LIMAGRAIN MAKES KEY CONTRIBUTION TO AGRONOMY & BIODIVERSITY SITE
BASF, one of the UK’s major chemical companies, set up an influential ‘best practice’ agronomy and biodiversity site on a commercial farm in Yorkshire back in 1996. Working closely with the Hinchliffe family, who farm at Rawcliffe Bridge, this project has quickly gathered pace over the years. The regular Open Days have now become an important slot in the summer calendar for the many agricultural companies which invite customers to the site.
A few years ago BASF decided to add a new dimension to the trials at Rawcliffe Bridge and as a result Limagrain has been supplying seed for a range of environmental plots. These have been well received and as a further development this year we have set up a ‘Matrix’ to show how specific combinations of crops interact with each other.
Many wild bird species are threatened by a lack of food in the winter months, particularly where winter cropping predominates and overwintered stubbles are not available. The most vulnerable are those that rely heavily on seed food like the corn bunting, skylark, tree sparrow, reed bunting and chaffinch. It was the need to address this problem that prompted BASF to work in partnership with us. By establishing various crops at the site both parties have been able to gain a better understanding on such subjects as the best establishment methods; the best species for specific times of the year and also the individual preferences expressed by different species of bird.
The main Open Days were held between 29th June and 3rd July and by all accounts the site has once again provided the many visitors with an interesting day out – not just to see the demonstration of ten cereal fungicide regimes but also to view the wild bird food crops.
If you would like more information on the programme at Rawcliffe Bridge we can supply a copy of an excellent booklet published by BASF. Just send an e-mail to us (info@limagrain.co.uk) and write “RAWCLIFFE BRIDGE” in the subject box.
July 2009
