Improve surface water quality (chemical) - nutrients Reduced phosphorus in water Reduce soil erosion from arable fields Increase soil organic matter on arable land Incorporate crop residues Minimal tillage
Zero tillage
Do not burn crop residues
Include a grass/clover ley during the rotation
Incorporation of FYM into arable land
Reduce soil organic carbon oxidation on arable land Convert grassland to arable (by ploughing)
Zero tillage
Minimal tillage
Drain and cultivate peat soils
Decrease surface run-off / increase infiltration Arable land is left with a rough surface following operations such as ploughing, discing or tine cultivation
Improve soil structure on grassland Undertake mechanical field operations on grassland when the soil is waterlogged
Increase soil organic matter on grassland
Loosen compacted soil layers on grassland
Avoid mechanical field operations on grassland when the soil is waterlogged
Loosen compacted soil layers on arable land Shallow spiking, slitting or subsoiling
Reduce soil compaction Avoid tramlines over winter
Use low ground pressure tyres/wheels on machinery
Zero tillage
Undertake mechanical field operations on arable land when the soil is waterlogged
Avoid mechanical field operations on arable land when the soil is waterlogged
Reduced poaching by livestock Regularly change the position of supplementary feeders
Reduce overflows from livestock water troughs Ball-valves on livestock water troughs are damaged and/or not correctly set
Ensure ball-valves on livestock water troughs are not damaged and are correctly set
Avoid unsuitable supplementary feeding
Reduce livestock stocking rates
Prevent / reduce the creation of flow pathways Avoid tramlines over winter
Tramlines run across slopes where practical not down slopes leading to a watercourse
Cultivate and drill across the slope
Reduce topsoil saturation (waterlogging) Install artificial sub-surface drains
Increase in earthworm population Minimal tillage
Reduce soil compaction Avoid tramlines over winter
Use low ground pressure tyres/wheels on machinery
Zero tillage
Undertake mechanical field operations on arable land when the soil is waterlogged
Avoid mechanical field operations on arable land when the soil is waterlogged
Reduced poaching by livestock Regularly change the position of supplementary feeders
Reduce overflows from livestock water troughs Ball-valves on livestock water troughs are damaged and/or not correctly set
Ensure ball-valves on livestock water troughs are not damaged and are correctly set
Avoid unsuitable supplementary feeding
Reduce livestock stocking rates
Zero tillage
Improve soil structure on arable land Minimal tillage
Zero tillage
Undertake mechanical field operations on arable land when the soil is waterlogged
Loosen compacted soil layers on arable land Shallow spiking, slitting or subsoiling
Avoid mechanical field operations on arable land when the soil is waterlogged
Increase soil organic matter on arable land Incorporate crop residues Minimal tillage
Zero tillage
Do not burn crop residues
Include a grass/clover ley during the rotation
Incorporation of FYM into arable land
Reduce soil organic carbon oxidation on arable land Convert grassland to arable (by ploughing)
Zero tillage
Minimal tillage
Drain and cultivate peat soils
Cover crop after harvest through the winter
Reduce overland flow (by barrier) Minimal tillage
Zero tillage
Create grassed strips within arable fields Create beetle banks
Maintain vegetative cover on fields Undersow crops
Create grassed waterways within arable fields
Convert arable land to extensive grassland
Arable land is sown with a crop within 10 days of having been prepared as a seedbed
Cover crop after harvest through the winter
Over-wintered stubbles
Avoid losses of nutrients from the storage of fertiliser Ensure that your fertiliser store is secure and located more than 10m away from a watercourse and/or drain
Do not use manufactured nitrogen fertiliser
Avoid losses of nutrients from the storage of manure Reduce leaks and losses from manure stores Ensure there is sufficient storage capacity for all the manure that will be produced on the farm
Solid poultry manure used on arable farms that does not have bedding mixed into it is covered with an impermeable material
Do not store manure that can leak effluent in fields
Prevent manure from entering watercourses Reduce the amount of manure washed off fields into watercourses Decrease surface run-off / increase infiltration Arable land is left with a rough surface following operations such as ploughing, discing or tine cultivation
Improve soil structure on grassland Undertake mechanical field operations on grassland when the soil is waterlogged
Increase soil organic matter on grassland
Loosen compacted soil layers on grassland
Avoid mechanical field operations on grassland when the soil is waterlogged
Loosen compacted soil layers on arable land Shallow spiking, slitting or subsoiling
Reduce soil compaction Avoid tramlines over winter
Use low ground pressure tyres/wheels on machinery
Zero tillage
Undertake mechanical field operations on arable land when the soil is waterlogged
Avoid mechanical field operations on arable land when the soil is waterlogged
Reduced poaching by livestock Regularly change the position of supplementary feeders
Reduce overflows from livestock water troughs Ball-valves on livestock water troughs are damaged and/or not correctly set
Ensure ball-valves on livestock water troughs are not damaged and are correctly set
Avoid unsuitable supplementary feeding
Reduce livestock stocking rates
Prevent / reduce the creation of flow pathways Avoid tramlines over winter
Tramlines run across slopes where practical not down slopes leading to a watercourse
Cultivate and drill across the slope
Reduce topsoil saturation (waterlogging) Install artificial sub-surface drains
Increase in earthworm population Minimal tillage
Reduce soil compaction Avoid tramlines over winter
Use low ground pressure tyres/wheels on machinery
Zero tillage
Undertake mechanical field operations on arable land when the soil is waterlogged
Avoid mechanical field operations on arable land when the soil is waterlogged
Reduced poaching by livestock Regularly change the position of supplementary feeders
Reduce overflows from livestock water troughs Ball-valves on livestock water troughs are damaged and/or not correctly set
Ensure ball-valves on livestock water troughs are not damaged and are correctly set
Avoid unsuitable supplementary feeding
Reduce livestock stocking rates
Zero tillage
Improve soil structure on arable land Minimal tillage
Zero tillage
Undertake mechanical field operations on arable land when the soil is waterlogged
Loosen compacted soil layers on arable land Shallow spiking, slitting or subsoiling
Avoid mechanical field operations on arable land when the soil is waterlogged
Increase soil organic matter on arable land Incorporate crop residues Minimal tillage
Zero tillage
Do not burn crop residues
Include a grass/clover ley during the rotation
Incorporation of FYM into arable land
Reduce soil organic carbon oxidation on arable land Convert grassland to arable (by ploughing)
Zero tillage
Minimal tillage
Drain and cultivate peat soils
Cover crop after harvest through the winter
Ensure all stock tracks are well-drained and sited away from watercourses
Locate out-wintered stock and sacrifice areas away from watercourses
Do not store manure in a field liable to flooding or becoming waterlogged
Do not spread fertiliser when the soil is waterlogged, flooded or snow covered or has been frozen for more than 12 hours in the previous 24 hours
Rapid incorporation of FYM and slurry into the soil (24 hours at the latest, preferably within 6 hours of application)
Do not spread manure within 10 metres of surface water
Reduce manure / urine deposition in fields Reduce manure production Increase number of ruminant livestock Convert arable land to extensive grassland
Reduce livestock stocking rates
Reduce the length of the grazing day or grazing season
Restrict livestock access to watercourses
Construct livestock crossings for watercourses regularly used by livestock
Reduced soil erosion from grassland or grazed fields Reduced poaching by livestock Regularly change the position of supplementary feeders
Reduce overflows from livestock water troughs Ball-valves on livestock water troughs are damaged and/or not correctly set
Ensure ball-valves on livestock water troughs are not damaged and are correctly set
Avoid unsuitable supplementary feeding
Reduce livestock stocking rates
Decrease surface run-off / increase infiltration Arable land is left with a rough surface following operations such as ploughing, discing or tine cultivation
Improve soil structure on grassland Undertake mechanical field operations on grassland when the soil is waterlogged
Increase soil organic matter on grassland
Loosen compacted soil layers on grassland
Avoid mechanical field operations on grassland when the soil is waterlogged
Loosen compacted soil layers on arable land Shallow spiking, slitting or subsoiling
Reduce soil compaction Avoid tramlines over winter
Use low ground pressure tyres/wheels on machinery
Zero tillage
Undertake mechanical field operations on arable land when the soil is waterlogged
Avoid mechanical field operations on arable land when the soil is waterlogged
Reduced poaching by livestock Regularly change the position of supplementary feeders
Reduce overflows from livestock water troughs Ball-valves on livestock water troughs are damaged and/or not correctly set
Ensure ball-valves on livestock water troughs are not damaged and are correctly set
Avoid unsuitable supplementary feeding
Reduce livestock stocking rates
Prevent / reduce the creation of flow pathways Avoid tramlines over winter
Tramlines run across slopes where practical not down slopes leading to a watercourse
Cultivate and drill across the slope
Reduce topsoil saturation (waterlogging) Install artificial sub-surface drains
Increase in earthworm population Minimal tillage
Reduce soil compaction Avoid tramlines over winter
Use low ground pressure tyres/wheels on machinery
Zero tillage
Undertake mechanical field operations on arable land when the soil is waterlogged
Avoid mechanical field operations on arable land when the soil is waterlogged
Reduced poaching by livestock Regularly change the position of supplementary feeders
Reduce overflows from livestock water troughs Ball-valves on livestock water troughs are damaged and/or not correctly set
Ensure ball-valves on livestock water troughs are not damaged and are correctly set
Avoid unsuitable supplementary feeding
Reduce livestock stocking rates
Zero tillage
Improve soil structure on arable land Minimal tillage
Zero tillage
Undertake mechanical field operations on arable land when the soil is waterlogged
Loosen compacted soil layers on arable land Shallow spiking, slitting or subsoiling
Avoid mechanical field operations on arable land when the soil is waterlogged
Increase soil organic matter on arable land Incorporate crop residues Minimal tillage
Zero tillage
Do not burn crop residues
Include a grass/clover ley during the rotation
Incorporation of FYM into arable land
Reduce soil organic carbon oxidation on arable land Convert grassland to arable (by ploughing)
Zero tillage
Minimal tillage
Drain and cultivate peat soils
Cover crop after harvest through the winter
Vulnerable river banks protected Restrict livestock access to watercourses
Construct livestock crossings for watercourses regularly used by livestock
Reduce excess soil phosphorus accumulation Increase vegetative uptake of nutrients by arable crops Cover crop after harvest through the winter
Improve soil structure on arable land Minimal tillage
Zero tillage
Undertake mechanical field operations on arable land when the soil is waterlogged
Loosen compacted soil layers on arable land Shallow spiking, slitting or subsoiling
Avoid mechanical field operations on arable land when the soil is waterlogged
Increase soil organic matter on arable land Incorporate crop residues Minimal tillage
Zero tillage
Do not burn crop residues
Include a grass/clover ley during the rotation
Incorporation of FYM into arable land
Reduce soil organic carbon oxidation on arable land Convert grassland to arable (by ploughing)
Zero tillage
Minimal tillage
Drain and cultivate peat soils
Cover crop after harvest through the winter
Improve arable crop establishment Arable land is left with a rough surface following operations such as ploughing, discing or tine cultivation
Improve arable crop nutrition Accurate calculation of nutrient requirements of arable crops
Predict crop nutrient requirements using canopy management or chlorophyll testing
Convert arable land to extensive grassland
Increase vegetative uptake of nutrients by grassland Improve soil structure on grassland Undertake mechanical field operations on grassland when the soil is waterlogged
Increase soil organic matter on grassland
Loosen compacted soil layers on grassland
Avoid mechanical field operations on grassland when the soil is waterlogged
Accurate application of nutrients to grassland Accurate calculation of nutrient requirements of grass/forage crops
Calibrate fertiliser spreader used on grassland
Regular soil nutrient testing on grassland
Accurate spreading of fertiliser on grassland
Accurate calculation of nutrients available in livestock manure used on grassland
Reduce nutrient inputs to grassland Do not use manufactured nitrogen fertiliser
Place limits the amount of nitrogen applied to grassland
Accurate application of nutrients to grassland Accurate calculation of nutrient requirements of grass/forage crops
Calibrate fertiliser spreader used on grassland
Regular soil nutrient testing on grassland
Accurate spreading of fertiliser on grassland
Accurate calculation of nutrients available in livestock manure used on grassland
Reduce nutrient inputs to arable land Place limits the amount of nitrogen applied to arable crops
Do not use manufactured nitrogen fertiliser
Accurate application of nutrients to arable crops Calibrate fertiliser spreader used on arable land
Accurate calculation of nutrients available in livestock manure used on arable crops
Accurate spreading of fertiliser on arable land
Regular soil nutrient testing on arable land
Predict crop nutrient requirements using canopy management or chlorophyll testing
Accurate calculation of nutrient requirements of arable crops
Convert arable land to extensive grassland
Accurate application of nutrients to arable crops Calibrate fertiliser spreader used on arable land
Accurate calculation of nutrients available in livestock manure used on arable crops
Accurate spreading of fertiliser on arable land
Regular soil nutrient testing on arable land
Predict crop nutrient requirements using canopy management or chlorophyll testing
Accurate calculation of nutrient requirements of arable crops
Reduced nitrogen in water Reduce losses of nitrogen fertiliser via surface run-off Prevent manure from entering watercourses Reduce the amount of manure washed off fields into watercourses Decrease surface run-off / increase infiltration Arable land is left with a rough surface following operations such as ploughing, discing or tine cultivation
Improve soil structure on grassland Undertake mechanical field operations on grassland when the soil is waterlogged
Increase soil organic matter on grassland
Loosen compacted soil layers on grassland
Avoid mechanical field operations on grassland when the soil is waterlogged
Loosen compacted soil layers on arable land Shallow spiking, slitting or subsoiling
Reduce soil compaction Avoid tramlines over winter
Use low ground pressure tyres/wheels on machinery
Zero tillage
Undertake mechanical field operations on arable land when the soil is waterlogged
Avoid mechanical field operations on arable land when the soil is waterlogged
Reduced poaching by livestock Regularly change the position of supplementary feeders
Reduce overflows from livestock water troughs Ball-valves on livestock water troughs are damaged and/or not correctly set
Ensure ball-valves on livestock water troughs are not damaged and are correctly set
Avoid unsuitable supplementary feeding
Reduce livestock stocking rates
Prevent / reduce the creation of flow pathways Avoid tramlines over winter
Tramlines run across slopes where practical not down slopes leading to a watercourse
Cultivate and drill across the slope
Reduce topsoil saturation (waterlogging) Install artificial sub-surface drains
Increase in earthworm population Minimal tillage
Reduce soil compaction Avoid tramlines over winter
Use low ground pressure tyres/wheels on machinery
Zero tillage
Undertake mechanical field operations on arable land when the soil is waterlogged
Avoid mechanical field operations on arable land when the soil is waterlogged
Reduced poaching by livestock Regularly change the position of supplementary feeders
Reduce overflows from livestock water troughs Ball-valves on livestock water troughs are damaged and/or not correctly set
Ensure ball-valves on livestock water troughs are not damaged and are correctly set
Avoid unsuitable supplementary feeding
Reduce livestock stocking rates
Zero tillage
Improve soil structure on arable land Minimal tillage
Zero tillage
Undertake mechanical field operations on arable land when the soil is waterlogged
Loosen compacted soil layers on arable land Shallow spiking, slitting or subsoiling
Avoid mechanical field operations on arable land when the soil is waterlogged
Increase soil organic matter on arable land Incorporate crop residues Minimal tillage
Zero tillage
Do not burn crop residues
Include a grass/clover ley during the rotation
Incorporation of FYM into arable land
Reduce soil organic carbon oxidation on arable land Convert grassland to arable (by ploughing)
Zero tillage
Minimal tillage
Drain and cultivate peat soils
Cover crop after harvest through the winter
Ensure all stock tracks are well-drained and sited away from watercourses
Locate out-wintered stock and sacrifice areas away from watercourses
Do not store manure in a field liable to flooding or becoming waterlogged
Do not spread fertiliser when the soil is waterlogged, flooded or snow covered or has been frozen for more than 12 hours in the previous 24 hours
Rapid incorporation of FYM and slurry into the soil (24 hours at the latest, preferably within 6 hours of application)
Do not spread manure within 10 metres of surface water
Reduce manure / urine deposition in fields Reduce manure production Increase number of ruminant livestock Convert arable land to extensive grassland
Reduce livestock stocking rates
Reduce the length of the grazing day or grazing season
Restrict livestock access to watercourses
Construct livestock crossings for watercourses regularly used by livestock
Do not use manufactured nitrogen fertiliser
Do not apply fertiliser to land that has a slope greater than 12 degrees
Avoid losses of nutrients from the storage of fertiliser Ensure that your fertiliser store is secure and located more than 10m away from a watercourse and/or drain
Do not use manufactured nitrogen fertiliser
Avoid losses of nutrients from the storage of manure Reduce leaks and losses from manure stores Ensure there is sufficient storage capacity for all the manure that will be produced on the farm
Solid poultry manure used on arable farms that does not have bedding mixed into it is covered with an impermeable material
Do not store manure that can leak effluent in fields
Avoid direct application of nitrogen fertiliser into water bodies Do not spread fertiliser within 2 metres of surface water
Do not use manufactured nitrogen fertiliser
Use fertiliser spreading equipment with a low spreading trajectory, that is, below 4 metres from the ground