Farmland bird numbershave been
boosted by 119% at theRSPB's
demonstration arable unit in Cambridgeshire by "putting the right
things in the right places".
The 182ha farm has achieved both good crop yields and
biodiversity improvements since the organisation bought Grange
Farm, Knapwell, in 2001, says Chris Bailey, farmland project
manager, showing how the two can coexist.
The original aim was to try to show how winter combinable crop
production and farmland bird populations could both benefit from
the right management, he says. "We also knew that we would learn
some valuable lessons along the way, which we could then share with
other farmers."
Putting RSPB ideas into practice has been a valuable exercise,
he adds. "It's shown us what is possible in a commercial farming
situation, as well as some of the difficulties."
Grange Farm has its fair share of challenges, he notes,
including heavy clay soils, high populations of resistant
blackgrass, increasing pest problems and the volatility of
commodity markets.
"First and foremost, this is a commercial farm," stresses Dr
Bailey. "Our intention is to make a profit - which we do - and for
the site to be as representative of commercial arable production as
it can."
For this reason, winter cropping dominates. A four-year rotation
of winter wheat, oilseed rape, winter wheat and spring beans is in
place, prioritising profitable first wheats.
"Having a spring crop is less typical of this type of farm,"
admits Dr Bailey. "And the combination of spring beans with heavy
soil gives the potential for things to go wrong, especially if the
weather is against us.
"But we weren't making any money at all from second wheats, so
it was an economic decision made when wheat was £70/t. Of course,
it also helps with blackgrass control and workload management, but
the birds have benefited, too."
The fact that it allows them to keep over-wintered stubbles in
place is a bonus. "The stubbles help to provide winter food for the
birds, which is one of the big three for birds on all farms."
Grange Farm is contract farmed by neighbouring grower George
Topham. Min-till cultivations are used across the unit, to maximise
returns, and oilseed rape is established by broadcasting it into
standing wheat crops.
Last year's wheat yield was 11.7t/ha, higher than usual. "But we
always get over 10t/ha from our first wheats."
Feed varieties are grown, as the RSPB insists on orange wheat
blossom midge resistance. This year the wheat is Oakley, although
yellow rust may make Dr Bailey reconsider for next year.
"We're seeing orange wheat blossom midge resistance coming
through in new varieties now, so that may give us an opportunity to
add some value to the wheat crop."
Bird populations have flourished since 2001, despite a slight
dip last year, he reports. "Numbers have increased by 119%. Species
such as skylarks, linnets, yellowhammers and reed buntings have all
doubled in numbers, while grey partridges, lapwings and yellow
wagtails have returned - probably due to having some spring
cropping."
Unproductive corners of the farm have been used to create
habitats, with a whole suite of options being employed. Some 3% of
the farm is in pollen and nectar or wild bird seed mixes, largely
sown on the margins.
Sympathetic
hedgerow management, beetle banks, buffer strips and water
features are also used, both to boost wildlife and to demonstrate
their value to visitors.
Not surprisingly, some of the land is used for RSPB trials.
"About 4% is taken up with that work. One of our projects is
finding ways of meeting the hunger gap - the period of time between
February and late April - when food for birds is very scarce on
arable farms. We haven't found the solution yet."
Predator control isn't carried out and numbers have risen, he
admits. "We monitor wildlife all the time, not just the birds at
the top of the chain."
Skylark plots can be found dotted around the farm, at the
advised rate of two per hectare. That means there are 50 such plots
in one 30ha field. "But that only represents 0.04% of the cropped
area," points out Dr Bailey. "They've shown to be very important
for late-season skylark survival."
Grange Farm is proof that bird numbers can be increased with the
right habitats, he suggests. "But it also shows that profitable
farming can take place, too. We've made economic decisions here
which have helped the birds as much as they've helped our bottom
line."