Praise for Waitrose farm wildlife scheme
Experts from RSPB and Natural England have praised the achievements of wildlife initiative Waitrose WildCare that operates on dairy farms supplying milk under then essential Waitrose milk and cream brand. The scheme marked its fifth anniversary this year with a competition to find the farm that’s made the most wildlife habitat improvements. Joining the judging panel Gethin Davies of RSPB and James Phillips of Natural England were hugely impressed by the scale of wildlife observed. They noted the finalists’ obvious commitment for the scheme, which requires a minimum 10% of the farm holding to be dedicated to plant and wildlife habitat.
’The farms were all making a difference for wildlife, taking measures that are clearly benefiting many species ’ be it through the management of hay meadows; pollen and nectar mixes; habitat for farmland birds; or sympathetic pond or woodland management,’ said James Phillips. ’This was very exciting to see.’
Gethin Davies noted the importance of 21st Century farming systems deliberately integrating the needs of wildlife. ’Waitrose, through WildCare, has recognised this need and is working with farmers to find practical ways to help wildlife within modern dairy systems.’ James Phillips adds ’WildCare is a credit to the partnership that Waitrose and the dairy farming community have forged over the past five years. Their commitment is commendable.’
Tim Oliver of AB Sustain heads up the scheme on behalf of Waitrose and Dairy Crest. ’Our strategy to target habitat provision rather than focussing on particular species has been rewarded,’ reflects Tim. ’Tailoring our advice to individual farms has allowed us to take into account the geography and location, unique to every holding.’
He adds ’We have found that many of the 60 dairy farmers within the scheme are going well beyond the minimum criteria, finding the appropriate balance between conservation and food production. They are on average managing 25% of their holdings for the benefit of plant and wildlife habitats; This area amounts to 2,500 hectares, and includes woodland over-wintered cereal stubbles, flower-rich meadows, ponds, hedgerows and awkward areas allowed to regenerate naturally in addition to potential crop land committed to buffer zones, conservation headlands, pollen & nectar mixes, beetle banks, etc. They are also encouraged to participate in Environmental Stewardship schemes, alongside WildCare’
Winning farm
Wiltshire farming family, the Hawker’s milk 400 cows and were crowned the scheme’s competition winners. Ashton Hawker reflected on what the scheme has delivered for him; ’I am far better able to identify bird species following my involvement in WildCare. I’ve lived on the farm all my life, but I didn’t have much idea about what all the birds were. The scheme has definitely cultivated an interest for me and the abundance of birds, butterflies, hares and pond life and even a family of barn owls nesting in a wagon out in the field, is great to see.’
Tim adds, ’Ashton’s commitment to WildCare is outstanding and really ’wowed’ the judges. With a remarkable 30% of his farm managed to enhance wildlife and plant habitats, his enthusiasm and commitment is matched by visible increases in hares, nesting lapwings and other species that require sympathetic farming if they are to thrive. Ashton is a deserving winner’.
