Agriculture Flashcards
Both to Level 2
What must farmers have in place by 15 May 2025 as part of the Whole Farm Plan?
At least two plans and audits relevant to their business.
Name three types of audits and plans farmers can choose for the Whole Farm Plan.
- Carbon Audit
- Biodiversity Audit
- Soil Analysis
- Animal Health and Welfare Plan
- Integrated Pest Management Plan
When must the plans and audits carried out under the Whole Farm Plan be renewed?
Annually.
Until when will funding for farm advisory advice continue?
At least March 2027.
How many funded Integrated Land Management Plans (ILMP) can a farm business receive?
One funded ILMP.
What is the purpose of the Whole Farm Plan?
To enhance conditionality in return for basic payments.
What advice is their funding available for through the Farm Advisory Service?
*Integrated Land Management Plans (ILMP)
*Specialist Advice Plans
*Mentoring for new entrants
*Carbon audits
What is GAEC 6 in relation to Cross Compliance?
Maintenance of soil organic matter.
What new standards will be added to GAEC 6 in 2025?
New peatland and wetland standards.
List activities prohibited on peatland and wetland areas under the new standards.
- Ploughing, cultivations, and reseeding
- New drainage and maintenance of existing drainage systems causing further drying
- Application of pesticides, fertilizers, including manure, lime, and soil conditioners
- Creation of new roads and tracks causing vehicle rutting
- Activities damaging vegetation cover exposing the soil
- Disruption of connections between rivers/water courses and wetlands
What exemptions apply to the activities prohibited on peatland and wetland?
Activities may be allowed if part of a peatland restoration project or given prior written approval.
What is the minimum peat depth for the new standards to apply?
50cm
What is the eligibility requirement for calves under the Scottish Suckler Beef Support Scheme (SSBSS) starting in 2025?
Calves are eligible if their dam has a calving interval threshold of 410 days or less, or if the calf is the first registered birth associated with that dam.
Fill in the blank: The Agricultural Reform Programme and accompanying Route Map were published in _______.
June 2023
What is grass silage?
Chopped grass that is then usually clamped and fermented to encourage more sugars to be released. It is used as winter feed for cattle
What is an NVZ?
A nitrate vulnerable zone is a designated area that is at risk of agricultural nitrate pollution. Rules are imposed on farmers such as, closed periods where they are not permitted to spread organic manures, strict record keeping of spreading, livestock on farm, slurry stores and risk maps.
What is a Killing Out percentage?
Determines how much saleable carcase weight is obtainable.
Cattle - 55%
Pig - 75%
Lamb - 45%
Why do companies need an ASV?
The reason for valuing stock at the end of an accounting period is to identify and carry forward those costs incurred before that date but which will not give rise to income until a later period. By carrying forward those costs they can be matched with the income when it arises.
Either for taxation purposes or general accounting.
What is the start date of the scheme year for the Basic Payment Scheme?
1 January - All Cross Compliance conditions must be met from this date.
When does the management period for EFA buffers and EFA field margins start?
15 January
What is the deadline for RPID to receive an application to transfer Basic Payment Scheme entitlements?
2 April (or first working day after if this falls on weekend or public holiday)
Effective date of 15 May of that year.
By what date must land used to claim Basic Payment Scheme payment be at your disposal?
15 May
What is the deadline for RPID to receive any amendments or additions to your SAF (if received on or before 15 May) without reducing your payments?
31 May
When does the management period for EFA fallow end?
15 July
When does the management period for EFA nitrogen fixing crops end?
1 August
What must be met until the end of the scheme year?
All Cross Compliance conditions.
What does good husbandry mean?
The responsible management of agricultural land, crops and livestock in a way that is sustainable, productive and environmentally responsible
Can you explain what a typical farming system would look like in your area?
Typically mixed arable and livestock, with few dairy.
What would be a typical beef system in your area?
Usually one of the following 3:
Suckler - where calves are bred on farm and sold either as calves, stores or finished.
Stores to sell - where calves are bought in and sold again when around 15-18 months old to larger finishing units.
Finishing - purchase 15-18 month old cows to finish for slaughter.
What would be a typical sheep farming system in your area?
Most breed their own for slaughter. Very few buy in store lambs.
Lamb indoors usually due to lowland ground conditions, although those on the South Downs do tend to lamb outside.
Can you give me some varieties of wheat?
Skyfall, Crusoe, Zyatt
What is a shearling?
Also known as a hogg - a young sheep / lamb who is weaned but hasn’t been sheared yet. Usually 9-18 months old.
Can you give me some varieties of Winter Barley?
Buccaneer, Electrum, Bolton
What is the biggest problem facing the growth of oilseed rape?
Clubroot and flea beetle
What yield would you expect from spring barley?
7t/ha
What is the no hedge cutting period?
1 March - 31 August
What yield would you expect from spring oats?
6t/ha
What yield would you expect from spring wheat?
7t/ha
What yield would you expect from spring beans?
5t/ha
What yield would you expect from potatoes?
52t/ha
Payment Region One
Better quality agricultural land used for:
* Arable cropping
* Temporary grass
* Permanent grass
This region consists of land that has higher agricultural productivity.
Payment Region Two
Rough grazing with a Less Favoured Area (LFA) grazing category of:
* B
* C
* D
* Outside the LFA
Payment Region Three
Rough grazing with a Less Favoured Area (LFA) grazing category of A
This is typically the least productive land in terms of agricultural output.
What is a draft ewe?
Older sheep raised on the hill and sold to farmers on lower ground with less challenging conditions.
What is a cull ewe?
A ewe that has reached the end of her breeding life - teeth, udders, prolapse or not taking lambs.
What is a PF05 form?
Business Mandate Form
What is a PF06 form?
Land Maintenance Form
What is a PF16 form?
AECS Capital Grant Scheme Claim Form
What is a PF166 form?
AECS Succession Form
What is the primary legislation that established Scotland’s building standards system?
Building (Scotland) Act 2003
This Act sets out the enabling powers for Scottish Ministers to create building regulations and other supporting legislation.
What is the purpose of the Building (Scotland) Act 2003?
To ensure new buildings and works achieve objectives related to health, safety, welfare, convenience, fuel and power conservation, and sustainable development
It allows for the establishment of building regulations and procedural regulations.
What is a building warrant?
Legal permission to carry out building work and confirmation that the design meets building standards
It is required before starting any building work.
How long is a building warrant valid?
3 years from the date of issue
After this period, a new application may be necessary.
What can happen if you start building work without a building warrant?
You can be fined and ordered to remove any new building work
This is an offence under s8(2) of the Building (Scotland) Act 2003.
Can you submit a late application for a building warrant?
Yes, any time before site works are complete
However, it is advisable to obtain the warrant before starting work.
What can you apply for if works are already complete and no building warrant was obtained?
A completion certificate where no building warrant was obtained
This is required if selling the property.
Who is ultimately responsible for ensuring compliance with building regulations?
The building owner
This responsibility cannot be transferred to contractors or other parties.
What is a PF23 form?
Application to transfer entitlements
What is a typical crop rotation?
WB - OSR - 1st WW - 2nd WW or break crop (beans, peas or oats) WW. OSR every 5 years due to risk of clubroot. Potatoes every 7 years. Grass let for at least 3 years.
At what size does a new agricultural building require a building warrant?
280m2 or over
What are varieties of Spring Barley?
Diablo and Laurette
What are varieties of Winter Oats?
Dalguise and Gerald
Minimum farm size to qualify for permitted development rights
5ha or more
What are varieties of Spring Oats?
Canyon and Merlin
What legislation governs permitted development?
The Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development Order) (Scotland) 1992 Class 18
What are varieties of OSR?
Crocodile and Crome
What is regenerative farming?
Seeks to regenerate the land, soil and water as well as enhance the wider environment & improve the nutrient density of food produced.
Any building erected, extended or altered under Permitted Development rights must not:
Exceed 1000m2 in area
Exceed 12m on height
Be within 25m of a trunk or classified road
Be within 400m of a dwelling if used to house certain livestock or store slurry
Be carried out on at land less than 0.4ha in area
Must not be a dwelling or for any purpose other than ag
Describe the annual life cycle of a lowland ewe
Sept - condition check prior to tupping, ideally scoring around 3.5.
Sept/Oct/Nov - tupping (ewes come into season every 14 days). Typically 40 ewes / ram.
Nov/Dec - ewes and tups separated after 6-8 weeks. Ewes scanned approx. 40-90 days into pregnancy. Ewes split into groups based on number of lambs they are carrying and fed accordingly.
February to April - lambing, usually indoors. Gestation period of 145 days.
May/June - weaning (typically between 8-10 weeks). Expected ewe condition score of 2-2.5. Sheared when weather starts to get warmer.
June to September - ewes allowed to rest after weaning to recover body condition. Cull ewes may be removed from system and replacements bought in.
Gestation period of a sheep
145 days (just under 5 months)
