December 2017
Latest News
Farming communities on Exmoor to benefit from council funding
North Devon Council has agreed to make funds available to fund the Exmoor Hill Farming Network (EHFN), a small but successful farmer-led network supporting the agricultural economy in one of the remotest parts of North Devon. The Network is an information and support 'hub' for Exmoor's hill farmers, bringing information, demonstrations, training, grants and opportunities to farmers in the district's most remote and isolated areas to farm. The Network began four years ago and is well supported by Exmoor National Park and Exmoor's farming community. At a meeting of its Executive (Monday 4 December), members agreed to provide the EHFN with a grant of £5,000 for the current financial year, subject to them securing match-funding from the Prince's Countryside Fund and Exmoor National Park. A commitment has also been given to provide further support in the following two years. Executive Member for Economic Development, Councillor Pat Barker, says: "It's clear that the Network is very well supported and valued by the farming community and I'm pleased the council has chosen to support the project for the next three years. This project gives us the opportunity to support one of our most rural areas, where there are few opportunities to develop the economy. I wish the Network luck in their bids for funding from Exmoor National Park and Prince's Countryside Fund." A bid for further funding has been submitted to the Prince's Countryside Fund, with a decision due by Christmas. Exmoor National Park is considering its support for the project in February 2018.
EHFN Christmas Review 2017
The Exmoor Hill Farming Network celebrated it fourth Christmas Review last week at The MusicRoom , Woolhanger by kind permission of Mr and Mrs G Mellstrom. The evening was an opportunity to bring together members and was a huge success with 94 members of the Exmoor farming community attending. Katherine Williams, EHFN officer said: “We were delighted to see so many of our Next Generation who have engaged with the network over the past 2 years, this being a key objective for our funders. “Members enjoyed a 3 course meal, a review of our network activities and we were also joined by guest speaker Matt and Pip Smith from Launceston , Cornwall – Farmers Weekly Sheep Farmer of the Year 2017 and Sheep Shearing World Record holder for 2016. The evening was rounded up with a prize draw and auction of table decorations raising £615 for network funds, many thanks go to the local businesses for their generous donations.”
Picture L to R: Matt Smith, Pip Smith , Katherine Williams (EHFN Network Officer) and Dave Knight (EHFN Chairman )
South West Uplands ConferenceWednesday 24thJanuary 2018 – invitation attached.
The NFU, in collaboration with partners, is delighted to host the South West Uplands conference. This conference will provide an opportunity for upland farmers to explore future opportunities for their businesses. This event is free to attend and aimed at upland farmers on Bodmin, Dartmoor and Exmoor. The event will be held at Westpoint Centre, Clystst Mary, Exeter 10am-3pm with lunch provided.
EAT EXMOOR
Eat Exmoor Food & Drink Trade Showthat is taking place onWednesday 7thFebruary 2018at the Beach Hotel, Minehead.
We hope that as many of you as possible will be able to attend this FREEday – aimed at and designed for all those working in the hospitality and catering trade. As well as a chance to meet lots of local food and drink producers from Exmoor and sample their produce, there’ll be a series of free talks and inspiring and useful cookery demonstrations in the hotel’s modern theatre-style kitchen restaurant. The talks will be short and informative and will occur throughout the day, which runs from 10am to 4pm, so you can drop in at any time or come for the whole day! Further information available from Katrina Munro -ENPAEconomy Project Officeron01398 322236
Training
Free Computer One to One Training
If you are interested in a basic introduction to computers on a one to one basis, iPad training or social media. Our final slot is available at 10am -11am on Tuesday 8thJanuary. Please contact the office to book this place.
Countryside Stewardship Update
Changes to Countryside Stewardship an opportunity to review your holding
Secretary of State Michael Gove has announced changes to the Countryside Stewardship scheme to make it simpler and easier for farmers to apply. Full details of the changes and the launch of the 2018 application window are expected in mid-January.
Changes include the introduction of an “Upland Offer”. This is a simplified application form with fewer supporting evidence requirements. The scheme is non-competitive, meaning anyone who applies and meets the eligibility requirements can get an agreement. As a minimum, farmers must pick one base option and two supplements or two base options and one supplement from the list below. There are no capital works available within the “Upland Offer”. Details of the requirements of the options can be found at:
Base optionsGS5 / Permanent grassland with very low inputs in SDAs / £16
UP1 / Enclosed rough grazing / £39
UP2 / Management of rough grazing for birds / £88
BE3 / Management of hedgerows / £8/100m
Supplements
GS15 / Haymaking supplement / £85
GS16 / Rush control supplement / £73
GS17 / Lenient grazing supplement / £44
SP6 / Cattle grazing supplement / £45
The full Higher and Mid Tier schemes will remain available. Although these have more complex applications and are competitive there is a greater range of options available, including capital grants for works such as hedge laying, fencing and bank restoration. Also several grassland options previously included only in the Higher Tier are being transferred into Mid Tier, full details will be announced in January. This could be an opportunity for higher paying agreements for farms.
If you are not in an environmental scheme the Hedgerows and Boundaries Grant is being extended to allow farmers to apply for a maximum grant of £10,000, up from £5,000 previously. The Countryside Stewardship scheme has a single application deadline, dates to be announced, so apply early in the year even if your existing agreement finishes late in 2018.A successful application in 2018 with give you a 1stJanuary 2019 start date.
Further updates will be circulated when information is published.
For more information on the Countryside Stewardship grant schemes contact Adam Lockyear or Rebecca Mills from FWAG SouthWest on 01823 660684 or ,.
Headwaters of the Exe Update
Headwaters of the Exe, Capital Grants Still Available
Capital grants of up to£4,000are available through the Headwaters of the Exe project. Funded by South West Water and Exmoor National Park Authority the project aims to help farmers protect water quality in the River Exe by providingfree adviceandcapital grantsto any farmers within the upper catchments of the River Exe including the Quarme, Haddeo, Barle, Upper Exe, Little Exe, Pulham and Wimbleball Lake. Visits can cover whatever subjects are relevant to your business and the River Exe catchment such as: how to make the most of Countryside Stewardship, soil management, manure management, historic features and habitats.
Grants can fund up to 50% of the cost of items such as: alternative water supplies for livestock, fencing, yard concrete, covering manure stores and other works that are linked to water quality. More information on the project can be found at:
If you are interested in the project please contact the Headwaters of the Exe farm advisers, Adam Lockyear or Rebecca Mills, from FWAG SouthWest on 01823 660684 or ,.
Headwaters of the Exe, Pesticide Amnesty
In the latest phase of the Headwaters of the Exe project we are organising a pesticide amnesty to remove out of date and unlicensed pesticides from the environment. This approach has been carried out in several other catchments through South West Water’s Upstream Thinking programme. On Dartmoor 161kg of pesticide has been collected and safely disposed of. The amount of pesticide found on the foil lid of a container is enough to pollute 30km of watercourse. Therefore, old containers of pesticide pose a harmful risk to the environment with the potential to kill fish and other wildlife along large stretches of river. If the containers are in degraded condition and spilt or there is an accidental spillage it only takes a small amount to enter a drain and the implications for the environment and your business are significant.
Through the Headwaters Project we can offer a confidential audit of the pesticides you have on the farm and arrange for a specialist contractor to remove themfree of charge. If you are interested in taking part in the amnesty please contact Adam Lockyear on 01823 660684 .
Commercial Adverts
FARM WORKER REQUIRED
FARM WORKER REQUIRED for an 80 acre farm rearing Red Ruby Devons near North Molton.
A practical, experienced person with initiative and attention to detail is sought.
Must have a full driving licence and own vehicle and be a competent yard tractor driver.
Full time preferred. Salary dependent on experience.
Apply Richard Greed 07971 196133
TRAILER SERVICES PORLOCK
” Double axle trailer service £70.00”Fully qualified and insured mechanic with 15 years experience on Ifor Williams trailers.
I will come to your farm to carry out the work and carry the common parts like brake shoes , cables and lighting plugs. Trailers are my main line, but I can service your ATV as well, but don’t get to involved with major repairs as most ATV’S need some special workshop tooling .
Agent for Bulldog security locks and GPS tracking.
Contact David on 0779 2233
Christmas Holidays
The office will be closed from Friday 22ndDecember 2017 and re open on Tuesday 2ndJanuary 2017. If the matter is urgent please contact the Network Officer on 07970 795808.
Wishing you a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year