AGRI-ENVIRONMENT SCHEMES
There are many different ways in which landowners and managers use Agri-environment schemes to enhance their holdings. We believe that good and well thought out farm environmental schemes can be used in conjunction with efficient farming practices. Oakbank have an extensive working knowledge of the various schemes that are found on farms (predominantly the MT and HT of Countryside Stewardship). From first discussions about their suitability for you, through to practical advice and products to successfully bring the scheme to life. There are still a number of ELS/HLS rollovers being offered by the RPA, but it is becoming apparent that the change in option payment rates is making these legacy schemes obsolete.
Given recent announcements, the new opportunities from the Sustainable Farming Incentive (or the Combined Offer as it is being called) really do need careful consideration, our experience in making good choices and how to achieve success is highly valued by many clients. The RPA will be combining the CS and SFI application process from summer 24 with many new and exciting options.
We focus on producing a scheme that fits your farm, so it is achievable and delivers the outcomes that all parties are looking for. Making good choices, in full possession of the facts at the outset, leads to far better agreements and outcomes. Please contact us for a discussion about your plans.
SERVICES WE OFFER
NEW APPLICATIONS FOR THE MID AND HIGHER TIER COUNTRYSIDE STEWARDSHIP AND SFI.
NEW APPLICATIONS FOR THE MID AND HIGHER TIER COUNTRYSIDE STEWARDSHIP AND SFI
We can guide you through the current rules and regulations, identify options that we feel would fit you and your farm, then complete all the necessary paperwork to submit the application on your behalf. There are pros and cons of the different versions of the scheme, but we can discuss these with you before making any commitment and finding that you are in the wrong version of the scheme, missing out on useful opportunities and income.
For the many agreement holders in CSS, ELS, OELS and HLS, there are still plenty of services offered by Oakbank to help you deliver your agreement over the coming years:
“ECOLOGICAL KNOWLEDGE AND SURVEY EXPERIENCE HAS BEEN A USEFUL ASSET WHEN MAKING PLANS FOR FUTURE LAND MANAGEMENT ACROSS THE ESTATE”
“BEING HALFWAY THROUGH A 10 YEAR SCHEME WE DECIDED TO CALL IN OAKBANK TO GIVE US A HEALTHCHECK. MATT CONDUCTED A THOROUGH CHECK OF ALL THE OPTIONS IN OUR HLS AGREEMENT AND PRODUCED A WORKING MAP, ALONGSIDE A CLEAR AND CONCISE REPORT, HIGHLIGHTING THE AREAS THAT NEEDED ATTENTION. THEY ARE BOTH VERY USEFUL TOOLS WHEN PLANNING WORK SCHEDULES FOR THE NEXT YEAR AND BEYOND.”
