REPS 4

Opportunities for High Output Farms

Presentation to The Fertiliser Association of Ireland

Eugene RyanHead of REPSTeagasc 05/02/2008

REPS

The Rural Environment Protection Scheme is a Measure included in the National Rural Development Plan, co-funded under the National Development Plan 2007–2013 and the European Agricultural Guidance and Guarantee Fund of the European Union in the implementation of Council Regulation (EC) No 1698/2005

Financing RDP 2007 -2013

Total Co-funded RDP €4.3 billonTotal REPS Funding €2.5 billonEU contribution to REPS €1.37 billonAverage co-funded rate of 50% but

REPS attracts higher EU rate of 55%

Allocation of Resources

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

%

Eu 27 Ireland

Allocation of Resources to Axis

Axis 1

Axis 2

Axis 3

RDP 2007-2013

Axis 2- Agri environment REPS/LFA’s

Stated objectives include enhancing :-BiodiversityHNV farmingTraditional landscapeWater quality Climate change

Actions to Achieve Objectives

REPS Scheme

Non REPSStand alone Organic SchemeGood Agr Env Conditions(GAEC)

REPS

Totals Paid under REPS 1994-2007

1.5

310.7330.8

284.6

208.9

183.9172.6164.8

205.6

183.2167.9

37.4

70.9

127.6

0

50

100

150

200

250

300

350

1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007

€m

REPS

Almost 60,000 participants €2.3bn paid to farmers since 1994 Five year plan tailored to the farm Now open to derogation farmers

(> 170KgN/ha) - Extra option must be taken on

Extensive list of options to suit all farming system

REPS Scheme DistributionGeographical spread of REPS Participants

County Participants

% of Total Participants

Mayo 6,754 11%Galway 6,723 11%Cork 4,594 8%Donegal 4,427 7%Kerry 3,626 6%Leitrim 3,326 6%Clare 2,816 5%Cavan 2,291 4%Sligo 2,020 3%Monaghan 1,972 3%Limerick 1,955 3%Waterford 1,951 3%Roscommon 1,674 3%Tipperary NR 1,562 3%Offaly 1,531 3%Tipperary SR 1,523 3%Westmeath 1,509 3%Wexford 1,454 2%Laois 1,292 2%Longford 1,292 2%Meath 1,282 2%Kilkenny 933 2%Wicklow 817 1%Kildare 688 1%Carlow 655 1%Louth 408 1%Dublin 123 0.2%Total 59,198

Figures based on active approved participants as of 1/3/07

REPS 4 Format

11 Core Measures

25 Biodiversity Options split between option 1 and option 2

12 Supplementary Measures

Increased Payment Rates

Basic REPS Payments €/ha

1 – 20 ha 234

20 – 40 ha 205

40 – 55 ha 82

55 + ha 10

Designated Land Payments €/ha

1 – 40 ha 282

40 – 80 ha 29

80 – 120 ha 22

120 + ha 5

Payment Example - 55 Ha farm

Basic REPS Payments

20ha @ €234 4,680

20ha @ €205 4,100

15ha @ €82 1,230

TOTAL €10,010

Clover Sward (Supplementary Measure)

40ha @ €30 1,200

Total = €11,210

Income Derived from REPS – 2006 Source: Teagasc National Farm Survey

Farming System %

Dairy 18

Tillage 26

Cattle Rearing 44

Sheep 43

Nutrient Use in REPS 4

Nutrient Management Promotes efficient use of nutrients Protection of the environment Protection of habitats

Nutrient Limits GS rate of = or <170 kg Org N One for one Org/Chem N only allowed No capping (Cap of 260 kgs of total N in prev. REPS) Must take account of field potential Can be in REPS and apply for Nitrates derogation

Nitrates Derogation Allows farmer to breach the 170 limit Allows farmer to breach the one for one rule Nutrient plan will double as Derogation plan

Grassland – Non Derogation

Overall SR 170 kgs Org N or lessOne for one orgN/chemN only allowedNo capping of total NCan apply chemical nitrogen up to crop

requirement

Grassland – Nitrates Derogation

Stocking Rate 170 -250 kgs Org NOperates under Nitrates Directive

GuidelinesOne for one rule does not applyCan apply chemical nitrogen to crop

requirement as per directiveA farmer with SR 225 kgs Org N can use

up to 270kgs Chem N

Grassland - Chemical Nitrogen Allowed

40ha Farm

Chemical Nitrogen

Total Kgs

REPS 3 REPS 4

SR 130 5,200 (would recommend a lesser amount)

5,200 (would recommend a lesser amount)

SR 160 4,000 6,400

SR 225( Derogation)

Not Eligible 10,800

Grassland - Phosphorus

P level depends on soil analysis If no soil sample index 3 is assumed

If in REPS previously @index 4 then index 4 applies

Must take account of P inAnimal SlurryConcentrate feeds

Chemical level to make up to crop requirement

Tillage - Nitrogen

Two Choices70% of crop requirement

or100% of crop requirement

plus

Plant 6% of arable area to LINNET to max of 2.4 ha

Nitrogen: Fertiliser Rates

Crop

NITROGEN

Index 1

100% rate 70% rate

Kgs /Ha

Winter wheat 190 133

Spring wheat 140 98

Spring barley 135 94.5

Phosphorus : Fertiliser Rates

PhosphorusIndex 1 Index 2 Index 3 Index 4

0.0 -3.0mg/l 3.1-6.0 mg/l 6.1-10mg/l >10mg/l

kg/ha kg/ha kg/ha kg/haW. Wheat 45 35 25 0S. Wheat 45 35 25 0S. Barley 45 35 25 0

REPS 4 : A Good Balance

Increased paymentsAvailable to commercial farmersAccommodating to derogation farmersAllows increased levels of Nitrogen

usageIncreased level of Biodiversity delivery