Farm support is entering what is arguably one of the most complex phases experienced by the industry. The only thing that is certain is the phasing out of the Basic Payment Scheme. In the context of declining BPS income, please click on the link below to see our thoughts on alternative schemes available and the services we can offer.
To build new, upgrade or replace existing calf housing.
( Calves 7 days to 6 months old )
Grant Funding is 40% of the expected project cost.
Grant funding available is between £15,000 & £500,000
Project Requirements:
• Calves MUST NOT be kept individually from 7 days old.
• Building must be designed to maintain a suitable ambient environment.
• Calves must NOT share airspace with or be downwind of older cattle.
• Must have minimum available area per calf of 3m2 for calves up to 100kg, 4m2 for calves up to 150kg and 5m2 for calves above 150kg.
• Have a solid concrete floor (sloping 5% in the bedding area)
• Have straw bedding.
• Have permanent draught proof walls a minimum of 1.2m high.
• Must include one enrichment item per pair of calves.
• Include temperature and humidity sensors.
If solar panels are included within the project these can be funded at 25% of eligible costs.
You must have 11 or more cattle registered to your holding.
You must either own the land or have a tenancy of 5years or more on the project land.
The proposed building must be a permanent building, securely attached to a foundation.
The application process will require detailed information on the project including building design, quotes and letters of support from your farm VET.
If you require further information, please contact:
Karen Shuttleworth or Molly Dakin: 01756 692 900
Full details are available on the RPA website:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/calf-housing-for-health-and-welfare-2023#:~:text=You%20can%20apply%20for%20a,to%20open%20later%20this%20summer
The window for applications for Countryside Stewardship Mid Tier and Capital Grants opens on 9th February 2022.
Appointments are available with our team from 10th February to 15th March 2022 to discuss your options.
If you are interested, please click here for further information or get in touch with our team on 01756 692900 to arrange an appointment.
Calling all farmers within the Yorkshire Dales National Park…
Yorkshire Dales National Park Webinar – Countryside Stewardship, ELMS & Farming in Protective Landscapes Schemes
The farm team at the National Park will be delivering a series of one hour meetings with farmers starting on the 10th of February and running for two weeks
Please click on the image for dates and joining details.
Rural Development Programme – Countryside Productivity Small Grant Scheme
Applications open until 4th November 2020
The RDPE Countryside Productivity Small Grant Scheme provides funding for farmers to purchase equipment to improve the productivity of their farm.
The scheme uses a simple online application process and is targeted at specific pieces of agricultural equipment.
Agricultural and horticultural contractors are not eligible to apply for the grant.
The minimum grant is £3,000 up to a maximum of £12,000 covering up to 40% of the eligible costs in your application.
You do not need to provide quotes for any of the items. Each item has a standard cost which is the maximum amount that will be eligible for grant funding. You must have funds available to pay for the items upfront.
Applicants who applied in Round 1 & 2 are eligible to apply again provided have not exceeded the maximum of £12,000 in the previous grants.
Examples of items available:
(only items listed in the handbook are eligible)
How to apply
The application is completed online and should take no more than 15 minutes to complete. To apply you will need the following information:
The details on the application must exactly match the details that the RPA hold for your business, otherwise the application will be rejected.
Applications will be scored based on the following criteria:
How to claim
The items must meet a minimum specification.
You must buy and claim for the items within 150 days of the application being approved, after which the application will be withdrawn.
You must not buy or order items before receiving an acceptance confirmation.
All items must be bought and paid for before a claim can be submitted. Invoices, bank statements and photographs will need to be available when submitting the claim as proof that the items have been paid for and are in use.
Can WBW apply for you?
Yes – Agents can complete applications on behalf of farmers.
We can also assist with the claim process should your application be successful.
If you would like assistance with the scheme, please contact Karen Shuttleworth or Jess Austin on 01756 692900
A new programme has been launched aimed at providing funding for projects in England which create jobs and growth in the rural economy.
Under the RDPE Growth Programme, there are grants for:
• Food processing – open to food and drinks businesses that process agricultural or horticultural products.
• Business development – open to small businesses and start-ups, including farmers wishing to diversify into non-agricultural activities.
• Rural tourism infrastructure – open to a wide range of organisations. If the project is intended to make a profit however, then only small businesses and farmers who want to diversify can apply.
The minimum grant is £20,000. Commercial, profit-making projects can receive up to 40% grant funding. If the project makes just enough income to offset costs and is not intended to make a profit, then up to 80% grant funding could be available. If the project generates no income, then 100% grants may be awarded.
Projects must meet a minimum of two national priorities:
Food Processing:
1. Creates at least 1 job for every £30,000 of grant funding
2. Increases turnover and profitability
3. Provides benefits to the farmers, growers and suppliers (particularly local)
4. Helps you sell more products nationally or locally
5. Introduces new techniques/equipment to make the business more productive
6. Creates new links between business
Business Development:
1. Creates at least 1 job for every £30,000 of grant funding
2. Increases turnover and profitability
3. Introduces new techniques/equipment to make the business more productive
4. Helps the business to sell goods to new markets
5. Helps the business access export markets
Rural Tourism Infrastructure:
1. Creates at least 1 job for every £30,000 of grant funding
2. Attracts tourists at off-peak times
3. Creates or develops tourist attractions and encourages tourists to stay longer and increase spending
4. Provides benefits to the wider tourist economy in the rural area
Grant funding is only available on eligible costs, these include:
• Constructing or improving buildings
• Buying new equipment and machinery
Architects, engineers and consultant fees, buying or developing computer software, licences and copyrights, energy-saving and resource efficiency equipment may also be eligible if forming part of a larger project.
Application
Initially, an expression of interest (EOI) form must be submitted to the RPA outlining how the applicant will meet the criteria for the scheme i.e. create jobs, grow your business or improve the local economy.
The RPA will aim to respond within 30 days and if deemed eligible, the applicant will be invited to submit a full application.
The full application requires considerably more information including final project costs, supplier details, key dates, proposed project outputs, supporting documents, business accounts for 3 years, relevant planning permissions, three quotes for each item to be purchased and evidence that the applicant can cover the costs.
Funding will only be offered to applications which are deemed to best meet the purposes of the funding and will provide the best value for taxpayer’s money. Each application is scored, and priority is given to those that meet local needs (set out in the LEP Directory).
All projects must be finished with grant claims submitted by 30 September 2021.
Submitting an EOI
Expressions of interest must be submitted to the RPA by midnight on 16th February 2020. If you would like our assistance, then please contact Chloe Dolphin or Karen Shuttleworth 01756 692900 or chloe.dolphin@wbwsurveyors.co.uk, karen.shuttleworth@wbwsurveyors.co.uk .
