Cereals Live: Trialling options for ELMS

Environmental measures

Stephen Siddom, farm manager, Percy Farms which includes 2,000ha arable land comprising combinable cropping plus 12-month fallow/cover crops and is managed in hand by Northumberland Estates, explained environmental measures the farm currently has in place.

“We don’t use insecticides, undertake mosaic cropping, use no spring broadleaf herbicides around the outside 10m of fields and have extensive 6m grass margins and 6m cover crop/game strips.

“We have 12-month fallow stubbles and cover crops to promote pollinators and wild birds.

“Many species benefiting from the diverse environment e.g. lapwing, curlews, bees and many different insects.”

Following the ELM scheme test and trials, Mr Siddom proposed five options which included: autumn-sown bumblebird and pollinator mixtures; bee keeping on pollen rich areas in collaboration with local bee keepers; establishing green cover by broadcasting small seed into wheat prior to harvest; grass buffer strips of at least 6m to protect watercourses and minimise soil erosion and; incentives to improve drainage on productive land and to allow low lying land to flood/create sediment ponds for storm water.

He added: “We think that there is great potential for Percy Farms and other arable farmers to deliver significant public goods/environmental outcomes, which benefit the farm business practically and financially. We hope that Defra is able to take on board some of the input from the test and trials.”