Guidance Notes For Completion Of The Agricultural & Horticultural Survey June 2008

Notice- Changes to the Agricultural Survey June 2008

In an effort to reduce the burden of form filling on farmers, Farm Surveys Branch has decreased the number of questions on cattle. Data from this Census will again be assessed for robustness and accuracy with a view to permanently reducing the number of questions asked in the June Census and the cattle section on the December Survey.

If you have any queries about the form please ring (028) 9052 5432 for assistance.

Note 1 - You are the person responsible for making the return if;

You own or occupy agricultural land or have livestock, either solely or in a family business on 1 JUNE 2008

If you or your family business own two or more holdings which are farmed as one farm with the same labour and machinery, record all your crops and livestock etc. on the form relating to the main holding, and return online any others sent to you marked "EXTRA" in the comments section. You should only complete separate forms for each farm if they have been registered by the Department as separate businesses.

If you are no longer farming or all your land is let and you do not grow any crops or keep farm livestock, please complete the section titled ‘If you have stopped farming’. If possible please pass the form to the new owner for completion. Otherwise, complete the business change section and submit the online return.

Note 2 – Crops

Agricultural surveys are conducted in metric units. Areas are measured in hectares (ha) instead of acres. Record the areas of crops as appropriate to you to 1 decimal place only e.g 10.5. Calculation and conversion tables are online or on the notes for guidance included with your census form.

Note 3 – Cattle

The data on cattle, as prescribed by EU regulations, will be taken from APHIS. However, information on breeding heifers is not currently available from APHIS and as this a mandatory requirement of these regulations, you are requested to complete section 3b, Replacement Breeding Heifers (if applicable). Please exclude store and fattening heifers from this section.

Note 4 – Poultry

Information relating to poultry will be taken again from the Update of Northern Ireland Bird Register 2008. If you only keep poultry on your farm please complete “Tick this box if you do keep poultry” , complete the Farmers workers section and submit the online return.

Don’t forget to complete and return your Update of Northern Ireland Bird Register 2008 when you receive it