Wales Farmers Turn River Rescue into a Million-Pound Money Saver!

Farmers in Pembrokeshire, Wales, are being encouraged to help clean up their local rivers while also saving money, according to a new study. The eastern and western Cleddau rivers flow through farmland that produces about a quarter of Wales' milk. However, these rivers are among the most polluted in the country, mainly because of too much phosphorus entering the water. Phosphorus comes from fertilisers and processed animal feed, and when there is too much, it can cause algae to grow in the rivers. This algae uses up the oxygen in the water, making it hard for fish and other river animals to survive.

Researchers from Lancaster University found that many farms in the area were buying more fertiliser and animal feed than they actually needed. This led to a build-up of phosphorus in the soil, which then washed into the rivers. The study showed that local farms were creating a surplus of about 360 tonnes of phosphorus each year, which is a huge amount. The researchers suggested that if farmers used the manure from their cows more efficiently, they could meet their crop needs without buying extra fertiliser. This change could save farmers in Pembrokeshire over one million pounds a year.

To address the problem, hundreds of dairy farms are now calculating their 'nutrient footprint. ' This means they are keeping track of how much fertiliser and feed they use and comparing it to what is actually needed for their crops and animals. They are also using new maps, made with satellite images, to see which fields are most likely to cause pollution. Farmers are being asked to change where they spread fertiliser and manure and to use other methods to improve soil health and protect the rivers. They will have to report their progress every year. The Welsh government and local groups are supporting these efforts, hoping that by working together, the rivers will become cleaner and farmers will benefit financially. This project is seen as a model that could help other areas with similar problems.