FARMERS & LANDOWNERS

More than 80% of land in Hampshire is used for farming and forestry. Agricultural practice plays a pivotal role in enhancing opportunities for biodiversity in the countryside and farmers can receive financial support for undertaking positive management for biodiversity.

Key ways to help biodiversity on the farm:

1. Consider producing a whole farm management plan that identifies habitats and wildlife and how best to conserve them - ask FWAG for advice. LEAF (Linking Environment and Farming) can provide a self assesment farm audit to help improve environmental performance and give advice on integrated farm management.
   
   
2. On mixed farms, manage the whole farm to integrate pasture and arable land use into a sustainable system that maintains a varied landscape.
   
   
3. Retain and link areas for wildlife such as field margins, meadows, ponds, scrub, trees and hedges.
   
   
4. Create a rough grass margin around fields to provide over for small mammals and rough grass strips alongside streams and rivers to buffer them from spray drift.
   
   
5. Retain winter stubbles and consider planting wild bird cover crops under set-aside or agri-environment schemes.
   
   
6. Carry out grassland management (rolling, harrowing, swaling) before mid-March to avoid ground-nesting birds, insects and reptiles.
   
   
7. Leave odd corners and strips of rough grass uncut over the winter to provide cover for hibernating insects and other wildlife.
   
   
8. Avoid annual cutting of hedges or scrub and manage on a 2 or 3 year rotation, cutting in spring to leave berries for small mammals and birds in winter.
   
   
9. Sow pollen and nectar mix into grass to encourage butterflies, bumblebees, insects and birds.
   
   
10. Minimise inputs of fertiliser and pesticides and keep then away from hedges, woodlands, field margins, ditches and watercourses.

Contacts:

Natural England provides free advice on land management practices to farmers including grazing, minerals and waste planning, catchment-sensitive farming methods and Environmental Impact Assessments. Natural England are running the Future of Farming Award 2008 for farmers who successfully integrate the management of biodiversity into the main business of their farm, Further information can be found at http://www.naturalengland.org.uk/campaigns/landmanagement/farming-award.htm

DEFRA provide information on farming and the environment, including organic production, minimising water pollution, and environmental impact assessment. They also run the Environmental Stewardship grant schemes for farmers and land managers. Entry Level requires basic environmental management across the farm, whilst Higher Level is designed to deliver more complex management in priority areas. The schemes are administered by Natural England.

National Farmers Union represents the farmers and growers of England and Wales, and can provide advice on farming practice that protects wildlife and the environment.

The Farming and Wildlife Advisory Group (FWAG) offer a wide range of advisory services regarding farmland biodiversity. They can identify the features and aspects of your land that have potential for improved environmental gain and business benefit. Advice brochures are available to download form the website.

ADAS is an independant provider of environmental consultancy, rural development services and advice on sustainable crop management practices that will benefit wildlife.

Hampshire County Council's Environment Department provides support to landowners and farmers through projects on woodland management, conservation grazing, heathland management and the management of Sites of Importance for Nature Conservation (SINCs).

Detailed advice on improving farmland for biodiversity is also available from the RSPB. The website covers topics such as beetle banks, set-aside, conservation headlands and field margins, and management of hedgerows, hay meadows and grazing for livestock. You can also sign up for a free e-newsletter.

Visit the conservation section of ukagriculture and follow the links to 'farming matters' for practical solutions to key farmland biodiversity topics such as conservation headlands, beetle banks, ponds and woodland. 'Farming matters' was written for ukagriculture by Hampshire Wildlife Trust, who also have a team of conservation advisors to provide help and assistance with habitat and species management on privately owned land. The Cholderton Estate is an excellant example of sustainable agriculture in action.

Advice on managing water, soils and manure, catchment sensitive farming and information on many other farm management issues is available from the Environment Agency.

Linking Environment and Farming (LEAF) is a charity promoting sustainable farming and helping farmers improve their environment and business performance. The LEAF audit can help with the development of an integrated farm management plan.

The Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust researches the ecology of game species and promotes management of the countryside in the best interests of game and wildlife. The Trust provides an on site advisory service and a wide range of guidance material.

Farm Wildlife is a website designed to help farmers to help wildlife on thier farm. It includes case studies to learn from the experiences of other farmers who have undertaken conservation work.

Sustainable Arable Farming for an Improved Environment (SAFFIE) was a fivve year research project that developed six practical solutions for enhancing biodiversity on arable farms. The final report is available to download from the website.

The Hampshire Landscape Strategy compliments the Biodiversity Action Plan for Hampshire. The strategy encourages sustainable agriculture through the integration of agricultural, environmental, economic and social interests in the county.

For advice on planting and managing farm woodlands and information on the Woodland Grant Scheme and Farm Woodland Premium Scheme, log on to the Forestry Commission's website .

The Hampshire Biodiversity Information Centre holds biological information on many sites throughout Hampshire, which is available to individual landowners.