The survey was carried out on topics deemed relevant to modern farming and has provided a range of results which give a picture of UK farming as a whole in 2011.
Defra said that this year’s survey has largely focused on issues surrounding greenhouse gas mitigation. The survey was sent to 6,000 holdings, which were targeted by farm type and size to ensure a representative sample. The survey is voluntary and the response rate was 59%. Some of the key findings are outlined below:
Nutrient management
This year, 62% of farmers indicated that they have completed a nutrient management plan for their holding. This is an increase from 46% in 2006. Of those people which had a nutrient management plan, 44% refer to it at least five times in a year. Around 43% of holdings have seen a financial benefit and 30% have seen an environmental benefit.
Anaerobic digestion
Over 70% of holdings have heard of anaerobic digestion as a method of composting biodegradable waste. Of these, around 1% already process waste by this method and 3% plan to in the future.
Climate change adaptation
Almost 50% of farmers think that climate change will have an affect their business within a decade and 4% are currently seeking advice about this. Around 15% of holdings are already taking advantage of longer growing seasons, while 29% are currently adapting to the threat of pests and diseases.
Fertiliser spreaders
Approximately 83% of holdings spreading nitrogen based fertilisers on their grassland or crops own at least one fertiliser spreader; the rest use contractors. The average age of fertiliser spreaders is 8 years old.
Manure and slurry storage
Almost half of the holdings contacted with livestock have storage facilities for solid manure on a solid base, while two thirds can store it in temporary heaps in fields. The Slurry tank is the most popular storage facility. The majority of manure and slurry stores are uncovered and the average age of stores is 15 years old.
Farm health planning and biosecurity
This year, 71% of holdings with livestock indicated they had a farm health plan and of these, 41% routinely review and use the plan to inform disease management decisions. Over 60% of livestock farmers always follow biosecurity measures that are in place on their farm.
Grassland
Around three quarters of livestock farmers with temporary grassland have sown some or all of their temporary grassland with a clover mix. High sugar grasses have been sown on 60% of holdings with temporary grassland.
Cattle and sheep feeding regimes and breeding practices
In 2011 three quarters of cattle and sheep farmers indicated they use a ration formulation programme or nutritional advice from an expert when planning the feeding regime of their livestock. Almost a quarter of farmers with dairy cattle always use bulls with a high Profitable Lifetime Index when breeding dairy cows.
“Metal theft is a massive problem in rural communities,” he said. “Farmers have had people go on to their land and ask for scrap – often it’s an excuse to come on to farms and steal.
Landowners across Yorkshire have pledged to improve farm safety records.
One of the possible factors causing the increase in rural crime is that levels of urban crime are successfully being combated. John Palfrey, the officer for rural and environmental crime for Gloucestershire Constabulary said, “There is no doubt that criminals are now turning increasingly to farms to provide their illicit gains,” he says. “Farms, by their very nature, are usually some distance apart, relatively isolated and usually present easy pickings for thieves.”
