More than 75% of the land in the UK is farmed and thousands of years of agriculture has created a matrix of habitats and a range of resources for different species - known as 'Biodiversity'. Biodiversity is a key word used to describe the variety of life on earth and includes all species of plants and animals, their habitats and the complex interactions that occur between them. High biodiversity indicates a healthy system where different habitats sustain a wide variety of species. We detail solutions that help.

This information has been produced in association with the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust and is part of a national Wildlife Trust pilot project supported by the NFU and funded by Norsk Hydro (UK).

Grassy field margins
Grassy field margins created around the edge of arable fields or permanent pasture, can provide:

• Over-wintering habitat for crop pest predators (hoverflies, spiders) and many other insect species.
• Cover and nesting sites for ground nesting birds (yellowhammer, pheasant).
• A buffer for sensitive habitats (hedgerows, watercourses) from spray drift.
• A reduction in the spread of undesirable weeds into the crop edge.
• Refuge for small mammals (common shrew, field vole), and a good hunting ground for birds or prey (barn owls, kestrel).

Best practice for farmers:

• In arable fields sow a 2 or 6 metre wide field-edge margin with perennial, tussock-forming grasses (eg cocksfoot and timothy).
• Within permanent pasture restrict inputs around the outer 2 or 6 metres of the field.
• It may be necessary to mow the newly created grass margin in the first year to aid establishment.
• Rotational topping/trimming every 2 or 3 years may then be necessary to prevent scrub developing.
• Ideally locate grass margins adjacent to hedgerows - they not only act as a buffer but also provide valuable vegetation at the hedge base.

Hedgerows
Hedgerows or 'linear woodlands' can provide:

• Wildlife corridors across the farm (gatekeeper, butterfly, dormouse).
• Shelter for stock and crops.
• Foods, shelter and nest sites for farmland birds (fieldfare, bullfinch).

Best practice for farmers:

• Where possible cut slow growing hedgerows every other year.
• Ideally trim hedgerows during the winter months (January to February) use set-aside rotations to gain winter access.
• Consider laying or coppicing to thicken-up 'leggy' hedgerows and help create a good stock-proof structure.
• A grassy base or adjacent grass field margin can increase the wildlife value of the hedgerows.

Conservation Headlands
Conservation Headlands - a technique developed by the Game conservancy Trust involving the reduction of inputs around the edge of a cereal crop. This assists broad-leaves plants and ground dwelling insects to re-establish, thus providing:

• Shelter and food for farmland birds (grey partridge, corn bunting).
• Suitable conditions for rare arable wildflowers (pheasant's eye, cornflower and other broad-leaved plants.
• Nectar and pollen for insects including crop pollinators (bumblebees, marbled white butterfly) and crop pest predators (ladybirds).

Best practice for farmers:

• Selectively spray the outer 6 or 12 metres of the crop edge to allow a scattering of broad-leaved plants to grow and insects to colonise.
• The headland is not unsprayed, and grass weeds, cleavers, fungal and virus diseases can be controlled through the targeted application of sprays. Refer to the Game Conservancy Trust guidelines for full details.
• Reduced nitrogen inputs in the headland can discourage competitive grass weed species and benefit arable wildflowers. Care should be taken when choosing the location of conservation headlands - avoid fields where weed infestation may be high.

Beetle banks
Beetle banks are tussocky grass strips that divide larger fields. They can provide:

• Habitats in the centre of the field for crop pest predators (ground beetles) to over-winter and move out into the crop in spring.
• Nesting sites and refuge areas 9grey partridge, harvest mouse) away from potential predators in the field edge.

Best practice for farmers:

• Plough 2 furrows against each other across the field in the same direction as the field is worked (best in fields over 50 acres).
• The field can still be worked as a whole if gaps are left at either end of the bank.
• Sow the bank with perennial, tussock-forming grasses (eg cocksfoot and Timothy).
• Occasional topping may be required to prevent the development of scrub, but care should be taken not to remove the grass tussocks.

Rotational set-aside
Rotational set-aside as part of the set-aside rotation can provide:

• A source of grain and seeds for farmland birds (linnet, chaffinch) and food for mammals (brown hare).
• Abundant insect life attracted by the growth of broad-leaved plants within the stubble (sawflies, bees).
• Undisturbed nesting sites for ground nesting birds (skylark, lapwing).
• A cost-effective break in the cropping rotation.

Best practice for farmers:

• Delay ploughing of rotational Set-aside as late as possible to benefit ground nesting birds - most broods will have fledged by mid-July.
• Utilise access during the Setaside period for boundary management over the winter months.
• In addition, stubbles in a spring cropping rotation are equally valuable.

Non-rotational set-aside
Non-rotational set-aside in one place for more than a year can:

• Act as a buffer or link between existing habitats. Create additional grassland habitat within an arable landscape.
  
• Provide cover and food for farmland birds (corn bunting), small mammals and birds of prey (kestrel).
• Provide opportunities for tree planting and the sowing of game cover crops which offer a valuable food source (greenfinch, brambling).

Best practice for farmers:

• Can be established by natural regeneration or by sowing - a tussocky sward will have greater value than a rye grass mix.
• Can be located in blocks or strips - 10 metre wide strips can be located adjacent to watercourses and ditches. This will act as a buffer and help fulfil LERAP requirements.
• Elsewhere, 20 metre strips can be established- these are most beneficial when sited adjacent to or link natural or existing habitats.
• Up to 10% may be left uncut and a further 25% can be left uncut for up to three years.
• Leave mowing until late July or August to benefit ground-nesting birds.

Farming Matters - The Practical Biodiversity Project

The Wildlife Trusts provide farmers with advice, guidance and support on wildlife issues and grants. The partnership of 46 county Trusts work together to create a better future for wildlife and wild places in Britain. Together with the NFU and Norsk Hydro the Practical Biodiversity Project helps to provide farmers and land managers with information on:

The NFU aims to promote the interests of those within the farming business, encouraging the use of environmentally friendly farming practices and seeks to ensure the long term survival of viable rural communities.

Norsk Hydro is a leading supplier of oil and energy, light metals and fertiliser and recognises the long term importance of caring for the environment.

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