PM 34 - Enhance nature in farmland through Nature, Soil & Water Friendly Farming Practices
- Code
- PM 34
- Measure
- Enhance nature in farmland through Nature, Soil & Water Friendly Farming Practices
- Description
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Below are just some examples of nature-friendly farming practices that can work on most farms. 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 • Scrubby corners • Agroforestry • Silvopasture and/or silvoarable • Less-intensive hedge management • Hedge laying & restorative coppicing • Rotational ditch management • Ditch profile changes (depth and meanders) • Regenerative farming practices
- Wider environmental benefits
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Increasing woodland cover Improving air quality Improving water quality Increasing flood risk management Reducing climate change impact Supporting health and cultural services Improving soil health Promoting nature friendly farming Controlling invasive species Supporting food provision
- Links to additional information and guidance
- Priority
- Nature-friendly farming practices are widely adopted across Herefordshire
- Priority description
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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.