The theme for this year’s annual CARA Autumn Seminar held at Llety Cynin, St.Clears was ‘Benchmark, Brexit & a Brave New World!’ It was well attended by representatives from Banks, Accountants, Law Firms, Land Agents and associated businesses.

The Welsh Government have announced a new loan facility to help farmers who may not receive their Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) 2018 payment when the payment window opens on 1 December 2018.

The loan value will be a maximum of 70% of your estimated 2018 BPS payment and is an opt in scheme which means that you need to apply for a loan via your RPW online account by 30 November 2018.

Please click here for further details. If you require assistance with your application, please contact us here at CARA on 01570 471516.

The Euro exchange rate has been set for calculating 2018 Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) payments.

BPS payments for Wales are set in Euros and then converted into sterling and the rate, an average of the European Central Bank exchange rates set in September will be:-

€1 = 0.89281

For reference, the rates during the last 3 years have been:-

2017  €1 = 0.89470

2016 €1 = 0.85228

2015 €1 = 0.73129

The Welsh Government, through Hybu Cig Cymru, is inviting beef and sheep farmers in Wales to benchmark their data and gain a better understanding of the performance of their farm to help identify improvements for their businesses.

Once the data (from 2016-17 or 2017-18 financial years) has been verified, producers will receive:-

• A detailed and bespoke benchmarking report for their own farming business
• £1,000 as compensation for their time and effort

The project is open to 2,000 beef and sheep producers in Wales on a first come first served basis between 8 October – 10 December 2018. Please check eligibility criteria and terms and conditions. Only one application per farming business (or CRN) is permitted.

If you wish to engage help in completing and sending the data, CARA staff will be available and can be contacted on 01570 471516 to arrange an appointment.

The Welsh Government are consulting on the proposals for a planned, multi-year transition and seeking views on:-

• a new land management programme consisting of an Economic Resilience scheme and a Public Goods scheme.
• how the specific schemes that will deliver the support should be designed.

Please visit the Welsh Government website for the Consultation document, Summary leaflet and details of Open meetings with Welsh Government staff throughout Wales during September & October 2018.

Submit your comments by 30/10/18 in any of the following ways:-

• online form
• download/complete a form & return by email
• download/complete a form & return by post

Details of each method are to be found on the WG website.

Expressions of Interest for the 4th Window of the Welsh Government’s Sustainable Production Grant (SPG) opened on 03/09/18 and will close at midnight on 26/10/18. The grant provides a maximum 40% contribution towards capital investments in equipment and machinery that have been pre-identified to support farmers to address nutrient management and safeguarding and improving water, soil and air quality by reducing pollution.

• the maximum grant award is £50,000
• the minimum grant award is £12,000

Applications are to be made via your Rural Payments Wales (RPW) on-line account. A general rules booklet and full list of eligible capital items are available on the Welsh Government website.

Eligibility for the SPG requires a partner in the business to attend a ‘Sustainable Farming Roadshow’ organised by Farming Connect. Please click here for a list of dates and venues throughout Wales. Booking is mandatory – please call 08456 000 813 to book a place at one of these events.

Expressions of Interest for the 5th Window of the  Farm Business Grant (FBG) will open on  06/08/18 and close at midnight on 05/10/18. It will provide farmers in Wales with a 40% contribution towards capital investments in equipment and machinery that have been pre-identified as offering clear and quantifiable benefits to farm enterprises. The minimum grant available is £3,000 and the maximum is £12,000.

Please note that the closing date has now been extended to Friday 26 October 2018.

Applications are to be made via your Rural Payments Wales on-line account. A full list of  eligible items linked to animal health, genetics and performance; crop management; energy efficiency; resource efficiency and ICT  are available on the Welsh Government website.

The key requirements is that  the farm must have registered with Farming Connect before submitting an application, and that a partner/director in the farming business must attend a Farming for the Future Roadshow organised by Farming Connect, as listed on the FC website. The dates for this round of Roadshows are as follows:-

21/08/18 – Glasdir, Plas-yn-Dre, Llanrwst, Conwy LL26 0DF

23/08/18 – The Quinnell Lounge, Parc y Scrlets, Llanelli SA14 9UZ

30/08/18 – Old Food Hall, Royal Welsh Showground, Builth wells LD2 3SY

This will be your LAST OPPORTUNITY to attend one of these events which is a mandatory requirement to express an interest in the scheme

If you would like further assistance with your application, please contact us here at CARA on 01570 471516.

The Expression of Interest (EOI) for the 5th window (Water theme) opened on 9 July 2018 and will close at midnight on 22 August 2018. As in previous windows, an existing Glastir contract is NOT NECESSARY  to be eligible.

Glastir Small Grants is a standalone scheme providing a maximum of £7,500 funding per theme for Capital Works Projects. Further details, including scheme rules are available on the Welsh Government website.

If you require further assistance with your application via your RPW on-line account, please contact us here at CARA on 01570 471516.

Please click here to access the Welsh Government’s Winter Update giving the latest information on a range of agricultural and rural issues for farmers and stakeholders.

08/01/18 – deadline for submission of 1st window receipts

29/01/18 – 3rd Window opens

02/03/18 – deadline for submission of 2nd window receipts

16/03/18 – 3rd Window closes

Please note that for the third and future rounds of FBG, applications can be made through your Rural Payments Wales (RPW) online account.

Scheme information, including a list of eligible items can be found by clicking on this link,

Attendance at a Farming Connect Farming for the Future Roadshows is a requirement if you wish to make an application for the FBG. Places must be booked in advance by contacting 08456 000 813. Details of the next round of roadshows are as follows:-

17/01/18 – Bridgend

22/01/18 – Aberaeron

23/01/18 – Carmarthen

25/01/18 – Llandinam

30/01/18 – Bangor

01/02/18 – Bala

If you require further assistance with your application, please contact us here at CARA on 01570 471516.