Sencrop weather station network to improve water quality
In the UK a network of on-farm weather stations is trialled in a bid to improve water quality at source.
Affinity Water, the UK’s largest water-only supply company, has funded a network of Sencrop weather stations to help a group of Hertfordshire farmers improve decision-making in the application of pesticides and fertilisers. Nearly 5,500ha of farmland supplies a number of water treatment works vulnerable to pollution.
Optimise timing of spraying operations
The Mimmshall Brook and Upper River Colne catchment areas designated by the Environment Agency as ‘Drinking Water Safeguard Zones’, are deemed at particular risk from metaldehyde, propyzamide and carbetamide.
By funding the network of Sencrop weather stations, which can measure both real time and anticipated rainfall as well as wind speeds, Affinity Water intends to support farmers by optimising the timing of their spraying operations involving these active substances.
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Danny Coffey, Catchment Officer for Affinity Water, says all water companies are developing catchment-based solutions that can prevent pollution at source.
“It’s expensive and energy-intensive to remove pollutants from drinking water,” he explains, “so it’s more sustainable and more efficient to try to reduce levels in the first place.
Network of 10 Sencrop units
Mr Coffey hopes the network of 10 Sencrop units, which will be complete by the end of January, will help farmers improve their decision-making around these key active substances.
“We’re hoping that the weather insights provided by the Sencrop network will be a tool that will truly benefit our farmers and help them make more accurate, more timely spray applications.”
Manage pesticide application timings
Mr Coffey says that while it will be difficult to attribute any direct effects on water quality improvement to the Sencrop network, it will be another valuable tool in helping farmers to manage their pesticide application timings which in turn could reduce losses to water. “I’ve had nothing but positive feedback so far and I can already see the potential for this trial expanding within these catchments, and other areas too.”
More than 10,000 Sencrop stations across Europe
Sencrop’s overall UK network now numbers more than 300 individual stations, while user numbers across Europe are now more than 10,000. Fred South, Sencrop’s business manager, says the networking feature reflects the company’s ambition to provide affordable, user-friendly, data-driven grower solutions, improving operational efficiency and optimising use of crop inputs.
“Crowd-sourcing weather and other farm data can, through analytics, deliver value, efficiency and environmental gains throughout the supply chain,” he says, “while primarily improving the relevance and accuracy of weather forecasts for the individual grower.”
“The network feature is a valuable addition to an already attractive package,” South says, “giving each individual user access to every station within the network, allowing them to make better, insight-led decisions about key agronomic operations. What’s more, farmers can join an existing network without installing a station themselves, paying only the subscription to access the app.”
