Bird populations will enjoy a 33% boost in food supplies on some British farms next winter following a revision of Conservation Grade’s farming protocol, which enhances a range of animal and plant life by turning 10% of viable farming area into wildlife habitats.
The protocol, which is the only one in the UK specifically designed to increase critical biodiverse species while focusing on efficient crop production in the other 90% of the land, is increasing the areas required to be sown with wild bird seed mixes such as cereals, quinoa, sunflower and millet, from 1.5% to 2%. It is also newly supporting the introduction of bee hives on all its farms as a ’desirable option’, to go with the existing requirement for owl and bat boxes.
The wild bird mixes produce seed during the winter to provide food for birds such as the yellowhammer, linnet and corn bunting.
Brin Hughes, agri-environment advisor with Conservation Grade, explained that the wild bird seed mix area had been increased because of compelling evidence of the optimum concentrations of seed growing areas to provide maximum benefit to birds.
"Recent Defra research conducted by a group of conservation and biodiversity groups including the RSPB has confirmed that the optimum size for a block of wild bird seed mix is two hectares per one hundred, or two per cent. It may seem like a small change but on our farms alone this will produce as much as 375 tonnes of extra bird seed each year," he said.
"The new recommendation to include bee hives is simply providing further opportunities for bees to utilise the food supplies from the wild flower and legume habitats required by the protocol."
Conservation Grade produce, which is identified on food packaging by the Nature Friendly Farming logo, was originally developed by Jordans Cereals and its grain is used in all the company’s products. Marketing director Carol Welch said: "Conservation Grade sustainable farming underpins our supply chain and we’re delighted we can offer our consumers this additional boost to wildlife, especially as this year, 2010, is the International Year of Biodiversity."
Conservation Grade standards are implemented in return for a contracted premium price for the crop. Independent scientific trials have demonstrated that the approach leads to a significant increase in biodiversity compared with conventional or even organic farming systems. The original Conservation Grade standard was developed in 1985 but has been continually evolved since that time to provide the optimum balance between promoting nature and securing efficient food production.
