An economic history lecturer once opened his talk with the words “What you need to understand is that the entire medieval economy was based on…what falls out of a sheep’s bottom” (or some similar phraseology). He then went on to refer to the manorial right of foldsoke, whereby the village sheep were pastured overnight on the manor fields thus steadily increasing the fertility and soil structure of the lord’s fields to the gradual detriment of the common land. It is no coincidence that centuries later, “manor farm” is generally some of the best land in the parish.

The continuing importance of what we now refer to as “farmyard manure (FYM)” is shown in the publication by DEFRA on 11 June of the latest farm practices survey.

The survey looks at more than 2,000 commercial farms in England, covering both the livestock and arable sectors, and assesses the way in which these businesses were managing their greenhouse gas emissions.

Looking at the usage of FYM, some 75% of those surveyed are applying FYM (although only about half do so in a calibrated and accurately measured way). Most (68%) still store their FYM in traditional temporary heaps, with most of the balance using slurry tanks or lagoons.

Aside from the FYM issue, the survey shows what will be, to some, a surprisingly high level of sensitivity to the issue of greenhouse gases.

• 75% of the farmland covered by the survey had nutrient management plans, which increase efficiency and reduce the risk of fertiliser run off, and 71% of farmers regularly tested their soil for nutrient indices
• 6.6% of farmers are processing waste by anaerobic digestion, up from 5.2% the previous year
• 65% of farmers consider greenhouse gas emissions to be important and 66% are taking steps to reduce them
• 75% of livestock farms have a formal “Farm Health Plan”, up from 73% in 2019 and, of those, 91% had prepared it with the help of a vet
• 75% of temporary grassland includes a clover mix which improves soil quality and reduces fertiliser requirements
• 85% of holdings saw the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions as being good business practice and 73% felt it was good for the environment.

What will be surprising to some is that, whilst it shows a snapshot of the current position, the survey also notes that some measures, such as nutrient management plans, have been running at broadly similar levels for over a decade. So, not only are our farmers greener than some would think, they have in fact been greener for many years. 

The views expressed are the author’s and not ICAEW’s.