Happy with new direction

There are no regrets for a Shropshire farmer who last November said goodbye to his dairy cows and very soon afterwards enlisted his farm on Natural England's Higher Level Stewardship scheme.

Indeed, despite having many years farming experience under his belt, Edward Jones, of Acton Scott Farm, now considers himself lucky to have got on to the scheme and relishes the opportunities that this venture has given him.

The 320-acre farm is within the South Shropshire Hills designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The farm supports a flock of 300 Kerry Hill Cross Suffolk or Texel breeding ewes, 24 suckler cows, plus 80 young stock, with finished cattle sold to ABP direct. Just over 130 acres is down to arable, with the balance in grass, with some now permanent pasture.

Edward was aware that the farm, which has been the family home since his parents moved there in 1945, has points of archaeological interest. However, he also knew that to get on the Higher Level Stewardship scheme is not easy.

"I really didn't expect to be accepted," he admits, adding that he could not have done it without the help of Trevor Sheard, Balfours' farm business adviser.

Edward says: "There is a lot of paperwork involved, so Trevor put the application together, which includes a half-mile of permissive footpaths linking to original bridleways and footpaths in order to give a one-mile circular walk through some of the most beautiful areas and views on the farm.

"This of course has worked well for the B&B businesses, giving our guests a lovely walk. There are other walks around here, but it is not everyone that has the time or wants to do an eight-mile hike."

Four new kissing gates will provide access to walkers, while giving peace of mind to Edward that stock will not stray because gates were not shut. Other features within the HLS scheme include six-metre buffer strips around arable fields to protect water courses; two acres of wildbird seed in the corner of an arable field and protection of 15 acres of ridge and furrow at Hough Ground.

Meanwhile Laundry Meadow is the site of an old Roman villa and evidence of settlement extends to Clover Bank which is also protected. As sites of archaeological interest they are protected by English Heritage, nonetheless the HLS scheme provides funding linked to protection.

While the area is already well blessed with wildlife, Edward is confident that the measures they are now embarking on will increase biodiversity still further.

Some ten acres of permanent pasture has been earmarked as hay meadow. As such it will not be harvested before the middle of July each year, giving time for seeds to shed; but since the ground is shallow, heavy clay, it was not a necessarily a productive part of the farm.

Within the capital works element of the scheme, in addition to work on the footpaths, a considerable amount of hedgelaying and hedge planting is to be done.

"We have one area which was slightly open, so by putting in a new hedge, where there was previously only a fence we will break the skyline and provide protection," Edward explains.

Says Trevor Sheard: "It is very satisfying to see the way the scheme is working for Edward and Mary. While it is easy to acknowledge that they farm in a superb location, they still need to make a living. And although Edward was not in dairying in a big way the HLS scheme has filled two-thirds of the vacuum from the gross proceeds of selling milk."

"Prior to enlisting on the HLS, Edward was in the Entry Level Stewardship scheme for one year, this gave him a feel for the thinking behind the scheme - plus a guaranteed income of £30 per hectare. I would urge any farmers who have not yet signed up to the ELS - a guaranteed income which they are entitled to, to sign up. And contrary to what people think, ELS is not restrictive on farming practices."

For Edward, his mainstream income remains from the traditional farm enterprises, arable, beef and sheep. However, the new environmental HLS has revealed a new dimension to the farm.

"It is very satisfying to add to the attractiveness of the area and be part of improving the landscape. The scheme is for ten years, during that time the aim is to create significant environmental benefits in this beautiful part of the South Shropshire Hills."

For farmers who wish to consider Entry or Higher Level Stewardship schemes Balfours provide independent advice based on more than a decade of experience working in environmental schemes where ticking the right boxes will win the day.

* For more information visit www.balfours.co.uk or call Trevor Sheard on 01588 674033.