Southern Water’s Farm Capital Grant Scheme
This year Southern Water is offering a new and improved Farm Capital Grant Scheme in the River Beult catchment.
To protect and improve our drinking water supplies and the natural environment, Southern Water may be able to offer up to £15,000 per farm per year, capped at 50% of the total cost, towards new farm equipment and infrastructure. The grants are intended to help farms either reduce their Plant Protection Product (PPP) needs or to reduce the risk of them reaching the river. The grant scheme may be able to help with:
- New or upgraded sprayer filling and washdown facilities
- Equipment to enable mechanical weed control, such as inter-row hoes
- Precision farming equipment to enable targeted herbicide applications
Southern Water can also arrange for expert advisers to assist with the design of new sprayer facilities free of charge.
Applications targeting PPPs will be prioritised but we can also consider applications that reduce other risks to water quality too.
To find out more or to discuss an idea please contact Robin Kelly robin.kelly@southernwater.co.uk
Planning for autumn herbicide applications
Southern Water regularly detects herbicides in the River Beult at levels that far exceed the drinking water standard, particularly over the winter months. In November 2024 propyzamide (found in KerbFlo, AstroKerb, etc and commonly used in oilseed rape and beans) was detected at 5.69 µg/l – this is almost 57 x the standard required for drinking water (see graph).
To help reduce the risk this autumn and winter we are asking growers to please help by following best practice and Corteva’s stewardship advice. Some key points of advice from the manufacturer to consider during crop establishment:
- Avoid growing oilseed rape (OSR) on fields that have been mole-ploughed or deep sub-soiled within the last 12 months
- Try to establish the crop using minimum tillage working the top 4-6cm only or direct drilling
- Ensure buffer strips of at least 6m adjacent to watercourse and ditches.
