PM 34 - Enhance farmland wildlife and habitats and restore soil ecosystems through nature-friendly farming practices

Code

PM 34

Measure

Enhance farmland wildlife and habitats and restore soil ecosystems through nature-friendly farming practices

Description

Below are just some examples of nature-friendly farming practices that can work on and will benefit most farms. Using a whole-farm landscape-design approach to actions such as tree and hedge planting, pond creation and stock management can improve soil health, reduce inputs, lead to sustainable productivity and healthier livestock as well as benefitting nature. Many measures described for the other habitats can also be adopted on farms, such as traditional orchard management, caring for ancient and veteran trees, pond restoration and nature-based solutions for natural flood management • Arable field edge buffers and 3D buffers • Arable in-field grass strips/skylark patches • Integrated Pest Management • Reduce reliance on artificial fertilizers • Over-winter stubble / cover crops • Low-risk crops in erosion-prone areas • Longer arable/livestock rotations • Mob grazing • Rotational grazing • Reduced grazing intensity • Managed riparian grazing • Meadow restoration, especially floodplain meadows • Rotational/staggered hay & silage cutting • Herbal leys • Hedge planting, including hedgerow trees • In-field tree planting • Scrubby corners • Agroforestry • Silvopasture and/or silvoarable • Less intensive hedge management • Hedge laying & restorative coppicing • Pond restoration and creation, including scrapes and attenuation ponds • Rotational ditch management • Ditch profile changes (depth and meanders) • Regenerative and agroecological farming practices such as no/low-till meanders)

Wider environmental benefits

Increasing woodland cover Improving air quality Improving water quality Increasing flood risk management Reducing climate change impacts Supporting health and cultural services Improving soil health Promoting nature friendly farming Controlling invasive species Supporting food provision

Links to additional information and guidance

https://www.nffn.org.uk/ 

https://regenerativefoodandfarming.co.uk/ 

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/a-guide-to-agroforestry 

https://pastureforlife.org/ 

Priority

Nature-friendly farming practices are widely adopted across Herefordshire

Priority description

Herefordshire is a predominantly agricultural county and when managed sensitively, farmland habitats can support biodiversity whilst maintaining productivity and food supply. Nature-friendly and sustainable farming techniques are increasingly adopted. As farmland is the dominant habitat type across the county, widespread implementation of these approaches offers Herefordshire a leading opportunity to benefit nature and farming in equal measures. Practices to protect and restore soils will help with carbon sequestration, water storage, improved river health and enhance the sustainability of food production.

Mapped

No