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Cheshire cover crop trial reduces fertiliser use

Cover crops Cheshire trial - Mixed species cover crop.jpgA trial at a Cheshire farm has shown how growing cover crops and carrying out soil analysis can reduce artificial fertiliser use to protect raw water sources.

The project, in partnership with Compass Agronomy, took place over two years to establish how much captured nitrogen in a cover crop’s biomass could be released for the following spring’s crop.

Having this information means that a more tailored approach to fertiliser use can be used, ultimately protecting raw groundwater sources by reducing nitrate leaching risks.

The trial at Lower House Farm utilised the Soil Mineral Nitrogen (SMN) Plus system by Compass Agronomy.

This estimates how much nitrogen is available in the soil and the amount likely to be mineralised from soil organic matter and incorporated crop residues.

This data can then be used to calculate how much additional nutrients are required from fertiliser, so farmers do not have the expense of over-using products which would only go unused by the crops and leach out of the soil.

Tanis Slattery-Penfold, Catchment Advisor at United Utilities, explained: “Nitrogen leaching from soil into raw groundwater sources can have a significant adverse effect on raw water quality, that’s why we’re working with farmers and land managers across the North West to find practical and cost-effective ways to help them reduce the loss of nutrients while supporting their crops.

“We embarked on this trial with Compass Agronomy and Lower House Farm to showcase how cover crops can help protect our precious raw water resources, and also benefit farmers by improving nutrient management.”

Important Notice

Cold Weather

Due to the freezing weather conditions across the region a number of our customers are experiencing no water or reduced pressure, caused by frozen pipes in their home. There are a few things you can do to check if you have frozen pipes. If you are unable to complete these checks please reach out to your family, friends or neighbours to see if they can help:

  1. If there are no local issues check with your neighbours. If they have water, you may have a frozen pipe in your property.
  2. Here’s what to do. Turn off your stop tap by turning it clockwise, it’s usually found under your kitchen sink, but can be in your garage or cellar.
  3. Once you’ve turned your stop tap off, turn on your cold tap in the kitchen
  4. If you have no water, this could be due to a frozen pipe somewhere in your home. This may be the pipe which comes into your home near to where your stop tap is located.
  5. Carefully thaw the pipe using a warm towel, or if safe to do so a hairdryer in short bursts, ensuring you keep well away from water. If you can get water from a neighbour you could try a hot water bottle too. This could take a while, depending on how frozen and big your pipes are.
  6. Switch your stop tap back on to see if the water is running.

You can find more information at www.unitedutilities.com/frozenpipes.

If you have followed all of the advice provided and still want to talk to us, please give us a call. As we are experiencing really high call volumes at the moment, please bear with us as wait times will be longer than usual. 

Due to the freezing weather conditions across the region a number of our customers are experiencing no water or reduced pressure, caused by frozen pipes in their home. For more help and advice if you have a frozen pipe head to www.unitedutilities.com/frozenpipes.

Cold Weather

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