WINTER UPDATE - GOV.WALES
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WINTER UPDATE
KEY DATES
2021
JANUARY MARCH
11 January 1 March
Glastir Small Grants - Carbon Single Application Form (SAF) 2021
EOI Opens available on RPW Online
28 January Common Land Application 2021
Deadline for claiming all Glastir capital available on RPW Online
works for 2020 via RPW Online Farm Business Grant EOI opens
Timber Investment Scheme
EOI opens
12 March
FEBRUARY Sustainable Production Grant
1 February EOI closes
Sustainable Production Grant –
EOI opens
Sheep and Goat Annual Inventory –
deadline for return to be submitted APRIL
12 February 9 April
Deadline for Equine Microchipping Farm Business Grant EOI closes
(Wales) Timber Investment Scheme
19 February EOI closes
Glastir Small Grants Carbon
EOI closes
Please note that the information in the Winter Update was accurate and up to date up until the date of
publishing on 18 December 2020.
For up-to-date information, visit the Welsh Government website - www.gov.wales
Mae’r ddogfen yma hefyd ar gael yn Gymraeg.
This document is also available in Welsh.
© Crown copyright 2020 WG41450 Print ISBN 978-1-80082-641-0 Digital ISBN 978-1-80082-640-3
Rural Payments Wales (RPW) Statement on Coronavirus (COVID-19) In line with Welsh Government and Public Health Wales (PHW) advice on COVID-19, RPW has made changes to some of its services to ensure the health, safety and well-being of staff and customers. Please keep checking the Welsh Government website for the latest information. www.gov.wales/rural-payments-wales-rpw-coronavirus-covid-19 Customer Contact Centre The RPW Customer Contact Centre opening times are now: Monday to Friday: 8:30am to 12:00pm / 2:00pm to 4:00pm Where possible, all non-urgent enquiries should be submitted in writing via RPW Online. Enquiries can be submitted at any time. www.gov.wales/login-rural-payments-wales-rpw-online Enhanced Security for RPW Online RPW Online customers are reminded that an e-mail verification process was introduced in December 2018, which means any customers who have not completed the process will be asked to verify their email address, create a memorable word (used for account recovery) and keep or amend their existing login details when they next log in to their RPW Online account. As part of the UK Government Gateway Transformation Programme, an additional layer of security known as Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) was also introduced on 3 August 2020. Further information, on email verification, including step by step guidance on MFA can be found on the Welsh Government website. www.gov.wales/rural-payments-wales-rpw-online
Manage My CPH e-Learning Modules CPH eLearning modules have been developed to support livestock keepers, unions and agents use Manage My CPH via RPW Online. Livestock keepers who want to move livestock between their CPH’s located within a 10 mile radius, without the need to report those movements and without standstill periods, are encouraged to register on Manage My CPH RPW Online. The eLearning modules can be found on the Welsh Government website with additional help and support available from the RPW Customer Contact Centre if required. www.gov.wales/rpw-online-cph-e-learning-package-introduction-and-how-use
Simplification of Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) and Rural Development (RD) Schemes for 2021 Following the Minister’s written statement on BPS and RDP simplification on 16 November 2020, a number of small but impactful changes will be applied to the BPS 2021 scheme rules as follows: • Greening: The BPS Greening requirements have been removed, the value of the greening payment will be incorporated into the value of the BPS entitlements. • Cross Border Claimants: Only land in Wales will be eligible for BPS payment. Cross border farmers who relied on land outside Wales to meet the 5ha minimum claim size rule in 2020 will remain eligible from 2021 subject to all other scheme requirements being met. • Advance and Balance payments: In 2021 an advance and balance payment will be made. This will remove the need for a BPS Support Scheme Application Full details of the scheme changes will be available in the 2021 Single Application Rules Booklet and 2021 Single Application Form (SAF) Online How To Complete Guide in February 2021. Please remember, the above changes will only apply to the BPS 2021 claim on your SAF. All claims for Rural Development schemes will continue to operate under existing EU rules and regulations. Make sure you have read and understand the rules for all schemes before you apply. A framework for new domestic Rural Development will be put in place in 2021 by establishing a Rural Development Advisory Board to support Welsh Ministers deliver the rural support programme.
Transfer of BPS Entitlements 2021 Farmers can transfer their BPS Entitlements by sale, lease or via inheritance. The 2021 transfer window opens on 4 January 2021. Transfer of Entitlements online forms will be available for customers to complete using their RPW Online account. Entitlement values displayed are subject to change. Customers must submit their applications before midnight on 15 May 2021 to make a claim on those entitlements in 2021. Cross Compliance There have been a number of changes made to the Cross Compliance Factsheets and Verifiable Standards for 2021 to reflect changes in requirements, good practice and to clarify wording. Further information and updated documentation can be found on the Welsh Government website. www.gov.wales/cross-compliance
SAF 2021 Application Window – Digital Assistance Given the current COVID-19 social distancing measures in place and the ongoing health risks to the general public, it is very unlikely RPW will be in a position to offer face to face digital assistance during the SAF 2021 application window. If the situation changes before, or during, the 2021 application window customers will be informed via an RPW Service Update message. The Customer Contact Centre will continue to offer help and guidance with any questions regarding the completion of the online 2021 SAF throughout the application window, but given there will be no digital assistance, claimants are advised to plan ahead and complete their SAF 2021 as early as possible within the application window. The Customer Contact Centre opening times will be extended during the SAF application window as follows: 1 March to 30 April 2021 (excluding Bank Holidays): Monday to Friday: 9:00am to 4:00pm 4 May to 14 May 2021: Monday to Friday: 9:00am to 5:00pm Monday 17 May: 9.00am to 5.00pm Sustainable Land Management Update The Welsh Government has published a White Paper consultation which sets out the plans for the next phase of agricultural policy in Wales. The paper sets the scene for the Agriculture (Wales) Bill which will be introduced in the next Senedd term. The paper takes some of the ideas which were presented in Sustainable Farming and our Land and build upon them following the responses we received. The Welsh Government propose that this Bill will be strategic in scope, setting a support framework which can accommodate the development of agriculture and forestry within Wales for the next fifteen to twenty years. The Bill will enable farmers to be financially supported and ensure a coherent and fair system of regulation can be applied to the agricultural sector. The White Paper sets out proposals for defining sustainable land management as the basis for future funding. This is an internationally recognised concept which considers the environmental, economic and social contribution farmers make to Wales. There are also proposals to address the complicated regulatory system which currently applies to farmers. The proposal is to bring together the existing regulations into one set of National Minimum Standards, clarifying what legal requirements apply. It is proposed these standards should be apply to all farmers and land managers in Wales, regardless of whether they are part of a government payment scheme. We would welcome your views on these and encourage you to respond to the consultation: www.gov.wales/agriculture-wales-bill
EU Exit: What Your Farm Business
Should Consider
From 1 January 2021, the UK’s relationship with the
European Union has changed.
You should consider the following:
• New processes for exporting or exporting between Great Britain
and the EU are detailed in the UK Government’s Border
Operating Model.
• Food businesses operating in Great Britain will need to be listed
with the EU, should you or your suppliers wish to export products
of animal origin to the EU or to Northern Ireland.
• To meet the new health requirements when exporting live animals
or products of animal origin from Great Britain to the EU or
Northern Ireland, you will need to register for an Export Health
Certificates (EHC) Online account.
• Register for the Import of Products, Animals, Food and Feed
(IPAFFS) system to submit notifications, should your business
import live animals, animal products, or high-risk food and feed
not of animal origin into Great Britain.
• Businesses looking to move goods between Great Britain and non
EU countries should apply for an Economic Operators Registration
and Identification (EORI) number.
• Understand new tariffs and customs procedures, and consider
hiring a person or business to deal with customs declarations,
should you wish not to make them yourself.
We are here to support you through the changes. For advice and
guidance, please visit the Preparing Wales website at:
www.gov.wales/preparing-wales
Protect your birds from Avian Flu this winter Avian flu has been confirmed in commercial flocks and in wild birds in the UK this winter. As a precautionary measure following the UK’s risk level of AI incursion from wild birds being raised from medium to high, and to mitigate the risk of infection to poultry and other captive birds by wild birds, an all-Wales Avian Influenza Prevention Zone (AIPZ), was declared on 11 November 2020. Further to this, on 14 December 2020 a mandatory housing order was introduced in England, Scotland and Wales, where housing poultry and captive birds, or otherwise keeping them separate from wild birds was made a legal requirement. For the latest information including what you must do please visit: www.gov.wales/avian-influenza To keep your flock safe, you should take the following steps to minimise the risk of infection to your birds. • Ensure the areas where birds are kept are unattractive to wild birds, for example by netting ponds, and by removing wild bird food sources. • Feed and water your birds in enclosed areas to discourage wild birds. • Minimise movement of people in and out of bird enclosures. • Clean and disinfect footwear and keep areas where birds live clean and tidy. • Reduce any existing contamination by cleansing and disinfecting concrete areas, and fencing off wet or boggy areas. • Be vigilant for signs of disease! These include: Increased mortality, unusual behaviour, neurological signs such as shaking or incoordination, decreased eating or drinking, falling egg production, eggs with thin or misshapen shells and breathing difficulties. • If you suspect disease in your flock, you must inform your local APHA office immediately on 0300 303 8268. • Register your birds on the Poultry Register. If you have 50 or more birds, this is a legal requirement. When registered, we can contact you quickly if there is an outbreak of disease. Search ‘poultry registration’ on gov.uk for more information. • Keepers with more than 500 birds must take extra biosecurity measures, including dividing the premises into a live-bird part, and a private (ancillary use) part. These must be separated by a biosecurity barrier.
Exporting animals and animal products to the EU Since 1 January 2021, you’ll need to follow the instructions and guidance at: www.gov.uk/guidance/exporting-animals-animal-products-fish-and- fishery-products-if-the-uk-leaves-the-eu-with-no-deal Animal Health and Welfare rules do not change The high standards of Animal Health and Welfare in Wales will not change from 1 January 2021. You will need to continue observe the rules around Animal Welfare, Animal ID, Movement Reporting requirements, Standstill periods, Cross Compliance, Animal By-Products and TB testing, among others. Export of beef to China Welsh Government’ officials have been working at pace with Defra and other administrations on how to meet the Chinese import health requirements for Beef, and looking to maximise the number of herds eligible to export beef to China. EU Animal Health Regulation – new export requirements in April 2021 The EU Animal Health Regulation 2016/429 (AHR) (www.legislation.gov.uk/eur/2016/429/contents) amends and repeals acts in the area of animal health law to form a single legal framework to improve prevention control measures for transmissible animal diseases. The EU will implement AHR on 21 April 2021. For the UK this is not retained law as it is being applied after the EU Exit date. However, the UK must make minor legislative amendments to ensure all of the terrestrial diseases under AHR are made notifiable/ reportable and to expand the species covered in legislation, so that ongoing trade is not disrupted. Governments across the UK are therefore working together to review and raise awareness of the new disease list and delivery requirements. Comms and guidance will be shared across the industry to: • establish new reporting procedures; • align with testing and visit procedures; • ensure surveillance programmes are in place and; • comply with new Export Health Certificates. To clarify these changes will not come into force until 21 April 2021.
Dairy Bull Calves update A number of dairy co-operatives have said that no healthy calf from their suppliers will be slaughtered, or euthanased, within the first eight weeks of life, allowing all calves not entering the dairy chain to be reared as beef cattle. The change came into effect on 31 December 2020, and is likely to be followed by other dairy co-operatives. Welsh Government proposals are to allow rearing type Approved Finishing Units (rAFUs) and TB Dedicated Sales (“orange markets”) into the High TB Areas only. For TB Dedicated Sales this would be a limited pilot involving a small number of markets for a fixed period. Reminder of COVID-19 temporary changes and TB Hub guidance During the COVID-19 pandemic all our guidance and advice on TB Testing and relevant subjects has been, and will continue to be provided and updated on the TB Hub: www.tbhub.co.uk These measures are under constant review and adjustments to instructions will be made as appropriate. It is important to keep yourself familiar with the COVID-19 guidance as restrictions change.
EidCymru In Wales, the Welsh Government provides sheep, goat and deer movement reporting through EIDCymru. British Cattle Movement Service (BCMS) provides cattle identification and movement reporting, and British Pig Executive (BPEX) provides for pigs reporting. European Regulation requires Member States to provide a multispecies livestock traceability system and in order to effectively trade post Brexit a multispecies system and service provides an opportunity to define Wales’ identity and reputation as a global leader in animal welfare and standards. Across the UK, administrations have made the decision to develop their own multispecies systems and in 2018, the Minister for Environment, Energy and Rural Affairs announced her decision to expand EIDCymru into Wales’ first multispecies traceability system. EIDCymru will therefore be developed to deliver multiple benefits to the farming industry, providing an effective traceability system and service. It will also provide an accessible platform easy to use by our farmers, livestock markets and abattoirs, building on its current capabilities. As British Cattle Movement Service (BCMS), which also provide the Cattle Tracing System (CTS) and British Pig Executive (BPEX) services in Wales will no longer be available after 2022, the development work to manage registration and movements of cattle is currently underway and an “Alpha” version is now in place. We have conducted some engagement with industry stakeholders and the initial response to the ongoing development is positive. In addition to working on the new cattle system, we are also looking to improve the current EIDCymru sheep, goat and deer system to make reporting and use of the system more user friendly.
The Sheep and Goat Annual Inventory 2021 Keepers of sheep and goats should by now have received their Annual Inventory information packs. Those who have previously completed their inventory electronically, through their EIDCymru account, will not receive a paper copy of the form in their information pack. However, if you would prefer to complete a paper form please contact EIDCymru. You have a legal requirement to record the total number of sheep and goats you own on 1 January 2021. The deadline to return your inventory is 1 February 2021. If you have any queries please contact EIDCymru on 01970 636959 or visit: www.eidcymru.org Thank you to those who have already returned the Annual Inventory. Moving Lambs to Common Land Lambs being lost or stolen is an issue that affects all rural areas and can be very distressing. Keepers who have registered for Manage My CPH and have grazing rights for common land are reminded of the following: • If your holding shares a border with a Registered Common (this is known as ‘contiguous’ land) the tagging of young lambs is not mandatory but we recommend that they are marked in some way to enable them to be easily identified if lost. • If the common land which you are moving young lambs to does not share a border with your holding (‘non-contiguous’ land) they must be tagged and all movements reported via your EIDCymru account. Keepers who have not yet registered with Manage My CPH will still be required to tag all animals (ewes and young lambs) before moving them onto the common, even if the common is contiguous to the main holding. If you would like to register onto Manage My CPH please contact the Customer Contact Centre.
Moving animals
Keepers taking on land on a temporary basis have
the following movement reporting options:
Report the movements to the landowners CPH…
if the landowner agrees to act as the keeper*
or
Temporary Land
Association (TLA) for
land within 10 miles.
Register the land on
Manage My CPH via
RPWOnline as either…
Temporary CPH (tCPH)
Remember….
In order to register the land with either a TLA or a tCPH, keepers will
need to declare that they will have sole occupancy of the land,
e.g. that their animals will not mix with another keeper’s livestock,
and will need to provide a start and end date for the tenure.
Important
* landowner takes on the responsibilities for welfare and
management of the livestock
Please wait until RPW has confirmed the registration of the
TLA/tCPH before using the land.
Rural Payments Wales Customer Contact Centre can be contacted on
0300 062 5004.Equine Identification (Wales)
Regulations 2019
Microchip Deadline
12 February 2021
What does that mean for
you as an equine keeper?
Here are the top 5 tips
1 2 3 4 5
You must The new If you have You must You must
send your passport equines that transfer the return the
foal passport must be were registered equine into passports of
application in your before your own all deceased
forms to the possession by 01/07/09, name within equines to
passport 31/12/21 and they 30 days your passport
issuing don’t have a of purchase issuing
organisation by microchip, office within
1 December register the 30 days. You
on the year equines by can ask for the
of birth 12/02/21 passport to be
returned to you
once it has
been
invalidated.Ensuring your horse is microchipped is your legal duty
as a horse owner or keeper
If your horse hasn’t
been identified with
a microchip, this is
what you need to do:
Book an appointment
with the Vet
Contact your PIO
to update your
horse’s passport
Allow plenty of time
to complete before
12 February 2021.
For more information please get in touch with us on
equineIDceffylau@gov.walesSustainable Production Grant The Sustainable Production Grant offers grants from £12,000 to £50,000, up to a maximum of 40% of standard costs, for pre-identified items to store and manage nutrients, in particular, slurry and manure, as well as artificial fertilisers and silage. This will give more farmers the opportunity to lower production costs and take the lead in tackling agri-pollution to improve water, soil and air quality. Further information and detail on the scheme can be found at: www.gov.wales/sustainable-production-grant Farm Business Grant The Farm Business Grant (FBG) supports farm business to improve production efficiencies and improve productivity, including their technical, financial and environmental performance. Support of between £3,000 and £12,000 is available for eligible businesses, up to a maximum grant rate of 40%. Further information and guidance on equipment that can be supported can be found at: www.gov.wales/farm-business-grant Farm Business Grant – Yard Coverings The Farm Business Grant – Yard Coverings aims are: • To improve existing on-farm infrastructure and nutrient management. • To support separation of rainwater and slurry from livestock feeding areas, livestock gathering areas, manure storage areas, slurry stores and silage stores. The second application window for FBG-YC will open on 18 May 2021 and close on 25 June 2021 with a budget of £2.0m. Further information on the scheme’s requirements and eligibility criteria can be found at: www.gov.wales/farm-business-grant Applications and claims must be submitted via RPW on-line. If you are considering making applications for support towards infrastructure investments through the Sustainable Programme Grant or Farm Business Grant-Yard Coverings, we would encourage you to consider your investment carefully, seek advice where appropriate and initiate the planning process as soon as possible. Starting the planning process early, even before an EOI round begins, will not affect your eligibility to apply.
Glastir Small Grants – Carbon Glastir Small Grants is a programme of capital works available to farming businesses across Wales to carry out projects that will help to address the three themes of Carbon, Water and Landscape & Pollinators. The next round will be the Carbon theme. The EOI window opens on 11 January and will close on 19 February 2021. This will be followed by a further round, themed Landscape & Pollinators, and will open on 18 May and close on 25 June 2021. Both rounds will have a budget of £1.5m. Successful applicants will need to complete the capital works and submit the final claim via RPW on-line. Further information and detail on the environmental investments that can be supported can be found at: www.gov.wales/glastir Flood and Coastal Erosion Risk Management (FCERM) We are responsible for developing flood and coastal risk management policy and programme in Wales. We largely fund flood and coastal activities undertaken by local authorities and Natural Resources Wales to reduce risk to communities Welsh Government launched its National Strategy for Flood and Coastal Erosion Risk Management (FCERM) in Wales: www.gov.wales/national-strategy- flood-and-coastal-erosion-risk-management-wales Wales’ new flood and coastal Strategy sets out how we will help to reduce risks to communities and businesses across Wales and adapt to our changing climate. We are making significant changes to help accelerate delivery and better communicate risk. These include additional funding support for alleviation schemes and all-new flood risk maps. Check flood warnings; find out if you’re at risk from river or coastal flooding now or in the next few days: www.naturalresources.wales/flooding/check-flood-warnings Have you registered for NRW live flood warnings, updated every 15 minutes to show flood alerts and warnings: www.naturalresources.wales/flooding/sign-up-to-receive-flood-warnings
Heather and Grass Burning – Plan Ahead, Stay in Control, Do it Safely Burning is used as a land management tool to control heather, rough grass, gorse, bracken and other shrub species. Done properly, in a planned and controlled way, it can be beneficial for agriculture, wildlife conservation and the wider environment. Burning should be carried out under controlled conditions and within the permitted periods. Burning is only allowed during the following periods: • 1 October to 31 March in the uplands • 1 November to 15 March elsewhere Opportunities for burning can often be limited by unsuitable weather conditions. It is sensible therefore to plan ahead so that when favourable conditions present themselves, everything is in place to ensure a safe and manageable controlled burn. Also consider mowing as an alternative to burning, but only where it is safe to do so and where the vegetation and soil will not be damaged by machinery. To help you plan ahead, stay in control and do it safely a Burning Management Plan must be produced and followed for all proposed burns. Plans do not have to be submitted but an up-to-date copy must be available for inspection on request. The Heather and Grass Burning Code for Wales provides advice on best practice. The Code, along with the Burning Management Plan template, is available on the Welsh Government website at: www.gov.wales/heather-grass-burning
USEFUL Farming Community
Network (FCN)
CONTACT 03000 111 999
DETAILS Lantra Wales
01982 552 646
Addington Fund Natural Resources Wales
01926 620 135 (NRW)
0300 065 3000
Animal and Plant Health
Agency (APHA) Quality Welsh Food
0300 303 8268 Certification Body
01970 636 688
Badger Found Dead Survey
0808 169 5110
Royal Agricultural
Benevolent Institution
(RABI)
British Cattle Movement
Service (BCMS) 0808 281 9490
0345 050 3456
Rural Payments Wales
Customer Contact Centre
DPJ Foundation
0300 062 5004
0800 587 4262
TB Helpline
EID Cymru
0800 496 1439
01970 636 959
Tir Dewi
Farming Connect 0800 121 4722
08456 000 813Do you employ migrant labour? If so, you should familiarise yourself with the new immigration rules which came into force on 1 January 2021: www.gov.uk/guidance/new-immigration-system-what-you-need-to-know Under these new rules many temporary or seasonal migrant workers may not qualify for a visa. Businesses who rely on overseas seasonal agricultural workers should consider alternative arrangements. If you employ settled EU, EEA or Swiss citizens, they, and their families, must apply to the EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS) to continue living and working in the UK. They have until 30 June 2021 to apply: www.gov.uk/settled-status-eu-citizens-families Welsh Government have partnered with a number of services to provide free help and support to EU citizens applying to the EUSS. You can find information about the free advice and support available to EU citizens in Wales here: www.gov.wales/preparing-wales/eu-citizens
FREE business skills training worth £2,000 per farm The Prince’s Countryside Fund (PCF) was established by HRH The Prince of Wales in 2010 and aims to enhance the prospects of family farm businesses and the quality of rural life. The PCF’s highly successful initiative, The Prince’s Farm Resilience Programme, is open for family farm businesses to sign up. This year, the Programme is running in two locations across Wales: Tregaron, Ceredigion and Llyn Peninsula, Gwynedd. The participants receive free business skills and environmental management training worth £2000 per farm, delivered by expert consultants. More information can be found at: www.princescountrysidefund.org.uk/farmresilience Welsh Winners The PCF partnered with New Holland in early 2020 and launched the ‘Up to Speed’ Scheme. The scheme provides cutting-edge machinery to young people, new entrants, or those who will make a difference in their local community but would otherwise not have access to this type of farm machinery. Two of the three winners, from the first year of the scheme, are based in Wales: Rob David won the use of the T6 tractor and Abbi Mason won the use of a Boomer for a year. Rob set up his business, Torgelly Farm, with just handful of ewes whilst at school, persuading his teachers to buy his meat boxes. Over the past five years, his business has grown and Rob now sells directly to pubs, restaurants and local supermarkets. The T6 tractor (pictured) has allowed further growth and Rob has taken on more land. Abbi runs Big Meadow, a Community Supported Agriculture venture in Gower, which is in its first year of production. They have 62 members who receive a vegetable box every week and having the use of the New Holland Boomer has really helped them save time. The second year of the scheme will open in early 2021. www.princescountrysidefund.org.uk/uptospeed
Welsh Government Welcomes New Agricultural Plastic Collection and Recycling Scheme The Welsh Government regularly receive communication asking about how best to handle agricultural plastics when they have come to the end of their useful life. With farmers keen to do the right thing and ensure this material is collected and recycled into other valuable products. Agricultural plastic is an attractive material because, once cleaned, it can be recycled as a high performance polymer. We estimate that about 12,000 tonnes of agricultural film is used in Wales per year, the vast majority is used to wrap or cover silage, hay and straw bales. Currently only around 13% of agricultural plastics are recycled in Wales, well below our ambitions of achieving a recycling rate of 30% for non-household plastic by 2025. We all need to do more to ensure environmentally responsible solutions are in place for the end-of-life management of non-packaging agricultural plastic. Therefore, the Welsh Government very much welcomes the launch of a new industry led national collection scheme for non-packaging agricultural plastics. The scheme is being developed by APE (Agriculture, Plastics & Environment) and is based on the principals of extended producer responsibility with the establishment of a collection and recycling network. It will join other farm plastic collection services run in Wales and will further support the demand in this area.
ICT Training Programme
If you would like further assistance or support help is available to eligible
businesses through Farming Connect’s fully funded ICT training programme.
Online ICT training…at a time, level and pace to suit you!
Despite the current restrictions surrounding face-to-face training, our fully funded
computer training is now available online, digitally or over the phone for eligible
farm and forestry businesses registered with Farming Connect.
Training for complete beginners
• A home-based study course, which gives you up to six weeks to complete at a pace to suit yourself
• Each of the six workbooks will teach you how to send and receive emails; use Word; use Excel
spreadsheets; learn how to search the internet; use social media and access Rural Payments Wales online
• The option to speak directly to one of our participating college tutors if you need extra help
One-to-one ‘remote’ tutoring for those with basic ICT skills
• Up to two fully funded one-to-one telephone, online or digital tutoring sessions from
specialist ICT tutors (up to two hours each)
• Training tailored to your requirements focusing on any problems or gaps in
your ICT knowledge, including using social media platforms to either
promote your business or ‘meet up’ online
Online webinars for individuals who want to learn about the latest ICT
• Learn how to utilise ICT within your farm and forestry business
For further information or to register your interest visit
www.gov.wales/farmingconnect or
call the Farming Connect Service Centre on 08456 000 813.W A L E S
FARMING
£
£
£ £
£ £
CONFERENCE 20
21
1 – 5 February 2021
Come and go as you wish to the Wales Farming Conference
this year as virtual doors are open round-the-clock for you
to listen as and when from the safety of your home.
Fifteen short 20 minute episodes will offer
convenience and flexibility as you listen to keynote
speakers discuss a wide range of themes to motivate
you on both a personal and business level.
Register now to receive your link to access
or pre-order a DVD recording of all sessions.
#walesfarmingconferenceEAR TO THE GROUND PODCAST
Series of podcasts available to listen NOW.
‘Ear to the Ground’ is a brand new podcast,
the first of its kind to be available in both Welsh
and English. It will share technical information,
advice, support and inspiration to the farming
community in Wales.
Listen back to 30 episodes in total including the following recent episodes -
Episode 29 - All grass wintering system and building business resilience through
grazing management
Episode 28 - Managing upland pasture for economic and environmental benefits
Episode 27 - Agriculture needs the Environment and the Environment needs
Agriculture
Episode 26 - Stronger together - Neighbouring farms move from the conventional
to set up a dairy joint venture
Episode 25 - Managing Winter to Maximise Spring
New episodes are added every fortnight, so tune in to keep Your Ear to the Ground
businesswales.gov.wales/farmingconnect/business/ear-ground-podcast
Listen on ...
Farming Connect Website Apple Podcasts SpotifyPROSIECT
PORFA CYMRU
WELSH PASTURE
PROJECT Measuring drives grass growth
for Welsh sheep business
A Welsh sheep farmer is growing to three days, depending on growth
up to 14tDM/hectare (ha) on his and demand; these can be sub-divided
rotational grazing system by focusing further when needed.
on grass allocation and utilisation. Between the beginning of April and
Dylan Hughes rents 39ha of land three mid-October this land grew between
miles from his family’s livestock farm at 8-14tDM/ha – an average of 10.1tDM/
Llanllibio Groes near Holyhead. ha – with a total application of just
He produces lamb from 240 crossbred 185kg/ha of fertiliser.
ewes and 70 Romney x Welsh ewes Grass measurements are uploaded to
with most lambs sold deadweight at Agrinet to inform decision-making.
18.5–20kg. “I know when it’s the right time to
The crossbreds graze a 19ha paddock stock the paddocks and when to take
system where leys have been reseeded them out for silage,’’ says Dylan.
in the last five years with high sugar He has learned that lambs finish better
and clover mixes. when the leys are not too strong
To maximise the value of that land therefore he allocates that grazing to
Dylan sought support from Farming 40 store cattle.
Connect. He applied to the Advisory During the winter, Dylan continues to
Service for subsidised soil testing and graze livestock on 12ha of his drier
gained a place on the Farming Connect land and has a tack grazing agreement
Prosper from Pasture and Master on 32ha from mid-November to the
Grass programmes. end of February.
He has since measured grass weekly The support he has had from Farming
for the Farming Connect’s Welsh Connect has helped him drive his
Pasture Project. business forward. “Everyone has to
Dylan runs an intensive rotational farm their own farm but I’ve picked up
system with fields split into 13 so many ideas from others I have met
paddocks and mobs moved every one through the programme,’’ says Dylan.ADVISORY SERVICE
Confidential and independent advice,
tailored to your needs…
One-to-one advice –
funded up to 80%
Group advice –
funded up to 100%
Categories include:
• Business planning – appraise your business and plan for the future;
identify areas for improvement; find solutions to challenges.
• Infrastructure improvements – separate clean and dirty water; manage
slurry and farmyard manure more efficiently; housing structures.
• Grassland management – soil sampling and nutrient management plans;
improve the soil; implement more efficient reseeding techniques; silage
analysis; precision grassland management
• Animal health planning
- nutrition and feeding
- breeding and rearing protocols, growth targets
- reduce cell counts/mastitis, increase milk protein and butterfat percentages
- identify, manage and control animal diseases
- improve fertility
For more detailed information visit www.gov.wales/farmingconnect
Alternatively, call the Farming Connect Service Centre on 08456 000 813
or contact your local development officer.HSE Farm Safety
Handling livestock
Every year, many of the deaths on farms happen because farmers become
complacent and do not take precautions to make sure they are protected
against livestock.
When you are working with livestock think about what increases the risks
1. Select and use well designed handling facilities in the yard, buildings and
field.Keep them maintained.
2. Never enter an enclosure with a loose bull or when an unrestrained cow
is with a calf.
3. Wherever possible separate livestock from the public and select fields
without rights of way when cattle have calves at foot.
NEVER ASSUME ANIMALS ARE GOING TO DO WHAT YOU EXPECT THEM TO DO
www.hse.gov.uk/agriculture
@farmsafetywales
Diogelwch Fferm Cymru - Farm Safety WalesFarmWell Wales
www.farmwell.wales
Mind Cymru Royal Agricultural
0300 123 3393 Benevolent
info@mind.org.uk Institution
0808 2819490
help@rabi.org.uk
The Farming Tir Dewi
Community
Network Where 0800 1214722
mail@tirdewi.co.uk
03000 111 999 can I get
help@fcn.org.uk
help?
Get in touch with us
The Addington The DPJ
Fund Foundation
01926 620135 0800 5874262
Farming Connect Rural Payments
08456 000813 Wales Customer
Contact Centre
0300 0625004
Farm Liaison Service
0300 0255449
farmliaisonservice@gov.walesYou can also read
