The Wolds Programme delivers a collaborative, geographically focused, farmer engagement initiative focused on sustainability, water management and innovative production methods that encompass both profitability and long-term environmental considerations.

To maximise the impact of our activities, Sustainable Landscapes takes a whole farm approach to sustainability. Working across the entire rotation as production moves from one crop to another, from one farming year to the next, we develop techniques that improve soil quality and structure, whilst improving water quality and biodiversity. These new methods not only improve soil fertility reducing the crop’s fertiliser requirements, but can also hold water up in the soil organic matter, reducing the impact of drought as well as helping with flood attenuation and reducing soil erosion.

To improve soil organic matter, the programme farmers will look to grow cover crops to capture any residual nutrients left in the soil from the previous crop. This will reduce the potential for over-winter leaching into the aquifers, and reduce next year’s fertiliser requirement. These cover crops also draw down CO2 from the atmosphere and help to sequestrate carbon.

We are trialling the technique of companion cropping to further draw down carbon, reduce the crop’s dependence on synthetic nitrogen and improve biodiversity across the whole field. The team are already developing the use of functional field margins, to supercharge biodiversity and provide beneficial insects with natural habitats close to cash crops.

Farmers are exploring ways to reduce chemical fertilisers, improve their overall nitrogen use efficiency, and effectively get better yields from lower inputs, whilst at the same time improving profitability.

The Wolds Programme covers a 10-mile diameter around Kilham. This area is a key aquifer for water collection and latterly abstraction. It is also an important source of water which runs into the River Hull and down towards the city of Hull.