Natural England

Dairy farmers and growers from across the East Midlands are being invited to find out how they can save water and money at free Natural England funded events taking place in the New Year.

Dairy farmers could save £100 per cow, per year, by sourcing, utilising and disposing of water efficiently. Delegates will have the opportunity to carry out an on the spot water efficiency audit for their business, hear from key note speakers from the National Farmers Union and Milk Development Council about opportunities for water capture and recycling on their own farms. They will also make a site visit to a local farm to see a fully operational water efficiency system.

Two dates and locations are on offer to dairy farmers:

• Wednesday 30 January 2008
  10.30am – 2.30pm
  The Holly Bush Pub, Main Street, Ashby Parva, Lutterworth, Leicestershire
• Thursday 31 January 2008
  10.30am – 2.30pm
  Biggin Village Hall, Drury Lane, Biggin by Hartington, Buxton, Derbyshire

Horticultural and field scale vegetable growers are being invited to attend one of four events, where they can access expert advice from Cranfield University and UK Irrigation Association, who will be giving advice on how they can increase their farm profits and meet Environment Agency requirements for abstraction licence renewal. They too will benefit from a demonstration of state of the art irrigation facilities at a local farm and the opportunity to complete an individual water efficiency audit.

Growers can attend one of the following events which all take place between 10am – 4.15pm:

• Wednesday 9 January 2008
  Blidworth Community Centre, Blidworth, Nottinghamshire
• Thursday 10 January 2008
  Cowbit Village Hall, Cowbit, Spalding, Lincolnshire
• Wednesday 23 January 2008
  West Retford Hotel, North Road, East Retford, Nottinghamshire
• Thursday 24 January 2008
  The Dovecote, Halfway House, Newark Road, Swinderby, Lincoln

Jonathan Marsden, Natural England Regional Farm Advice Coordinator, said: “Natural England is keen to work together with other government departments to help farmers and growers meet the increasing need to manage and conserve our water resources effectively for the future.

“The advice offered at these events will highlight the economic and environmental benefits of efficient water management. These events will incorporate presentations from well known agricultural water resource experts as well as practical on-farm demonstrations of how to achieve sustainable water resource management and increase profitability through cost savings.”

Entry costs are free for up to two places per farm. To book a place please call 01223 813 622 or email newmarket@laurencegould.com.

Notes to Editors:

Natural England works for people, places and nature to conserve and enhance biodiversity, landscapes and wildlife in rural, urban, coastal and marine areas. We conserve and enhance the natural environment for its intrinsic value, the wellbeing and enjoyment of people, and the economic prosperity it brings.

Issued on behalf of Natural England by Government News Network East Midlands. Media enquiries to Gaby Hateley on 0115 971 2797 or gabrielle.hateley@gnn.gsi.gov.uk