potato production

A better environment for business

Environmental guidance for

Environmental Guidance for Potato ProductionThe Water Framework Directive and cross-compliance mean there are more reasons to ensure potato production is environmentally sustainable. This updated guide aims to highlight best practice in potato production, enabling growers to manage the environmental risks and maximise the opportunities of their industry.

Against a backdrop of consumers who are increasingly interested in the source of their food, those who can demonstrate they are working harmoniously with the environment may find this offers greater marketing and production benefits.

The updated guide covers new developments such as, Campaign for the Farmed Environment1

and the recent changes to the Soil Protection Review2 and Environmental Stewardship3.

The potato sector presents its own individual diffuse water pollution risks on account of soil structural issues and the use of specific pesticides and nutrients. The booklet provides guidance as to which planning-tools and management options are effective in reducing these risks, as well as signposting which options can be funded under Environmental Stewardship.

The Potato Council has worked closely with FWAG and England Catchment Sensitive Farming Delivery Initiative to ensure this guide gives potato growers the practical guidance to realise the opportunities and stay within the limits of the new environmental framework. It also addresses many of issues that are being developed to ensure the potato industry is well equipped to face the challenges of the future.

Chris Steele, Potato Council

Foreword

2

Land selection

Soil Management in Potato Production

Meeting Regulations

Protecting the environment

Resource Management Planning

Supporting biodiversity in the growing crop

Checklist & further information

Contents Page

3

4

5

6 & 7

8 & 9

10 & 11

12

A number of factors must be considered when selecting land for potato growing. These

include a field-by-field assessment of the following:

A field risk assessment of soil and water risk (see next page)

The management and conservation of existing habitat

The protection of archaeological features.

GrasslandSemi-improved grassland should not be selected for potato growing. This grassland is an extremely important habitat for a wide range of species and is becoming increasingly scarce in some parts of the UK.

The UK is committed to retaining its areas of permanent pasture under EU legislation. Any ploughing of permanent pasture or semi improved grassland will require an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA)4.

Uncropped areasAny un-cropped areas can be of high biodiversity value. Options under the Campaign for the Farmed Environment and Environmental Stewardship can be used to retain these habitats and more detail is contained in the tables at the rear of this guide.

Priority should be given to maximising the biodiversity potential of:

Land previously managed as long term set-aside

Field margins

Mid-field breaks e.g. beetle banks and wild bird cover strips

Field BoundariesHedges, walls, ditches and tracks provide excellent habitats for wildlife. The wildlife value of these boundary-features can be further enhanced by adding buffer strips.

The height of hedges and frequency of cutting can be managed to provide a range of different habitats across the farm. This is to meet the nesting and feeding requirements of birdlife. Where there is a risk of wind erosion, the planting and correct maintenance of hedges can serve to mitigate this risk.

ArchaeologyWhen selecting fields for growing potatoes, be aware that the site will require deeper cultivation than for other crops. This can result in the disturbance of undiscovered archaeology, where an important piece of history can be lost or irreparably damaged.

Prior to undertaking any cultivation, first check the land itself for any distinguishing features which may be of archaeological interest. Other resources available to you are maps, records and local knowledge. If necessary, seek advice from a Local Authority archaeologist.

A range of management options for the protection of archaeology exist within Environmental Stewardship.

Land selection

3

Management control

‘Split crop’ the field to reduce catchment size. Disrupt tramlines & avoid working up-and-down slope.Leave roadside headland unplanted and deep cultivate to capture any field run off. Consider moving gateway.

Manage cultivations to avoid creating too fine a tilth and utilise a depressional roller behind planter.Leave uncropped margin on headland adjacent to properties and deep cultivate to capture any field run off.

Install tied ridges to capture irrigation water.Leave unplanted headland and establish a grass margin next to watercourse. Disrupt tramlines to break up flow.

Soil erosion riskA Field Risk Assessment should be undertaken for each field prior to cropping with potatoes. This is to reduce the risk of run-off and erosion, which could impact upon nearby watercourses, roads, tracks or wildlife sites.

Soil run off and erosion are harmful because of sedimentation of water bodies, as well as nitrates, phosphates, pesticides and other chemicals that are carried on soil particles. This can affect both water quality and biodiversity in water bodies e.g. by causing eutrophication or smothering fish spawn.

The risk of soil erosion / run-off occurring will vary according to the field’s soil type and slope (steepness & direction). The impact of these processes will depend on the presence of a receptor (watercourse,

important habitat, road or properties). Once a field risk has been determined, then appropriate control measures can be planned.

Many of these control measures feature in the SPS Cross Compliance Guidance for Soil Management (2010 edition), however additional guidance is also available from:

* The Environment Agency’s Think Soils manual5

www.environment-agency.gov.uk

Tel.: 08708 506 506

* The England Catchment Sensitive Farming

Delivery Initiative6

* Potato Council’s Soil Management for

Potatoes7

Soil Management in Potato Production

4

Example Field Risk Assessment

Risk

Potato drills are at risk of channelling run off towards gateway and onto road.

Field susceptible to capping following rainfall/irrigation.

Risk of run off following irrigation.

Characteristic

Long uninterrupted gentle slope towards roadside gateway.

Sandy silt loam and slight slope in direction of properties.

Light sandy soil with moderate slope in direction of watercourse.

Field reference

Top Meadow

Park field

Bottom Meadow

5

Soil Protection The management of soils to reduce erosion and run off is a Cross Compliance requirement under the Single Payment Scheme (SPS). The latest editions of the Cross Compliance Guidance and Soil Protection Review (SPR) came into effect on the 1st January 2010.

It is quite common for potatoes to be produced on short-term tenancy, or temporary occupation agreements. As a result, it is strongly recommended that growers refer to the Soil Protection Review, to ensure continuity of land management practices. This will avoid any potential breaches of cross compliance.

In many cases, the completion of an individual Field Risk Assessment will help identify additional land-management control measures. If needed, this might go above and beyond the requirements of cross compliance.

Nitrate Vulnerable Zones (NVZ)8

The most recent review of the NVZ action programme requires growers to produce a nitrogen plan for potatoes produced within NVZ designated areas. They should also maintain comprehensive records of nitrates applied from organic manures and fertilisers. Potato crops are now also subject to an N – Max limit of 270kg/N/ha.

Agricultural WasteWe currently operate under waste regulations which came into force in May 20069. These introduced a framework of licensing and other requirements for the management of on-farm waste. The regulation includes prohibiting the use of farm tips, places restrictions on the burning of wastes in the open and requires growers to abide by a “Duty of Care”.

Waste from store At various times, growers may have potatoes which require disposal from store. The waste regulations allow for growers to register an exemption, should they wish to deposit plant material at the place of production (e.g. to rot down potatoes). This exemption will be subject to various conditions, to include the following:

any potato dump is kept separate from any site where any other plant tissue waste is deposited and there is no more than 250 cubic metres (tonnes) in any one deposit;

no dumping occurs on land which is frozen hard or snow-covered; waterlogged or flooded; or less than 10 m from a watercourse or 50m from a spring, well or borehole; and

the disposal is carried out in accordance with any requirement of the Nitrate Vulnerable Zones

Regulations 2008.

More information on the management of agricultural waste including how to apply for an exemption license is available from the Environment Agency: www.environment-agency.gov.uk Tel.: 08708 506 506.

Meeting Regulations

*

*

*

The Field Risk Assessment can be used to identify specific

management measures to control the pollution risk at source, slow

the pathway of a pollutant and protect the receptor, which could be

damaged by the pollutant

Protecting the environment

6

Receptor (watercourse, important

habitat, road or properties)

Pathway (Direction of planting, Tramlines, Wheelings,

access tracks)

Source (Field site characteristics – soil type, soil structure

and slope)

Environmental Stewardship and CFE offer you the opportunity to

install fixed measures over the longer term. These measures can

help manage run off/erosion pathways and also buffer receptors.

When multiplied across a number of farms, the adoption of these

measures will potentially deliver the desired improvements on a

catchment scale and reduce the need for further regulation and

statutory land-management controls.

The tables opposite are examples of some Environmental

Stewardship and CFE options that can deliver both environmental

and financial benefits on farm.

Tackle the source Slow the pathway Protect the receptor

7

Resource protection value

Strategic placement of this option may help reduce the movement of sediment, nutrients and pesticides by wind and water erosion.

Placed across field slopes, beetle banks can be used to reduce run-off and erosion provided that they do not channel water and exacerbate a catchment problem.

Grassing natural drainage pathways (e.g. valley bottoms) will help to reduce the channelling of run-off to minimise soil wash, rills and gullies, which lead to soil, nutrient and pesticides losses.

Pathway control

ELS/OELS points

400/500 per ha

580/750 per ha

350 per ha

Option description

Management of field corners: Establish or maintain a tussocky grass field corner either by sowing or through natural regeneration. Trees can also be established.

Beetle banks: Create an earth bank between 2 – 4m wide, 0.4 m high and sow with a mixture of perennial and tussocky forming grasses

In-field grass strips: Establish or maintain either by sowing or through natural regeneration a within field tussocky grass strip of 10 metres minimum width.

ELS code

EF1/OF1

EF7/OF7

EJ5/OJ5

CFE code

C7b

C2

Resource protection value

Cover crops will help reduce nitrate leaching on light sandy soils.Over winter cover crops may provide protection against soil erosion and loss of pollutants carried in surface run off water.

Tackling the source

Option description

Winter cover crops*: Drill or broadcast a quick growing cover crop e.g. rye, vetch, phacelia, mustard. (Establish by 15th September and destroy late January/ early February immediately prior to establishment of spring crop

ELS code

EJ13/OJ13

* this option may not be suitable for all farms due to ELS agreement soil type restrictions and cropping rotations. In these situations the appropriate measures outlined under the SPR or those identified under the Soil Management Plan should prevail.

ELS/OELS points

65 per ha

CFE code

C7b

Resource protection value

Strategic placement of this option can reduce the movement of sediment, nutrients and pesticides by wind and water erosion.

Ideally the buffer strip will protect adjacent watercourses by intercepting and removing sediment, organic materials, nutrients and chemicals carried in run off.

ELS/OELS points

400/500 per ha

400 per ha

Option description

6 metre buffer strip on cultivated land next to a watercourse:Establish or maintain a tussocky grass field margin either by sowing or through natural regeneration.

12 metre buffer strip on cultivated land next to a watercourse:Establish or maintain a tussocky grass field margin either by sowing or through natural regeneration.Width of strip may vary from 12 – 24 metres in width.

ELS code

EE9/OE9

EJ9/OJ9

CFE code

C1

Protecting the receptor

Management Plans are a requirement of many production protocols and can also serve as tools

of best practice. These include plans for Nutrient management, Manure management, Crop

Protection and Irrigation.

Implementing these plans will not only provide you with environmental benefits; they can also

deliver cost savings through the more efficient usage of resources.

Resource Management Planning

8

Fertiliser applications should meet anticipated crop nutrient requirements, taking account of soil nutrient reserves and applied organic manures. Not only does this maximise the economic value of the crop but it also helps minimise the environmental impact.

Updated in 2010, the RB209 manual10 provides revised nutrient recommendations which are crop-specific. The recommendations for potatoes have been updated and are also included in the revised Potato Council guide ‘Crop nutrition for potatoes’.

RB209 Nutrient recommendations form the basis of the nutrient-budgeting software, PLANET 3

(2010)11. These recommendations are also incorporated into other farm-management programmes.

The crop nutrient recommendations contained within RB209 can also be used in the paper-based nutrient management plan ‘Tried & Tested’12, supported by the Industry (AIC, CLA, FWAG, LEAF and NFU) and the England Catchment Sensitive Farming Delivery Initiative (ECSFDI)

PLANET and Tried & Tested are available free of charge and approved for use under the 2008 Nitrate Vulnerable Zone (NVZ) compliance programme.

Nutrient Management Plan

9

Optimum organic manure applications seek to maximise nutrient capture by the crop and minimise losses to the environment. MANNER13 is a computer software tool to calculate the availability of manure nitrogen to crop. This can be used in advance of applying manure to check the likely effect of a spreading policy using manure application details and weather data.

When spreading manures and slurries, a Manure-

spreading Risk Map should be prepared for each field to assess pollution risks. This determines the suitability of organic manure applications, recording relevant features such as the direction of slopes and the location of watercourses and boreholes.

An example of this can be the marking of ‘no-spread zones’ on a map, where risk of slurry run-off is high, and where application methods and rates will need adjusting to minimise potential losses.

Manure Management Plan

The control of pests, diseases and weeds will protect both crop yield and quality. Correct usage of pesticides should be economically viable and minimise any non-target effects on the environment. A BASIS certified adviser should be used for guidance and recommendations on pesticide use.

The risk of pesticides contaminating water depends on a number of factors. These include your product choice, dose rate and drain flow. Weather conditions at both the time of spraying and after application are crucial, as is your sprayer set-up and proximity/connectivity to local water bodies. This is especially the case where there is risk of soil loss, with pesticides attached to soil particles.

The Voluntary Initiative (VI) Crop Protection Management Plan14 provides a decision tree that highlights the following key considerations for the use of pesticides in potato crops:

Target the use of insecticides and fungicides to meet actual pest and disease risk

When selecting pesticides take full account of potential impact on vulnerable watercourses and species in vicinity of the crop.

Manage rotations and variety choice to reduce reliance upon nematicides.

Monitor slug populations and apply treatments, particularly metaldehyde based products, in accordance with “Pelletwise” guidelines.

Crop Protection Management Plan

*

*

*

*

Many potato crops require irrigation to maximise yield and quality. Care should be taken to ensure that water applications do not have an adverse environmental impact. Guidance based upon trials funded by levy payers on the efficient and effective use of water to support potato production is available from the Potato Council15.

The following environmental considerations should also form part of a farm water management plan:

Use a recognised programme to schedule the amount and timing of irrigation applications (do not rely upon crop inspection and judgement)

Manage application rates to avoid run-off and soil erosion linked to filtration capacity of different soils and slopes

Maximise the use of “Tied Ridges” on sloping fields to maximise water capture and infiltration.

On suitable soils use a depressional roller to prevent capping and improve water infiltration.

Maintain all irrigation equipment to minimise leakages

As part of the field risk assessment ensure there are uncropped areas/grass buffer strips at the base of slopes to slow and catch water, should any run-off occur.

Manage water extraction to maximise benefit and minimise the impact on biodiversity and habitats.

Buffer in-field ponds and watercourses (This a points scoring option under Environmental Stewardship and a voluntary measure in CFE).

Irrigation / Water Management Plans

*

*

*

*

*

*

*

*

EB1:

ED2:

ED3:

EE3:

EE8:

EF1:

EF4:

EF7:

EJ1:

EK3:

Hedgerow management

Take archaeological features currently on cultivated land out of cultivation

Reduce cultivation depth on land where there are archaeological features

Buffer strips on cultivated land

Buffering in-field ponds in improved permanent pasture and arable land

Field corner management

Nectar flower mixture

Beetle banks

Management of high erosion risk cultivated land

Permanent grassland with very low inputs

ELS Management Options Key:

EE3

ED3

EE8EK3

EJ1

EB1

EF7

EF1

ED2

Environmental Stewardship has been on offer since 2005 and is

designed to encourage farmers and landowners to deliver simple and

effective environmental management, extending beyond Single Farm

Payment Cross Compliance.

Entry Level Stewardship (ELS),Organic Entry Level Stewardship (OELS),

the new Uplands Entry Level Stewardship (UELS) and Higher Level

Stewardship (HLS) all offer opportunities for potato growers to make

further environmental improvements.

Potato producers can use Environmental Stewardship to protect soil and

water and other environmental features on their farm, including wildlife

habitats and archaeological features.

Entering or retaining an ELS agreement on farm can deliver a useful

source of core income from land that is less productive. It can also help

to fulfil the requirements of some legislation and ensure that production

protocols are met in a cost effective way.

A well-planned agreement that is effectively managed and contains the

right options in the right location, can be a great benefit to your farm and

biodiversity. The agreement will also serve to reduce water pollution

and contribute to the aims of CFE.

Supporting biodiversity in the growing crop

EF4

10

Existing habitat

Sterile area

Scrub, non productive grassland, farm

ponds, woodland, orchards

TracksDitchesHedges

Shelterbelts

Buffer stripsBeetlebanks

Mid-field grass strips

Field cornersGame strips

Environmental Stewardship

No

No

Yes ELS option….

Yes ELS option….

No but practical

Yes ELS/HLS option….

Yes ELS option….

Yes ELS option…

Yes potential HLS option

Proposed management

Continue with existing management to meet farm hygiene requirements

Avoid excessive mowing/strimming and use of herbicides. Minimise disturbance of pond margins. Consider enhancing grassland with wild flowers. Establish shallow scrapes next

to ponds and wet ditches.

Avoid excessive mowing/strimming

Manage hedge trimming policy to provide nesting and feeding sites.

Target herbicides for specific weed problems

Avoid run-off being channelled in to ditches and tracks, using hedges, bunds, non-crop areas, or divert using cross-drains on farm tracks or reduction of

compaction/runoff sources.

Establish buffers strips next to ditches and watercourses.

Take field corners out of production and establish flower and nectar mix

Manage game strips to include wild bird seed mixtures.

Revert non productive field areas to grassland.

KEY Store and grading buildings

Zone 1: Sterile zone to meet hygiene requirements

Zone 2: Non-productive area between sterile zone and agricultural land

Zone 4: Wildlife corridors linked to wider countryside(initiated & managedunder Environmental Stewardship)

Zone 3: Habitat links across the farm

Coppice/orchards

Shelterbelt

Ditch Rainwater collection area

(filtration area)

Buffer strips by watercourse andponds

Earth bank

Field margins

Hedge & tree planting

Mid-field strip(beetle bank)

Zone creation

Species

Possibly small mammals e.g. mice

Barn owls,Bats,

Small mammals,Insects

Amphibians

Bats,Small mammals,

InsectsAmphibians

Bats,Small mammals,

InsectsAmphibians

Zone

Zone 1

Zone 2

Zone 3

Zone 4

Area/usage

Potato store and immediate environs

Non productive land between

sterile area and field boundaries

Farm Corridors

Within fieldoptions

Wildlife does not respect field or farm boundaries, so the potato crop should not be considered in isolation but rather as a habitat zone that can be linked by corridors. The table below provides examples of the different habitat zones that exist on most farms and how they can be managed and linked for the benefit of wildlife.

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A better environment for businessA better environment for business

This guidance has been produced for use by potato growers by FWAG, with support from the England Catchment Sensitive Farming Delivery Initiative (ECSFDI) and the Potato Council. Whilst we have endeavoured to ensure the accuracy of this guidance, we cannot accept any responsibility or liability for its use.

For further information please contact:

FWAG HQ

Stoneleigh Park, Kenilworth,

Warwickshire CV8 2RX

Tel: 02476 696 699

Email: info@fwag.org.uk

www.fwag.org.ukProduced in collaboration with:

Action

Reassess land base to identify alternative fields.

For details on how to complete an EIA contact the Natural England Helpline on 0800 028 2140 or email: eia.england@naturalengland.org.uk

Install appropriate management options as outlined on pages 8 & 9, to buffer habitats and protect watercourses.

Reassess land base to identify alternative fields

Contact local Historic Records Service (Normally held by the local County Council or Unitary Authority).

Undertake an individual Field Risk Assessment and install appropriate management measures to minimise the impact from field run off.

Refer to the Cross Compliance Guidance for Soil Management booklet on appropriate protection measures.

Refer to the Environment Agency ThinkSoils manual to assist with the identification of compaction.Refer to the Potato Councils guidance booklet on Soil Management

Check the Soil Protection Review and ensure the land use measures are implemented.

Review the success of these measures and update the SPR accordingly.

Record any planned post harvest management measures

Check the location of land in respect of NVZ designation www.magic.gov.uk

Utilise the latest version of RB209 to calculate crop Nitrogen requirements and ensure appropriate records relating to fertiliser and organic manure applications are maintained.

Apply to the Environment Agency for appropriate licenses or exemptions. http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/

Ensure any waste potato disposals take place in accordance with EA license conditions.

Prepare a Nutrient Management PlanRefer to guidance on PLANET or “Tried and Tested”

Prepare a Manure Management Plan

Contact the Voluntary Initiative: www.voluntaryinitiative.org.uk

Contact FWAG for details on how to prepare a plan:www.fwag.org.uk

Subject

Land selection

Are you planning to grow potatoes on any permanent or semi improved grassland?

If there is no suitable alternative landbase have you undertaken an Environmental Impact assessment (EIA)?

Are measures in place to protect local habitats?

Are there any known archaeological features in the field likely to be disturbed by cultivations?

Soil Erosion Risk

Is the field at risk of generating soil erosion or run off?

Is the field at risk from wind erosion?

Do you have a plan for addressing soil compaction issues?

Meeting regulations

Soil Protection Review (SPR)

Nitrate Vulnerable Zones

Agriculture Waste

Are waste potatoes deposited on farm?

Resource Management Planning

Are all fertilisers applied as part of a recognised farm plan prepared by a FACTS accredited advisor?

Are all manures applied as part of a recognised farm plan?

Does the farm have a Crop Protection Management Plan prepared by a BASIS accredited advisor.

If abstracting water for irrigation purposes have you prepared an environmental assessment for the abstraction zone?

Delete asappropriate

YES/NO

YES/NO

YES/NO

YES/NO

YES/NO

YES/NO

YES/NO

N/A

N/A

YES/NO

YES/NO

YES/NO

YES/NO

YES/NO

Response

YES

NO

NO

YES

UNSURE

YES

YES

YES

N/A

N/A

YES

NO

NO

NO

NO

13

Environmental Planning Checklist

14

For further information, advice or guidance on any of the topics covered in this guide, please contact the appropriate organisation shown below.

Farming & Wildlife Advisory Group: www.fwag.org.uk Tel: 02476 69 66 99

(1) Campaign for the Farmed Environment (CFE): www.cfeonline.org.uk

(2) Single Payment Scheme, Cross Compliance and Soil Protection Review 2010: www.rpa.gov.uk/rpa/index.nsf/home

(3) Environmental Stewardship (ES): www.naturalengland.org.uk/ourwork/farming/funding/es/

(4) Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA): www.naturalengland.org.uk/ourwork/regulation/eia/

(5) The Environment Agency’s Think Soils manual: www.environment-agency.gov.uk Tel.: 08708 506 506

(6) The England Catchment Sensitive Farming Delivery Initiative: www.defra.gov.uk/foodfarm/landmanage/water/csf/

(7) Potato Council’s Soil Management for Potatoes: www.potato.org.uk

(8) Nitrate Vulnerable Zones (NVZ): www.netregs.gov.uk/netregs/businesses/agriculture/61885.aspx

(9) Agricultural Waste Regulations: www.environment-agency.gov.uk Tel.: 08708 506 506

(10) RB209 manual: www.defra.gov.uk/foodfarm/landmanage/land-soil/nutrient/nmu01.htm

(11) PLANET Nutrient Management programme: www.planet4farmers.co.uk/welcome/index.html

(12) Tried and Tested. Nutrient Management Plan www.nutrientmanagement.org/

(13) MANNER Software tool for calculating manure nitrogen: www.adas.co.uk/

(14) Voluntary Initiative (VI) Crop Protection Management Plan: www.voluntaryinitiative.org.uk/

(15) Potato Council website: www.potato.org.uk/

Further information