Farmers tackle the phosphate challenge
Excessive levels of phosphate can trigger the growth of algae and excessive weed growth leading to severe drops in dissolved oxygen and major impacts on fish and wildlife. While phosphate levels in our streams and rivers are improving there is still much to do. In 1990 70 per cent of English rivers were assessed at […]
Sheep enjoy first day at work Nyetimber vineyards
After a successful trial in 2011, the seasonal workforce will be employed for the winter months, helping to keep the vineyards tidy. Nyetimber is the first winery in the UK to use sheep to help with vineyard ground management over the winter. Working with local farmer, Chris Hodgkins of Locks Farm, Pulborough,West Sussex, the 250 […]
‘Bootiful’ biogas!
ECF and Bernard Matthews are both based in picturesque, East Anglia – known for its unique turkey heritage. The new plant will be located close to Bernard Matthews’ existing processing site in Holton, Suffolk, and will utilise biogas, to generate electricity for the processing plant solely from waste matter. ECF is becoming well known for […]
Ensuring water availability for crop production
As the demand for natural resources continues to grow, growers need to plan for the potential impacts of factors such as climate change and reform of the water abstraction licensing regime. The pressure on water availability is being felt particularly in East Anglia and the South East due to a combination of climate and population. […]
Biomass is key to the UK’s renewable energy future, says report
The Back Biomass campaign has welcomed an independent report that recommends biomass as a cost-effective way to meet UK renewable energy targets. ‘Knock on wood: is biomass the answer to 2020?’ a report published by Deloitte, suggests biomass could become an increasingly important part of the UK’s energy mix. Paul Thompson, Head of Policy at […]
The ‘Big Three’ needed for the magnificent seven
Farmland is an important habitat for butterflies and a new project The Farmland Butterfly Initiative (FBI), aims to support farmers in managing their land to help seven of the country’s most endangered butterflies The Duke of Burgundy has been reduced to around 100 sites, the High Brown Fritillary has declined to about 50 sites and […]
Ash disease found in Essex and Kent
The confirmation of Chalara in Kent and Essex does not mean the disease has spread since the first case in mature trees was detected in East Anglia. It is believed that the disease in East Anglia might have been present for a number of years, and is likely to have been transmitted by wind from […]
Invasive pests & diseases threatening our trees
Today (1/11/12) Zac Goldsmith MP, in collaboration with the Countryside Restoration Trust (CRT), has tabled an Early Day Motion calling on the Government to set up a ‘Tree Protection Task Force’ which has an enhanced capacity for taking rapid action against pests and diseases that have already breached our borders and the resources for developing […]
Green alternative to generators saves fuel, CO2 and money
The Green Lifestyle Pavilion, run by Just Brilliant Events, was introduced to promote green products and services, but the traditional solution for powering outdoor events – dirty, noisy generators – were somewhat at odds with a sustainable policy. So when Midlands-based Off Grid Energy approached the organisers with a proposal to use energy generated by […]
