Farm Support and Development: New Schemes and Measures

Soil Nutrient Health Scheme

The Soil Nutrient Health Scheme (SNHS) is a large and innovative scheme representing an investment of up to £45million in our farming sector. Participating in the scheme will provide farmers with important information to help manage soil nutrients and farm carbon. Crucially, participation in the SNHS will be a requirement for entry into some future farm support schemes, such as the new Farm Sustainability Payment and Farming with Nature Package.

What do I need to do now?

Ensure that you register your fields into the SNHS once available in your area. Undertake SNHS training when it is offered to you by CAFRE. 

For further information and how to join the Soil Nutrient Health Scheme visit Soil | daera-ni.gov.uk and Soil Nutrient Health Scheme - Frequently Asked Questions.

Ruminant Genetics Programme

The Ruminant Genetics Programme will help drive improvements in productivity and environmental performance in the ruminant livestock sectors. The programme will be delivered by DAERA, in partnership with the agri-food industry. The industry has established Sustainable Ruminant Genetics Ltd (SRG) which will assist DAERA in delivering several key functions including the promotion and marketing of this programme.

CAFRE will provide training to support the industry to maximise the benefits of this programme.

Genetic improvement will contribute significantly to achieving the target reductions in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. The first phase of this programme will provide farmers with the data and evidence to make better informed breeding decisions to advance genetic gain in dairy and beef animals. The sheep sector also wish to increase the rate of genetic improvement. However, at this stage, the best approach for achieving this has yet to be decided.

What does this mean for me?

Advancing genetic gain in ruminant animals will help you improve overall farm productivity, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, reduce pollution potential, and deliver long-term improved animal health and welfare. In the future you will be required to provide data necessary for the Ruminant Genetics Programme as an eligibility condition of future support payments.

What do I need to do now?

Nothing at this point. Further information will be provided in due course. Check the agricultural press, this webpage or social media channels regularly for further details and updates.

Farming for Carbon

The Livestock Dietary Emission Challenge Fund (LDECF) will open in autumn 2023 and will provide funding for industry, researchers, advisers and their farm business clients to work together to formulate and test livestock concentrate diets which reduce greenhouse gas emissions, ammonia emissions and phosphorus losses to the environment. 

The greenhouse gas (GHG) methane accounts for 66% of the agriculture sector carbon emissions. The majority of agriculture methane emissions arise from the natural process of enteric fermentation in ruminant animals (cattle, sheep, goats). An increasing number of methane reducing feed products are becoming commercially available.

Surplus crude protein in livestock diets is excreted as nitrogenous compounds in urine and faeces. Urine and faeces combined in animal manures and slurries from housed environments give rise to emissions of ammonia and nitrous oxide, a GHG. Research indicates that scope exists to reduce crude protein levels in livestock concentrate diets which will lead to reduced ammonia and nitrous oxide emissions.

Excessive levels of phosphorus are the main cause of eutrophication in watercourses in Northern Ireland. Surplus phosphorus in livestock diets is excreted in urine and faeces. When the resulting slurry and manure from the housed environment is spread on agricultural land, a proportion of slurry and manure is subject to surface runoff to watercourses in wet weather conditions. Local research indicates that scope exists to reduce phosphorus levels in livestock concentrate diets which will lead to reduced phosphorus excretion and improved water quality.

The Livestock Dietary Emission Challenge Fund will provide information on the future use of methane reducing feed additives and the impact of dietary changes on ammonia and phosphorous losses.

What does this mean for me?

It is intended that testing of concentrate diets to reduce emissions on commercial farms will commence during the autumn / winter of 2023.

What do I need to do now?

Nothing at this point. Further information will be provided in due course. Check the agricultural press, the LDECF webpage or social media channels regularly for further details and updates.

The Carbon Benchmarking Programme will commence in autumn 2023 and will enable farm businesses to gain an understanding of their greenhouse gas emissions and use this information to identify where improvements can be made.

Section 19 (2) of the Climate Change (NI) Act 2022 requires the Department to develop a sectoral plan for agriculture which must contain proposals for carrying out fully funded carbon audits of farms to assess where performance improvements and savings can be made, and that as part of the carbon auditing process, carbon sequestration measures already being conducted by the sector should be calculated.

Carbon benchmarking is a process that allows farm businesses to gain an understanding of their greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and will be comparable across different years and between businesses, provided that the same calculation method is used. 

The objective of farm carbon benchmarking is to efficiently capture data from all farms in Northern Ireland to identify where improvements in performance can be made. Data obtained from carbon benchmarking will be used to:

• Inform future policy development on carbon mitigation strategies;
• Update assumptions within the NI part of the UK GHG inventory; and,
• Inform farmers on where improvements in performance can be made.

What does this mean for me?

Completion of a Carbon benchmark of your farm will help you identify where improvements in performance can be made. Knowledge transfer activities will be available for you to participate in to help deliver these improvements.

What do I need to do now?

Nothing at this point. Further information will be provided in due course. Check the agricultural press, this webpage or social media channels regularly for further details and updates.

Farming for the Generations

The Farming for the Generations Programme will support farm businesses in planning for a timely and orderly transfer to a new generation that will enable the businesses to continue and flourish. The programme will provide knowledge and skills to help with the transfer of the management and leadership responsibility and the legal inheritance of the farm business to a successor. It will also develop the skills of both the successor and the retiring farmer to make a successful transition.

A pilot programme will commence in autumn 2023.

The Northern Ireland Industry is reliant on an industry structure of an ever-increasing age profile of farmers and a reluctance regarding generational change. This ageing population is seen as a barrier to efficient and sustainable land use in the future. Younger, well-educated farmers have been shown to be more open to adopting advanced technology and environmentally friendly farming practices. 

A reduction in the average age of farmers and accelerating the transition to those with relevant training and skills will provide a workforce who are more open to innovation and change and who have a longer investment horizon. 

What does this mean for me?

Management of a smooth and planned transition of the management and leadership responsibility and the legal inheritance of your farm business will support resilience and its long-term sustainability. The Farming for the Generations Programme will encourage longer term planning for your farm business based on a three phased approach to include planning for succession, development of the successor and maintaining support for both generations. The Programme will also include knowledge and skills development and explore the provision of appropriate incentives.

What do I need to do now?

Nothing at this point. Further information will be provided in due course. Check the agricultural press, this webpage or social media channels regularly for further details and updates.

Knowledge and Innovation

The current CAFRE knowledge transfer programmes (Business Development Groups, Farm Family Key Skills, Technology Demonstration Farms and Farm Innovation Visits) will continue to be delivered up to the end of March 2024 when a new suite of Knowledge Transfer and Innovation programmes will be launched. These programmes will help farm businesses to maximise the benefits of the new Farm Support and Development Programme and make informed development decisions. Knowledge Transfer and Innovation programmes will be delivered using proven methods including, web-based information, online and face-to-face training and new peer-to-peer learning groups. New knowledge programmes will be complemented by innovation programmes to encourage the adoption of new technology.

The greatest asset that the farming industry has is its people. In helping to achieve DAERA’s vision and outcomes for the farming industry, it is important to embrace innovation and gain knowledge to take the necessary steps to make changes and maximise the benefits of Future Farm Support and Development. The Knowledge and Innovation programmes will aim to support continuous life-long learning and professional development of those working in the agriculture and horticulture industry.

What does this mean for me?

Knowledge and Innovation programmes are supported by the industry which recognises the benefits of knowledge and skills development to drive the adoption of innovation and the long-term sustainability of businesses. Those Farm businesses taking part have realised financial, environmental, and personal benefit. You can also benefit by participating in the new Knowledge Transfer and Innovation programmes.

What do I need to do now?

Continue to participate in CAFRE’s current suite of programmes and consider enrolling on the new programmes from Spring 2024. Check the agricultural press, this webpage or social media channels regularly for further details and updates.

Farming with Nature Package

A series of small-scale Test and Learn Pilots will commence in late 2023 and throughout 2024. These will test new thinking around the delivery of agri-environment support including the potential to pay on the environmental outcomes delivered by farms and the ability of new technology to support this. DAERA will work closely with farming and environmental organisations in the delivery of these pilots which will help shape the main Farming with Nature Package due to launch in 2026 Existing Environmental Farming Scheme participants will be provided with an orderly transition between schemes.

The Farming with Nature (FwN) Package aims to support farmers and land managers across all land types to make substantial contributions to environmental improvements and sustainability. 

FwN will focus initially on reversing the trends in nature decline through maintaining, restoring, and creating habitats that are important for species diversity and improving connectivity between habitat areas.

What does this mean for me?

The FwN Scheme will be open to all land managers with 3 ha or more of eligible agricultural land who meet the scheme requirements. This includes land under conacre and common land. In order to participate you will need to comply with new Farm Sustainability Standards and participate in the Soil Nutrient Health Scheme.

What do I need to do now?

Continue to participate in the current Higher Environmental Farming Scheme still in operation. Further information on the Farming with Nature Pilots will be available in due course. Check the agricultural press, DAERA website or social media channels regularly for further details and updates.

Beef Sustainability Package

The Beef Sustainability Package will aim to help ensure the future viability of the beef sector, by helping the sector to keep pace with competitors, improve profitability, resilience and importantly reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. It comprises two measures; a Beef Carbon Reduction Scheme and a Suckler Cow Scheme which together seek to improve productivity and reduce emissions from older non-breeding animals.

The Beef Carbon Reduction Scheme will open in early 2024 to incentivise farm businesses to reduce the slaughter ages of beef cattle. Training will be offered from autumn/winter 2023 to help farm businesses make the necessary changes to management practices to finish cattle at the scheme target slaughter ages.

The Beef Carbon Reduction Scheme will aim to reduce the number of older, non-breeding animals on farm by incentivising farmers to meet set targets for the age at slaughter for finished beef animals over a four-year phased implementation period. A reduction in the number of older, non-breeding animals on farm will help improve overall farm productivity while at the same time reducing greenhouse gas emissions from the farm.

What does this mean for me?

The Beef Carbon Reduction Scheme is targeted at those farm businesses that finish beef cattle. It is limited to clean beef animals, born and bred in Northern Ireland and registered on APHIS / NIFAIS which meet the maximum age at slaughter targets set out above. At present a minimum slaughter age has not been set but this will be kept under review. There will also be no differentiation in maximum slaughter ages for bulls, steers and heifers. Other conditions / requirements for the scheme, including the payment rate are being finalised and will be published when available.

What do I need to now?

Consider adjustments necessary to meet maximum age at slaughter targets. Check the agricultural press, DAERA website or social media channels regularly for details on upcoming training.

The Suckler Cow Scheme will open in early 2025 to incentive farm businesses to reduce the age at first calving and/or calving interval of suckler cows. Training will be offered to help farm businesses make the necessary changes to management practices and enable planning for calving heifers and cows at the specified scheme targets.

A reduction in the age that heifers first calve at and a reduction in the calving interval of suckler cows will help improve overall farm productivity while at the same time reducing greenhouse gas emissions from the farm.

Reduced age at first calving - payment will be made in respect of individual heifers that meet the age at first calving targets. The phased implementation is set out below:

Reduced calving interval - payment will be made in respect of individual cows that meet the calving interval targets. The phased implementation is set out below:

What does this mean for me?

The Suckler Cow Scheme is targeted at those farm businesses with suckler cows. Payment will be limited to those animals that give birth to live calves registered on NIFAIS and a quantitative limit will be set at individual farm level. Other conditions / requirements for the scheme, including the payment rate are being finalised and will be published when available.

What do I need to do now?

Consider adjustments necessary to meet age at first calving and/or calving interval targets. Check the agricultural press, DAERA website or social media channels regularly for details on upcoming training.

Horticulture

The horticulture sector will have a bespoke range of support measures The Horticulture Sector Growth Support Scheme will aim to commence in spring 2024 with the establishment of Subsector Growth Groups, along with a Growers Academy. An Innovation Encouragement and Support Measure will commence in late 2024.

The Northern Ireland production horticulture sector makes an important contribution to the economy, the environment and human health. There is scope to develop this sector further and the Horticulture Measure will aim to do this over the coming years. An increase in local horticulture productivity will help improve overall agri-food sector productivity and sustainability, grow the economy, and help ensure the stability of the food supply chain by increasing local resourcing.

What does this mean for me?

Subsector Growth Groups will aim to increase productivity by providing specialist agronomy and business development professional advice to participants encouraging them to share information and explore market opportunities collectively. This will help them develop business specific growth plans to meet growth targets over a four-year implementation period.

A Growers Academy will provide the opportunity for young and new growers to attend professional development training and activities and events that will allow them to develop the knowledge and skills which they require to start a horticulture enterprise or increase their horticulture businesses’ profitability and sustainability. 

An Innovation Encouragement & Support Measure will encourage growers with viable ideas to invest in new / novel systems, technology, and crops.

What do I need to do now?

Nothing at this point. Further information on the launch date and Scheme targets will be provided in due course. Check the agricultural press, this page or social media channels early next year for further details relating to the Scheme launch.

Capital Investment Measure

The Capital Investment Measure will help farm businesses to improve business efficiency and environmental performance. In particular, support will be focused on assisting the industry to meet Net Zero targets to incentivise investment in carbon reduction technology and to invest in equipment to support low carbon farming. This will build on information provided to farm businesses through the Soil Nutrient Health Scheme and Carbon Benchmarking Programme.

There are a number of challenges facing the industry, both in terms of farm productivity and environmental performance. The Capital Investment Measure will aim to reduce the environmental impact of primary production sectors, through adoption of precision technology and equipment to reduce ammonia emissions, carbon emissions, and nutrient loss. In addition, it will seek to increase the resilience of farm businesses through increased efficiency, to help deal with the volatility of input costs and labour availability.

What does this mean for me?

The Capital Investment Measure will provide your farm business with opportunities to improve performance, resilience, efficiency and sustainability by providing support for capital investment with the most potential to deliver against scheme objectives.

What do I need to do now?

Nothing at this point. Further information will be provided in due course.

Farm Sustainability Payment

The current Basic Payment Scheme will continue to operate in 2024 with existing land eligibility and cross compliance conditions. A Farm Sustainability Transition Payment with some new conditionalities will be introduced in 2025. The full Farm Sustainability Payment will go live in 2026. This will include changes to land eligibility and Farm Sustainability Standards and these changes will be communicated well in advance. All land-based agriculture and horticulture businesses who meet the eligibility requirements will be able to apply.

The Farm Sustainability Payment will provide a balance between providing a safety net which will help a farm business withstand ‘shocks’ that are beyond its ability to manage effectively and encouraging farms to be efficient, competitive and to manage risk proactively.

What does this mean for me?

The Basic Payment Scheme will continue to operate in 2024. A transitional Farm Sustainability Payment will introduce some new eligibility conditions, as outlined in the Future Agricultural Policy Decisions for Northern Ireland, such as a minimum 5 ha claim size threshold. Further conditions will be introduced in 2026.

What do I need to do now?

No other action is required as current BPS payments will continue in 2024. Further information will be provided in due course.

Supply Chain Measure

Supply Chain Measure will support improved collaboration between producers and growers within the supply chain, encouraging them to innovate, problem-solve and value-add beyond what they can achieve in isolation. 

From mid-2025, a range of supply chain support schemes will be provided for new and existing groups to pursue opportunities for growth, develop products, processes and systems, as well as to address longer-term strategic supply chain challenges affecting the agri-food sector.

What does this mean for me?

As this is a collaborative measure, it is unlikely to affect individual producer businesses directly. However, DAERA would strongly encourage you to actively participate when the opportunity arises.

What do I need to do now?

Nothing at this point. Further details will be provided in due course.