1. REPS 4 Opportunities for High Output Farms Presentation to The Fertiliser Association of Ireland Eugene Ryan Head of REPS Teagasc 05/02/2008

2. 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

3. Financing RDP 2007 -2013 Total Co-funded RDP 4.3 billon Total REPS Funding 2.5 billon EU contribution to REPS 1.37 billon Average co-funded rate of 50% but REPS attracts higher EU rate of 55%

4. Allocation of Resources

5. RDP 2007-2013 Axis 2- Agri environment REPS/LFAs Stated objectives include enhancing :- Biodiversity HNV farming Traditional landscape Water quality Climate change

6. Actions to Achieve Objectives REPS Scheme Non REPS Stand alone Organic Scheme Good Agr Env Conditions(GAEC)

7. REPS

8. 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

9. REPS Scheme Distribution

10. REPS 4 Format 11 Core Measures 25 Biodiversity Options split between option 1 and option 2 12 Supplementary Measures

11. Increased Payment Rates Basic REPS Payments/ha 1 – 20 ha234 20 – 40 ha205 40 – 55 ha82 55 + ha10 Designated Land Payments/ha 1 – 40 ha282 40 – 80 ha29 80 – 120 ha22 120 + ha5

12. Payment Example - 55 Ha farm Basic REPS Payments 20ha @ 2344,680 20ha @ 2054,100 15ha @ 821,230 TOTAL 10,010 Clover Sward (Supplementary Measure) 40ha @ 301,200 Total = 11,210

13. Income Derived from REPS – 2006 Source: Teagasc National Farm Survey Farming System% Dairy18 Tillage26 Cattle Rearing44 Sheep43

14. 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

15. Grassland – Non Derogation Overall SR 170 kgs Org N or less One for one orgN/chemN only allowed No capping of total N Can apply chemical nitrogen up to crop requirement

16. Grassland – Nitrates Derogation Stocking Rate 170 -250 kgs Org N Operates under Nitrates Directive Guidelines One for one rule does not apply Can apply chemical nitrogen to crop requirement as per directive A farmer with SR 225 kgs Org N can use up to 270kgs Chem N

17. Grassland - Chemical Nitrogen Allowed 40ha Farm Chemical Nitrogen Total Kgs REPS 3REPS 4 SR 1305,200 (would recommend a lesser amount) SR 1604,0006,400 SR 225 ( Derogation) Not Eligible10,800

18. 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 in Animal Slurry Concentrate feeds Chemical level to make up to crop requirement

19. Tillage - Nitrogen Two Choices 70% of crop requirement or 100% of crop requirement plus Plant 6% of arable area to LINNET to max of 2.4 ha

20. Nitrogen: Fertiliser Rates Crop NITROGEN Index 1 100% rate70% rate Kgs /Ha Winter wheat190133 Spring wheat14098 Spring barley13594.5

21. Phosphorus : Fertiliser Rates Phosphorus Index 1Index 2Index 3Index 4 0.0 -3.0mg/l3.1-6.0 mg/l6.1-10mg/l>10mg/l kg/ha W. Wheat 4535250 S. Wheat 4535250 S. Barley 4535250

22. REPS 4 : A Good Balance Increased payments Available to commercial farmers Accommodating to derogation farmers Allows increased levels of Nitrogen usage Increased level of Biodiversity delivery