AS WALES grapples with the significant ecological impact of farming practices on its diverse landscapes, a glimmer of hope shines through in the determined efforts of farms like Jordanston near Milford Haven. 

Ninety-per-cent of the land area in Wales is used for farming and agriculture.  According to the National Trust, to maintain viability, farming has become more intensive and much less diverse, and this unfortunately has a negative impact on wildlife and nature.

Jordanston Farm near Milford Haven has been changing their farming practices for 25 years in an attempt to protect the local wildlife. 

The family-run farm grows all their own fodder for the cattle, such as haylage, wheat and barley. They also rent out 20 acres for potato production.

Margaret Richards from Jordanston Farm said: “We joined an environmental scheme around 25 years ago. They offered the opportunity for a member of the scheme to visit the farm and form a bond with the farmers.”

Margaret’s daughter, Jayne, worked for the Tir Gofal team. She believed that environment schemes were of vital importance. However, food production and the existing farming business has to work alongside the schemes.

The Tir Gofal scheme aims to build a rapport with the farm and create a unique plan for each farm to follow to help improve their farm and the environment. 

The scheme members stay in touch with the farm and share good practice. What’s working and what’s needed.

The farm is surrounded by 50 acres of woodland which creates a large wildlife corridor that greatly benefits wildlife on the farm. 

Margaret continued: “We would lay hedges around the fields and during the winter we would leave the soil unsprayed for birds.

“There is now a one metre margin around each field for wildlife.”

Jordanston Farm then joined the Glastir scheme, which was set up by the Welsh Government. 

The Glastir scheme is a farm land management scheme where the members commit to a management plan for a period of five years.

This year, Jordanston Farm is hoping to construct a new green corridor. This will provide a place for animals to be kept during the winter. 

“It’s quite exciting. It is good for the animals and it’s environmentally friendly to build because there’s no carbon.”

Jayne or Margaret said that she has seen the positive changes over the years and her family have enjoyed seeing the benefits from their work.”

“It makes economic sense to make the changes to protect the wildlife.”

Margaret believes that a lot of local farms are doing what they can to help protect the environment. 

“Most farms in the area are doing what they can. They’re ploughing less to reduce carbon, they’re testing the soil. As long as they try, that’s all that matters.”

The National Trust has been working to restore habitats and create nature-friendly farming practices across the region.

The National Trust has been working alongside Trehill Farm in Pembrokeshire after they experienced a limited yield in 2003 on their clifftop fields.

The poor productivity of this coastal strip provided impetus for the farm to manage the land differently.

By working with the natural carrying capacity of the land, the farm reduced input costs whilst also maximising its agri-environment income.

A series of earth banks now run throughout the farm, providing a network of habitat for wildlife, particularly farmland birds. 

Coastal heath, grassland, hedge banks and nature-friendly cereals have been re-established across 70 hectares of coastal belt.  This has helped better protect the adjoining Marloes Mere wetland and waters surrounding the Skomer Marine Nature Reserve against fertiliser and pesticide run-off, said the National Trust.

Earlier this year, Pembrokeshire Agricultural society were searching for Pembrokeshire farmers who could demonstrate their farm’s use of latest technological methods.

They offered the prestigious Baron de Rutzen Award for a farmer who could demonstrate their methods to promote progressive, sustainable agriculture while also needing to show consideration for the environment and habitat sensitivity on their farm.