Middle Cordeman Farm Labour Report

Labour Requirement Report

For

J.R. Creer Ltd., Coan Reayrt Top Road, Crosby Isle of Man IM4 4HL

AB Unit Reference 1136

Report in relation to Agricultural Activities at Middle Cordeman Farm, St. Marks, Isle of Man

13th April 2006

Report Prepared by:

SAC c/o DAFF Knockaloe Farm, Patrick. Isle of Man. IM5 3AJ

Tel: 01624 842335 Fax: 01624 844374

Contact – Andrew Macdonald

DISCLAIMER: The report has been prepared exclusively for the use of J.R. Creer Ltd., on the basis of information supplied, and no responsibility can be accepted for actions taken by any third party arising from their interpretation of the information contained in this document. No other party may rely on the report and if they do, they rely upon it at their own risk.

Middle Cordeman Farm

AB Unit Reference: AB 1136

Middle Cordeman Farm, St. Marks, is run by Graham Taylor, trading as J.R. Creer Ltd.. It is an owner-occupied unit extending to approximately 250 acres of grassland, used to maintain a flock of breeding ewes and a herd of beef cows. Additionally the farm also maintains a small number of breeding sows, as well as some poultry.

The farm was purchased approximately 4 years ago, with the farm infrastructure in a run-down, dilapidated condition. Since that time, considerable investment has been made by the business, in roads, fencing, drainage and reseeding, as well as in breeding livestock. Due to the poor condition of the land and infrastructure, livestock numbers have been increased very gradually to the current position.

However, most of the fundamental repairs and replacements necessary have now been made, and stock numbers will be increased more rapidly from now on. Furthermore, planning permission has been granted on site for a farm shop, which it is intended will sell much of the farm's own produce. Construction of the farm shop building is currently underway.

Summary of Cropping (2006 Cropping Year)	Acres
Grassland (grazed)	200
Grassland (cut for silage)	45
Total	245

Summary of Stocking (2006)	Number
Beef Cows	18
Bulling Heifers	8
Heifers (< 1 year)	8
Steers	5
Bulls	1
Loaghtan Ewes	35
Crossbred Ewes	185
Ewe Hoggs	80
Tups	7
Sows	3
Boars	1

The intended future cropping and stocking policy for Middle Cordeman Farm is as follows:

Cropping	Acres
Cereals	12
Turnips	6
Potatoes	3
Vegetables	0.5
Grassland (grazed)	178.50
Grassland (cut for silage)	45
Total	245

Stocking	Number
Loaghtan Ewes	100
Crossbred Ewes	100
Fattening Lambs*	210
Breeding Cows	55
Bulling Heifers	10
Other cattle 12 – 24 months	45
Other cattle 6 – 12 months*	55
Bulls	2
Sows	20
Finishing Pigs	320
Hens	50

Using "Standard Labour Requirement Data" produced for agricultural and horticultural activities as agreed by DEFRA, SEERAD and DANI under the UK Farm Classification Working Party, the total labour requirement for Middle Cordeman Farm can be calculated – see Appendix 1.

Using the same data, the labour requirement for the proposed future stocking and cropping policy can be calculated – see Appendix 2. TAKING ACCOUNT OF THE CROPPING AND LIVESTOCK CARRIED ON THE FARM IT IS CALCULATED THE CURRENT LABOUR REQUIREMENT IS 1.16 LABOUR UNITS. TAKING ACCOUNT OF THE PROPOSED FUTURE CROPPING AND LIVESTOCK CARRIED, IT IS CALCULATED THE FUTURE LABOUR REQUIREMENT IS 2.20 LABOUR UNITS. The size of this unit and the stock carried therefore justifies one full time equivalent (FTE) engaged in agricultural activity. The size of this unit and the proposed stocking policy justifies two full time equivalents (FTE) engaged in agricultural activity.

The following points should also be noted:

1. There is currently no house available to the farm business – at the time of farm purchase, the land was sold separately from the original farmhouse which was not made available to the farm business.

1. Middle Cordeman Farm carries a stock of breeding cows, breeding ewes, breeding sows and proposed flock of laying hens. It is essential for animal welfare and desirable for security considerations that those individuals involved in looking after the breeding animals are resident on the unit.

1. During lambing and calving periods, livestock may require regular supervision throughout the day and night. This is even more important with farrowing sows, which are likely to be farrowing all year round. It is therefore both practical and convenient that those involved with these duties are resident on the unit itself. Residence on the unit ensures that suitably qualified staff members are available to deal with pre and post partum complications quickly and effectively.

1. The proposed sites for the houses are within the curtilage of existing buildings on the farm.

1. The proposed sites do not involve the loss of any trees, walls, or hedges, and therefore do not impact upon the natural heritage of the area.

Appendix 1

Calculation Of Standard Hours Worked

TOTAL STANDARD HOURS = 2207

Based on UK Agricultural Wages Board 39 hours week, one Full Time Equivalent (FTE) = 1900 hours.

Calculated Standard Labour Requirement for Middle Cordeman Farm = 2207/1900

= 1.16 Labour Units

Crops	Area (ac)	Hours/ac/annum	Total
Grassland	245	1.6	392
		Sub-Total	392

Livestock	Number	Hours/head/annum	Total
Beef Cows	18	12	216
Heifers	16	9	144
Other Cattle	6	9	54
Loaghtan Ewes	35	4.2	147
Crossbred Ewes	185	5.2	962
Other Sheep	87	3.3	287
Pigs	4	1.3	5
		Sub-Total	1815

Appendix 2

Crops	Area (ac)	Hours/ac/annum	Total
Cereals	12	8	96
Turnips	6	2.4	14.4
Potatoes	3	36	108
Vegetables	0.5	40	20
Grassland	223.50	1.6	357.6
		Sub-Total	596

Livestock	Number	Hours/head/annum	Total
Beef Cows	55	12	660
Heifers	10	9	90
Other Cattle	72.60	9	653
Loaghtan Ewe	100	4.2	420
Crossbred Ewes	100	5.2	520
Other Sheep (annual average)	150	3.3	495
Sows	20	16	320
Fattening Pigs	320	1.3	416
Laying Hens	50	0.3	15
		Sub-Total	3589

Calculation of Standard Hours Worked – Proposed Future Cropping and Stocking Policy.

Calculation of Standard Hours Worked

Total Standard Hours = 4185

Based on UK Agricultural Wages Board 39 hour week, one full Time Equivalent (FTE) = 1900 hours Calculated Standard Labour Requirement for proposed future Cropping and Stocking policy at Middle Cordeman Farm = 4185/1900 = 2.20 Labour Units