The Waldersey Farms senior team showcased innovative approaches to reducing peat loss at the Fenland SOIL event on 25th November, an afternoon dedicated to sharing knowledge and fostering collaboration around sustainable agriculture in the region.
Mark Hall and Jack Smith delivered an insightful presentation exploring the farm’s approach to sustainable farming and innovative practices designed to tackle peat loss, a critical challenge facing the Fens. Their presentation highlighted Waldersey’s commitment to accurate environmental baselining and addressing the region’s most pressing environmental issues.
Ross Morrison from the UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology (UKCEH) followed with a presentation on initial data from Waldersey’s Eddy Covariance Flux Towers. Flux towers play a vital role in measuring greenhouse gas emissions from soils, and with many now operating across the Fens, this research is shaping our understanding of carbon management in agricultural landscapes.
A highlight of the afternoon was a visit to an ADAS cover crop trial site, where Kate Smith and Will Pallier shared their research on cover crop mixes and their impact on soil moisture and structural quality, key factors in maintaining healthy, productive soils.
The event concluded with an update from Christian Kielinger and Tina Barsby, celebrating Fenland SOIL’s achievements to date, including mapping over 30,000 hectares of the Fens and sharing results from the Paludiculture Study. It was a powerful reminder of the importance of protecting our soils, particularly peat, reducing emissions, and building resilience for the future.
