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Know How / Air and water

As part of the transition to a more sustainable future, improving air and water quality is fundamental. New regulations will come into force to reduce ammonia emissions and fertiliser use in the agricultural sector. We look at low-emission farming techniques which can help you become less reliant on inputs that are harmful to the environment.

DAIRY

NFU rejects claims that large dairy farms are bad for nature

Claims that so-called “mega-dairies” pose a disproportionate risk to nature have been rebuffed by farmer representatives, who say farm size alone is not a reliable indicator of environmental performance. The…

ENVIRONMENT

River Wye phosphorus study challenges case for destocking

New farm-level data from the River Wye catchment has challenged assumptions about agricultural phosphorus surpluses, with seven in 10 farms recording a zero or negative balance. The two-year FarmGate Nutrient…

LIVESTOCK

Benefits of heat exchangers for poultry performance

It makes a lot of sense to reuse heat that is present in poultry housing. Warming up the incoming fresh air to provide the necessary ventilation keeps the internal atmosphere…

WEATHER

More water restrictions applied in Scotland despite rain

Water abstraction restrictions have been applied to more Scottish farms in a week that also sees the Scottish government earmark £15m to help communities improve flood resilience. Temporary restrictions on…

ENVIRONMENT

How cluster farmers are delivering for food and nature

It almost goes without saying that “farmer clusters” are a good thing. Groups of farmers working together across swathes of countryside with the common aim of improving habitats and supporting…

AGRICULTURAL TRANSITION

English farmers make progress on water compliance

Thousands of farmers in England are taking action to improve water quality, with new Environment Agency figures showing environmental compliance is moving in the right direction despite significant challenges remaining.…

LIVESTOCK

Free water bowsers on offer from Severn Trent

Livestock farmers in Worcestershire and Gloucestershire are being offered free mobile water bowsers by Severn Trent as pressure grows on farm water supplies during increasingly dry conditions. The water company…

ENVIRONMENT

Droughts and floods: Double challenge for farmers everywhere

Water management is a mounting challenge for farmers everywhere, with climate change ensuring many have experience of both “too much” and “too little”, sometimes in the same season. Nowhere are…

AIR AND WATER

NI Water scheme rewards farmers who reduce water pollution

Farmers operating in the Seagahan catchment in County Armagh are being offered funding to help protect drinking water supplies, retain valuable soil and nutrients, and improve farm sustainability over the…

ENVIRONMENT

8 ways to prepare for tighter rules on water quality

Primarily focused on water companies and signalling a major overhaul of England’s water system, the government’s Water White Paper also targets farmers, pledging to hold them strictly accountable for the…

BUSINESS MANAGEMENT

How to start improving on-farm water quality

Putting resilience measures into a farming business is one of the best ways to protect water, prevent pollution and retain more water in the landscape. With many of the major…