Forty farmers attended an evening meeting on 19th October in Waddington to discuss farming in wet weather conditions after Lancashire experienced its 11th wettest summer since records began.
, October 23, 2017 — The farmers meeting was organised by the Ribble Rivers Trust in partnership with Natural England’s Catchment Sensitive Farming Programme.
The wet conditions over summer have created many problems for farmers in the Ribble Catchment. Saturated land has made accessing fields very difficult and many livestock farmers have extra manure and slurry to deal with, whilst trying to avoid negative environmental impacts.
Speakers at the farmers meeting included Sarah Bolton, Agricultural Project Officer for the Ribble Rivers Trust, Neville Pearson, former ADAS soil and water consultant, Michael Graham, Natural England’s Catchment Sensitive Farming coordinator and Louise Kite from Lancashire County Council.
Topics of discussion included ways to reduce diffuse pollution in watercourses, improvement of soil structure and how to access grants to help fund the improvement works.
Farmers were advised to contact Michael Graham from Natural England on 07770 700 830 about opportunities for one-to-one training and advice about nutrient and manure management planning, soil husbandry and water management.
The Ribble Rivers Trust is also offering free confidential farm audits to identify opportunities that could reduce pollution and help farmers make cost savings as the same time. Anyone interested in a visit can contact Sarah Bolton on 01200 444452.