Increase farm income Maintain / improve crop yields Crop is not water limited Use trickle irrigation
Use boom irrigation
Use raingun irrigation
Crop is not temperature limited Do not heat greenhouses
Use thermal screens in greenhouses
Reduce air leakage from greenhouses
Plant a vegetative windbreak around greenhouses
Improve thermostatic controls in greenhouses
Improve greenhouse structure/design
Ensure crops are pollinated Maintain (prevent/reverse decline in) population of pollinators Lower exposure of pesticides that are toxic to non-target invertebrates Lower losses of pesticides to terrestrial environments Reduce pesticide losses from hard surfaces Reduce spillages of pesticides Use closed transfer systems
Reduce the number of pesticide applications on non-food crops (incl grass and forage)
Operators are steady on their feet when pouring pesticides directly into a tank, preferably on the ground or a platform at the right height
Replace caps on pesticide containers after rinsing and draining and store them upright in an outer carton
Use a suitable funnel and fill slowly so air can enter while pouring when filling sprayers
Use a fill-level alarm, flow meter or pre-set shut-off valve when filling sprayers
Maintain pesticide equipment to prevent leaks and failures
Reduce the number of pesticide applications on food crops
Do not use synthetic pesticides
Ensure that your pesticide store is secure and located more than 10m away from a watercourse and/or drain
Pesticide stores are capable of retaining spills and leaks
Pesticide handling facilities are located at least 10m away from any watercourses or vulnerable sites
Pesticide handling facilities are located away from existing farmyard flash flood routes, rain water outlets and gutter outfalls
Clean up any spills or splashes of pesticide immediately
Sprayer washings are subject to bioremediation Sprayers are washed on biobeds
Sprayers are washed in the field
Sprayer washings are contained Sprayers are washed in a bunded area and washings are collected
Hard surfaces where pesticides are handled drain into proper sewers or treatment facilities
Reduce pesticide spray drift Increase droplet size of spray Use air-assisted pesticide sprayer
Use tunnel pesticide sprayer
Use shielded pesticide sprayer
Use sensor-equiped pesticide sprayer
Use banded pesticide sprayer
Use spray additives
Use low drift nozzles when applying pesticides
Do not use synthetic pesticides
Reduce the effect of windspeed on drift Reduce the height of the sprayer boom
Reduce the travelling speed of the sprayer
Create a distance barrier between sprayed areas and surrounding environment Use no crop zones
Use no spray zones
Create a physical barrier between sprayed areas and surrounding environment Create an artificial windbreak between sprayed areas and surrounding environment
Use shielded pesticide sprayer
Plant a vegetative windbreak between sprayed areas and surrounding environment
Reduce the amount of synthetic fungicides on non-food crops (incl grass and forage) Reduce pesticide application rates on non-food crops (incl grass and forage)
Do not use synthetic pesticides
Reduce the number of pesticide applications on non-food crops (incl grass and forage)
Use a diverse crop rotation to reduce the incidence of weeds, pests and diseases in non-food crops (incl grass and forage)
Use pest and disease resistant varieties for non-food crops (incl grass and forage)
Use biological control on non-food crops (incl grass and forage)
Use synthetic pesticides on non-food crops (incl grass and forage)
Accurate application of pesticides on non-food crops (incl grass and forage) Regularly calibrate pesticide sprayers used on non-food crops (incl grass and forage)
Reduce the amount of synthetic herbicides on non-food crops (incl grass and forage) Reduce pesticide application rates on non-food crops (incl grass and forage)
Do not use synthetic pesticides
Reduce the number of pesticide applications on non-food crops (incl grass and forage)
Use a diverse crop rotation to reduce the incidence of weeds, pests and diseases in non-food crops (incl grass and forage)
Use mechanical or flame weeding on non-food crops (incl grass and forage)
Use synthetic pesticides on non-food crops (incl grass and forage)
Accurate application of pesticides on non-food crops (incl grass and forage) Regularly calibrate pesticide sprayers used on non-food crops (incl grass and forage)
Reduce the amount of synthetic insecticides on non-food crops (incl grass and forage) Reduce pesticide application rates on non-food crops (incl grass and forage)
Do not use synthetic pesticides
Reduce the number of pesticide applications on non-food crops (incl grass and forage)
Use a diverse crop rotation to reduce the incidence of weeds, pests and diseases in non-food crops (incl grass and forage)
Use pest and disease resistant varieties for non-food crops (incl grass and forage)
Only use pesticides on non-food crops (incl grass and forage) when pest thresholds have been exceeded
Use biological control on non-food crops (incl grass and forage)
Use synthetic pesticides on non-food crops (incl grass and forage)
Accurate application of pesticides on non-food crops (incl grass and forage) Regularly calibrate pesticide sprayers used on non-food crops (incl grass and forage)
Reduce the amount of synthetic herbicides on food crops Reduce pesticide application rates on food crops
Use plant growth regulators (PGRs) on cereal crops
Continuous cropping (monoculture)
Do not use synthetic pesticides
Accurate application of pesticides on food crops Regularly calibrate pesticide sprayers used on food crops
Use synthetic pesticides on food crops
Use mechanical or flame weeding on food crops
Use a diverse crop rotation to reduce the incidence of weeds, pests and diseases in food crops
Reduce the number of pesticide applications on food crops
Reduce the amount of synthetic insecticides on food crops Reduce pesticide application rates on food crops
Continuous cropping (monoculture)
Do not use synthetic pesticides
Accurate application of pesticides on food crops Regularly calibrate pesticide sprayers used on food crops
Use synthetic pesticides on food crops
Use biological control on food crops
Only use pesticides on food crops when pest thresholds have been exceeded
Use pest and disease resistant varieties for food crops
Use a diverse crop rotation to reduce the incidence of weeds, pests and diseases in food crops
Reduce the number of pesticide applications on food crops
Reduce the amount of synthetic fungicides on food crops Reduce pesticide application rates on food crops
Control stem-base diseases
Continuous cropping (monoculture)
Do not use synthetic pesticides
Accurate application of pesticides on food crops Regularly calibrate pesticide sprayers used on food crops
Use synthetic pesticides on food crops
Use biological control on food crops
Use pest and disease resistant varieties for food crops
Use a diverse crop rotation to reduce the incidence of weeds, pests and diseases in food crops
Reduce the number of pesticide applications on food crops
Use pesticide products in accordance with any requirement or condition specified in the approval or in any extension of use or on the label of the product as required by the approval or extension of use
Use pesticides that are not legally approved
Only use legally approved pesticide products
Avoid spraying when crops or weeds are in flower
Use pesticide products that are less toxic to non-target invertebrates
Reduce the incidence of Varroa in bee colonies
Increase pollen and nectar sources Sow 6m wide blocks or strips with a mixture of pollen and nectar rich plants
Use high yielding crop varieties
Reduce lodging in crops Accurate calculation of nutrient requirements of arable crops
Establish a low plant population (less than 200 plants/m2) if drilling early (before October)
Use plant growth regulators (PGRs) on cereal crops
Control stem-base diseases
Reduced excess nitrogen accumulation in arable soils 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
Apply nitrogen in excess of arable crop requirements
Solid poultry manure used on arable farms that does not have bedding mixed into it is covered with an impermeable material
Do not locate field manure heaps on arable land in the same place as an earlier one constructed within the last two years
Do not locate field manure heaps in any single position on arable land for more than 12 consecutive months
Restrict applications of nutrients to arable crops when plant uptake is low
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
Choose a variety with a high standing power score (on the Recommended List) on lodging-prone sites
Reduce damage to crops by pests Use biological control on food crops
Continuous cropping (monoculture)
Use mechanical or flame weeding on non-food crops (incl grass and forage)
Use a diverse crop rotation to reduce the incidence of weeds, pests and diseases in non-food crops (incl grass and forage)
Use synthetic pesticides on non-food crops (incl grass and forage)
Improve arable crop nutrition Accurate calculation of nutrient requirements of arable crops
Predict crop nutrient requirements using canopy management or chlorophyll testing
Use mechanical or flame weeding on food crops
Use synthetic pesticides on food crops
Use pest and disease resistant varieties for food crops
Use a diverse crop rotation to reduce the incidence of weeds, pests and diseases in food crops
Encourage beneficial insects Create 6m uncropped cultivated margins on arable land
Create beetle banks
Reduce crop damage from phytotoxic elements Reduce concentrations of toxic elements within crops Concentrations of potentially toxic elements (PTEs) are kept below maximum permissible limits on arable soils Do not exceed the limits for the average annual rate of addition through sewage sludge of toxic elements on arable soils
Do not use sewage sludge on arable land
Do not use sewage sludge that has not been properly sampled and analysed on arable soils
Do not use sewage sludge on arable soil that has not been properly sampled and analysed
Do not use sewage sludge on arable land where the limits for PTEs have been exceeded or will be exceeded if the sludge is applied
Do not use sewage sludge on arable land
Do not apply sewage sludge to arable soils with a pH of less than 5
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
Improve crop development 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 arable crop nutrition Accurate calculation of nutrient requirements of arable crops
Predict crop nutrient requirements using canopy management or chlorophyll testing
Maintain / improve food quality Improve cereal grain quality Reduce lodging in crops Accurate calculation of nutrient requirements of arable crops
Establish a low plant population (less than 200 plants/m2) if drilling early (before October)
Use plant growth regulators (PGRs) on cereal crops
Control stem-base diseases
Reduced excess nitrogen accumulation in arable soils 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
Apply nitrogen in excess of arable crop requirements
Solid poultry manure used on arable farms that does not have bedding mixed into it is covered with an impermeable material
Do not locate field manure heaps on arable land in the same place as an earlier one constructed within the last two years
Do not locate field manure heaps in any single position on arable land for more than 12 consecutive months
Restrict applications of nutrients to arable crops when plant uptake is low
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
Choose a variety with a high standing power score (on the Recommended List) on lodging-prone sites
Reduce damage to crops by pests Use biological control on food crops
Continuous cropping (monoculture)
Use mechanical or flame weeding on non-food crops (incl grass and forage)
Use a diverse crop rotation to reduce the incidence of weeds, pests and diseases in non-food crops (incl grass and forage)
Use synthetic pesticides on non-food crops (incl grass and forage)
Improve arable crop nutrition Accurate calculation of nutrient requirements of arable crops
Predict crop nutrient requirements using canopy management or chlorophyll testing
Use mechanical or flame weeding on food crops
Use synthetic pesticides on food crops
Use pest and disease resistant varieties for food crops
Use a diverse crop rotation to reduce the incidence of weeds, pests and diseases in food crops
Encourage beneficial insects Create 6m uncropped cultivated margins on arable land
Create beetle banks
Maintain / improve livestock productivity Increase in milk yield per dairy cow
Livestock breeding
Reduce deleterious impacts on livestock Minimise the transmission of livestock diseases Livestock housing, passageways and yards are regularly cleaned
Poultry housing, passageways and yards are regularly cleaned
Reduce contamination of forage/feed with pathogens After slurry/manure application, pasture is not grazed for one month, preferably eight weeks, or until all visible signs of the slurry solids have disappeared
Muckheaps must be fenced off if they are in areas accessible to stock
Visitors to poultry farms pass through adequate disinfection facilities
Notify the relevant authority immediately if you know or suspect that an animal or carcass on the farm is infected with: foot and mouth disease; bluetongue; rinderpest; peste des petits ruminants; swine vesicular disease; epizootic haemorrhagic virus disease of deer; sheep and goat pox; vesicular stomatitis; African swine fever; lumpy skin disease; Rift Valley fever
Pig housing, passageways and yards are regularly cleaned
Incoming pigs are quarantined
Visitors to pig farms pass through adequate disinfection facilities
Incoming livestock are quarantined
Veterinary equipment is maintained and kept clean
Visitors to the farm pass through adequate disinfection facilities
Livestock have individual (or batch) identification
Livestock movements are fully recorded
Livestock health history is fully recorded
Sick or injured livestock are isolated
Pain, injury and disease of livestock is rapidly diagnosed and treated Lighting in livestock housing is adequate to inspect livestock
Veterinary equipment is maintained and kept clean
Surgical operations are carried out by a competent stockman or vet
Sick or injured livestock are isolated
Injured or ill livestock receive immediate attention, including veterinary treatment if required
Livestock are regularly inspected
Prevention of pain, injury and disease to livestock Reduce the incidence of TSEs in livestock Do not feed animal protein, or any feeding stuff that contains animal protein, to ruminants
Do not use fishmeal; blood products; bloodmeal (for feeding to farmed fish); dicalcium phosphate and tricalcium phosphate of animal origin to produce feed for non-ruminants (without authorisation)
Do not feed products containing gelatine from ruminants or processed animal protein to any farmed animals
Livestock are provided with a diet that provides sufficient nutrients (e.g. energy, protein, minerals) to meet the daily demands for maintenance and production
Loading and unloading procedures and techniques minimise distress to pigs
Loading and unloading procedures and techniques minimise distress to livestock
Facilities for loading and unloading livestock for transport are secure and designed avoid injuries
Unfit livestock are not transported
Veterinary equipment is maintained and kept clean
Surgical operations are carried out by a competent stockman or vet
Minimise the transmission of livestock diseases Livestock housing, passageways and yards are regularly cleaned
Poultry housing, passageways and yards are regularly cleaned
Reduce contamination of forage/feed with pathogens After slurry/manure application, pasture is not grazed for one month, preferably eight weeks, or until all visible signs of the slurry solids have disappeared
Muckheaps must be fenced off if they are in areas accessible to stock
Visitors to poultry farms pass through adequate disinfection facilities
Notify the relevant authority immediately if you know or suspect that an animal or carcass on the farm is infected with: foot and mouth disease; bluetongue; rinderpest; peste des petits ruminants; swine vesicular disease; epizootic haemorrhagic virus disease of deer; sheep and goat pox; vesicular stomatitis; African swine fever; lumpy skin disease; Rift Valley fever
Pig housing, passageways and yards are regularly cleaned
Incoming pigs are quarantined
Visitors to pig farms pass through adequate disinfection facilities
Incoming livestock are quarantined
Veterinary equipment is maintained and kept clean
Visitors to the farm pass through adequate disinfection facilities
Livestock have individual (or batch) identification
Livestock movements are fully recorded
Livestock health history is fully recorded
Sick or injured livestock are isolated
Facilities and materials harmful to livestock are inaccessible to livestock
Livestock feed is free from harmful contaminants Livestock feed is stored away from harmful contaminants
Lorries/trucks/loaders and other equipment used to transport and handle poultry feed are kept clean
Poultry feed is stored in conditions that prevent deterioration and contamination
Reduce contamination of forage/feed with pathogens After slurry/manure application, pasture is not grazed for one month, preferably eight weeks, or until all visible signs of the slurry solids have disappeared
Muckheaps must be fenced off if they are in areas accessible to stock
Lorries/trucks/loaders and other equipment used to transport and handle pig feed are kept clean
Reduce contamination of forage/feed with toxic elements Do not graze livestock or harvest forage crops for 3 weeks after applying sewage sludge
Do not use sewage sludge on grassland
Reduce concentrations of toxic elements within forage crops Concentrations of potentially toxic elements (PTEs) are kept below maximum permissible limits on grassland/forage soils Do not use sewage sludge on grassland/forage soil that has not been properly sampled and analysed
Do not use sewage sludge on grassland
Do not exceed the limits for the average annual rate of addition through sewage sludge of toxic elements on grassland/forage soils
Do not use sewage sludge on grassland/forage land where the limits for PTEs have been exceeded or will be exceeded if the sludge is applied
Do not use sewage sludge that has not been properly sampled and analysed on grassland/forage soils
Do not use sewage sludge on grassland
Do not apply sewage sludge to grassland/forage soils with a pH of less than 5
Reduce the spread of injurious plants Prevent the spread of injurous weeds
Pig feed is stored in conditions that prevent deterioration and contamination
Livestock feed is stored in conditions that prevent deterioration and contamination
Lorries/trucks/loaders and other equipment used to transport and handle feed are kept clean
Livestock are regularly inspected
Livestock are provided with sufficient space
Add value to produce Market produce locally
Process produce locally