Helford Farm Project

Cornwall Farming and Wildlife Advisory Group are being funded through the Cycleau Project to deliver advice to farmers throughout the Helford catchment. Advice will focus on issues such as improving soil structure and using different cultivation techniques to minimise soil erosion. Nutrient management will also be advised upon, specifically quantifying the nutrients available to the farmer from manure / slurry and thus matching artificial fertiliser applications more accurately to crop requirements. I also intend to work closely with the bulb and vegetable growers who are renting land in the catchment. Farm visits will entail a walk around the farm with the farmer looking at in-field operations and identifying possible erosion / runoff routes as well as identifying key wildlife habitats and species. A small grant will be available for works such as creating a new hedge as a physical barrier for eroding soil, or putting in new fencing to keep stock out of watercourses (for example). I will be working closely with the EA's monitoring team to establish exactly where there are problem areas, and consequently developing a better understanding of the links between changing land use and water quality.

Contact details: Annabel Keast 01736 740546
annabel.keast@fwag.org.uk.

Extract from HVMCA newsletter No.27 Autumn 2003