July 2014
50 years of farm advice
Yorkshire Farming and Wildlife Partnership advisers are celebrating half a century working with farmers and landowners in Yorkshire.
Between them, Phil Lyth, Ann Hanson, Claire Foster and Karen Stanley have over 50 years’ experience providing environmental-based advice to Yorkshire farmers.
All four advisers used to work for the Yorkshire branch of the Farming and Wildlife Advisory Group (FWAG) until setting up the new business in late 2011, when FWAG went into liquidation. The team explained, “We wanted to continue working as a group to provide good quality independent environmental advice to farmers, and setting up Yorkshire Farming and Wildlife Partnership (YFWP) allowed us to do that”.
The Partnership is in its 3rd year and during this time the advisers have been kept busy with a variety of work, ranging from setting up Environmental Stewardship schemes and securing grant funding for individual farmers, to working on projects alongside organisations such as Natural England, Environment Agency, Yorkshire Dales National Park and Nidderdale AONB.
One such project is the Upper Aire Habitat and Land Management Improvement Project, which aims to improve the water quality of the River Aire and six tributaries which are currently at risk due to sedimentation from bank erosion and soil run-off.
Farmers in the catchment from Malham to Keighley can receive a free visit from one of the YFWP advisers to identify any issues on the farm and offer practical solutions, and in some cases access capital grant funding. “Over 40 farmers have got involved with the project so far, but at the moment funding is only guaranteed until March 2015, so please contact us sooner rather than later if you are interested”, said Phil Lyth, lead adviser for the project.
A pressing issue affecting all farmers is the onset of the new CAP greening rules. A number of factors are still to be confirmed by Defra later in the summer but the Partnership is urging farmers to start planning now. “The rules will take effect for the 2015 Basic Payment Scheme claim year so it is imperative that farmers plan their crop rotations and Ecological Focus Areas now in time for the 2014 drilling season. We can provide a short advisory visit to help farmers work through the implications on their own farms” said Claire. “The rules will not just affect arable farmers. Temporary grass is defined as arable land under the BPS so dairy farmers in particular will also need to check whether they are subject to crop diversification and EFA requirements”.
There will also be a number of changes to Cross Compliance from 2015. Notably, the Soil Protection Review will be removed, and replaced with 3 new soil management rules, relating to soil cover, organic matter and erosion risk. “From 2015 the booklet is being scrapped, but farmers will need to demonstrate good soil management through the new GAECs 4-6”, explained Karen. “Cross Compliance can be a minefield but we are able to go through the RPA inspection guidance with farmers and check everything is in order”.
The YFWP advisers are also keeping up to speed with the New Environmental Land Management Scheme (NELMS), which will replace Environmental Stewardship in 2015. Existing ELS (including organic and uplands) and HLS agreements will run to the end of their term, but farmers and landowners may find they cannot go straight into a NELMS agreement after their current scheme expires. “Natural England have released draft targeting maps showing where they plan to focus NELMS, for priorities such as farmland birds, biodiversity, woodland creation, flood alleviation and water quality. The maps are undergoing local validation and are available to view on the Natural England website”, said Ann.
Farmers seeking advice on the CAP greening rules and other environmental matters can contact one of the Yorkshire Farming and Wildlife Partnership advisers.
50 years of farm advice
Yorkshire Farming and Wildlife Partnership advisers are celebrating half a century working with farmers and landowners in Yorkshire.
Between them, Phil Lyth, Ann Hanson, Claire Foster and Karen Stanley have over 50 years’ experience providing environmental-based advice to Yorkshire farmers.
All four advisers used to work for the Yorkshire branch of the Farming and Wildlife Advisory Group (FWAG) until setting up the new business in late 2011, when FWAG went into liquidation. The team explained, “We wanted to continue working as a group to provide good quality independent environmental advice to farmers, and setting up Yorkshire Farming and Wildlife Partnership (YFWP) allowed us to do that”.
The Partnership is in its 3rd year and during this time the advisers have been kept busy with a variety of work, ranging from setting up Environmental Stewardship schemes and securing grant funding for individual farmers, to working on projects alongside organisations such as Natural England, Environment Agency, Yorkshire Dales National Park and Nidderdale AONB.
One such project is the Upper Aire Habitat and Land Management Improvement Project, which aims to improve the water quality of the River Aire and six tributaries which are currently at risk due to sedimentation from bank erosion and soil run-off.
Farmers in the catchment from Malham to Keighley can receive a free visit from one of the YFWP advisers to identify any issues on the farm and offer practical solutions, and in some cases access capital grant funding. “Over 40 farmers have got involved with the project so far, but at the moment funding is only guaranteed until March 2015, so please contact us sooner rather than later if you are interested”, said Phil Lyth, lead adviser for the project.
A pressing issue affecting all farmers is the onset of the new CAP greening rules. A number of factors are still to be confirmed by Defra later in the summer but the Partnership is urging farmers to start planning now. “The rules will take effect for the 2015 Basic Payment Scheme claim year so it is imperative that farmers plan their crop rotations and Ecological Focus Areas now in time for the 2014 drilling season. We can provide a short advisory visit to help farmers work through the implications on their own farms” said Claire. “The rules will not just affect arable farmers. Temporary grass is defined as arable land under the BPS so dairy farmers in particular will also need to check whether they are subject to crop diversification and EFA requirements”.
There will also be a number of changes to Cross Compliance from 2015. Notably, the Soil Protection Review will be removed, and replaced with 3 new soil management rules, relating to soil cover, organic matter and erosion risk. “From 2015 the booklet is being scrapped, but farmers will need to demonstrate good soil management through the new GAECs 4-6”, explained Karen. “Cross Compliance can be a minefield but we are able to go through the RPA inspection guidance with farmers and check everything is in order”.
The YFWP advisers are also keeping up to speed with the New Environmental Land Management Scheme (NELMS), which will replace Environmental Stewardship in 2015. Existing ELS (including organic and uplands) and HLS agreements will run to the end of their term, but farmers and landowners may find they cannot go straight into a NELMS agreement after their current scheme expires. “Natural England have released draft targeting maps showing where they plan to focus NELMS, for priorities such as farmland birds, biodiversity, woodland creation, flood alleviation and water quality. The maps are undergoing local validation and are available to view on the Natural England website”, said Ann.
Farmers seeking advice on the CAP greening rules and other environmental matters can contact one of the Yorkshire Farming and Wildlife Partnership advisers.
Press Release 13th December 2011 - Life After FWAG
The Advisers and volunteers formerly involved with the Farming and Wildlife Advisory Group in Yorkshire have formulated a plan to ensure that they continue to offer expertise and advice to farmers despite the demise of the national body. It means that the work FWAG has organised in the County for more than a quarter of a century will continue under the new title of Yorkshire Farming and Wildlife.
The Yorkshire group have been overwhelmed by the widespread support and appreciation for their work from both the farming community, and from wildlife and farming organisations within the county and this has underpinned the decision to continue the work.
Led by former North Yorkshire FWAG Chairman Nick Ramsden, who farms at Myton on Swale, Yorkshire Farming and Wildlife, a new not-for-profit organisation, will be supported by the volunteers on the former County FWAG Committees, and will be launching an exciting programme of events and educational activities in the New Year, supported by a membership scheme. “We are all farmers who are also wildlife enthusiasts” he said. “We believe we will have a key role in sharing ideas and skills both between farmers and amongst others interested in sustainable rural life. Yorkshire Farming and Wildlife will enthuse farmers about wildlife conservation and caring for the environment, exchanging information within a programme of enjoyable social activities. We all want our farms to be the best possible environment and rich in the wildlife we so much enjoy seeing”.
Former FWAG Advisers, Phil Lyth, Karen Stanley, Ann Hanson and Claire Foster, are continuing to provide advice on a commercial basis to farmers as a new Yorkshire Farming and Wildlife Partnership, as well as supporting the new farmer-led voluntary organisation. Between them they have more than 43 years experience giving professional advice to Yorkshire farmers on environmental matters. Phil Lyth, who joined FWAG in Yorkshire in 1986, said “We believe that farmers need good quality independent environmental advice now more than ever, and we are determined to continue to deliver that in Yorkshire. Between us we have a wide range of professional expertise from Environmental Stewardship Schemes, woodland and pond design and wildlife surveys, to advice on manure and nutrient management from FACTS qualified specialists. We are looking forward very much to continuing to support Yorkshire farmers with their environmental needs in the future”.
Paddy Dent of Ribston Farms, who farms 1700 acres of land north of Wetherby, is just one of the many farmers who have been long-term recipients of FWAG guidance. Last month he hosted a visit from the Duke of Gloucester, who is himself a farmer, and who was keen to see the conservation work on the farm which had been implemented with FWAG help. “The advice I have received from FWAG over the past 20 years on my farm has been invaluable to the business” he said. “I intend to use the new Farming and Wildlife Partnership to ensure that we stay up to date with environmental schemes and regulations in the future, and I would encourage other farmers to do the same”.
The Yorkshire group have been overwhelmed by the widespread support and appreciation for their work from both the farming community, and from wildlife and farming organisations within the county and this has underpinned the decision to continue the work.
Led by former North Yorkshire FWAG Chairman Nick Ramsden, who farms at Myton on Swale, Yorkshire Farming and Wildlife, a new not-for-profit organisation, will be supported by the volunteers on the former County FWAG Committees, and will be launching an exciting programme of events and educational activities in the New Year, supported by a membership scheme. “We are all farmers who are also wildlife enthusiasts” he said. “We believe we will have a key role in sharing ideas and skills both between farmers and amongst others interested in sustainable rural life. Yorkshire Farming and Wildlife will enthuse farmers about wildlife conservation and caring for the environment, exchanging information within a programme of enjoyable social activities. We all want our farms to be the best possible environment and rich in the wildlife we so much enjoy seeing”.
Former FWAG Advisers, Phil Lyth, Karen Stanley, Ann Hanson and Claire Foster, are continuing to provide advice on a commercial basis to farmers as a new Yorkshire Farming and Wildlife Partnership, as well as supporting the new farmer-led voluntary organisation. Between them they have more than 43 years experience giving professional advice to Yorkshire farmers on environmental matters. Phil Lyth, who joined FWAG in Yorkshire in 1986, said “We believe that farmers need good quality independent environmental advice now more than ever, and we are determined to continue to deliver that in Yorkshire. Between us we have a wide range of professional expertise from Environmental Stewardship Schemes, woodland and pond design and wildlife surveys, to advice on manure and nutrient management from FACTS qualified specialists. We are looking forward very much to continuing to support Yorkshire farmers with their environmental needs in the future”.
Paddy Dent of Ribston Farms, who farms 1700 acres of land north of Wetherby, is just one of the many farmers who have been long-term recipients of FWAG guidance. Last month he hosted a visit from the Duke of Gloucester, who is himself a farmer, and who was keen to see the conservation work on the farm which had been implemented with FWAG help. “The advice I have received from FWAG over the past 20 years on my farm has been invaluable to the business” he said. “I intend to use the new Farming and Wildlife Partnership to ensure that we stay up to date with environmental schemes and regulations in the future, and I would encourage other farmers to do the same”.
Press links
Team stays together to preserve expertise (Yorkshire Post 19/12/2011)
www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/news/country-view/farming/team_stays_together_to_preserve_expertise_1_4074625
www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/news/country-view/farming/team_stays_together_to_preserve_expertise_1_4074625
