Water Friendly Farming

Interventions

Soil Management

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Grassland aeration

Introducing air into soil can help roots develop to alleviate compaction, improve drainage and reduce slurry and fertiliser runoff.                                                                         

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Grassland sward lifting

Soil compaction can be caused by heavy machinery and livestock poaching. Sward lifters alleviate this compaction by opening up the sub-soil to improve drainage.

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Arable subsoiling

Loosening and breaking up subsoil can help alleviate compaction to improve drainage.                                                                                                                             

Over Winter Cover

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Catch/cover cropping

Fast growing crops grown in between main crops reduce soil erosion and improve soil quality.

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Undersowing maize

Undersowing maize with grass can reduce soil erosion and nutrient loss/leaching.                      

In-Field Water Retention

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Sediment traps

Swales or ponds located between the farm and the watercourse can intercept sediment run-off.

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Attenuation ponds

Intercepting surface water run-off can help reduce flooding while providing water storage for periods of dry weather.

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Earth bunds

An earth bank can protect watercourses by slowing the flow of water, and this reduces sediment and nutrient input.

Livestock Fencing

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Fencing

Protecting riverbanks with fencing reduces sediment input by keeping livestock out of the watercourse.

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Drinking troughs

Having drinking troughs to keep livestock out of the watercourse helps protect riverbanks and reduce sediment.

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Water gates

Protecting riverbanks with water gates reduces sediment input by keeping livestock out of the watercourse.

Rainwater Harvesting

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Above ground tank

Collecting rain water provides free, clean water supply and storage for use during periods of low rainfall.

Trackway

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Cross drains

Diverting water from tracks can reduce erosion and run-off issues.                                       

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Yard and track works

Hardcore tracks and yards can reduce soil erosion and compaction caused by heavy machinery or livestock.

Tree Planting

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Tree planting

Trees can reduce soil erosion by stabilising banks and this reduces nutrient input to the watercourse from chemicals in the soil.

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Hedge planting

Hedges can provide a barrier to livestock, water and sediment while creating new habitat for wildlife.

Bank Stabilisation

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Leaky woody dams

Leaky barriers made of natural materials can slow the flow of water into rivers and trap sediment.

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Willow spiling

Barriers made of natural materials can protect riverbanks from erosion.                                         

Irrigation

Irrigation

Applying water and fertiliser directly to the crop reduces water usage and pumping costs and increases yield. This video is from the first Water Friendly Farming webinar, held in September 2020.

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