A Landowner's Case for Joining
Six ways this changes the finances of your holding — and the four returns that only show up over twenty years.
This page sets out, plainly and without overselling, the financial and strategic case for joining the Ure Dales . It is written for the landowner who opens the page between calls in the farm office and needs the key points in under 90 seconds — and for the landowner who wants to work through the full detail with their land agent.
Six things this scheme can do for your bank balance
Diversify income beyond commodity farming
DEFRA Landscape Recovery funding provides a stable, long-horizon income stream. Combined with premium market access and shared-services savings, the scheme reduces reliance on volatile commodity markets. For holdings with significant peatland or woodland, there may also be an additional income stream from voluntary carbon credits (via the Peatland Code or Woodland Carbon Code), stackable with LRS payments subject to DEFRA confirmation. Carbon credit values are not quoted here — they fluctuate with market conditions.
Move up the market via the Trustmark
The Ure Dales Trustmark signals audited ecological and production standards to buyers. Premium market access through Fodder and equivalent channels translates stewardship into price.
Access Fodder and equivalent premium channels
Trustmark-holding producers gain preferred supplier status with premium Yorkshire food platforms. Market positioning moves from commodity to provenance.
Pool costs through shared services
Shared procurement, insurance, veterinary, training, and admin at scheme level. Estimated saving: £3,000–£8,000 per holding per year (working estimate, see business case).
Hedge transition risk
As BPS-type payments conclude, the scheme provides a structured alternative. Staying outside ELM entirely means forgoing public support for upland farming at a critical transition moment.
Protect capital value of the holding
A holding with 20 years of audited ecological delivery, tier recognition, and market relationships has a stronger value proposition than one without — whether for succession, sale, or long-term family retention.
For detail on how voluntary carbon credits could stack with LRS for Ure Dales holdings, see carbon credits in the Points to Consider section.