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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Lots to learn from where birds are found on a farm this winter
This last winter has been an interesting one at Hope Farm to see how farm management, the weather, and the interactions between these factors impact farmland birds. Last summer was a hard one for growing spring cereals with the dry weather, and we pr...
Posted 06/03/2019 by Kathryn Smith -
Fire and managed burning in the English uplands
Record high temperatures in late February have led to countryside fires in a number of areas right across the UK. Fiery images have made media headlines and led, especially at the time of year when managed burning is allowed, to heated discussion abo...
Posted 04/03/2019 by Kathryn Smith -
What are Scottish producers’ perspectives on a Good Food Nation?
Guest post from Anna Brand, Land Use Policy Officer for RSPB Scotland, explains more about an important opportunity for Scottish producers to engage with a new consultation from the Scottish Government. The Scottish Government are currently asking fo...
Posted 02/03/2019 by Kathryn Smith -
Help woodland wildlife with the Woodland Wildlife Toolkit
If you have woodland on the farm, managing it for wildlife is now easier thanks to the Woodland Wildlife Toolkit, a new web-based support tool for woodland managers, agents and advisers across Great Britain. Find out more(read more)
Posted 01/03/2019 by Kathryn Smith -
Recognition for Scotland’s Food & Farming Nature Ambassadors - Launch of the Nature of Scotland Awards 2019
Launch of the Nature of Scotland Awards 2019 Are you a farmer or food business owner who’s committed to committed to nature conservation and environmental sustainability Scotland? RSPB Scotland will for a fourth year celebrate the significant contrib...
Posted 28/02/2019 by Kathryn Smith -
New project in Wales will use grazing to improve habitats for wildlife
Guest post by Rhys Evans, Policy Officer, RSPB Cymru Work is underway in Wales to restore an endangered section of our countryside - the Celtic rainforest. The Celtic Rainforests are regarded as the ‘temperate rainforests’ of Europe, owing to their o...
Posted 04/02/2019 by Kathryn Smith
How you can help
At Hope Farm, we're developing farming techniques that will benefit wildlife.
