WAgriCo – UK update and overview Dr Jodie Whitehead 17 th July 2008 Insert image here

Overview The study areas Catchment characterisation Sampling programme Mitigation measures Farmer feedback Economic analysis Key messages WAgriCo phase 2

What we are doing Trying to develop ‘best practice’ Understanding farming and interactions with water farm practice data soil and water measurements Identify possible solutions Work with farmers Evaluate effectiveness: lessons learnt Identify issues Identify solutions Implement solutions Monitor effectiveness

UK delivery team Field support interfacing with the farmers providing sound technical advice Technical support developing technical information monitoring data management, reporting Outside support contracts for separate elements of the project Steering Groups and management

Study areas Key points: 650 km 2 Arable/grassland Mix of soil types No water protection zones NVZ area Catchment Sensitive Farming - priority catchments

Catchment characterisation Farm audits Farm Pollution Risk Category High Medium Low

Catchment characterisation Nutrient budgets

Sampling programme Water quality/level sampling Soil mineral N sampling Routine soil sampling Grain N sampling Manure sampling

Water quality results vary: Between catchments Within the catchments Over the course of a year Long term trends shows that average nitrate levels are still increasing Water level data shows a yearly cycle of winter highs and summer lows Water quality results

Soil Mineral N Results

Measures Based on initial farm audits Soil and fertiliser management Ideas, feedback, discussion ….

Six Measures Fertiliser recommendations Manure management advice on rates (analysis) advice on timing Cover crops Fertiliser spreader calibration Spring manure application N balance/N efficiency

Measure Uptake Measure% Uptake by Farmers Fertiliser recommendations81 Manure management plans & waste audits52 Cover crops19 Fertiliser spreader calibration44 Moving from autumn to spring application for slurries & poultry manures 10 Use of on-farm N-efficiency27

Farmer feedback on measures Fertiliser spreader calibration Only small amount of fertiliser used on the farm so not worth it Already calibrate the spreader every year Just brought a new machine Moving from autumn to spring application of manures Not enough storage to cover the no application period Cover crops No spring crops in the rotation Manure management plan and waste audit No manures on the farm

Fertiliser spreader calibration – Why calibrate? % CVSpreader condition Increase in N leached <10Excellent4% Respectable6% Poor – can be improved 8% >20Serious13%

Fertiliser spreader calibration - Results % CV before calibration % CV after calibration % CV before calibration % CV after calibration Average Median8383 Max Min220.30

Fertiliser spreader calibration - Example

Cover Crops

Economic analysis The aim was to calculate the private cost to farmers of adopting each measure A population sample of 20 was selected Obtained basic information on farm size and enterprises, and the cost to the farm business of implementing each of the six measures.

Economic analysis results Type of measureNet CostNo. of farms relevant Cost for the pilot area catchments (£m) Fertiliser recommendations -£3.72 per ha (benefit) 190 Manure management -£9.3 per ha (benefit) 170 Cover crops£68.8 per ha Fertiliser spreader calibration -£14.2 per ha (benefit) 170 N efficiency calculation £600 per farm (£2.0 per ha)

Cost - benefit

Farmer feedback on the project WAgriCo has created an awareness that will remain in place for the future We have provided a lot of information to WAgriCo, but what will be the conclusions and how will this information be used? Would like a 'clone’ of WAgriCo' to be available at on-farm situations in the future Until WAgriCo, hadn't fully appreciated the financial value of what [slurry] was a waste product There is no one right way to do anything in farming WAgriCo has provided farm advisors with an agricultural background so they understand the farming system.

Key messages No single approach will achieve large reductions in N losses to the environment, but a range of smaller, cost effective N management measures may have a significant effect The use of catchment advisors is essential, feedback from farmers has indicated that advice is a key element in tackling diffuse pollution Farmers are keen to learn and use nutrients more efficiently on their farms The value of WAgriCo is making sure that our experiences are used and built upon

WAgriCo – Phase 2 Comprehensive monitoring network in place providing further evidence for farmers and stakeholders In depth farming tool working at the farm scale Research and development tool for policy Nitrates Directive Water Framework Directive Natura 2000

WAgriCo – Phase 2 Considers the practicality, economic and effectiveness of mitigation measures Strong relationship with farmers which has resulted in the changing farm practice Sustainable framework that provides a market solution based on environmental and water quality objectives

Funding for this work was through the EC LIFE demonstration fund and is gratefully acknowledged