Are you using Manage My CPH yet?

Since September, RPW online customers not transitioned to the new rules are being contacted by RPW to map their land using Manage My CPH.

New housing measures to protect poultry and captive birds against avian flu

The new housing measures, which will come into force on Monday 29 November, mean that it will be a legal requirement for all bird keepers across the UK to keep their birds indoors and to follow strict biosecurity measures in order to limit the spread of and eradicate the disease.

Avian influenza (bird flu): latest update

On 3 November 2021, the Minister for Rural Affairs declared an all-Wales Avian Influenza Prevention Zone.

As of 8 November, gatherings of:

• galliforme (including pheasants, partridge, quail, chickens, turkey, guinea fowl) birds, and
• anseriforme (including ducks, geese, swans) birds

may no longer take place. This follows an increase in risk from avian influenza.

Increase in BPS entitlement values

BPS 2021 entitlements have increased in value to take account of unclaimed entitlements and the unallocated National Reserve budget in 2021. Customers who have received an advance payment will see this increase reflected in the Entitlements Statement of their 2021 advance payment letter. Customers who have not received an advance payment will have this increase applied when their full payment is made.

Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) Transfer of Entitlements guidance – RPW Online

The transfer notification facility for 2022 entitlements is now available on RPW Online. RPW must be notified by 15 May 2022 in order for the recipient to make a claim on entitlements they are receiving for the 2022 BPS scheme year.

Glastir Contracts

Eligible contract holders whose Glastir Advanced, Glastir Commons or Glastir Organic contract is due to end on the 31 December 2021 will be offered extensions. RPW have uploaded information letters to RPW online accounts with further details. Please check your RPW Online accounts regularly to ensure action is completed in a timely manner.

Consultation on the Refreshed TB Eradication Programme launched

The Minister for Rural Affairs and North Wales, and Trefnydd launched a consultation on the Refreshed TB Eradication Programme on 16 November. We are seeking views on enhancements to our TB eradication programme and consulting on measures to be included in a refreshed programme. The consultation will close on 8 February 2022.

Have your say on proposed livestock movement changes

Welsh Government is asking for views on plans to change how livestock are identified, registered and their movements reported. The consultation, which runs until 2 January, relates to processes for sheep, goats, cattle and pigs together with the proposed implementation of Bovine Electronic Identification (Bovine EID).

Herd Register 

A new Welsh bilingual holding register for cattle has been produced. If you would like a copy of the new register, you can download it from our website. If you prefer a pre-printed copy, please contact EIDCymru with your name and address and they will post one out to you:

• E-mail - contact@eidcymru.org
• Phone - 01970 636959

Winter Fair 2021 (29 - 30 November)

We will be in attendance at the Royal Welsh Agricultural Society (RWAS) Winter Fair at the Showground in Llanelwedd. This will be the first physical presence at a RWAS event in 2 years. Please visit our stand for the latest information relating to Rural Affairs - we look forward to seeing you there!

Winter Update 2021

The Winter Update has now been published online. It contains information, important dates and rule changes from a variety of key areas relating to rural affairs.

Sustainable Farming Scheme

Through the Agriculture Bill, we have committed to creating a new system of farm support. We have published our high level plans for this and the findings from our first phase: Sustainable Farming Scheme: co-design of future farming. We have committed to building on these findings through a further co-design and consultation leading to a period of transition and outreach through 2023 and 2024.

Understanding farmer motivations: very small and small farms

The report containing the findings from this piece of social research is now available. Thank you to all those who contributed to the telephone survey, which was undertaken as part of this work. Please contact environmentalevidence@gov.wales if you have any queries.

The Farming Connect skills funding application window will open between 3 – 28 January 2022

Apply to develop your skills, develop your business and plan ahead for the future:

• all training courses subsidised by up to 80% for registered individuals
• more than 70 courses available, categorised under ‘Business’, ‘Land’ and ‘Livestock’
• network of approved training providers located throughout Wales

For the full list of courses and/or support on how to apply, contact your local development officer or the Farming Connect Service Centre on 08456 000 813.

Farming Connect ICT Programme

The Farming Connect ICT Programme is coming to a close at the end of December 2021, so we encourage everyone to utilise the fully funded computer training now before its closure:

• those interested in improving their computer skills are encouraged to book on as soon as possible, to avoid disappointment, as spaces are limited
• courses available during December include the basic and intermediate Microsoft Excel courses and the Social Media refresher course

Farming Connect helping you to achieve net-zero

Following the COP26 summit, world action must begin to achieve the target of net-zero by 2050. Already making a positive contribution, our industry can go further and Farming Connect is here to help every farming and forestry business in Wales on their journey.

Changes to clamp management improves dairy farm’s silage quality

A Carmarthenshire dairy farm is improving silage quality by making small changes to clamp management. Increasing clamp density has been a focus at Nantglas, a Farming Connect demonstration site at Talog, where milk producer Iwan Francis runs two block calving herds.

Trial shows plough versus direct drill reseeding decisions are not clear cut

A dairy-beef producer is hitting average daily liveweight gains of 1kg/day off grass on a rotational grazing system. Neil Davies has overhauled his livestock system since becoming a Farming Connect demonstration farmer, switching from suckler beef production to rearing and finishing bought-in dairy beef cattle.

Wales Rural Network Support Unit (WRNSU)

The WRNSU aids the exchange of ideas between rural organisations. It is available to anyone:

• interested in rural development
• involved with the Welsh Government Rural Communities – Rural Development Programme 2014-2020 and the schemes it funds.

Farm Liaison Service

Confidential, one-to-one guidance and support. If you need to discuss any issues contact one of the Farm Liaison Service staff.