DAFF Agricultural Services Report

Department of Agriculture ### Fisheries and Forestry #### Rheynn Eirinys, Eeastaght as Keylljyn Acting Chief Executive Mrs. S. Callister, B.A. (Hons.) 2nd Floor, Rose House, 51-59, Circular Road, DOUGLAS, Isle of Man. IM1 1AZ Telephone: (01624) 685839 Fax: (01624) 685851 Mr Ian Brooks DOLGE Murray House Mount Havelock Douglas Isle of Man IM1 2SF Our Ref: RCL/JT/P60 Your Ref: Date: 6th February, 2006 Dear Mr Brooks, ### Re: PA 05/01617/B – Erection of an Agricultural Storage Building, Curragh Beg, Nassau Road, Dogmills, Andreas Having visited the farm on 3rd February to examine the farm structure and discuss the application with Mr Cormode, I would make the following comments:- 1. The livestock and land would require 2.90 standard labour units, based on standard man hour requirements, see Appendix 1. However, the unit is run by one man with some casual assistance and the use of contractors for much of the field work. This is significantly helped by the modern efficient building that is already in place. 2. The recent changes to the farming system, with the milking herd being disposed of and the suckler herd expanded have increased the stock levels overall and hence the requirements for livestock and feed housing. 3. The 90 cow suckler herd and 500 ewe breeding flock will require a total of approximately 12,000 ft sq, based on standard figures and the assumption that the winter bedding and machinery are stored indoors, whilst the plastic wrapped haylage is stored outdoors. See Appendix 2. 4. The current buildings provide about 9,900 ft sq of usable storage space for bedding, machinery and livestock, ignoring the traditional buildings. 5. The low labour utilised requires an efficient winter housing and feeding system, which is being provided through investment in modern buildings, with the proposed new building being a mirror image of the existing new building on the site, allowing rapid feeding of the majority of the stock. 6. Some of the older buildings are approaching the end of their lifespan and it is important for the continued health of the business that investment in modern buildings continues. Having reviewed the position, I would recommend that the unit does require the additional building and that the proposed size is in keeping with the needs of the unit. Yours sincerely, Richard Lole, Director of Agricultural Services. Enclosed: - Appendix 1 – standard labour requirements - Appendix 2 – standard space requirements. ## Worksheet for calculation of Standard Labour unit requirements {{table:206877}} CB Farms Ltd Curragh Beg Nassau Road Andreas Isle of Man Total livestock 5,134.0 Total crops 396.8 Overhead assumption 276.5 assuming 5% overheads allowance Total standard man hours per year 5,807.3 Total labour units required 2.90 assuming 2000 standard labour units per labour unit These standards figures are sourced from the SAC Farm Management Handbook 25th edition, published September 2004, page 281 ## Appendix 2 ### estimated building space for CB Farms Ltd, Curragh Beg #### Calculated space requirements for proposed system {{table:206878}} #### Current space available {{table:206879}} #### Notes 1. These calculations are produced following a site visit on 3rd February 2006 by Richard Lole, Director of Agricultural Services, DAFF 2. The building dimensions are approximate, based on figures supplied by Mr Cormode, visually checked by RL The traditional buildings have been ignored for the purposes of these calculations