"It is vital farmers plan ahead and invest for the future" - says NFU spokesman and uplands farmer Will Cockbain

WILL Cockbain, Keswick hill farmer and NFU national uplands spokesman, gives his view on why farmers should take advantage of what the Northwest Livestock Programme has to offer... 

THE Northwest Livestock Programme is funded through the Rural Development Programme for England and is focused on helping livestock farmers in the North West with animal health, nutrient management and resource efficiency at a time when direct payments for many farmers are decreasing. 

The programme was developed by a steering group chaired by me and included industry representatives, ADAS and the Northwest Regonal Development Agency (NWDA) with the aim of offering a practical scheme accessible to as many farmers as possible.

"Uncertainty over the future of single farm payment post 2012 makes it all the more vital for farmers to plan ahead and identify areas they need to invest in"

The programme offers farmers information and advice related to animal health and welfare, resource efficiency and nutrient management. This can be in the form of one to one work by vets and advisors, or demonstration events and also technical support through a dedicated website. 

The last two years have seen a much better outlook for the beef and sheep sector with a weaker pound helping exports and a rising demand in general leading to significant market price rises. Unfortunately the dairy sector, after enjoying a brief period of milk price increases, has had a tough couple of years.

Uncertainty over the future of single farm payment post 2012 makes it all the more vital for farmers to plan ahead and identify areas they need to invest in, the Livestock Programme can assist farmers in this by providing grants in several areas. 

Examples of animal health and welfare projects have included back-flush systems, heat detection, comfort mattresses and cubicles, specialist handling and weighing facilities, and specialist calf feeders. Nutrient management projects have included covering middens and silage pits and slurry aerators, whilst resource efficiency projects have included heat recovery systems, plate coolers and solar panels.

However it is up to the farmer and advisor to identify priority areas for their own particular circumstances which are eligible for grant aid, once identified small grants of up to £8,000 can be applied for.

The grants panel is currently looking to meet four times a year but this could increase if applications increase significantly. The panel aims to meet equally across the North West region and a pool of members have been assembled with the aim of drawing people from their local areas.

Finally I would strongly urge any farmers looking to invest in areas covered by the scheme to look closely at what the Livestock Programme has to offer and see if it is relevant to helping them improve their business's. It is available until March of 2013 by which time it is hoped many North West livestock business's will have benefited from it.

Will Cockbain