CONSERVATION TOP TIPS FOR AUTUMN

The Campaign for the Farmed Environment (CFE) case studies and events

The CFE is the NFU/CLA led voluntary approach to replace the environmental benefits of set-aside. It will be launched on November 5. Over the next three months, there will be information posted on the Farm Wildlife website about the package of measures being promoted by the CFE to deliver resource protection, farmland birds and wider biodiversity. In the meantime, a number of case studies that will contribute to the CFE package have been updated. You can view these case studies by searching ‘Campaign’ in the case study area of the website. Also, look out for CFE events on the Events Calendar.

Flower-rich margins – great environmental measure, but are they achievable on arable land?

Several discussions on Farm Wildlife, plus discussions in the development of the Campaign for the Farmed Environment have highlighted the significant benefits of flower-rich margins. It is the only measure that delivers all three objectives of the Campaign: resource protection, farmland birds and the wider biodiversity. However, questions were raised about the practicalities of establishing and maintaining flower-rich margins. An ecologist suggested that cutting and removing the sward, preferably in July, followed by a second cut in the autumn or early spring is necessary to maintain a flower-rich sward. The RSPB / Smiths Gore economic case study was criticised for not including the full cutting regime required to maintain this option. Nicholas Watts contributed case studies on flower-rich margins and uncropped cultivated margins which support this view that such management is required. However, whilst he concedes that such management is more onerous than standard grass margins, the environmental benefits are much greater and these options are not as onerous as some others. There is probably much more to learn from farmers with experience of trying to do this elsewhere around the country.

Are RPA inspections getting tougher?

An adviser asked if there has been a subtle change in the rules that means a 10% excess of points in an ELS agreement may no longer buffer agreement holders who fall short of points in one of their options, as they cannot make up the shortfall with excess points in other options. This question was asked of both Natural England and RPA e-mail helplines and no response was forthcoming, however, the wording of the current ELS handbook suggests that it is still safe to recommend that agreement holders exceed their points requirement by 10% to buffer the effects of falling short in one option.

Guidance on the management of land left fallow through the winter

Two of the key objectives of the Campaign for the Farmed Environment are resource protection and farmland bird conservation, and measures will include leaving stubbles to provide seed food for birds and growing winter cover crops on fallow land to reduce nitrate leaching, soil erosion and runoff. Indeed, a recent scientific paper reviewed on the Farm Wildlife website shows how the population trend of several farmland birds is directly proportional to the area of stubble retained through the winter. The Environment Agency and RSPB have issued guidance for farmers on how to decide what management is appropriate. This can be viewed at http://www.farmwildlife.info/Forums/forums/1249/ShowPost.aspx.

Effects of miscanthus on wildlife

Concerns were raised about the impacts of growing of miscanthus on wildlife. A scientific review was quoted, stating that a few bird species typical of reedbeds might benefit, but that farmland birds and flora will be displaced. As a non-native plant, it is unlikely to support specialist invertebrates.

Is organic farming good for birds

A new published paper by the British Trust for Ornithology indicates that, whilst organic farming is generally better for biodiversity, it does not hold all of the answers for declining farmland birds that feed on stubbles through the winter, as these are rarely retained on organic farmland after harvest.