Farming and Water

Most of the land in our catchments is used for agriculture and we recognise that farmers have a vital role to play in helping to safeguard our drinking water sources.

Good management of soil, water, nutrients and pesticides plays a significant role in positively impacting water quality, reducing flood and drought risks and preventing the loss of valuable resources from the land.

Significant efforts have been made in recent years by farmers and land managers across the UK to implement a range of best practices to reduce impacts on water quality - we want to help promote those simple and replicable interventions that can deliver win-win outcomes for farm profitability, drinking water quality and the wider environment.

Through our work with farmers, we have learnt that the following practices can positively impact farm production. Read on to find out more.

Soil health – why is it important and what can you do:

Look after your soil and the soil will look after you!

Soil health can often be taken for granted but understanding how physical, chemical and biological properties of soil interact, and managing soils appropriately is essential to get the best out of them.

Healthy soil will be more resilient to drought and retain more nutrients which can increase farm productivity and profitability, while also protecting the water environment. Top tips:

• Regular soil testing provides valuable information about its pH, nutrient levels and organic matter content.
• Knowing your numbers will inform decisions on:
  • Fertiliser and manure requirements
  • pH correction
  • Increasing organic matter
  • Addressing soil compaction issues

WaterSource Case Study: Impact of soil testing on farm productivity

Nutrient management – the benefits of planning

Planning efficient use of nutrients and maximising the value of organic manures can optimise the use of manufactured fertiliser and prevent nutrient losses. Top tips:

• Know your crop requirements and use soil testing results to inform nutrient balance and availability
• Maximise the efficiency of your nutrient inputs by considering the four R’s of nutrient management: Right product; Right rate; Right place; Right time
• Consider the use of technology to inform decision making e.g. local weather stations
• Appropriate storage of livestock manures, and slurry can prevent nutrient rich runoff entering watercourses

For further advice check out the Fertiliser Manual (RB209)

WaterSource Case Study: Benefits of using on-farm weather stations

Keep soil on your land – once it’s gone, it’s gone!

Soil is the most important natural resource on any farm. It influences farming systems and has a significant impact on crop and grass yield and quality.

Adoption of the following management practices together with allowing sufficient working distances from watercourses will help keep soil on the land and protect the environment and water quality:

Crop planning – right place, right crop:

Location – use local knowledge to consider things such as crop rotation, slope, nearby water courses, flood risks. This can be captured on a risk map

Type and variety – think about what is being planted to minimise bare soil exposure

Soil Heath – ensure soils are in good condition to provide a resilient environment

Crop management - disrupt overland flow by:

Cultivation techniques – consider options for minimal soil disturbance, tramline direction and contour ploughing

Cover crops – prevent prolonged periods of bare soil

Install buffer strips at the lowest point of a field and strip graze crops from the highest point down

WaterSource Case Study: Benefits of risk mapping case study

Be PestSmart – using pesticides responsibly

We know that pesticides play an essential role for agriculture. Although highly regulated, there is still a risk that pesticides can affect people, water and wildlife if they are stored, used or disposed of incorrectly.

Integrated Pest Management (IPM) is a whole farm approach for managing crop pests, diseases or weeds in a way that minimises the use of pesticides by taking a “prevention is better than cure approach”. Working through IPM steps can result in better results and longer-term control:

• Understand the root cause of the problem
• Look at ways to avoid it
• Consider non-pesticide control measures
• If using pesticides then use, store and dispose of them appropriately
• Record and measure the success, and adapt your approach for best results

Check out our PestSmart Booklet and Poster

Further advice available in the HSE’s Code of Practice for Using Plant Protection Products and with the Voluntary Initiative

Livestock management – benefits for all

Ensuring a clean accessible water supply and good livestock management is essential for animal health and performance.

• Reducing access to water courses can have positive impacts on the farm and downstream catchment.
• Limit livestock accessing watercourses to:
  • reduce exposure to faecal organisms such as E. coli and cryptosporidium
  • avoid increased sediment and nutrients losses from collapsed banks
• Implement a grazing regime which avoids compaction and poaching to reduce the risk of soil erosion and increase grass yield
• Consider alternative water supplies to reduce animal exposure to pathogens and subsequent diseases
• Always follow best practice when using and disposing of sheep dip – More information available here

WaterSource Case Study: on-farm measures to reduce cryptosporidium spread in sheep

For further advice check out Code of Good Agricultural Practice and Farming Connect