Indicator farms show way for environmental improvements

Even farmers who are already keen to improve the environmental aspects of their land can benefit from applying the Voluntary Initiative’s recommended best practice, according to research conducted by the Farming and Wildlife Advisory Group.

On behalf of the VI, FWAG is assessing the environmental performance on ten “indicator” farms which account for some 6,660 hectares of farmland. Assessments include water quality, analysis of Crop Protection Management Plans, changes in behaviour since the introduction of the VI and ongoing monitoring of biodiversity.

Overall, the farmers who participated were “above average performers, active in environmental management before the VI began”. However, they have found that implementing the VI has helped them access and deliver agri-environment schemes and the payments that are attached to them.

Water quality was monitored by the Environment Agency on three farms where there was a particular risk of pesticides entering water. While low levels of pesticides were entering water from the chosen farms and others nearby, biological water quality was classified as ‘good’ or ‘very good’.

CPMPs have challenged all the farms in the indicator sample to change their behaviour and attitude. Assessments were made under three categories: water, general crop protection and biodiversity. Water issues scored lowest, but there were issues across all categories. Most found issues relating to filling and cleaning sprayers to be a particular challenge.

Biodiversity was assessed using a self-assessment questionnaire that allowed farmers to grade habitat provision for yellowhammers, bats, beneficial insects and dragonflies. Yellowhammers were present on all farms. In each case farmers recognised they could do more to encourage this species with scores ranging from 150 to 650 out of a potential of 1000 points. This self-assessment will continue on a twice-yearly basis.

Other change initiated by the VI included: improved agronomist advice on environmental issues as a result of BETA training, a high uptake of the National Register of Sprayer Operator accreditation and high LERAP compliance with all farms scoring the maximum ten points.

“This first assessment of the indicator farms shows that even when farmers are doing a pretty good job, there is still scope for improvement,” said VI Manager Patrick Goldsworthy. “A key aim of the VI is to engender changed thinking and behaviour on farms, both in terms of how they use pesticides and broader environmental issues. By continuing to monitor the indicator farms we believe we will gain a better feel for the environmental impacts of the VI.”