Grant applications come back around

Farming is cyclical industry and grant applications are no different.

Countryside stewardship, the replacement scheme for Mid & Higher Level Stewardship, is now entering its third year of applications.

Requests for applications were required by July 31 whilst completed forms must be submitted by September 30.

If you were unable to request an application pack this year it is never too early to begin planning next year’s submission.

The scheme has benefits over previous versions as capital grants for improving water quality and reducing diffuse pollution from agriculture are included rather than requiring a separate application process as has previously been the case.

Farmers can apply for capital grants to help pay for projects such as renewing a concrete yard or installing new water troughs with the aim of reducing diffuse water pollution from agriculture.

Where improvements involve renewing or increasing concrete pads this is best arranged in tandem with other physical alterations to the holding to reduce disruption.

It is important to consider where this may place additional demands on machinery, buildings and labour causing to avoid disrupting the holding’s normal operations.

Grants that used to be delivered under the Catchment Sensitive Farming scheme were now part of the mid-tier Countryside Stewardship Scheme.

However, landowners are reminded that they can apply for capital grants only, without the need to work up a more extensive application incorporating a range of land management options.

There is a limited list of capital options on offer designed to help reduce pollution from agriculture or the risk of flooding.

They include concrete yard renewal to reduce the amount of foul run-off, the installation of underground water storage tanks, self-supporting slurry store covers and livestock drinking troughs.

These capital-only options are only available to farmers in a high priority water quality area, but this will apply to large parts of Shropshire. The easiest way to identify if you are in a high priority area is to look at the Magic maps website (www.magic.gov.uk/). This was previously available online under the title ‘What’s In Your Back Yard’ and managed by the Environment Agency.

The maximum value of a claim which includes capital options only is £10,000.

Some of the capital items will require written support from a Catchment Sensitive Farming officer (CSFO) as part of an application’s evidence requirement. James Turner, a farm consultant in Shrewsbury, advises any landowners who have requested an application pack to seek the support of a CSFO before submitting the application to ensure the best chance of success.

Matthew Martin – associate farming consultant, Strutt & Parker, Shrewsbury