Nocton Estate

Busy, busy Beeswax

An extensive improvement is taking place on Nocton Estate. The overgrown dykes have been scraped back and new land drains installed... as a result the farmland seems to be draining far more effectively than it has for years.

Ditches and dykes need to be routinely managed to prevent silt and vegetation building up and restricting water flow. The ditches and dykes also provide valuable wildlife corridors, joining various habitats together in the farmland.

Dyke nr Grotto Holt

Improve farmland drainage for better yields

'The recent wet winter is focusing attention on better drainage to boost yields.'

http://www.fwi.co.uk/arable/improve-farmland-drainage-for-better-yields.htm

Newly laid trench

Trench complete with pipe and backfill

Extreme weather means good land drainage is vital

'A recent trend of extreme dry and wet spells of weather in the UK means growers are taking land drainage more seriously, according to one drainage contractor.'

http://www.fwi.co.uk/arable/extreme-weather-means-good-land-drainage-is-vital.htm

Backfill aggregate

Land drainage trenching equipment

Drainage system (agriculture)

'An agricultural drainage system is a system by which the water level on or in the soil is controlled to enhance agricultural crop production.'

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Drainage_system_(agriculture)