Peat farming experts gather for major knowledge exchange events
Experts in farming and managing lowland agricultural peat have gathered in Shropshire to exchange ideas, research and knowledge at a series of events.
Harper Adams University has been establishing the first UK centre for the study of rewetted peat farming – known as paludiculture – since 2023, receiving a share of a £5 million UK Government fund aimed at solving challenges with lowland peat, known as the Paludiculture Exploration Fund.
Peat soils are highly productive and around 75 per cent per cent of lowland peat in England is farmed.
However, as peatlands are drained and cultivated for farming, the peat oxidises, which leads to the decomposition of organic matter, resulting in increased greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.
Re-wetting peat has the potential to balance GHG emissions and to protect carbon stocks. The Paludiculture Innovation Project (PIP), based at the University, has held a range of knowledge exchange events for farmers, academics, students, organisations, businesses and more, aimed at opening the discussion on how these issues may be tackled.
The second of a series of annual symposia and conferences were held this month – starting with the PIP Conference.
At this, Peatland Programme Manager from the North Pennines National Landscape Paul Leadbitter talked about how the significant habitat restoration his team worked on was carried out.
He also highlighted how continuous collaborations between partners led to the success of the Great North Bog project.
A second Natural England Paludiculture Exploration Fund-backed PIP Symposium was also held featuring a host of different presentations and discussions.
Attendees were given the chance the chance to visit Adney Yard, a field on the Harper Adams University estate where the paludiculture facility is being established.
Adeney, considered a lowland peatland site, is being rewetted, within an agricultural productive system to assess the impact of raising the water table.
Lecturer in Zoology, Wildlife Conservation and Environmental Land Management Dr Julia Casperd, part of the wider Harper Adams team behind the Paludiculture Innovation Project, said: “The entire team would like to thank everyone who spoke at, attended, and helped bring together the Symposium and Conference for their help and support.
“The days formed part of a much wider patchwork of activities being driven at Harper Adams University that are bringing peat practitioners and experts together – to share what works on-farm.”