Agriculture Flashcards
What is a gross margin
Outputs - variable costs
Gross margin for winter feed wheat
Outputs-
Grain = 8.6 t/Ha @ £180/t = £1630
Straw in swath = £170
Total = £1800
Variable Costs -
Seed = £100
Fertiliser = £530
Sprays = £280
Total = £910
GM = £1800 - £910 = £890
Common arable crop rotation
W.Wheat - £££
S.Barley - Harvest start of August for OSR Drilling Mid-late August
OSR - Break Crop
W.Wheat
Beans - N Fixing - increased value in wheat. Fairly easy establishment
Crop rotation for dairy
Maize
Wheat or maize
3 years perennial rye grass
Approximate silaging harvest dates
1st week May
2nd week June
3rd week July
1st Week September
State some of the current industrial pressures in agriculture
Pressure to reduce carbon
Rising costs of agrochemicals
Replacement schemes for BPS
How would you advise your infrastructure clients in relation to current industrial pressures on agriculture
Many farmers are moving towards min or zero til systems to reduce carbon release in disturbed soil
Maintenance works on land may cause compaction and damage to soil structure, therefore meaning more cultivations are required and carbon goals are not met
Requests for track matting, specific access routes and drier times of years for works are reasonable/expected
Increased costs for agrochemicals and fertilisers mean increased costs per acre = more compensation may be requested
Discuss the discussions you had with your client regarding access for pre-entry site visits
The access route required was through a grass field, with main works being in a wheat field. I explained that silage would be taken from the grass field throughout the spring and summer, and would be grazed by livestock following Final Cut in august/September.
Wheat crop harvested August - beneficial to wait until this time to do works
What types of remedial works could be required following works on third party land
Minor works such as GPT, scraping top soil = harrowing and reseeding
Major works, deep excavations where subsoil has been removed = cultivations including subsoil, power harrow. Maybe even topsoil imported in some cases.
What scheme was in place for the OHL works in Tibberton
GS2 - permenant grassland with very low inputs
£151 per Ha
What were the implications of the scheme at Tibberton
Aims to have grasses at variety of heights
No mowing permitted 15th March - 30th June
Max 12t/Ha FYM
pH 5.4 BY LIMING
NO RE-SEEDING
What are the three schemes available under ELMS
Sustainable Farming Inventive
Countryside Stewardship (replacing local nature recovery)
Landscape Recovery
What is the SFI
Sustainable farming incentive
Pays farmers to adopt and maintain sustainable farming practices
Protects and enhance natural environment
Support farming productivity (animal welfare and optimising use of inputs)
What are some of the actions at offer under SFI
Testing of soils - £5.80/Ha plus £95 per agreement
Companion crops on arable and horticultural land - £55/Ha (integrated pest management)
Pollen and nectar flower mix - £614
How long is an SFI agreement for?
3 years
What is countryside stewardship
CS focussed on more locally targeted actions related to specific habitats and features
Government expanding options available including 2 new lowland grassland options
What is CS Plus
A further incentive for farmers to join up within a local area to deliver increased results
What is landscape recovery
For bespoke, longer term, larger scale projects to enhance the natural environment
Includes large scale tree planting or restoring wilder landscapes
What implications did you discuss with your client in relation to extending a grazing licence over winter
There would be a number of impacts;
1. Increased poaching as the ground is wetter
2. May lead to increased maintenance costs in spring
3. May hinder my client’s access onto land- i.e. if gateways are muddy
Sheep may cause less damage than cows
What is the cost of subsoiling per Ha
£77
What is the cost of power harrowing per Ha
£73
What is the cost of spring tyneing per Ha
£46