Agricultual Schemes/Support

Question 1

When do you require a LMF? What is it?

Answer 1

When making changes to your land parcels.

Question 2

What does IACS stand for?

Answer 2

integrated administration and control system (IACS):

Question 3

What is the purpose of a SAF?

Answer 3

Single Application Form

Used for applying for single farm payments
Eligible for farmers who are actively farming their ground.

You need to be keeping your farm within GAEC standards in order to achieve your SFP

Question 4

What is BPS and How do you Qualify for BPS?

Answer 4

BPS is run by the Scottish Governments Rural payments service. To qualify for basic payment scheme you must be actively farming your land and have over 3ha.

Question 5

What are the GAEC standards?

Answer 5

Good Agricultural Environmental Condition (GAEC) protect 3 main elements:

1/ Soil and Water
2/ Habitat and Wildlife
3/ Landscape Features

Question 6

What Schemes/ Opportunities are available for farmers in Scotland?

Answer 6

Agri Environment Climate Schemes (AECS)
Scottish Upland Sheep Support Scheme (SUSSS)
Scottish Suckler Beef Support Scheme (SSBSS)
Less Favourable Area Support Scheme (LFASS)

Question 8

What dictates whether you are elibilge for LFASS?

Answer 8

Location - Remote and constrained areas a distance from supply markets. Highlands is LFASS

Question 9

What are the region 1-3 entitlement payments (including greening)?

Answer 9

Region 1 = £220-225
Region 2 = £40-45
Region 3 = £10-15

Question 10

What are farmers required to provide as part of the AECS scheme?

Answer 10

Management Diaries - to show stock movements, fallow periods, ploughing periods, sowing, etc. This provides the necessary proof that land was used appropriately to obtain the funding.

Question 11

Talk me through the whole process of supporting a farmer through an AECS?

Answer 11

1. Take instruction from farmer, visit farm, assess what they already do on the farm
2. Ask for the farm code (CPH) which is the County Parish Holding Number
3. Use ‘targeting tool’ to identify potential options to devise the scheme, and see what the farm is eligible for.
4. Think about local habitats, opportunities, and issues.
5. Point requirements change, but assume 20+ points is required
6. Compose an environment map which identifies existing hedges, dykes, watercourses, woodland etc
7. Design/devise options which meet points, and tie in with the farmers needs, are achievable.
8. Compose Management Maps for 1-5 year programme and draw up any diffuse pollution risks and mitigation maps if applicable.
9. Upload on RPS

Question 12

What are Pillar 1 and Pillar 2 Schemes?

Answer 12

Pillar 1 = direct support payments to farmers, measured on amount of land, not the amount they produce (e.g. BPS)

Pillar 2 = Rural Development Pillar, optional schemes for environmental goals and supporting rural economies (e.g. AECS, FGS, LFASS)

Question 13

Give some examples of AECS ‘annual payment’ options?

Answer 13

RWS, Water Margin, SRG, WBS, WGG, Hedges, GCM,

Question 14

When does AECS applications open/close?

Answer 14

3rd February (open)
12th June (deadline)

Question 15

How are AECS payments measured?

Answer 15

Measured on a flat rate basis (per hectare)

Question 16

What are greening payments and how do you obtain these?

Answer 16

Greening is an additional payment available on top of BPS

Depending on Agricultural enterprise will determine your requirements.

For example, if you have Arable enterprise and LESS than 75% of your land in PGRS/TGRS you will require an EFA on at least 5% of your ground.

Question 17

What are the recent 2025 changes in the greening requirements?

Answer 17

The EFA Agroforestry option now includes small or farm woodlands.

Cross border businesses submitting greening can only meeting greening requirements on land located and claimed in Scotland.

No longer crop diversification requirements

Question 18

Give some examples of AECS ‘capital payment’ options?

Answer 18

Swale, fence, wader scrape, sediment trap

(one-off activities required to deliver your application outcome)

Question 19

What is the definition of grade 3.2 land?

Answer 19

3.2 = Land capable of average production though high yields of barley, oats and grass can be obtained. Grass leys are common

Question 20

What stage is the Land Reform Bill currently at, and when was it introduced?

Answer 20

Stage 1 in UK Parliament

13 March 2024

Question 21

What is a PF23 Form?

Answer 21

An application to enable the transfer of BPS entitlements on a farm

Question 22

What is the deadline if the transferee wants to claim payments on the entitlements for BPS?

Answer 22

They must receive your application no later than 2 April.

Question 23

What department managed BPS entitlements and transfers?

Answer 23

The Entitlement Transfer Unit (ETU)

Question 24

What are the 3 options for passing on entitlements?

Answer 24

Inheritance
Permanent (sale/gift)
Temporary (lease)

Question 25

Can you describe a basic upland livestock farming enterprise?

Answer 25

Permanent pasture Rough Grazing Predominantly beef and sheep rearing, minimal arable Occasional good field in a rotation of winter forage More forestry, and shelterbelts

Question 26

What is the ideal soil conditions and soil type for efficient production of grain?

Answer 26

Loamy soil is the best, minimal stones, it is light/airy and has a better water holding capacity, and has a good/balanced pH, often rich in nutrients if cared for

Question 27

What is Organic Matter?

Answer 27

Soil organic matter means all living, or once-living, materials within, or added to, the soil.

Question 28

How can you restore/improve OM content in soil?

Answer 28

1. Reduce Tillage (reduce disturbance, and runoff) 2. Mixed rotations (certain plans add nutrients, and improve soil health and promote micro-organisms) 3. Add organic material (broiler, farm yard manure) 4. Use cover crops (to reduce runoff, and prevent exposure) 5. Plant legumes, green crop manures

Question 29

You mention you attended various Agri CPD events to improve crop knowledge. Can you elaborate?

Answer 29

I have attended numerous SAAVA events (Peacehill Farm, Dundee, Cairnfold Inverourie) I learnt about the SAAVA examination process, valuing farm machinery, livestock, and valuing crop which was not ready for harvest, discussed utilities and compensation, and compulsory purchase.

Question 30

Where do you see the future of Agriculture? What are your thoughts of AI in Agriculture?

Answer 30

I see AI approaching sooner than you would expect. Cost/implementation is the main concern for smaller scale farmers. Large scale farmers and producers will embrace AI, to improve efficiency, production and reduce carbon footprint. Examples of AI include Antonymous machinery, smart irrigation, vertical indoor farms, crop/soil health monitoring, disease monitoring

Question 31

In sheep numbers, what does 1 GLU equate to?

Answer 31

6.6 sheep

Question 32

What is the minimum GLU required in order claim subsidy?

Answer 32

0.05 GLU