Free and tailored advice on soil and nutrient management and erosion is being offered to farmers near to the rivers Lynher and Plym in a bid to protect valuable salmon spawning grounds.
The Farming and Wildlife Advisory Group (FWAG) and the Environment Agency are hoping farmers will take advantage of this offer if they are located within these catchments. The advice will focus on soil, erosion and run-off.
The objective of the project is to try to tackle the issue of diffuse pollution from farmland entering the Rivers Lynher and Plym, both important salmon spawning grounds.
There are 13 places on offer and with nine already taken, four remain to be claimed.
Surface run-off and erosion is not only harmful to water courses, as they reduce the dissolved oxygen content in the water and slit up river beds, but it can cost the farmer money.
Lost nutrients together with the loss of soil can be costly to a farm.
‘Many of the solutions for reducing diffuse pollution can ultimately help the farms bottom line. By making best use of the farms natural resources and by making subtle changes to farming methods, you can cut your annual fertiliser bill and help improve these two important salmon fisheries,’ said Lesley Newport from the Environment Agency.
Any farmer who wishes to take up the offer can benefit from:
• A free visit by a qualified FWAG advisor
• Up to 4 free soil samples or slurry/manure nutrient analysis
• Crop Nutrient Budgeting
• Nutrient Management Plan
• Erosion/Run-off Risk Assessment
• A written report
Agronomy Project officer Anthony Ellis, who is visiting the farms and has covered over 2000 acres so far, said :’Working together with FWAG is a great opportunity for farmers to demonstrate how much they care about the impact of their business on the local environment.’
Any farmer within the catchment area who is interested in signing up to the scheme should contact the new Farming and Wildlife Advisory Group offices at Coldrenick Farm, Bodmin on 01208 79701.
