A new and updated plan for arable farms has been developed by the Farm Wildlife partnership, and is now available on the website - www.farmwildlife.info. This plan brings together the knowledge and expertise of all the partners involved in the project to provide the essential habitats and farm management that wildlife relies upon in the farmed landscape.
Six key measures are the focus of the plan:
Look after established wildlife habitats such as woods, trees and ponds, as these places are particularly valuable for wildlife.
Make the most of field boundaries, as hedges, ditches and margins are often where most wildlife is found.
Wet features, such as farm ponds, provide an important habitat for many species which live, feed or breed in or near water.
Provide flower-rich areas on 2% of your arable land, as this will support pollinators and other insects.
Provide seed-rich areas on 2% of your arable land so you can support farmland birds through the winter.
Farmed area – spring crops and in-field features such as fallow plots in the middle of your fields give wildlife a space to thrive.
The general principles which underpin the plan are applicable anywhere in the UK, and the site provides sensible, easy-to-follow guidance on why each measure is important, and how to create and manage them - not just for the benefit of wildlife, but also the long-term sustainability of the farm.
A livestock plan is currently under development, and should be available before the end of the year. In the meantime, if you have arable land and you’re interested in understanding a bit more about how to maximise the value of your farm for wildlife, why not have a look at the new plan and see if you are covering each aspect within your current management?
If you’d be interested in sharing some of your experiences in managing any of the habitats with others through a case study, or have any suggestions for the future development of the site or the partnership, we’d love to hear from you at admin@farmwildlife.info