Catchment Sensitive Farming in the White Peak

In 2019 work began in conjunction with Natural England and 6 key White Peak farmers on new approaches that could help further nature recovery on the intensively managed White Peak plateau, particularly adjacent to the Dale-tops. This involved the creation of lightly grazed, tussocky and moderately herb-rich grasslands with scrub and trees on the Dale-edge; “silage margins” as refuge areas around mowing fields; and herbal leys as the potential foundation of a nature friendly farming system. This work has become known as the “White Peak Trials” and is summarised here: White Peak Practical Field Trials: Peak District National Park (opens new window).

More recently, the trials have embedded  the work of Catchment Sensitive Farming, with a specific focus on low/zero artificial nitrogen farming systems underpinned by legume-herb leys and involving the rotation of herbal leys grown primarily for forage with low input cereal crops. These versatile systems allow the production of home grown starch within a range of climatic conditions. Diverse break and cover crops are also expected to play a key role.

The trials are designed to be farmer-driven, leading to field/farm level observational outcomes and demonstration findings, which are disseminated through monthly farm walks, typically hosting groups of 30-40 farmers from the locality and around the UK: Herbal leys in the White Peak (opens new window).