Challenge
Protecting Water Quality, Preserving Soil Integrity
Preventing nitrate leaching from bare fields over winter is a crucial environmental goal for water companies and farmers alike. Establishing cover crops can be difficult in tight weather windows, and using heavy machinery can cause the very soil compaction farmers are trying to avoid.
Severn Trent Water needed a low-impact method to establish a cover crop next to a sensitive groundwater pumping station.
Solution
A Targeted, Low-Impact Approach
We partnered with Severn Trent Water to broadcast a diverse cover crop mix of rape, radish, and rye using the XAG P100 Pro drone.
Mark Biddulph of Severn Trent chose the drone method because it is “so invasive on the field itself… we haven’t touched the field at all”. This meant the farmer wouldn’t have to return later to alleviate soil problems caused by heavy machinery.
The drone allowed for rapid application, creating the ideal conditions for the cover crop to establish.
Result
A “Win-Win-Win” for Water, Soil, and the Farmer
Follow-up visits showed excellent, even germination across the field.
The project achieved a “win-win-win” scenario: the water table was protected from nitrates, the farmer retained valuable nitrogen in the soil for the next crop (reducing future fertiliser costs), and the soil structure was improved.
The drone proved to be a fast, efficient, and environmentally sound tool for modern conservation agriculture. Soil samples taken later by Severn Trent gave a great indication of how successful the cover crop had been.
The Initial Seeding
Progress After 2 Weeks
Progress After 4 Weeks
Progress After 9 Weeks
