Pembrokeshire Dairy Farmers and Nestlé Collaborate on Water Conservation

A pioneering environmental project in Pembrokeshire is set to capture up to 250 million litres of additional groundwater each year as part of a collective effort by local farmers to address flooding, drought, and water quality challenges. This initiative unites 21 dairy farmers, all part of the First Milk co-operative, with Nestlé Waters & Premium Beverages UK, both significant employers in the area.

The project is a component of First Milk’s regenerative farming programme, which promotes practices like rotational grazing and increased species diversity in grasslands. These methods improve soil structure, helping the land to retain more water and mitigate environmental damage during extreme weather. According to Mark Brooking, First Milk’s Chief Impact Officer, the project encourages farmers to work with nature to improve land quality and support biodiversity.

Spanning 800 hectares of farmland, the farmers are implementing regenerative techniques to create natural water reservoirs within the soil. The initiative aims to enhance water infiltration and the soil's holding capacity, thereby increasing farm resilience and protecting nearby rivers.

An agronomist has conducted baseline assessments of over 100 fields across the 21 farms involved. Nearly 50 soil samples were analyzed, 650 earthworms counted, and penetrometer tests carried out to assess soil compaction. Each farm received tailored recommendations for soil improvement techniques like sward slitting and subsoiling, along with guidance on grazing patterns and planting deeper-rooting pasture species.

Farmers are already applying these recommendations. Dan James from Gellyolau Farm mentioned the project's influence on addressing previously overlooked issues, while William Fox from South Astridge Farm highlighted the benefits of understanding soil compaction for farm and environmental health. Michael Williams, near Puncheston, is adopting both short-term and long-term measures to cope with varying soil conditions.

As the interventions take hold, the land will retain more water, reducing surface runoff and improving water quality in the Eastern and Western Cleddau and River Taf tributaries. Matthew Faulkner, Factory Manager at Nestlé Waters in Narberth, expressed pride in collaborating with First Milk farmers to enhance groundwater quality and quantity.