Download Innovation in agricultural resource management

Project Name
Innovation in agricultural resource management
(Growing Devon’s Soil Economy)
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increased agricultural productivity, improved water quality, cleaner
roads, better wildlife habitats and reduced downstream flooding
Lead Organisation
Prepared by the LNP’s Resilient Wetlands Working Group: Lewis Jones
(SWW – RW Board lead), Orlando Venn (Natural England), Hugh Davey /
Trevor Cronin (Environment Agency), Roland Stonex (Farming and Wildlife
Advisory Group South West), Laurence Cauldrick (WCRT), Paul Cottington
(NFU), Sarah Jennings (Devon County Council), Devon Wildlife Trust
Contact details
Name
Email
Phone number
Lewis Jones / Orlando Venn (as leads for
the RW working group)
[email protected]
07966 200695
Outline Project Description Please describe the activity that
you plan to undertake.
Objectives:
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Increase agricultural profit (through increased productivity and
savings) through improved soil & water management
Reduced diffuse pollution and improved water quality for fisheries and
wildlife (WFD / Bio 2020 targets)
Reduced flooding and impacts on infrastructure / businesses / homes
Reduced soil on roads
More and better quality wildlife habitat
Approach:
A. Real farm research trials and sharing learning
Strengthen links between research (Exeter Uni, Rothamstead, Duchy,
Bicton) and farmers, taking a farmer led approach to disseminating
learning.
 Build on the work of previous / existing initiatives (see list below) to
establish a network of ‘real farm’ trial / demonstration sites to develop
research ideas and how they can be implemented in a practical setting
on typical Devon mixed / livestock farms. This would include
established measures such as subsoiling and aeration as well as trail
innovative measures such as use of new grass varieties, cover crops,
‘mob’ grazing methods and sediment ponds.
 Produce and disseminate some simple metrics related to yield/DM,
cost, practical considerations
 Communicate via farm discussion groups & open events at demo
farms. This ‘peer to peer’ learning has been shown to work well and
there are already groups of farmers interested in adopting the
approach e.g. Tamar Valley Organic Group.
 Pilot the use of simple water quality test kits provided to farmers
 Pilot the use of a ‘hydromomentum’ rainwater harvesting system
 Ensure that all information is easily available on a website (could be
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building on SWARM / swcatchments …wherever best for farmers)
Hold a large conference for farmers / advisers / researchers / flood
teams etc to share learning
Develop a ‘triage’ referral system for dealing with incidents of soil erosion /
flooding involving DCC Highways & Flood Management and the
Environment Agency.
There is growing concern about maize growing to supply Anaerobic
Digestion plants in various locations in Devon – the project will trial
alternative crops eg wholecrop rye and perennial grasses and see how they
can fit into livestock systems.
B. Funding / advice
Further to (A) above identify land management techniques that can
achieve a range of benefits in priority areas and work up schemes with
land managers. Use funding to develop and run reverse land-use
auctions for land managers to cost effectively manage flood risk and
achieve other environmental benefits (as done by the WCRT on the Fowey
catchment using Defra funding using contracts / 25 year covenants).
Provide funding for equipment / loan equipment (e.g. subsoilers) and
capital funding for landscape features (eg sediment ponds, hedgebanks) to
encourage uptake and implementation of the most successful measures.
The farmers will be encouraged to work in groups with the trial /
demonstration farmer taking the lead.
Build on the learning from existing projects (CSF / WW / NIA), and where
appropriate provide increased capacity to develop these projects further,
to provide farm advice (soils, water, wildlife habitats) in identified priority
areas. Ensure clear signposting to available sources of support eg RDPE
schemes.
Ensure all farm advisers receive soils, water and wildlife training. Establish
a new team of modern farm ‘soil health’ specialists to provide a
programme of locally specific training for farmers around the
demonstration sites.
Previous / existing initiatives (not comprehensive)
South West Agricultural Resource Management (SWARM) / Soils for Profit
was funded by RDPE – now ended? http://www.swarmhub.co.uk/swarm_ini.php?id=2470
Working Wetlands / Upstream Thinking (culm grassland restoration) http://www.devonwildlifetrust.org/working-wetlands/
Northern Devon Nature Improvement Area -
http://www.northerndevonnia.org/water-resources
Mires on the Moors / Upstream Thinking
Catchment Sensitive Farming Programme https://www.gov.uk/guidance/catchment-sensitive-farming-reduceagricultural-water-pollution
British Grassland Society ‘Soil smart and nutrient wise’ booklet, appendix
promoting farm trials (web link above)
Sustainable Intensification Research Platform – Exeter Uni lead with study
farms at North Wyke and Duchy + landscape areas include the Taw http://www.siplatform.org.uk/
Need:
Recent research work has shown that a healthy soil with a good structure
and plenty of soil organic matter provides increased agricultural
productivity and environmental benefits such as reduced flood risk and
enhanced water quality / biodiversity. Many farmers have had their
awareness raised, this project seeks to provide more convincing evidence
that their livelihood would benefit from a new approach to soil husbandry.
New report on SWARM hub concludes that biologically active soils need
25% less fertiliser.
Through EA’s work on the Water Framework Directive (WFD) agricultural
diffuse pollution has been identified as one of the principal reason for
Devon’s rivers, estuaries and Bathing Waters not achieving the required
standards. Countryside Stewardship coverage for Catchment Sensitive
Farming (CSF) within parts of Devon is being scaled back from previous
targeting and will not effectively tackle the issues where diffuse pollution is
a high priority.
A toolkit of approaches is needed to increase farmer participation – farmer
led / advisory etc
Geography – Where will activity
take place?
Use emerging Catchment Partnership data (flood risk / diffuse pollution /
water quality / bathing waters/ habitat etc) and action plans to focus
funding on areas of most need / areas where multiple benefits can be
achieved / areas where ‘traditional’ flood mitigation measures are not
economically viable (Potential areas include – Yealm, Lemon, Dawlish
Water, Clyst, Mardle at Buckfastleigh and the Taw / Torridge).
There are three and a half Catchment Partnerships being developed across
Devon (Tamar, North Devon, East Devon and South Devon) hosted by
Devon Wildlife Trust, West Country Rivers Trust, South Devon AONB, and
the North Devon Biosphere Reserve. A website has just been launched http://swcatchments.info/
Timing – Over what time period
Beginning 2016 (altho ideally 2015 as = International Year of Soils)
will activity take place?
Trials: years 1-5
Extension/grants: years 2-5
End 2020 (end of current Common Agricultural Policy round)
Partners – Who are the potential
As well as organisations listed under ‘leads’ there is support from:
partners?
Please indicate if partners have
been involved in the development
of the project to date, or if they
have yet to be approached.
British Grassland Society - expertise in running trials and building farmer
discussion groups.
Rothamsted Research (North Wyke station) – believe such a project in the
SW could make an impact nationally and internationally.
Duchy College / Bicton
University of Exeter –could provide social and economic analysis.
Possible industry partners (not yet approached) include: Mole Valley,
Dairyco, Eblex
Fit with Natural Devon’s aims
Fit with Natural Devon’s
priority themes - Please select
the primary theme(s) that your
project supports, as well as any
themes where the project makes a
secondary contribution. If your
project does not have a primary
theme, please select the
appropriate secondary themes.
More information can be found at
http://www.naturaldevon.org.uk/wpcontent/uploads/2014/01/Final-DLNPprospectus-jan20141.pdf
Fit with HOTSW LEP Strategic
Economic Plan Priorities.
Appendix 1 provides a summary of
the Priorities for Growth. More
information can be found:
http://www.heartofswlep.co.uk/strategiceconomic-plan
To protect and improve Devon’s
natural environment
To grow Devon’s green
economy
To reconnect Devon’s people
with nature
Commentary:
See Outcomes section
Naturally Healthy
Green Connections
Outdoor Learning
Farming with Nature
Wood for Good
Resilient Wetlands
Sustainable Seas
Primary
Primary
Secondary
Primary – improved beach and water
quality / potential for access
Primary – contribution to GI network
and supports growth
Secondary – opportunities for learning
Primary – promoted innovation in
farming
Secondary – links to creation of wet
woodland / hedges / buffers
Primary – significant improvements
Primary – water / shell fisheries / beach
quality
Please describe how your project contributes to the Heart of the SW LEP’s
Priorities for Growth (see Appendix A). Please list the priorities where
your project could make a direct contribution and explain how it will
contribute.
Creating the Conditions for Growth
Transport and accessibility – reduced blockages of rural roads through
reduced soil runoff. Reduced costs to DCC highways.
Sustainable solutions for flood management – reduced height, area
affected and duration of flooding due to increasing ability of soil to hold
water, and targeted placement of water interception features.
Maximising Productivity and Employment Opportunities
Enterprise infrastructure – increasing farm productivity by harnessing the
potential of a biologically active soil and use of appropriate equipment eg
subsoilers, aerators, mole ploughs to speed up the repair of damaged soils
Increased farm soil and water expertise will lead to increased farm
productivity. Project will support grassland based farming and help realise
the new Protected Geographical Indication for SW grassland farms.
Employment sites and housing growth - Residential and employment
growth identified in Local Plans needs to take full account of flood risk.
Areas of existing residential and employment land are already impacted by
flooding, as seen in the 2012-14 floods. Upstream land management often
provides a more resilient, financially viable approach to flood mitigation
than continual improvements to hard infrastructure, particularly in the
face of a changing climate. It can also deliver a wide range of social and
environmental improvements such as public access and biodiversity gain.
The reverse auction approach proposed can achieve the full range of
environmental and social objectives at the least-cost, thereby providing a
truly sustainable solution
Capitalising on our Distinctive Assets
Science / Innovation infrastructure – new techniques will be trialled in
liaison with research institutions eg new grass varieties. Increased support
and profile for our agri research institiutions.
Maximising our environmental assets –
Soils - soil is a primary asset, all life depends upon it. Soils in Devon are
particularly vulnerable due to slopes and high rainfall. Biologically active
soils with raised levels of soil organic matter are more resilient to climate
extremes.
Water - Improve the quality of rivers, bathing beaches and shell fisheries
to achieve Water Framework Directive targets.
Wildlife habitats – Existing sites better management and new habitats
created to achieve Biodiversity 2020 targets
Devon landscapes enhanced through habitat management and creation.
Technical skills development – project will develop soils and water
knowledge and practical skills of farmers and their advisers.
Skills aligned to transformational opportunities – Devon is a
transformation area and grassland farmers are currently over-reliant on
advisers with vested interest in continued use of artificial inputs.
Biologically active soils need fewer inputs of fertiliser and pesticides so
reduce the cost of inputs which allow more profit to invest.
Financials
What is the estimated total
project cost?
What proportion of total project
cost are capital costs?
Have you secured any funding
for the project yet? If so, list
amounts and sources.
In your view, what are the
potential sources of funding for
this project?
Scalable depending on ambition
Minimum £1,500,000? More accurate
figs can be produced from EA WFD cost
benefit outputs
30-50%
EA Catchment Partnership Action Fund
bids submitted by WCRT for reverse
auction. Success??
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Outcomes - Please describe what
you expect the project to achieve in
terms of Environmental, Social and
Economic Outcomes
Local Growth Fund
European Agricultural Fund for
Rural Development
EA Catchment Partnership Action
Fund
S106 for development biodiversity
offsetting / drainage requirement /
SUDS
Local Levy (Regional Flood &
Coastal Cttee)
LEADER/LAG
Countryside Stewardship
Countryside Productivity Scheme
Match funding from farmers
(infrastructure), CSF?, EA FCRM 6 yr
programme , SWW Downstream
Thinking etc?
Environmental Outcomes:
 Reduced flood peaks due to increasing ability of soil to hold water,
and targeted placement of water interception features.
 Reduced losses of nutrients, (particularly phosphorous) silts and
FIOs into watercourses leading to improved water quality in rivers
and bathing waters (WFD targets).
 Increased soil biodiversity with knock on benefits to birds etc.
 Re-creation of landscape/habitat features eg ponds, hedges, field
margins etc and benefits to wildlife eg greater horseshoe bats.
 Re-creation and management of wildlife habitats e.g. culm
grassland, wet woodlands (Biodiversity 2020 targets)
Social Outcomes:
‘Reconnecting people with the soil’: agricultural productivity over the last
c30 years has relied heavily on artificial inputs and larger machinery but
productivity has now stalled. Appreciation of the physical and biological
properties of soils has been neglected.
Demonstrating the potential ecosystem services from farmland
Skills development / potential educational links / potential access
opportunities where appropriate
Economic Outcomes:
 Reduced expenditure on flood and soil erosion mitigation
measures.
 Reduced expenditure on nutrient stripping.
 Increased crop/grass yield produced at lower cost
 Increased ability of soil to break down wastes eg sewage sludge,
avoids costly disposal.
 Increased traffickability and reduced erosion.
 More efficient use of artificial fertilisers and pesticides.
Quantifiable outputs - Please
provide any information you have
about quantifiable benefits?
Please describe how these have
been estimated.
Draft
9 x farm demonstration sites set up
27 x open days held (3 per site)
3 x soil health advisers
900 x farm advisory visits / reports
60 x capital grants (up to £7,500ea)
Widespread dissemination of trials results and the agronomic and agrieconomic benefits specific to the County
2000 x livestock farm soil information packs disseminated
Consultation – What consultation Refer to project partners question above
has already occurred is more
required?
Statutory Approvals – What
statutory approvals will be
required for the project? Are these
in place?
Risks – What are the main risks
associated with this project?
Planning permission and EA approval may be needed for some on-farm
structures and landscape features. These will be dealt with on a case-bycase basis.
Oil price stays low?
Land owner buy in for reverse auctions – although successfully
implemented on the Fowey catchment.
Range of approaches (farmer led, adviser, auctions) increased the chances
of buy in.
Appendix 1: Heart of the SW LEP Priorities for Growth
Creating the Conditions for Growth Improving our infrastructure and services
to underpin growth
Place
Business
People
Maximising Productivity and Employment
Opportunities - stimulating jobs and
growth across the whole economy
Capitalising on our Distinctive Assets Utilising our distinctive assets to create
opportunities for business growth and
better jobs
The infrastructure and facilities needed to
support higher value growth:
 Specialist marine sites
 Science/Innovation infrastructure
 Maximising our environmental
assets
Infrastructure for growth:
 Transport and accessibility
 Digital infrastructure
 Sustainable solutions for flood
management
 Energy Infrastructure
The infrastructure and facilities to create
more and better employment:
 Enterprise infrastructure
 Strategic employment sites
 Unlocking housing growth
Creating a favourable business environment
 A simpler, more accessible, business
support system, tailored to our
needs
o Improving access to finance
o Stimulating enterprise and
growth
Creating a responsive environment, where
businesses and individuals can reach their
potential:
 Skills infrastructure and facilities
 Accessibility to
education/employment (transport,
careers advice and digital inclusion)
 Employer engagement and
ownership
Achieving more sustainable and broadly
based business growth:
 Reaching new markets (on-line,
supply chains, public sector)
 Globalisation (exports and inward
investment)
Supporting higher value growth:
 Innovation through Smart
Specialisation
 Building our capacity for innovation
Increasing employment, progression and
workforce skills.
 Moving people into employment
 Supporting people to progress to
better jobs
 Improving workforce skills
Creating a world class workforce to support
higher value growth:
 Enterprise and business skills
 Technical and higher level skills
development and retention
 Maximising the skills and
employment opportunities aligned
to our transformational
opportunities.