Peter Delbridge
Peter Delbridge
Peter Delbridge farms
162ha (400 acres) in the
Exmoor National Park, near
South Molton, Devon. The
farm is mostly permanent
grass, classed as less
favoured and environmentally
sensitive, and above 300m
(1000ft). It is stocked with
800 ewes, replacement ewe
lambs, 60 spring calving
sucklers and their followers
SINCE we havent become world champions at football, it is a pity there is no world cup for growing docks.
I have a field which would breeze through the group stages and do well in the knock out rounds.
As the ryegrass, Timothy and clover have also disappeared and the field is in the arable tier of my Environmentally Sensitive Area agreement, it was time to plough it up and plant some roots for autumn lamb finishing. By the time I ploughed it, it was too late for swedes so I planted a turnip/kale mix.
Because I joined the ESA in the first year, 1993, we are fast approaching the end of our agreement. I was, therefore, keen to attend a meeting to explain the changeover to the new scheme.
But the rural development plan staff attending were unable to answer many questions, as they are still in the dark regarding ESA reviews due to take place in 2004 and the broad and shallow scheme mentioned by Donald Curry.
What we were subjected to was a presentation on the current plight of agriculture and how things are likely to get worse. Diversification and co-operation were mentioned several times.
I got the impression I was expected to forget about making a living from producing sheep and cattle, be a good boy and sign up to the new scheme.
But there is considerable dissatisfaction with proposals, payment being the most obvious. Why is Exmoors improved permanent grassland, at £19/ha (£7.60/acre) worth £11/ha (£4.40/acre) less than Dartmoors and £16 (£6.40/acre) less than that found on the Blackdown hills?
Second, most of this grass is in long-term leys and will need re-establishment at some point. It is becoming apparent that we agreed to restrictions that will last 20 years, something that was conveniently omitted 10 years ago. Unbelievably, rates for conservation work, such as hedging, have been frozen for the past 10 years.
It would help us if all 285 ESA farms due for renewal this year withheld from resigning until a better deal is struck. I dont think this was the type of co-operation DEFRA had in mind. *