Lessons learnt from NFFN soil/biodiversity/carbon audit
We have been working on a project with the Nature Friendly Farming Network and Ulster Wildlife Trust to provide a farm baseline audit for soils, biodiversity and carbon. This included a whole farm biodiversity assessment, soil analysis and carbon footprinting using Agrecalc. Below is a summary of what we’ve learned so far and what we intend to do as a result. Still processing much of it and the inter-relationships at play, but below is what I've mulled over so far...
1. Our hedgerows are in generally poor condition and need a change in management away from annual flailing towards more rotational cutting. Many also need regeneration through coppicing and gapping up. We intend to start on this straight away with reduced flailing this year and coppicing a number of escaped hedges. We will also start a process of boundary improvement fencing off hedges…
We haven't ploughed for 5 years. Roundup (i know some frown upon it) and then power harrow. Helps to keep nutrients near the surface and uses much less diesel.