The first measurements of a “pioneering” new environmental baselining pilot for agriculture start this month, with 170 farms from across England, Scotland and Wales taking part.
The near £3m project, first announced in May, aims to measure the environmental impact of farms across Great Britain. It is being led by AHDB, with support from Quality meat Scotland.
Specialists Bluesky will be carrying out laser-based LiDAR scanning using a plane or drone which will be used to estimate above-ground carbon stocks and provide run-off water maps.
Involving Beef, Lamb, Dairy, Pork, cereals and oilseeds producers farming on a wide range of soil types and landscapes, the final 170 represent the diversity within British farming, AHDB said. The levy board is investing £2.5m in the pilot and QMS is part-funding the activity in Scotland, with an investment of £375,000.
AHDB’s long-term vision is to create a nationwide standardised dataset across the beef and lamb, cereals and oilseeds, dairy and pork sectors that brings integrity to the industry and enables more accurate reporting of emissions and the environmental impact of agriculture.
“We are pleased to have confirmed the 170 farms, out of 500 that applied to be part of the project,” said AHDB environment director Chris Gooderham. “The start of LiDAR measurements marks an important first step of the pilot in beginning to understand the environmental credential of the farms taking part.”
Further measurements to build the environmental picture of participating farms will continue in 2025 and will include soil carbon and nutrient testing, alongside a carbon audit.
“We applied to be a baselining farm because we are keen to put an actual number on the amount of carbon that our farm stores,” said Sam Ward from producer Lincolnshire Pork Co.
“Being a pig business, we know our emissions are likely to be positive, but we are on the journey to reducing our emissions and this baselining is a key part of that. We hope to get in depth measurements about our farm’s carbon sink, and to identify a road map going forwards of what more we can do as a business.”
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