DAFF Agricultural Advisor Report

Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Rheynn Eirinys, Eeastaght as Keylljyn ### Chris Kneale #### Agricultural Advisor Agricultural Services Division Knockaloe Farm, Patrick, Peel, Isle of Man, IM5 3AJ Tel no (01624) 842335 Fax no (01624) 844374 Email: [email protected] www.gov.imidaff Date: 10 February 2010 Dear Mr. Eilue, Re: Erection of two agricultural buildings – 09/01666/B – Field 134898 Narradale West farm, Narradale Road, Sulby. Having visited the site on 2 December 2009 to consider the agricultural business and to discuss the application with Mr. Carl Huxam, I have the following comments: - Currently, the agricultural enterprise involves 118 breeding ewes (upland breeds) with all male lambs sold for slaughter with female ewes retained for sale as breeding ewes (shearlings), 40 breeding cows (spring calving), 2 stock bulls, 4 finishing bulls, 14 weaned calves, and 39 heifers (31 are in calf) or to be mated. A small number of the cows are pedigreeed, although the majority are commercially bred. - The agricultural enterprise is based on 84 owned acres, 22 of which were re-seeded in 2009, plus 49 acres of good grazing land (rented), 87 acres of rough grazing (rented) totaling 133 acres of good grazing, and 87 acres of rough grazing. - The labour requirement for the current enterprise is 1.08 standard labour units. (Appendix 1) - Mr. Huxam is proposing to expand with the breeding cow herd with the inclusion of the 39 heifers taking cow numbers up to 71 breeding cows retaining all progeny. Males are to be intensively finished with females reared on a 18-22 month finishing system. - The proposed increase in stock numbers will increase the labour requirement to 1.22 standard labour units. (Appendix 2) - Currently, Mr. Huxam is leasing a building for the 6 month winter period to accommodate 25 breeding heifers and 6 cows. - The 45.7m x 9.14m building is proposed to be utilised 50:50 for housing, finishing cattle, and dry cows. - Currently, the mix of existing cattle housing buildings (488m²) and the rented accommodation (297m²) provide ample accommodation space and good herd management. (Appendix 3) - The proposed increase in stock numbers will see accommodation requirements increase from to . (appendix 3) - Mr Huxam suggests that with the erection of the new buildings he will be able to cease leasing the other cattle housing building. - Cattle accommodation provided with the erection of the proposed 45.7 m building will increase potential cattle accommodation to . (appendix 3) - The second building is proposed to be erected to the rear of the existing cattle building to provide calving pens, stock bull accommodation and cattle handling race which will include weighing facilities to assist in the management of the finishing cattle. - This building will provide a further . (appendix 3) - Total building area available for the handling and potential housing of cattle will be approximately . (appendix 3) - The individual calving pens will assist in the handling of the cattle at calving time and also provide handling pens during the remainder of the season. The stock bull accommodation will allow the bulls to be removed from the breeding herd. - Mr Huxam is suggesting that he will be utilising artificial breeding (AB) as his first choice of breeding before natural conception. - Artificial breeding provides access to some excellent genetics that would normally too expensive to provide by purchasing a high quality bull. - Natural service bulls will still be required to "sweep" up any cows that did not conceive to artificial breeding. - This will result in the need for the bulls having to be removed from the herd and also the increased handling of the stock during the artificial mating period. - A further storage building was recently erected for the storage of feed, bedding and to provide a secure storage area. - This building will provide storage and handling area for the 78 tonnes ( ) of barley feed required by the finishing and rearing cattle. (appendix 3) - This will leave approximately for the storage of straw bedding. This will allow approximately 36 bales to be stored (appendix 3). - A portion of the buildings proposed to be utilised for the housing of cattle will remain under utilised ( ) and potentially be available for the storage of straw bedding(appendix 3). - This will provide storage for approximately 122 bales of straw. The overall straw requirements for the proposed stock is 415 bales. The combination of existing and proposed buildings will allow approximately 158 bales to be stored. This will result in approximately 257 bales to be stored outside in what is regarded as a moderately high rain fall area. (appendix 3) - Mr Huxham was a successful applicant of the Department's Young Farmers Setting up Scheme in March 2007. - The proposed buildings are likely to be eligible for support from this department's farm and horticultural improvement scheme. Based on these comments and the information provided, the buildings are agriculturally justified, however I am unclear on the merits of this application and that much of the proposed stocking regimes will be based largely on short term tenancy agreements, some of which are unsecured. I therefore do not support this application. Yours Sincerely C. L. L. Chris Kneale Agricultural Advisor