Breadcrumbs
The Severn-Vyrnwy Land Management Initiative
The area and the issues
The Severn Vyrnwy LMI project area covered 15,000 ha between Oswestry and Shrewsbury in the north Shropshire Marches. The project area is largely low-lying and wet in character incorporating the regularly inundated floodplain of the rivers Severn and Vyrnwy and the Montgomery Canal. Farming is predominantly livestock and mixed, on small and medium-sized family farms with land cover roughly half grassland and half arable.
The main issues affecting the area and its agriculture were:
- Small farm size and the collapse of farm incomes, particularly in the dairy sector;
- Flood storage in the flood plain in the context of down-stream flooding and climate change;
- Drainage systems were falling into disrepair;
- A rapid decline in the numbers of wading birds and other wildfowl over the previous 40 years;
- Changing public demands on farming and a rapidly changing rural economy.
Key conclusions
The Severn-Vyrnwy LMI carried out a range of research projects and on the ground activity with local farmers and organisations.
Recommendations arising from this work include suggestions of ways to improve: delivery of whole farm advice; the structure and integration of rural funding streams; and the effectiveness of agri-environment schemes at a local level.
The Severn-Vyrnwy LMI concluded in April 2004. The project team are still working on similar issues in the area through a new non-profit business called RuralScapes.
For further information:
Download the Severn-Vyrnwy Land Management Initiative document or contact:
Dr Angela Cott
RuralScapes
12 English Walls
Oswestry
SY11 2PA
Tel: 01691 679683
Email: angela.cott@ruralscapes.co.uk
Website: www.ruralscapes.co.uk
