Agri-environment scheme helps Caithness farm improve its biodiversity
A CAITHNESS farm has improved its biodiversity by planting 24,000 metres of hedgerows and carrying out other environmental improvements.
The work at Sibmister Farm, Murkle, has been carried out over several years as part of the Agri-Environment Climate Scheme (AECS) which provided funding for the project.
The farm, run by the Sutherland family, comprises 700 hectares and is run as a commercial livestock enterprise with 1600 ewes and 400 suckler cows but nearly 40 per cent of it – 275 hectares – is now under environmental management.
The project began with an assessment of the farm including hedgerows, watercourses and species-rich grassland and that helped create a Farm Environment Map which assessed various management options, according to Willie Budge, the senior agricultural consultant for SAC Consulting, part of Scotland’s Rural College (SRUC), who assisted the family with the application and planning process.
He called Sibmister "a great example of schemes complementing existing enterprises".
Stephen Sutherland said a lot of work has gone into improving the biodiversity and habitats through various land management practices.
"When applying for the schemes such as AECS we don’t look to change our farm to fit their frameworks – we look for schemes that can mould into what we’re doing already," he said.
"Over the years we’ve put in a lot of time and effort into improving the biodiversity, and it has been very rewarding. Not only does it contribute to making the farm more efficient and sustainable by providing new habitats, but the hedges provide good shelter for the livestock when weather is harsh."
As well as the hedgerows the Sutherlands have invested in 3.88ha of water margins; 127ha of habitat mosaics; 18ha of wader-grazed grassland for wildlife; 3ha of created species rich grasslands; 1.5ha wild bird seed; over 100ha of mown grassland for wildlife; and 3ha of species-rich grassland.
Although there will not be an Agri-Environment Climate Scheme round this year, Mr Budge says farmers should seek advice on what opportunities are available to improve the sustainability of their farms.
He added: "I would encourage farmers to find out what schemes are out there and assess how they can fit within their existing business. Investing in hedgerows and other environmental management practices is essential to the agri-ecosystem.
"At Sibmister, as the hedgerows have established, the positive impact is already evident with new wildlife and increasing biodiversity."