake as many parts of the plan as possible on your own.

Over the next three years, there will be huge benefits to your business through involvement in these options. For example, regular soil sampling and nutrient budgeting is fundamental in maximising productivity and nutrient uptake. Ensuring pH levels are optimal maximises nutrient uptake from soils, allowing organic nutrients to be targeted at deficient fields and reducing the need for purchased synthetic fertiliser.

Animal health planning is a cornerstone of animal welfare and will contribute to higher growth rates, improved output and increased profitability. Using expert advice, anthelmintic and antibiotic treatment can be reduced, not only cutting cost but improving the longer-term resilience of the active ingredients in these products on your farm.

Carbon footprint is basically a way of measuring your farm enterprise efficiency. Auditing farm business emissions is already commonplace with farmers who are involved in producer groups or as a request of lenders. Undertaking a carbon audit of your own business will benchmark you against similar enterprise types and highlight areas where improvements can be made to reduce cost and ultimately improve profitability.

This change will have the greatest effect on the nonfarming landowners with no agricultural activity who claim and receive BPS on Region 1 land.

Do you use plant pesticides? (Plan protection products)

Do you claim Region 1 land and apply articifial fertilisers and/or organic manures to it?

Soil analysis required by 2028

These are claimants who declare their land as Alternative Practice (AP) on their SAF. For claimants in this category, most of the WFP options are not relevant to them. Looking forward, they should consider their own situation, speak to their accountant and consultant, and lease their BPS entitlement to those who are actively farming their land. This vital support payment is likely to reduce and should ultimately be received by those actively producing food and enhancing environmental benefits.

Accessing grant support to help prepare plans

There is currently grant assistance to support you in preparing a carbon audit. Under Preparing for Sustainable Farming (PSF) funding, producers can access £500 towards the cost of a carbon audit.

Under the Farm Advisory Service (FAS) the funding is £660 for first time claimants or £330 thereafter. Soil sampling can be funded through PSF.

How do I learn more?

Our advisory team are currently preparing a suite of client meetings to inform you and help you better understand the requirements of the WFP. As always, our dedicated teams are here to advise and guide businesses through the changing climate of agricultural support.