Water Friendly Farming
Welcome to the Mersey Rivers Trust
Water Friendly Farming Hub
About
Here, in the Water Friendly Farming Hub, you will find information and resources on interventions that will help the environment while also helping you save money! We have included case studies from demonstration farms and information about grants to support you.
Email farming@merseyrivers.org for more information.
The importance of water
Learn MoreWater Friendly Farming practices
Learn MoreFunding solutions & how to apply
Learn MoreCase studies of interventions
Learn MoreAlt Crossens abstraction licensing strategy
The Alt Crossens abstraction licensing strategy (ALS) sets out how the Environment Agency manages water resources in the catchment area. The document shows where surface water and groundwater are available for abstraction as well as the areas where there is restricted availability. It also outlines actions to ensure sustainable abstraction in the area that will:
- protect the unique environment of Alt Crossens
- deliver sustainable abstraction
- support economic growth
- enhance a water environment that will support health and wellbeing
Please find the policy paper here
Water Friendly Farming webinar series
Water is an important resource for UK agriculture and the countryside; sometimes there’s too much; sometimes too little and occasionally it’s just right. Growers have to cope with whatever the weather brings. After a wet autumn and winter, followed by a spring and early summer drought, 2020 proved to be a challenge.
Managing the precious resource of water is the subject of this ‘Water Friendly Farming’ series of webinars organised by the Mersey Rivers Trust in conjunction with our partners, focussing on the Alt-Crossens Catchment from West Lancashire to the Sefton Coast and North Liverpool.
Webinar 1 - September 2020
In this first webinar, our specialist panel of speakers, including the NFU, CSF and the Environment Agency, were on hand to discuss some water friendly farming solutions, present case studies, and share their knowledge.
You can watch the presentations in our Youtube playlist here.
Webinar 2 - November 2020
The second webinar in the ‘Water Friendly Farming ‘series focussed on funding sources, including the new Environmental Land Management Scheme (ELMS).
You can watch the presentations from webinar 2 in our Youtube playlist here.
Water Resource Workshops
A series of ‘Water Friendly Farming’ workshops with a focus on water resources is underway.
Workshop - December 2021
In this workshop presentations covered water storage feasibility, agricultural transition and future support including grants and funding. The presentation slides can be found here:
Agricultural Transition and future support - Adam Briggs (NFU)
Funding sources for water - Michael Graham (CSF)
Alt Crossens Priority Catchment (Water Resource) - Simon Bennett and Helen Nightingale (EA)
Discussion Summary - John Sanders (MRT)
Workshop - March 2022
In this workshop presentations covered an update on ELMS, water abstraction and funding solutions. The presentation slides can be found here:
ELM update - Adam Briggs (NFU)
Grant schemes - Michael Graham (CSF)
Abstraction licencing - Jake Houghton (EA)
Workshop - November 2022
Stewardship funding updates, lowland peat management and drip irrigation demo farm data. The presentation slides can be found here:
Funding update - Michael Graham (CSF)
Care Peat Project - Lauryn McLoughlin (MMU)
Demo farm irrigation data - Netafim
Frequently Asked Question...
The Environment Agency (EA) receives a number of enquiries annually regarding the ability for weed-cutting to take place without the need for a permit. The EA have confirmed that weed-cutting can be carried out on a designated Main River without a permit, but only using specialist weed cutting equipment, not a ‘normal/toothed’ bucket and that the operation does not disturb the riverbed or bank. If the works involve any removal of any silt or disturbance to the riverbed or banks then this will require a permit. Any questions on this, please contact Rob Ide, Environment Agency Senior Advisor, Land Drainage Futures on robert.ide@environment-agency.gov.uk or 07770827840.
Partners
Contact: farming@merseyrivers.org