Wildlife and the Environment

We are dedicated to conserving the countryside. We particpate in the Countryside Stewardship, Entry Level and Organic Entry Level schemes, which are all aimed at increasing the number of wildlife species on the farms. Within these environmental schemes we have grass margins, cultivated margins, overwintered stubbles, stubbles followed by spring / summer fallow, beetle banks, pollen and nectar and wild bird cover mixes to name but a few. All these measures are designed to provide habitats on the farm for many different species.

We are members of FWAG (Farming and Wildlife Advisory Group) and we have had the ‘Landwise’ report drawn up giving us a detailed management plan to improve wildlife on the farm. This includes hedgerow management plans to encourage wildlife. Non cropped set aside is managed under Game Conservancy Trust guidelines to improve grey partridge populations.

We are a LEAF demonstration farm. In 2003 we were awarded the LEAF MARQUE Grower of The Year award. 

We have encouraged the breeding of stone curlews on College Farm by planting a 6 metre grass margin. We work closely with the RSPB including participating in the volunteer and farmer alliance scheme which carries out bird surveys on farms.

Hopefully by taking these measures we should see an improvement in bird numbers over time, indeed bird numbers have increased from 40 species in 2000 to 57 in 2006.

The spring of 2002 saw us involved in the RSPBs Skylark Scrapes project to encourage skylark nesting. We left small unsown areas when drilling cereals and sugar beet to give bare patches in spring to act as nesting sites.

We are involved in tree planting schemes in conjunction with our local parish councils.

We have also been involved with the local branch of the Wildlife Trust who have carried out a survey of butterflies and flora and fauna on the farm.

A new 100 million gallon reservoir is under construction. As well as enabling us to reach new areas of land, this will have benefits for wildlife and the environment and FWAG have been involved in the planning process to create a habitat for wildlife.