Working together with farmers to create a more sustainable future for years to come

Here at United Utilities, we work with more than 1600 farmers across the region and when we apply a Catchment Systems Thinking Approach (CaST) we must think of the catchment holistically. CaST is an approach that allows us to look at the impacts of our activities on the entire environment. We don’t just look at one area or at one problem, we delve into the impact of all of our activities and those of the others who use the land in a joined up, structured approach.

We are in a unique position at United Utilities in that we own a number of farms across the region which we lease to our tenant farmers. While we support them, it is by no means a one-sided relationship in regard to the benefits delivered – far from it, in fact.

We learn from the farmers we work with every day (and they learn from us) and working alongside them, delivers a host of new opportunities, such as reduction in pollution – which is particularly advantageous when it comes to the improvement of water quality.

What we do…

Thanks to the particularly diverse nature of the farming activity that occurs across the region, there isn’t a ‘one-size fits all approach’ to what we do – however, our role aims to ensure the most sustainable option is implemented, delivering the best overall outputs.

In this article, we will delve into two of the key things we are doing in partnership with our farmers in line with a Catchment Systems Thinking approach…

Innovation and education

In order to deliver the most sustainable solutions, we must support our farmers on a journey that explores more innovative farming opportunities. Many of the farmers who work across the region are the next generation of a long line of family farmers, having inherited their premises from their parents.

In order to ensure the best possible outcomes are delivered, we work closely with farmers to educate and encourage sustainable practices, reducing the damage to the catchment and, ultimately, the broader environment.

One such example of the work we are carrying out in collaboration with farmers is in the Thirlmere Catchment. This area provides 250 million litres of water every day to the people of the North-West – so it’s incredibly valuable.

We are giving young farmers like Matthew Fearon, in the Thirlmere catchment, an opportunity through funding to work as a contract shepherd. Rather than having to raise considerable capital from the offset, contract shepherds like Matthew are employed by United Utilities and don’t have to take on a tenancy.

Farming subsidies over the past 60 years have contributed to an intensification of farming on unsuitable land, occurring at the expense of nature and everything that comes with that, including cleaner water. As farming subsidies change, we are working with, supporting, and encouraging farmers to consider alternatives.

Protecting the environment

It should come as no surprise that our catchment plays home to an extensive range of wildlife – did you know that we have native species that include the Red Deer and Red Squirrel?

Environmental challenges have meant that animal populations in the North-West have been threatened over the past number of years but working collaboratively with farmers allows for protection of these species.

One example of United Utilities working in partnership with tenant farmers to improve environmental outcomes is that of the work currently taking place alongside Sam Bolton and Alistair Bland.

Both young farmers, Sam and Alistair hold agreements for large areas of hill and moorland on which to raise sheep – and their work alongside United Utilities involves a mutually beneficial arrangement that allows them to develop their businesses while simultaneously helping the achievement of water quality aims.

When speaking of the tenancies, United Utilities’ Ross Evans notes: “Our tenants are involved in tackling important climate change measures through their active land management.”

Referring to the agri-environment schemes and individual management plans set up with the tenants, Ross Evans says: “That means we can engage in some progressive thinking and put some environmentally beneficial ideas into the agreement, such as using low stocking rates and low-input grazing systems.”

Community

While there exist a host of economical, educational, and environmental benefits associated with the mixed land use in the uplands and the tenancies which these bring, there are also instances where entire communities can become involved.

This is the case at Bradleys Farm near Rivington Village in the West Pennine Moors – in early February this year, United Utilities took the decision to let the farm to a young couple with ambitious yet inspiring goals to involve the local community.

Arron Parker and Gemma Coar, who’re letting the 103-acre farm, are planning visits to the farm that educate the local community on everything from farming to conservation and water quality in the catchment.

When discussing the opportunity, Gemma noted: “Bradleys Farm is a gateway site for the main Rivington reservoirs and copious associated walks. An added aim of our management of the farm is to maintain and improve areas for visitors to enjoy.”

Mixed land use and CaST

When we consider farming in a Catchment Systems Thinking context, we want to deliver the greatest possible opportunities. We are witnessing the impacts of climate change drastically increasing the likelihood of storms and droughts. The holistic approach that we apply to catchment management sees us work with contract farmers like we’ve mentioned above, but also means that we restore peatlands, rivers, nature woodlands, and rare vegetation communities. We want our farmers to be able to continue farming while our precious wildlife can continue to prosper without limitation.