Two free farm events to promote the Campaign for the Farmed Environment (CFE) are being held in Yorkshire later this month.
The campaign is a three year voluntary initiative to encourage farmers and land managers to adopt land management practices that will retain and exceed the environmental benefits that used to be provided by set-aside.
There are a range of voluntary management measures or Environmental Stewardship options that can be adopted to benefit the environment, whilst at the same time aiming to fit in with a viable farm business. Considering how the Campaign fits in with a viable farm business will be a key theme on the farm walks.
The first farm walk at 6.00pm on Monday 24 May will be held at one of the region’s CFE beacon farms in Northallerton, hosted by Stephen Tuer.
Historically Stephen’s is a typical mixed farm with dairy, pig and arable enterprises, however he is currently moving towards a more arable focused business. Recent changes include the introduction of minimum tillage cultivation, precision soil sampling and the streamlining of machinery. A new continuous grain dryer, with the capacity to deal with 24 tonnes of grain per hour, has been installed for this year’s harvest and will be available for viewing on the night.
The farm has never participated in any type of agri-environment scheme, but Mr Tuer is now planning to join the Environmental Stewardship Entry Level Scheme (ELS). He says: “There are a number of reasons why we didn’t join ELS in the past, but I think the time is now right.
“CFE has highlighted the importance of all farmers playing their part and I think it will be a ‘win, win’ situation that will bring environmental benefits to the farm and also improve my bottom line.”
CFE coordinator, Fraser Hugill added: “The fact that Mr Tuer is a new entrant to ELS will give us the chance to look at areas of the farm that can be used to accumulate ELS points and options that contribute towards the Campaign.”
The second event at 6.00pm on Wednesday 26 May will be hosted by Doncaster farmer and local CFE chairman, Russell Toothill.
Mr Toothill is no stranger to environmental schemes, having been in the Countryside Stewardship Scheme (CSS) and ELS since its inception and he is planning to apply for the Higher Level Scheme when his CSS agreement expires. He is a former winner of the environment section of the National Farming Awards.
A wide range of crops are grown on the farm including milling wheat, oilseed rape, linseed, sugar beet, forage crops and grass for 700 ewes. This year Mr Toothill will be growing 330 acres of grain maize under plastic on light land which has proved marginal for cereal. After harvest this is crimped and ensiled ready to be sold into the dairy industry. In addition, he is experimenting with half an acre of soya beans, also under plastic, which we will look at and discuss on the evening.
As one of the pioneers of the emerging biomass sector, Mr Toothill also grows around 280 acres of short rotation coppice willow. However, he is now reverting some to this back to arable production and visitors will be able to see how this is being done.
He says: “I take real pride in the environmental management work I carry out on the farm, but I would certainly not like this to be made compulsory. This is one reason I am supporting the Campaign but I also see it as a great opportunity to bring farmers and environmental bodies closer together.”
Both events will start at 6.00pm. The dates and venues are as follows:
24 May 2010 - Hutton Grange, Hutton Bonville, Northallerton, DL6 2PT
26 May 2010 - Ivy House Farm, Eastfield Lane, Auckley, Doncaster, DN9 3JW
For further information on the events contact Fraser Hugill by email or by phone on 07502 425 266.
Note to Editors
Nationally, the campaign is looking to achieve the following targets:
• Ensure that Entry Level Stewardship agreements contain the right options in the right places to create important habitats for wildlife and protect soil and water resources on farms.
• Retain 179,000 hectares of uncropped land across England improve the management of at least a third of this land to support habitats for birds, insects and mammals.
• Increase the current national level of voluntary environmental management by at least 30,000 hectares.
CFE is an industry led initiative with NFU, CLA, CAAV, AIC, AICC working in partnership with Defra and its agencies, Natural England and the Environment Agency, as well as FWAG, LEAF, the RSPB and other wildlife organisations.
For further information visit the CFE website
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