CARA Wales

For reliable fertiliser planning it is essential that the nutrient content, rate and time of application of manures are known. The nutrient content of animal excreta is greatly influenced by factors such as diet and water dilution. Slurry nutrient content may vary from one year to the next on the same holding. CARA recommends that the nutrient content of a representative sample be determined by analysis at least once per annum. Interim assessments of slurry can be made by using a slurry hydrometer. CARA are able to provide a lab analysis service, interim assessment via hydrometer and give a report on crop nutrient planning based on results.

CARA slurry/manure analysis = £42 + VAT. Analysis gives levels of Nitrogen, Phosphate, Potash, Magnesium and dry matter. This would allow you to carry out a manure management plan and accurately plan fertiliser requirements. This in turn would:

·         improve crop nutrient management

·         result in potential savings on fertiliser inputs

·         meet farm assurance criteria

·         gain environmental agency approval

·         benefit the environment

If you are currently part of the Tir Cynnal scheme, you will have recently been sent a letter asking whether you would like to join the new Transitional Tir Cynnal Scheme, or whether you would like to remain within your existing scheme.

If you choose to remain in your existing scheme it will come to an end on the 5th anniversary of joining the scheme, which for most people will be during 2010 or 2011.

The new Transitional Tir Cynnal scheme will run from 1st of January 2010 until the 31st of December 2013. This will therefore bridge the gap between your existing scheme ending and the new Glastir scheme starting.

You must return the form to the Welsh Assembly by the 28th September 2009 if you wish to join the Transitional Tir Cynnal Scheme. Please ring the office for further details.

With more of your Single Farm Payment being swallowed up by increasing modulation rates, many farmers are now looking to recuperate some of this shortfall by joining an agri-environment scheme. Various schemes have been available over the last ten years including the ESA scheme (Environmentally Sensitive Areas), Habitat Scheme, Tir Cymen, and Tir Gofal. The latest scheme introduced was the Tir Cynnal scheme which has proved very popular with a range of farmers.

The Tir Cynnal scheme is open to all farmers as long as 5% of their farm can be classified as habitat i.e. broadleaved woodland, scrub, unimproved grassland etc. If the farm has less than 5% habitat, then farmers can choose to create habitats on their farm. One popular way of creating the habitat area required has been to grow a crop of unsprayed roots, such as swedes or stubble turnips.

Application for membership of the Tir Cynnal scheme is made annually on the Single Application Form, and payment is made on the anniversary of the agreement. Payment rates are as follows:-

0-20 ha   £45/ha                      £900

20-50 ha £30/ha                      £1800

50-100 ha £25/ha                    £3050

100-200 ha £5/ha                    £3550

Over 200 ha £2/ha

As part of the Tir Cynnal scheme you will be required to complete three management plans for your farm. These include a resource management plan, soil management plan and manure management plan. These will need to be completed before the first anniversary of your agreement and then updated annually to reflect any changes in farming system. These plans have proven to be very useful on a farm level by pointing out areas that could be problematic under cross-compliance, as well as highlighting over use of fertiliser on some fields.

The soil management plan states that testing soils on a regular basis would provide an environmental and business benefit to many farmers. At CARA, we now offer a soil testing service at £10 per sample. We have recently seen an upsurge in farmers undertaking soil samples to assess the fertility of their soils. The latest results received show that in general most P & K indexes are sufficient, however the majority of fields need significant levels of lime. Unless the pH of these soils is corrected, then the response to fertiliser applications will be limited.