23rd November 2005, 06:55 PM
Quote:quote:Originally posted by Grubby
In reference to the Stewardship schemes there are several points to be noted.
1 They are voluntary
2 They are temporary
3 They are funded with public money
4 There is a finite level of funding
5 they operate on two levels - an entry level scheme and a higher level scheme.
The entry level scheme operates on a points basis where points are accumulated per ha for adopting available options from a list supplied by DEFRA. These options include things like reduced tillage, arable reversion etc.. Once the farmer has accumulated enough points for his farm to qualify then he can receive paymments. The archaeological components on the list is only small when compared to other components such has environmental ones. These include beetle bannks, set aside etc. The entry level scheme is about environmental enhancement not management. It is possible therfore to adopt options which are beneficial to the environment and detrimental to the archaeology eg. beetle banks and not get paid. There is no consultation with archaeological bodies at this stage.
In order to qualify for a higher level scheme a farmer has to produce a management plan assessing his whole farm. Options chosen at this stage are converted into pounds. Applications for higher level schemes are sent to the local authority and EH for consultation. Again the higher level schemes are temporary and voluntary and difficult to qualify for. Whilst they offer respite they do not offer a solution.
As to the other comments raised, modern ploughs work off hydraulics and can be lowered to specific depths. Their weight, therefore is predominantly held by the tractor (this is why they have large metal weights on the front). Reduction in soil cover can also be caused by other factors such as wind and water erosion and the loss of organics from the soil.
Sometimes its quite useful being the son of a farmer!
As to EH producing a management plan for Thornborough does anyone have any more details
Good points, but it's back to the old "better than nothing". Plus from the farmers I have talked to, they consider it easlier to get some point from the archaeology as it often requires doing as little as possible
At the moment Local authority archaeologists are consulted on entry level because of faults with the Defra conputer system, but your right in saying we won't be.
Interesting to hear facts about tractors. Do your parents have any problems with soil compaction?