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Post-Brexit grants available for Nidderdale farmers

Farmers and landowners in Nidderdale Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty can apply for land management grants.

Farming in Protected Landscapes is a government-funded three-year programme to support those who manage land in AONBs and national parks across the UK.

The funding is part of the government’s agricultural transition plan after Brexit and the end of EU subsidies.

Iain Mann, manager at Nidderdale AONB, said:

“Projects will need to deliver a positive outcome in at least one of the four key areas.

“These are: climate, such as flood risk reduction or carbon storage; nature, with improved habitats for biodiversity; people, with better access or engagement with the land; and place, which includes enhancing the character of the land, its historic features, or increasing the business resilience of farms.”

Examples of suitable projects could be action to reduce carbon emissions or use of plastics on farms, enhancing habitat for wildlife, improving access on public footpaths, promoting a series of farm walks, conserving historical features on the land, or farm diversification to provide tourism activities, such as stargazing or dawn chorus walks.

All farmers and landowners within the AONB can apply – including those from the private, public and charity sector. Other organisations and individuals are eligible too, as long as they are collaborating or supporting a farmer or land manager.

AONB staff will decide which applications under £5,000 to accept.

Grant requests for over £5,000 will be assessed by a local assessment panel, made up of representatives from Nidderdale AONB, Natural England and the farming and land management community.

Mr Mann said farming was “part and parcel of what makes Nidderdale AONB’s landscape so special”.

He added:

“These new grants will help us to collaborate even more with farmers and land managers to protect the AONB’s natural beauty, tackle climate change and safeguard our wildlife and heritage, while sustaining a vibrant working landscape.”

Green Shoots: Is the future of farming in the Washburn Valley?

Twenty-four-year-old Washburn Valley farmer Robert McAneney says agriculture should be about respecting the land and “improving what you’ve got for the next generation”.

In February, he single-handedly took over the tenancy of Scow Hall Farm, which has spectacular views overlooking Swinsty Reservoir, one of the district’s most cherished outdoor sanctuaries.

The farm is owned by Yorkshire Water and rented to Robert for five years through a scheme called “Beyond Nature”.

It aims to encourage sustainable land management and improve the environment while helping younger farmers take on their own tenancies.

Open-minded

Robert was busy worming lambs when the Stray Ferret visited the farm last week. He has 120 sheep and 45 cows, which he hopes to double by the end of the year.

He said the stunning Washburn Valley scenery helps during the long and often solitary days managing a farm.

He was brought up in Darlington and studied agriculture at university. He’s not from a farming family, which he believes gives him a more open-minded and progressive approach to one of our oldest professions.

He said:

“I don’t have a farming background so I don’t have dad or grandad telling me ‘that will never work!”‘

“The older generation can be stuck in their ways. You can’t teach an old dog new tricks, as they say.”

Storing carbon

Soil carbon sequestration is a process where carbon dioxide is removed from the atmosphere and stored in the soil’s carbon pool.

It’s key to Robert’s approach to managing Scow Hall Farm. He sees himself as a bit like a scientist, improving the soil so it can store more CO2.

He said this involves lots of soil analysis, harrowing soil, spreading lime and reseeding it with herbal mixtures.

Healthy soil also means he can cut down on using fertiliser, which can be catastrophic to wildlife.

He added:

“I’m open to new ideas. You don’t need to pile on fertiliser.”

A sustainable business

First and foremost, farms are businesses and key to Robert winning over Yorkshire Water was his plan to ensure that Scow Hall Farm turns a profit without dependence on subsidies.

Robert says subsidies can “create dependence” and is a “lazy business structure”.

The UK government plans to replace the EU’s Common Agricultural Policy with a new payment system that incentivises farmers to manage their land in a more environmentally friendly way.

Robert said he plans to start selling meat from the animals he rears later this year to people who care that their meat comes from a sustainable farm.

“That’s where we are heading.”

“I want to cut out the middleman so people know exactly where their meat is coming from.

“After five years I want to to leave the farm in a much better state than when I found it.”

Harrogate district farmers fear cheap Australian meat imports

Livestock farmers in the district have expressed concerns over the Australian trade deal and its potential to flood the UK market with cheaper, lower quality produce.

On Tuesday Boris Johnson announced that a new trade deal had been struck up between Australia. It will make it easier and cheaper for Australians to export meat to the UK.

Tim Weatherhead, a Ripon farmer and Vice Chair of the Yorkshire Young Farmers, said;

“The main concern is definitely them undercutting us on standards; we have higher standards of rearing, medicine and farming. Things like this don’t always cross the minds of the consumers, they often just go for the cheapest option. But they don’t see what’s going on behind the scenes.”

Australia’s animal welfare laws aren’t as strict as the UK’s. According to the Animal Protection Index, the UK has an animal welfare ranking of B while Australia ranks at D.

The National Farmers Union published its concerns over welfare practices in Australia which include feeding up to 50,000 cattle at one time and growth hormones which are banned in this country.

Andrew Loftus, a livestock farmer near Masham, shared similar concerns;

“I would be surprised if the government allowed meat containing banned growth hormones to enter the country, but this isn’t the only issue. Meat production standards in the UK are getting tighter and tighter, and there are a whole range of standards which we have which Australia would potentially not be subjected to.

I’m not against free trade deals, in fact I think that competition is good to give consumers a choice – it just has to be fair.”

Boris Johnson assured people that no meat would enter the country containing banned growth hormones.

Other local farmers were concerned about the environmental impact of importing meat from the other side of the world.

Jo and Rob from Blue Coat Farm in Harrogate said:

“Our government’s agenda in this country is for us to farm sustainably, with the environment in mind, so importing meat from the other side of the world would appear to be the polar opposite of this.”

Gov.uk data shows that the Yorkshire and the Humber region is the biggest contributor to the farming industry in the country, and livestock farms account for a third of all its farms.

Whixley plant nursery celebrates 100 years of business

Family-run horticultural nursery Johnsons of Whixley is celebrating 100 years of business this month.

The company is one of the UK’s largest plant suppliers, and has sold an estimated total of 220 million plants since it was founded.

Eric Johnson, company founder

It was founded in 1921 by war veteran Eric Johnson; he began with a small piece of land yielding two dozen fruit trees and grew the company to sell fruit, vegetables and flowers.

When the Second World War started, most of his small team of staff joined the war effort. He was given a commission with the Home Guard in a platoon of 60, covering Wetherby to Green Hammerton.

By the end of the war he was running the well-established ER Johnson Nurseries Whixley, as it was formerly known, and was able to buy seven acres of land to expand the company.

Mr Johnson and the Home Guard.

In 1964 the company was bought by John Richardson, who maintained it as a family-owned business. At this time the company was producing about 150,000 plants annually.

John is now 83 and is still chair of the business, with 11 members of the Richardson family also having various roles.

John said;

“This has not been just my own doing but is thanks to the support of motivated and trusted colleagues who have run the different elements with such professionalism.

“It is with great pride that I have seen my sons continue to develop the business year-on-year, and now I watch my grandchildren take up the reins to the even further successful growth of the company.”

Today the company owns over 200 acres of land and sells five to six million plants every year.

The business has supplied plants for ambitious projects such as HS1 and the athletes’ village at the Glasgow Commonwealth Games.

Tickets go on sale for extended Great Yorkshire Show

Tickets went on sale today for the annual Great Yorkshire Show, which will be extended over 4 days in July.

The show, which is usually 3 days long, will take place this year on July 13-16 to allow for extra tickets to be sold despite a smaller capacity. It is one of the only events of its type to be taking place in Yorkshire this summer, with the majority being cancelled.

The event will take place at its usual site at the Great Yorkshire Showground, with more space being utilised to allow for social distancing measures.

The Yorkshire Agricultural Society, which runs the event, made the decision to sell only advanced tickets this year with none being sold at the gate, to allow for a controlled capacity.

There will be a limit of 25,000 visitors a day as opposed to its usual 40,000 a day average.

The society has planned a number of changes to make the event safer for participants amidst Covid-19 regulations, such as required track and trace, changes to the layout and a one-way system in the food hall.

The showground’s grandstand will only allow 30 percent of its usual capacity to allow for social distancing.

The show will put a halt on the coronavirus vaccinations which have been taking place at the Yorkshire Event Centre on the showground since December.

The event comes after its first cancellation in 20 years last year due to the national lockdown. A number of virtual events took its place including farm tours and online workshops.

‘Mr Ripon’ needs help to feed abandoned cockerels

Few people know about ‘Cockerel Corner’, but a former mayor of Ripon can often be seen feeding the hungry birds that congregate at an otherwise unremarkable bend in a moorland road.

Up to 30 abandoned birds respond to the blast of John Richmond’s car horn, emerging from the scrubby terrain and eagerly flapping over walls.

A cacophony of crowing greets Mr Richmond, nicknamed ‘Mr Ripon’ due to his decades of service to the city, as he throws corn, bread and greens to the Bantams, Leghorn/Rhode Island crosses and Plymouth Rock cockerels.

Feeding the flock is an act of kindness that reminds the 85-year-old of growing up in a farming family across the moor at Dallowgill – but he needs volunteers to help out.

Mr Richmond said:

“I took over feeding them when my cousin Ken Ellis became too unwell to do it.

“He started tending to the cockerels a few years ago and their number has grown.

“It wouldn’t be right to let them starve, so I come up several times a week. They are fed by others on days when I’m not here.”

Feeding time at ‘Cockerel Corner’: John Richmond BEM attends to hungry birds.

It is believed that the birds have been released into the wild to fend for themselves because they are surplus to requirements.

Mr Richmond said:

“Farmers only need a limited number of cockerels.

“After being reared as chicks, they are a few months old before it is known whether they are male or female.

“By then, they are too tough to eat.”

To offer to help with the flock, people can call 01765 607096.

Between regular visits to the moors, Mr Richmond is making revisions to his debut book.

The Stray Ferret has been given a pre-publication preview of his entertaining, humorous and informative autobiography, which takes the reader on a journey from the moorland farm of his childhood to municipal service in Ripon.

Highlights include the key role that Mr Richmond played as a newly elected independent county councillor in ensuring its ancient grammar school did not become a comprehensive.

During his year of office in 1976, Mr Richmond represented the city (at his own expense) at the bicentennial celebrations in the USA. He was present along with the mayors of Ripon in California and Ripon, Wisconsin.

He has the distinction of being the only serving mayor to take on the role of Ripon Hornblower, and was awarded the British Empire Medal in January.

An important element running throughout Mr Richmond’s book is the time spent with Barbara, his wife of 55 years, who died in 2013. He said:

“She was my driving force and I wouldn’t have achieved anything without her.”

Nidderdale farmers urged to apply for EU successor grants

Farmers and land managers in Nidderdale are being urged to access new grants as European Union subsidies are phased out.

Payments through the EU’s Basic Payment Scheme, which supports farmers, reduce this year and will be phased out completely by 2027.

Applying for Countryside Stewardship can maintain payments during the transition to the government’s new Environmental Land Management scheme.

Nidderdale Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty is offering free guidance to help farmers and land managers with the transition.

Marian Wilby, Nidderdale AONB land management team leader, will host four free online webinars for farmers and landowners in March, along with Farming and Wildlife Adviser, Claire Foster.

Ms Wilby said:

“It’s actually quite daunting for farmers to do their day jobs and keep up with the changes and bureaucracy.

“Our aim, via e-newsletters and free webinars, is to keep farmers fully informed and up-to-date, as well as answer any of their questions on the new grant schemes to help farmers and land managers keep payments coming in during this transition period.”

The webinars will cover Countryside Stewardship options, as well as the latest updates on the Environmental Land Management scheme, which will promote nature-friendly farming practices, and the new Farming in Protected Landscapes scheme due to launch this year.

Ms Wilby added:

“Due to this upcoming transition, our land management team is extremely busy, and it may not be possible to help everyone in the AONB on a one-to-one basis.

“Attending one of our free workshops will help you decide what options are available for you.”

These changes have an impact on all land management practices, including farming, moorland management and woodland creation and management.

Under the new schemes, farmers and land managers will be paid grants to improve the natural environment, animal health and welfare, and reduce carbon emissions.

Farmers and land managers in Nidderdale AONB can register for the webinars by calling 01768 868615 or emailing admin@thefarmernetwork.co.uk

Webinar dates
March 8 7.30pm – Upland Focus

March 11 7.30pm – Mixed Farming

March 15 7.30pm – Upland Focus

March 18 7.30pm – Upland Focus

Young farmer given chance to run Washburn Valley farm

Yorkshire Water has appointed a new tenant for a farm it owns near Swinsty Reservoir, as part of a scheme to encourage young farmers and sustainable land management.

The company announced the starter scheme last year amid concerns about the lack of farmers aged under 40.

It revealed today it has appointed 23-year-old Robert McAneney as the first tenant under the new scheme.

Yorkshire Water will rent Scow Hall Farm in the Washburn Valley to Mr McAneney for five years.

It will then help him find a permanent residency and rent the farm to another tenant for five years as part of the company’s Next Generation programme.

Mr McAneney grew up on his family small-holding and currently works on an arable and Christmas tree farm in Darlington.

View of Swinsty Reservoir from Scow Hall Farm

He plans to keep a flock of Oxford Down sheep and Cheviot mules alongside other livestock at Scow Hall Farm.

Mr McAneney said:

“I’m really excited to start this new chapter. When I got the call from Yorkshire Water I was at work, out in the fields ploughing – my life changed overnight, and I immediately started planning what I want to do at Scow Hall Farm.

“To have this kind of opportunity at this age is amazing, and the team at Yorkshire Water have been really supportive. I’m most looking forward to being able to develop Scow Hall Farm into a more sustainable farm and increase my flock to substantial numbers.”

Yorkshire Water’s Next Generation programme was created as part of its Beyond Nature scheme, which supports farmers with sustainable land management.

Harrogate district farmers fearful of post-Brexit future

Farmers in the Harrogate district have expressed fears for their future as the industry prepares for its biggest shake-up in almost 50 years.

The government confirmed this week farmers will lose 50 per cent of the support payments they receive from the European Union by 2024.

George Eustice, the Environment Secretary, said the government’s new system, named Environmental Land Management, will pay farmers if they prevent floods, plant woods and help wildlife.

But details of replacement support payments when the post-Brexit transition period ends on 31 December remain unclear.

Nigel Pulling, chief executive of the Yorkshire Agricultural Society

Nigel Pulling, chief executive of the Yorkshire Agricultural Society, the farming charity that organises the Great Yorkshire Show, said:

“It has been clear for some time that the current system of support payments will change, but there remains real anxiety about what the government’s future agricultural policy will mean for family farming businesses and livelihoods.

“Many farmers stand willing to embrace the changes ahead, however a lack of practical detail about how new support arrangements will work for farm businesses continues to make it difficult to plan for the future.”

Mr Pulling added the society “will continue to support the farming community throughout the forthcoming transition” by “offering opportunities for skills development and knowledge exchange” and by promoting agriculture.

Sheep farmers are expected to be among the worst hit if the UK leaves the EU without a deal.

The EU is the UK’s biggest export market for lamb: 90% of all lamb exports go to the EU so the industry could be devastated by tariffs.

This could have severe implications for sheep farmers in the district.

Beckwithshaw farmer David Wilson, chair of the Dalesbred Sheep Breeders Association, said many farmers could go out of business if the situation was not resolved.

Mr Wilson, whose son is the fifth generation of the family farming business, said:

“The future of farming is at stake. We just don’t know what is going to happen. We don’t know if we are coming or going.”

Nidd farming sisters save bull from drowning

When flooding struck last week, two farmers from Nidd leapt into action alongside the emergency services to rescue a young bull and herd of cows from drowning.

Sisters Fran Robinson and Hannah Blakey, who tend cattle and sheep on their 150-acre farm, were alerted to the plight of the stranded animals on social media.

Fran told the Stray Ferret:

“Hannah and I instinctively knew that we had to lend a hand. We couldn’t bear the thought of the cattle being stranded and at risk of drowning in the River Ure.”

The Blakey family has been farming in the Ripon area for 25 years and, with a call to their auntie Anne, they were able to find a telephone number for the farmer whose bull was in peril, having slipped into the river from a field near Ure Bank Top.

In safe hands — Splash the bull, after his river ordeal

The bull’s owner was in Halifax and at least 40 minutes away – so welcomed the offer of help from two women who are highly experienced in handling cattle.

Fran said:

“We got to the field at around 1.30pm and saw cattle in quite deep water.

“The emergency services arrived as we were shouting the animals, trying to encourage them to swim over to us, but the river was flowing pretty quickly.”

The cows moved further down the flooded field onto a small section of banking at the bottom of Ure Bank Top.

Hannah, said:

“People who live in a house near the Ure joined in the rescue. They were absolutely brilliant and knew what to do.

“They guided the cows away from danger and put the frightened cattle into the safety of their stable.”

Although the cows were safe, the young Limousin bull’s life was still in jeopardy.

Fran said:

“We watched him struggling in the water and going under the bypass bridge and then raced with a blue light escort to the racecourse bridge at Bridge Hewick, hoping the current would sweep him this way and we could get a halter around his head and guide him to safety.”

The bull did re-emerge, bobbing upside down like a giant cork in the swollen water with legs flailing.

Hannah ran across to the other side of the bridge shouting to the bull, trying to get him to right himself and swim to the bank.

Fran pointed out:

“I did manage to touch him as he came towards me, but had no chance of being able to pull a tonne and a half bull to safety.

“He got swept away again and we felt awful. We thought that was it for the poor animal.”

But it wasn’t. Hannah said:

“I was elated when a farmer who farms near Newby Hall rang at 5pm to say that a bull had washed up on one of his fields.”

Fran added:

“We collected him and took him to our parents’ nearby farm where he stayed overnight in a nice dry shed, with hay to eat and fresh bedding to sleep on after his ordeal.

“Hannah and I decided to call him Splash and his owner collected his newly-named Limousin the following morning.

“We are delighted to report that he is doing well.”

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