SFI & ENVIRONMENTAL COVER CROPS
The Sustainable Farming Incentive and recent changes to agricultural policy have increased demand for a range of nature-promoting crop mixtures. Walnes is playing an active role helping farmers explore SFI opportunities and comply with various Defra-approved scheme requirements.
Our comprehensive portfolio of grass, herbage and wildflower seeds can help farmers achieve SFI objectives, comply with Defra requirements and fulfil their own farm business objectives to improve biodiversity and optimise yields and profitability.
Most of Walne’s SFI/stewardship mixtures are bespoke and mixed to order. And, although we offer a range of standard grassland/meadow blends, we prefer to create specific mixtures that will suit the soil type and topography of the site and fit the farm’s management strategy.
A selection of mixtures can be found in on page 22 of grass seed catalogue, alternatively you can talk to us about creating a specific blend for your acreage.
Tel. 01728 684180 or email: Lawrence@walnesseeds.co.uk
Supporting nature and regenerative practice
More than 95% of the UK’s wildflower meadows have disappeared since the 1930s and society is requesting greater provision for nature across farmed land. Initiatives that improve wildlife habitats and encourage biodiversity are now commonplace within agricultural production.
Our comprehensive portfolio of grassland/green cover products means we can recommend and create an extensive range seed mixtures that comply with all Defra-approved SFI and environmental stewardship schemes (ELS, HLS etc), plus a host of other initiatives aimed at promoting biodiversity, nature and regenerative agriculture. Examples include:
- Wild Bird Seed mixtures - WBS1, WBS2 & WBS3
- Buffer Strips/ margin mixtures
- Beetle banks
- Nectar Rich Mixtures
- Insects, Bumble Bees & Butterflies
Sustaining productivity
Our aim is to work in partnership with growers to help them achieve sustainable agricultural systems. We provide site specific technical support and agronomic advice on how to establish new swards, manage them successfully to achieve a productive, and hopefully, profitable farm business.
Wild Flower Options
Walnes offers a full portfolio of wild flower seed mixtures along with specialist advice and support that will help customers establish and maintain flower-rich meadows, conservation/wildlife margins and nature promoting areas across a spectrum of settings.
Our standard wild flower mixtures include:
- Walnes English Meadow
- Walnes English Annuals Meadow
- Walnes Cornfield Annuals Meadow
- Bumble Bees & Butterflies
Establishing wild flora takes careful management so these options are flexible with no set structure. At Walnes we prefer to create bespoke mixtures that suit the size, natural topography, soil type and climate of the area being sown, because many species are soil and climate specific and will require certain conditions and care to thrive.
Whether the setting is rural, sub-urban or industrial, our seed specialists can blend a specific mixture to suit individual objectives, match growing conditions and optimise the establishment and longevity of floral-rich areas.
Take a look through our wild flower catalogue for inspiration and learn more about the variety of species we offer and how they might benefit your surroundings.
All of Walnes seed mixtures are made to order and will usually be delivered within 48 hours.