Grants of up to £250k for Slurry Storage Revealed by Government

Dairy farmers in England should check their slurry storage requirements after the government revealed details about the Slurry Infrastructure grant opening for applications this autumn.

Landowners and tenant farmers with less than six months storage will be eligible to apply for a grant ranging from £25,000 to £250,000. This can be used to help replace, build new or expand existing slurry stores to provide six months of storage.

Successful applicants could receive a maximum 50% grant towards the cost of:

· A range of slurry store types

· Impermeable covers

· Extra equipment like pumps, pipes and safety equipment

Farmers can check their slurry storage requirements based on current animal numbers using tools such as AHDB's slurry wizard https://ahdb.org.uk/knowledge-library/slurry-wizard .

This is the first round of grant funding from the RPA for slurry storage. It will prioritise projects that have the most significant environmental impact, focusing on those located near protected sites. The RPA will provide more details on prioritised locations before applications open.

The application process is expected to commence in the autumn and will consist of two stages, firstly to prioritise applications before making a full application in the second stage.

Commenting on the announcement, RABDF Chairman said: We have been looking forward to the launch of this grant scheme which will provide dairy farmers with the opportunity to really think about their future storage needs.

“We urge farmers to prepare for this first stage of grants by checking their current slurry storage capacity and, if they think they may be eligible, to start enquiring about relevant slurry infrastructure and necessary planning permissions. It may be worth seeking expert help in the design and location, should a new slurry store be on the agenda,” she added.

She continued: “By 2027, all slurry stores must be covered as part of the clean air strategy. so, even if you have enough storage capacity and may not be eligible for funding in round one, it is worth listening out to see whether you may be eligible in future rounds.”

Keep posted at www.rabdf.co.uk/news for the latest on the grants available and all dairy news. 

About RABDF 

RABDF is the sole UK charity focussed on the unique needs of milk producers and the only dairy

organisation representing farmers that holds a Royal Warrant.’

More information   

Sarah Alderton, farmgatemedia@outlook.com, 07739969198

Entries Open for Prestigious Gold Cup Dairy Competition

Entries are now open for the 2022 NMR RABDF Gold Cup competition. This top national award looks to highlight dairy businesses for all-around excellence. 

The award is organised by RABDF and sponsored NMR. It was first launched in 1920 and has been won by some of the country's most influential dairy farmers. 

Dairy businesses can enter either through their milk recording organisation, where they must meet minimum herd size, production, and health criteria, or by being nominated by consultants, discussion groups or companies that support their business.

The Gold Cup is open to all herd management systems, including block calving herds, grazing herds, and housed herds. All entrants must demonstrate high standards of herd health, fertility and business management. 

How to enter

All herds with official milk records who meet the qualifying criteria have been notified and invited to enter. 

Qualifying and nominated herds can complete a comprehensive entry form for consideration by the 2022 Gold Cup judges. A short list is drawn up for visiting by the judges in late summer 2022, before the 2022 winner is announced at Dairy-Tech in February 2023.

When entering, producers must demonstrate through their official milk records milk production, somatic cell count and genetic merit data and for spring calving herds, their spring calving index. 

Applications must be sent electronically to romanymarshall@rabdf.co.uk by July 29, 2022.

Qualifying criteria for milk recorded herds is based on the 12 months to September 2021:

· More than 100 cows/heifers with qualifying lactations in the milking herd

· Annual somatic cell count average of 200,000/ml or less, or 250,000/ml for organic herds

· Minimum £PLI value specific to the breed

· Minimum £SCI value specific to the breed

As well as the Gold Cup, awards are also made to the highest ranked Holstein Jersey and other breed herds qualifying for the Gold Cup.  The Chris May Memorial Award is presented to the herd with the highest Lifetime Daily Yield from all Gold Cup qualifying herds. 

More details about the award and how to enter can be found at https://www.rabdf.co.uk/gold-cup-comp

To register for your free place to attend this year's Gold Cup Open Day on July 5 at Albyns Farm, Essex, by kind permission of the 2020 Gold Cup winners, the Torrance family, please visit https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/326280793637

About RABDF

RABDF is the sole UK charity focussed on the unique needs of milk producers. They are the only dairy organisation holding a Royal Warrant, with the influence and access to funding that brings.

About NMR

NMR is the leading supplier of milk recording services in the UK and carries out milk quality testing for payment purposes, as well as extensive disease testing and screening services.

Top-Ranking Dairy Herd Opens Gates for Gold Cup Open Day on 5 July

One of the UK’s highest ranking dairy herds on £PLI is opening its gates for the renowned Gold Cup Open Day on 5th July at Stapleford Abbotts, near Romford, Essex. 

The event, which historically attracts thousands of dairy farmers and industry representatives, is at this year’s winners of the 2020 NMR/RABDF Gold Cup trophy, the Torrance family of the Curtismill pedigree Holstein herd. 

John Torrance – who farms in partnership with father Robert, mother Janet and wife Lucy, were crowned winners at the recent Dairy-Tech event at Stoneleigh Park in Warwickshire. 

The Curtismill herd comprises 670 cows and 430 followers and is part of their farming business run on 429 hectares of Crown Estate land, just inside the M25 corridor.

Ranking among the top UK herds for PLI, the family’s focus is on efficiency, and they aim to breed cows that will produce 70,000 litres of milk during an average of five lactations.

The average annual yield (September 2021) for this all-year-round calving housed herd, which is milked three times a day, was 13,700kg of milk sold, at 4.08% fat and 3.26% protein, with a calving interval of 382 days. 

Visitors to the event will hear how the team’s close attention to detail in the cow environment and parlour routine and commitment to the key disease control and eradication schemes for dairy herds contributes to the low disease incidence and high health status seen in this herd.

Event organiser Matt Knight, Managing Director of RABDF, said: “The Torrance family scooped the Gold Cup in the competition’s hundredth year, making this year’s celebration more special. 

“We will have a jam-packed day consisting of farm tours, talk stations, and plenty of trade stands for visitors to attend. 

“This herd is exceptional, with breeding and cow management key to its success. There will be lots for visitors to see and take home from the day.” 

The event is free to attend, but prior registration is required. To register, please go to https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/326280793637

About RABDF

RABDF is the sole UK charity focussed on the unique needs of milk producers. It is the only dairy organisation holding a Royal Warrant. It is the organiser of the Dairy-Tech event. 

About NMR 

NMR is the leading supplier of milk recording services in the UK and carries out milk quality testing for payment purposes, as well as extensive disease testing and screening services.

Former RABDF Vice-President Lord Henry Plumb Dies aged 97

Lord Henry Plumb, former Vice President of the RABDF, passed away aged 97 on 15 April.

Lord Plumb’s career started in dairy farming when he took on his family’s 200-cow Ayrshire dairy herd at Coleshill, Warwickshire, following his father’s death in 1952.

He was President of the NFU (1970-79) and pursued a career in politics, becoming the only British President of the European Parliament in 1987.

Lord Plumb was an advocate for supporting the next generation, helping youngsters via the Henry Plumb Foundation, which he founded.  

RABDF Managing Director Matt Knight described him as a ‘remarkable man’. He said, “Henry had a profound impact on British farming, and his legacy will continue through his foundation and all those individuals who have been so fortunate to meet him and work alongside him.

“He was one of farming’s greatest champions- supporting the industry during his political career and his time helping various organisations and associations, including the RABDF as Vice President. He will be greatly missed by many.”

About RABDF

RABDF is the sole UK charity focussed on the unique needs of milk producers. They are the only dairy organisation holding a Royal Warrant, with the influence and access to funding that brings.

More information

Sarah Alderton, farmgatemedia@outlook.com, 01931 714 801, 07739969198