Kilford Farm

Assessing on farm natural capital assets that deliver for the farm and environment ecosystem

Kilford farm lies in the Vale of Clwyd directly East of the town of Denbigh approx. 30m above sea level with an annual rainfall of approx. 800mm. The farm business is predominantly dairy with land consisting of one block of 330ha. Maize and spring barley are grown alongside the grazing platform for the 450 milking cows. Soil type consists of a gravel and clay mix. The river Ystrad travels south of Denbigh and Kilford yard flowing West to East and feeds into the river Clwyd. Both rivers travel within and through the farm boundary. The farm has been within a nitrate vulnerable zone (NVZ) since 2006/2007.

This project will look to navigate through principles and practices advocated for environmental care within NVZ by assessing the natural capital elements focussing on predominantly, hedgerows, shelterbelts and woodland, that contribute to the farm’s environmental ecosystem. The assessment will aid understanding of the relationship with natural capital assets mentioned and how they can impact on the farm business whilst identifying how they can contribute to mitigate some of the challenges that NVZ pose for the dairy enterprise.

The assessments will provide baseline data that will identify: benefits to the business including animal health and welfare including biosecurity measures.Baseline data is crucial to the development and understanding of what individual natural capital assets on the farm are currently providing for your business and to be able to monitor further improvement in the future. 

This work will also contribute to the Sustainable Land Management outcomes including:

• Clean air
• Clean water
• High animal health & welfare
• Mitigate flood & drought risk
• Protected natural landscapes
• Reduced greenhouse gas emissions
• Resilient ecosystems
• Resource efficient