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Know How / Wildlife

News for farmers on how wildlife can have an impact on farms, both positively and negatively. See how to improve biodiversity on your farm to encourage pollinators and farmland birds. Find out about the developments in the rewilding debate and on releasing animals, such as lynx into the countryside.

Advice and tips

ARABLE

Tips on achieving healthy hedgerows on farm

Hedges are a defining feature of our countryside and one of the best habitats for wildlife on any farm.  Far more than being a boundary, they also support farm business…

ARABLE

How 'mega-cluster' project benefits farming and nature

A project linking farmers and private investors across a 12,500ha area of Sussex is aiming to support nature recovery and food production on a landscape scale.  The Weald to Waves…

ARABLE

How to restore 'forgotten' farm ponds for wildlife

As many as two-thirds of farmland ponds in England and Wales have been lost though drainage and in-filling, while those that remain are often shaded and tree-covered and do very…

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Case studies

BIODIVERSITY

Wild grey partridge project promotes biodiversity and profit

A decade-long wild grey partridge project establishing cover crop field margins at a Scottish farming estate has proved an effective way to promote biodiversity and reap an economic return. Balgonie…

COVER CROPS

Cover crop trial reveals impact of grazing on nitrates

Since winning the title of Farmers Weekly Environmental Farmers of the Year, Emma and James Loder-Symonds have been busy trialling the impact of grazing cover crops. The cover crop trial…

ARABLE

Food production remains key on nature-friendly arable farm

All three of the distinct land types at Somerleyton Estate, near Lowestoft, are being put to best use, generating a diversified income for the business and supporting both people and…

ARABLE

Video: Why cows and trees are part of Essex arable business

George Young is making big changes to his arable business with nature at its heart. Read the full report and watch the videos for more detail on his tree planting…

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Community

Quiz: Can you spot 6 common farmland birds?

This Saturday sees the start of the Big Farmland Bird Count (6-14 February) and farmers are being encouraged to go out and tally up the species on their farms. The…

Big farmland bird count: how you can make a difference

Farming has changed the landscape of the UK and the way wildlife interacts with it massively since the Second World War. Before the 1940s weeds largely grew uninhibited from hedgerows…

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Insights

WILDLIFE

How farmers can tackle the booming deer population

Deer control is an emotive subject, but as the numbers living wild in the English countryside have soared, with consequences for food crops, trees and hedges, it is an option…

ARABLE

How arable farms can support farmland bird populations

A good, varied arable rotation, along with winter bird food stewardship options and a variety of hedges, will provide most of what farmland birds need to survive and thrive. Adding…

ARABLE

The network nature reserve built by farmers on arable land

Supporting nature in a productive farmed landscape is the goal for a like-minded group of farmers in East Anglia, having come together to protect and enhance the biodiversity that surrounds…

ARABLE

How a coastal group's audit is focusing biodiversity effort

The North Norfolk Coastal Group came together with the aim of collaborating to bring nature back to the farmed environment. The group represents more than 55,000ha of coastal habitat –…

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News

ARABLE

Birdsong recorders enable farmers to monitor biodiversity

An innovative project has been launched which uses birdsong to monitor wildlife, thereby enabling farmers to make informed decisions about sustainable practices. A collaboration between the UK Agri-Tech Centre and…

WILDLIFE

Wildlife group urges widespread introduction of beavers

Releasing beavers into the wild in England and Wales, rather than confining them to enclosures, would have huge environmental benefits and should be pursued vigorously by the government, according to…

BIODIVERSITY

North Lincs Environmental Farmers Group set for expansion

The Environment Farmers Group (EFG) is setting its sights on further expansion, with one of its subgroups having secured more corporate sponsorship. The northern Lincolnshire EFG is one of ten…

AIR AND WATER

Natural England taken to tribunal by Penwith farmer

A beef farmer will have his concerns about consents placed by Natural England (NE) against his land heard at a tribunal. Sam Nankervis says NE restrictions placed on land he…

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Video

ARABLE

Video: Why cows and trees are part of Essex arable business

George Young is making big changes to his arable business with nature at its heart. Read the full report and watch the videos for more detail on his tree planting…

ARABLE

Video: Grower reacts to planned ban for chlorothalonil

As a conventional farmer, David Butler is trying to find the right balance between productive agriculture and looking after wildlife on his farm. A fourth-generation farmer, Mr Butler farms East…

SHEEP

Row erupts over calls for raven cull to protect sheep

An online petition launched by farmers calling for greater control of ravens on farmland to protect newborn lambs and calves is gaining momentum. Britain’s largest species of crow has been…

Video: Birds found nesting in tractor engine

Grass-cutting at a nature reserve has been put on hold after birds were found nesting in the engine of a tractor. A pair of pied wagtails and their four chicks…

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