Dorset farmers rewarded for ‘restoring nature’ and ‘increasing biodiversity’
Changes to farming subsidies has seen more Dorset farmers actively try to restore nature
Purbeck farmers are making a conscious effort to protect the environment thanks to a new payment scheme.
The government’s Environmental Land Management Schemes has replaced the former European Union's Common Agricultural Policy subsidies.
Now, those who maintain grasslands, improve soil health and increase biodiversity will receive £650 per hectare, up from the £250 previously.
Mark Singleton from The National Trust in Purbeck told us: “Without this change, a lot of our tenants would’ve been struggling but now I think we can give them a long-term sustainable future.
“The land our tenants farm on is grade four or five anyway which is quite unproductive so this scheme means our tenants can earn more money per hectare while delivering on a much larger area.”
The new payment schemes now focus on supporting farmers improve soil health, increase biodiversity and limit climate change.
Farmers are being warned they now need to manage their land differently to benefit from the scheme.
Mark said: “Tenant farmers in Purbeck will no longer be putting artificial inputs, like fertilisers, into the soil or on the land to allow for more diversity and nature to grow.
“We are confident that our project will highlight that there is a future in more sustainable farming methods and getting amazing outcomes for nature.”
The National Trust in Purbeck say its aim is for farmers to produce food while allowing nature to thrive.
Paul Loudoun, the Trust’s tenant at Wilkswood Farm, Langton Matravers, has embraced the changes on his 300 hectares of land.
He tells us he’s reduced his grazing stock to a level that supports wildlife habitats and is also planting native trees such as oak, field maple, and hawthorn from seeds gathered on his farm.
The long-term vision is to create wildlife-rich wood pastures, where grassland, trees and shrubs provide a diverse range of habitats.
Paul has now set up a sustainable way of managing an organic beef herd. He has around 120 Ruby Red cattle, a hardy, outdoor breed which thrives on rough grassland.
He said: “The cattle are completely pasture fed, live outdoors all year and calve in the fields. It’s a simple, natural system, and much more economical than buying in feeds and fertilisers.
“The government payment system enables me to do this as a viable business, supplying the local economy with meat, while creating a place where nature can thrive.”