State of the South West 2008

In 2006, almost 1.88 million hectares (ha) of land in the South West was used for agriculture managed in 44,077 holdings. Since 2000, the total farmed area in the region has increased by almost 7% (from around 1.76 million ha), whilst the number of holdings has increased by over 11% (from 39,552).  On the previous year, the total farmed area in the South West increased by nearly 2% (from 1.84 million ha) and the total number of holdings increased by 1% (from 43,530).  This is similar to the changes observed at a national level. (Defra, 2007)

The nature of agricultural activity varies across the region.  In part, this is due to variation in topography, soil quality and climate.  In 2006, less farmed land in the South West was under crops and bare fallow than the English average, with 26% compared to 41% respectively.  Permanent grassland occupied 50% of farms in the region, compared to 36% in England as a whole.  The South West also had a higher proportion of lowland livestock farms compared to the national average, with 21% compared to 17%, reflecting the importance of grassland in the region.

In 2006, the South West had a greater proportion of very small farms (<5 ha) than the English average, with 45% compared to 42%, and fewer very large farms (>100 ha) with 10% compared to 13% nationally.

Research has shown that organically managed land provides greater potential for biodiversity than their conventional counterparts, with up to 85% more types of plants, 17% more spiders, 5% more birds and 33% more bats (Wildlife Conservation Research Unit, 2005).  The South West has more fully organic land than any other region, with 39% (94,000 ha) of the English total (>238,000 ha) in 2006.  An additional 22,000 hectares was also in conversion to organic in the region, accounting for 42% of all in conversion land in England.  Since 2003, the area of fully organic land has increased by 20% in the region, from 78.1 to 94 thousand hectares, compared to 30% nationally. With almost 27% of the regional total, Devon had the highest percentage of organic land, closely followed by Wiltshire with over 22%.

In January 2006, there were 1152 registered organic producers and growers in the South West, 41% of the England total (up from 900 organic farms & 21% of the UK total in 2004). This equated to over 100,000 hectares or 6% of farmed land in the region (Defra, 2006). 

The region’s high rainfall, steep slopes and vulnerable soils result in increasing problems with water pollution and run off. Surveys have been carried out by the National Soil Resource Institute on behalf of the Environment Agency in a number of South West river catchments between 2002 and 2005. Results found that between 25% and 57% of all sites surveyed had poor soil structure sufficient enough to cause enhanced runoff (National Soil Resource Institute, 2005). Poor soil structure leads to an inability of crops and soil to make best use of manure and fertilisers. Large areas of South West soils are easily sealed by heavy rain and by inappropriate land work, causing local flooding, mud on roads and damage to property. It can also lead to water pollution as sediment and pollutants enter rivers, affecting habitats, salmon spawning grounds and other aquatic wildlife.

More information about agriculture and soils is available from the South West Observatory Environment website.  Diffuse pollution, field boundaries, woodland and farmers markets are also indicators used to monitor progress of the Regional Environment Strategy.