The Farmers Mart Feb/Mar 2015 - Issue 38 | Page 33
Arable
Farmers urged to plant trees
& prevent profit erosion
»»Around 2.2m tonnes of topsoil
are eroded annually in the UK, costing an
estimated £200m a year to the industry as
a result of having to repeat practices. Now
farmers are being encouraged to plant
trees on their land as part of the solution to
water and wind erosion.
At the recent Oxford Farming
Conference, The Woodland Trust and Soil
Association highlighted to farmers how
long-term soil management plans – that
incorporate tree planting – can improve the
viability and productivity of their farming
systems.
Soil Scientist, Professor Mark Kibblewhite,
said: “Organic matter in the UK’s soils is
declining, while compaction and erosion
are widespread. A shelter belt or hedge can
improve water infiltration rates of compacted
soil by 60 times within three years of being
planted. Hedges help to control soil erosion
by water and by wind and are important
infrastructure for soil management.”
Nuffield Scholar and Director of
Abacus Agriculture, Stephen Briggs,
discussed how trees have not only
lowered erosion on his farm, but also
allowed him to produce income-earning
crops for longer times throughout the
year. He said: “Since integrating apple
trees in rows within my arable rotation
of wheat, barley, clover and vegetables,
my farm has established the largest
agroforestry system in the UK. What’s
great is only eight percent of the land
area has been used for tree planting –
meaning 92 percent of land is still seeing
an economic return from cereal crop
production.”
Beccy Speight, Woodland Trust
Chief Executive, said: “There’s been a
growing interest among farmers about
soil erosion and how this can affect the
productivity of their farms. We’re keen to
demonstrate how trees can protect this
precious resource, while offering other
benefits, such as shelter for livestock,
pollution abatement and wood fuel.”
Helen Browning, Soil Association Chief
Executive, said: “2015 is the International
year of Soil and this is a great opportunity
to focus attention on this vital but neglected
issue. “
Find out more about the advice and
support available to farmers and
landowners from the Woodland Trust,
call 0845 293 5689 or email
[email protected]
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www.farmers-mart.co.uk Feb/Mar 2015 33