52 LARK HALL FARM OCT / NOV 2021 • farmers-mart . co . uk
trace elements . It is saving the farm from buying expensive fertiliser and maintains our soil fertility .’
In addition to embracing renewables and preserving the soils , Daniel has shown commitment to conservation on the farm after recently winning the NFU ’ s hedge competition in recognition for his efforts to establish new hedges on the farm . ‘ I wanted to do my bit and increase biodiversity on the farm as I ’ m passionate about promoting local wildlife . We have planted 350 metres around the farmstead and 300 metres as a new hedge line from the farm entrance at Lark Hall . I already
‘ At Longlands I really wanted to shape up the farm . There were only 5 trees across
the whole acreage when we took it on .’
have plans where to establish the 100 metres of hedge plants from the NFU competition .’
‘ I ’ m also really keen on trees and back in 2018 I worked closely with Caroline Taylor of Thorpe Trees to apply for the Countryside Stewardship Woodland Creation Grant . I wanted to create woodland shelter belts and screenings at Longlands and Lark Hall and grow trees on the less productive areas of arable land . In early 2019 we planted roughly 6000 native tree species including oak , rowan , hornbeam , field maple , silver birch , Scots pine , sycamore , alder , poplar and wild cherry which are already proving beneficial to wildlife .’
‘ At Longlands I really wanted to shape up the farm . There were only 5 trees across the whole acreage when we took it on . I have a real passion for nature , conservation and wildlife and the trees are all growing nicely now despite the droughty conditions we had in the spring over the past two years where we needed to water and replace a few . We ’ re also hoping the new screening of woodland at Lark Hall will help reduce noise pollution as traffic becomes increasingly busier on the main road .’
He says ‘ we are currently applying for our fourth round of Countryside Stewardship . We have selected options that will protect our soil , water and air and farm biodiversity including water course buffer strips and grass margins , over winter stubbles and management of hedgerows . It ’ s got to fit in with our arable operation . Areas difficult to farm or that don ’ t produce yields are ideal ways to level up the farm ’ s income stream and increase biodiversity by growing pollen and nectar mixtures or wild bird seed mixtures . It will be our sixteenth year if we are accepted into the Mid-Tier Stewardship Scheme from 1 January 2022 . This would span 20 years of stewardship running alongside an ever-evolving arable farm .’
‘ With all that we have done , I ’ ve certainly noticed that more birds are using
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