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Hope Farm
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The farm

Hope Farm, Cambridgeshire

In 1999, the RSPB purchased Hope Farm, a 181-hectare farm in Cambridgeshire.

On the farm we grow mainly autumn-sown crops (typically planted in September) in a three year rotation (wheat:wheat:oilseed rape). Autumn-sown crops are more profitable than the traditional spring-sown crops (typically planted in March), which is why they have become more common. 

Unfortunately, the structure of autumn-sown crops makes a less suitable habitat for breeding birds. At Hope Farm, we’re trying to find ways to help birds breed as successfully in autumn-sown crops as in spring-sown crops. 

All farming operations such as ploughing and harvesting are carried out for us by a neighbouring farmer. Along with the arable land, there are just over 5 ha of permanent pasture, which is grazed by horses and sheep. The soil is predominantly heavy clay. 

Key farm facts

Total farm area: 181 ha (450 acres)
Area of cropping: 169 ha (418 acres)
Area of pasture: 6 ha (15 acres)
Soil type: Hanslope calcereous clay loam
Smallest field: 0.93 ha (2 acres)
Largest field: 34.17 ha (84 acres)
Length of hedgerows: 10.3 km (6.4 miles)
Area of woodland: 0.5 ha (1.2 acres)

Last modified: 21 July 2005

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At Hope Farm, the RSPB is developing farming techniques that will benefit wildlife

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