FARMERS, environmental organisations, policymakers and industry experts from a nationwide research platform are discussing their findings at a series of five workshops next month, including one being held at the Game and Wildlife Conservation Trust’s (GWCT) Allerton Project.
DEFRA’s Sustainable Intensification Platform aims to increase farm output and competitiveness while both protecting the countryside and enhancing the environment.
Funded by Defra and the Welsh Government, the platform comprises three linked and transdisciplinary research projects.
They are; Integrated Farm Management for improved economic, environmental and social performance, Opportunities and risks for farming and the environment at landscape scales' and The influence of external drivers and actors on the sustainability and productivity of English and Welsh farming.
At the five workshops, farming enthusiasts will be able to learn about various land management decision support tools, meet and interact with the researchers involved on the research farms and learn about the range of findings across the seven national Platform study sites.
The workshops are taking place at the following locations in October:
Friday 20th - North Wyke, Okehampton, Devon, EX20 2SB
Monday 23rd - Nafferton Farm, Stocksfield, Northumberland, NE43 7XD
Tuesday 24th - GWCT Allerton Project, Loddington, LE7 9XE
Wednesday 25th - Morley, Wymondham, Norfolk, NR18 9DF
Friday 27th - Neuadd Reichel, Bangor University, Bangor, LL57 2TW
“The Allerton Project has played the central role as one of the five research and demonstration farms in Defra’s Sustainable Intensification Research Platform,” said professor Chris Stoate, pictured above, who is giving the talk at Allerton Project where he is head of research.
“The event being held at Loddington on 24 October provides a great opportunity for us to share the results of three years of research, not just at Loddington, but from the platform more widely.
“We will be covering our research on cover crops and minerals in grazed grassland, and broader work at the landscape scale.”
Each workshop is free and runs from 10am to 3pm.
Register here
Notes to editors
The Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust – providing research-led conservation for a thriving countryside. The GWCT is an independent wildlife conservation charity which has carried out scientific research into Britain’s game and wildlife since the 1930s. We advise farmers and landowners on improving wildlife habitats. We employ 22 post-doctoral scientists and 50 other research staff with expertise in areas such as birds, insects, mammals, farming, fish and statistics. We undertake our own research as well as projects funded by contract and grant-aid from Government and private bodies. The Trust is also responsible for a number of Government Biodiversity Action Plan species and is lead partner for grey partridge and joint lead partner for brown hare and black grouse.
For information, contact:
Eleanor Williams
Telephone: 07592 025476
Email: press@gwct.org.uk