Background

The applicant is a dairy farmer milking around 200 cows on a forage-based system, with spring calving and paddock grazing of herbal leys.

The farmer was keen to take action on climate change by sequestering carbon, and had spoken to the AONB during the early stages of FiPL to discuss planting hedgerows for this purpose. The hedges would split the large fields near the farmstead into daily grazing paddocks of around 1Ha each, replacing the existing electric fences. As well as the carbon sequestration, the AONB noted that the project would help biodiversity by providing additional habitat and also provide linkages between existing woods to the north and south. It would also contribute to the visual landscape, which is characterised by relatively small fields divided by hedges or dry-stone walls.

The project was awarded funding based on existing countryside stewardship rates for hedge planting and hedgerow trees. A total of 2km of hedging was proposed with 100 hedgerow trees. The grant award for the project amounted to £24,000.

Objectives

• To sequester carbon by locking it up in above ground woody biomass and the below ground root network.
• To provide scrubby habitat and trees of locally desirable species that would be a source of food and shelter for insects, birds and mammals.
• To provide natural corridors linking between existing woods to the north and south, to aid the movement of wildlife.
• To enhance the landscape by breaking up existing large fields into small pastures in keeping with the local character.

Activity

From November to December 2021 6,000 hedge plants were planted, along with 100 trees, and the necessary fencing / protection secured. All the work was done using the farm’s own staff and equipment.

Outputs/Outcomes

The hedge and trees are in place and ready to grow in spring of 2022. In a few years’ time these will be established and starting to deliver the expected outcomes. The project also provides an excellent example to showcase the FiPL programme and the benefit of hedgerows to other farmers.

Learnings/key to success

• The applicant was able to deliver the project because the works had to be undertaken during the winter months, when the farm was less busy.
• The availability of Countryside Stewardship rates for the elements of the project meant that the costing was straightforward with no need to seek external quotes.
• The time between the application being granted by the AONB and the project needing to start was quite limited, and it wasn’t possible to source all of the desirable hedge species in the time available.