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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19 years of starling breeding data at Hope Farm
Posted on behalf of Derek Gruar, Senior Research Assistant at Hope Farm Starlings are often described as a “marmite” bird you either “love them or hate them”. I’m very much the former and find them endlessly fascinating. Lately the profile of starlin...
Posted 19/07/2018 by Georgina B -
Hope Farm - A hub for knowledge sharing on wildlife friendly farming
May and June is our busiest time of year in terms of visitors and events that Hope Farm. We are yet to take a visitor on a walk since May without the sun beating down upon us, which could be both a positive and a negative. As a positive, in true Brit...
Posted 04/07/2018 by Georgina B -
What a way to celebrate Open Farm Sunday!
For the last three previous years at Hope Farm, we have celebrated LEAF Open Farm Sunday with additions of new and exciting activities every year. On Sunday we were thrilled to open our gates to around 800 visitors from all around the area. Our aim w...
Posted 15/06/2018 by Georgina B -
Brexit challenges for farmers and crofters in Scotland
A new report commissioned by the Highlands and Islands Agriculture Support Group highlights the significant challenges that could be faced by farming and crofting communities in the Highlands and Islands, post Brexit. The report assesses the likely i...
Posted 08/06/2018 by Kathryn Smith -
A new partner for Farm Wildlife
The Freshwater Habitats Trust have recently joined the Farm Wildlife partnership, bringing the number of participating conservation organisations to nine. They join the Amphibian and Reptile Conservation Trust, Bat Conservation Trust, Buglife, Bumble...
Posted 07/06/2018 by Kathryn Smith -
Come and see us during show season
As usual, RSPB staff will be in attendance at various shows and events around the UK over the coming months. The Balmoral Show has already taken place (see a round up of the goings-on below), or if you're after some advice, want to share your experie...
Posted 05/06/2018 by Kathryn Smith
How you can help
At Hope Farm, we're developing farming techniques that will benefit wildlife.
