Whole Farm Plans for Dairy Farms

The whole farm plan is designed to support farmers in finding ways to identify opportunities to improve sustainability and profitability in their business. The introduction of the whole farm plan will be at the core of the transition from CAP schemes to Scotland’s new agricultural support framework. To prepare for these changes, farmers are being asked to undertake two out of five baseline audits or plans as detailed below by 15^th May 2025.

Source: Rural Payments and Services Whole Farm Plan (ruralpayments.org)

 

 

Carbon audit

Carbon audits are designed to help a business calculate their carbon footprint and understand where their greenhouse gases are derived from. Carbon audits are important in a dairying system, as not only is a figure for greenhouse gas emissions per kg of milk produced given, but the audit will highlight any potential enterprise performance and efficiency improvements. A carbon audit that aligns to PAS 2050 standards or forms a component of a UK supply chain milk contract, with mitigation recommendations will be sufficient in satisfying the terms of the WFP. The audit must be updated every 5 years and there is grant funding available to undertake a carbon audit.

 

Soil sampling

All region 1 land that you manage on a permanent basis and apply organic manure or fertiliser to must be sampled at least once every five years, and by the 15^th of May 2028.  Soil sampling can be undertaken by farmers or advisors and the results must include details for pH, phosphates, potash and carbon. If your business already has a sampling programme that has not tested for carbon you will not be expected to resample these fields, but future results must include the carbon content. There is grant funding available to complete soil sampling and analysis.

 

Animal health and welfare plan

Animal health and welfare plans are designed to optimise health and welfare, which can improve efficiency, performance and reduce emissions. The plan must include the following:

• Contact details for the person responsible for the business’s animal health and welfare.
• Contact details for the local vet practice.
• Details of types and numbers of livestock held on farm.
• Details of breeding stock and livestock born.
• Disease risk assessment and management plan.
• Livestock health management calendar.
• Euthanasia policy.
• Fallen stock policy.

 

Annual health and welfare plans undertaken as part of a component of a UK supply chain will be sufficient in satisfying the conditions of the scheme.

 

Biodiversity audit

Biodiversity can be protected and enhanced on a farm by completing a basic habitat map. From this you gain an accurate picture of the habitats present on your farm which can better inform management decisions. A habitat map will be required from all farmers by the 15^th of May 2028 and must be updated every five years. Biodiversity audits completed through a milk contract will be accepted, if they satisfy the minimum conditions of the WFP which are as follows:

• Create a habitat map for all land you are responsible for (excluding seasonal land).
• Select at least one habitat that best describes the majority of all land covered for each field.
• Supply SGRIPD with the map for upload to the mapping system.

 

For further information on Biodiversity in Scottish Agriculture please visit the FAS Biodiversity page Biodiversity | Helping farmers in Scotland | Farm Advisory Service (fas.scot)

 

Integrated pest management plan (IPM)

If you apply pest prevention products, an IPM plan will be required by the 15^th of May 2028 to show the use is justified. The IPM plan is intended to help a business implement a sustainable approach to disease prevention by targeting the application of herbicides and pesticides. The plan may also include ways in which a business can minimise the risks associated with plant protection products such as choosing resistant crop varieties and implementing a crop rotation.

 

A phased approached will be undertaken for the transition to the Whole Farm Plan. For full details see the Scottish Governments Whole Farm Plan Guidance: https://www.ruralpayments.org/topics/all-schemes/whole-farm-plan/

 

keira.sanachan@sac.co.uk; 01555 704497