The RDPE Northwest Livestock Programme is a support package specifically for livestock farmers in the North West of England.
Five organisations have been appointed by the Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA) to deliver a £6.3 million package of livestock support work across the North West.
Work will focus on improving farm competitiveness through better animal health and welfare and greater efficiency of main farm resources such as fertiliser, fuel, water and energy.
Work carried out by the five organisations will cover three main topics set out by Defra:
- Farm Competitiveness - to bring about improvements in the competitiveness of each individual livestock sector to help them compete in the market place.
- Nutrient Management - to provide support for farmers in enhancing the efficiency and effectiveness of on-farm management of nutrients.
- Animal Health and Welfare - to assist farmers in meeting the changing responsibilities and facilitate improved animal health and welfare.
Work will be carried out through:
Resource Efficiency Auditing and Nutrient Management Planning
Nutrient management planning and resource efficiency audits will be delivered on farm by agricultural advisory business Promar, who are based in Tarporley, Cheshire using advisers specially trained by SAC Consulting.
Animal Health and Welfare Planning
On farm work will be carried out by SAC Consulting along with partners and vets throughout the North West. The advisors will be trained by Kite Consultancy in partnership with The University of Liverpool Veterinary School.
Good practice, communication and sharing knowledge and ideas
Myerscough College in Preston will manage this work supported by partners Cumbria Farmer Network, Reaseheath College, Dairy Co, EBLEX and EFFP. Projects will involve a range of activities throughout the North West. These will include setting up monitor farms, running demonstration events and supporting farmer groups, along with a dedicated IT network (this website) to pass targeted information to interested livestock farmers.
Specialist Performance Grants are also available to help fund the recommendations
Any reccomendations made by the technical plans (animal health and welfare plans, resource audits and nutrient management plans) offered through the Rural Development Programme for England may be eligible for a performance grant by applying to the Northwest Regional Development Agency.
The Support and Grants pages of this website provide further information
Further details on the RDPE (Rural Development Programme for England) are available from nwda.co.uk/rdpe.