About the farm
In 2000, we purchased Hope Farm, an arable farm in Cambridgeshire. It is contract farmed by one of our neighbouring farmers.
About Hope Farm
In previous years, we predominantly grew autumn-sown crops because they were considered to be more profitable. Recently, we have introduced a greater area of spring-sown crops, to help deal with pernicious weed problems and maintain overall profitability.
During the first five years only two crops were grown - wheat and oilseed rape. These were grown in a three-year rotation (wheat - wheat - oilseed rape). The rotation has evolved to take account of market opportunities and help implement a robust integrated pest management programme, so for harvest 2016 we grew winter wheat, spring barley, winter beans, winter linseed and spring millet.
Along with the arable land, there is also permanent pasture, which is grazed by horses and sheep. The soil is predominantly heavy clay.
Key facts
- Total farm area: 181 hectares
- Area of cropping: 161 hectares - harvest 2010
- Area of pasture: 6 hectares
- Soil type: Hanslope calcareous clay loam and Evesham clay loam
- Smallest field: 0.93 hectares
- Largest field: 34 hectares
- Length of hedgerows: 10.3 kilometres
- Area of woodland: 0.5 hectares
Our farming blog
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An update on the Hope Farm cover crop and compost trial
Guest blog by Georgie Bray, Hope Farm Manager Soil is the foundation that helps us to grow crops on the farm and look after so many of the species sitting at the base of the food chain in farmland ecosystems. Without healthy soils, crops suffer in ou...
Posted 26/11/2021 by Bridget Gaskill -
What does the future hold for agriculture and food policy in Northern Ireland? A detailed look
Ruairi Brogan, Sustainable Agriculture Policy Officer tells us more. Stormont, the Northern Ireland Assembly Building. Image (c) Simon Graham It’s been a busy period for the RSPB NI Policy & Advocacy team with the Department of Agricultur...(read mor...
Posted 26/11/2021 by Bridget Gaskill -
Welsh Agriculture Act and Sustainable Farming Scheme
RSPB Cymru views the creation of a new Welsh Agriculture Act and Sustainable Farming Scheme as a unique opportunity to use taxpayers’ money to establish sustainable farming that helps tackle the nature and climate emergency. As such we welcome Welsh ...
Posted 23/11/2021 by Bridget Gaskill -
In review - the first year post-Brexit for farming
Guest blog by Lucy Bjorck, Senior Policy Officer Whatever your views on Brexit there was always one obvious opportunity for radical change for the better and that was to leave the shackles of the behemoth which is the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP....
Posted 22/11/2021 by Bridget Gaskill -
New rural development programme in Scotland - What does it mean for food and farming
Guest blog by Andrew Stark, Land Use Policy Officer and Chris Bailey, Advisory Manager Scotland Since the last edition of Farming E-News, there has been several important developments in Scotland’s food and farming policy to update on. Whi...(read mo...
Posted 19/11/2021 by Bridget Gaskill -
The future of agri-environment delivery in England
Guest blog by Alice Groom, Senior Policy Officer In England, Defra is currently reforming agricultural policies, replacing subsidy primarily with environmental payments. This provides a once in a generation opportunity to truly build a nature friendl...
Posted 12/11/2021 by Bridget Gaskill
How you can help
At Hope Farm, we're developing farming techniques that will benefit wildlife.
