]> 2026-04-07T03:07:02+00:00 Case study:Tittesworth Catchment Project 500 en Approved Trent Rivers Trust No No Yes false No 53.132557,-2.013372 JoshRRC Adrian Trent Rivers Trust Rochford Training events Soil analysis ,, ,Training events, Soil analysis,Working individually with farmers to change their agricultural practices to benefit waterways,Weed removal machinery 21631 Tittesworth.PNG 2011-01-01Z 2455562.5 In progress The Trent Rivers Trust employs a dedicated project officer, Adrian Rochford, in the Tittesworth Reservoir catchment who is funded by Severn Trent Water. The role of the project officer is to work with farmers in the catchment to promote best farming practice to reduce the risk of diffuse pollution of nutrients such as nitrates and phosphates and crop protection chemical residues that could enter the water in the reservoir. Adrian has been working in the catchment since 2011 and has developed excellent working relationships with almost every farmer in the area. By explaining to individuals how they can make a difference to water quality by changing their agricultural practices, Adrian’s advice has led to a fifty per cent reduction in levels of harmful chemicals in the water. Adrian can also present an evidence based argument demonstrating to the farmer that by implementing the changes that he is recommending, they will also save money. Adrian has helped farmers to reduce their fertiliser costs by undertaking a soil analysis which has shown that phosphate and potash levels are adequate so a cheaper ‘straight’ nitrogen fertiliser can be used in place of a more expensive compound product. Training events for farmers have been organised to provide guidance on the use of chemicals to ensure that farmers are using the most effective chemical at the correct application rates and are adopting best practice at all times. Adrian can also show the farmers that grazing and silage production will not be compromised when embracing these measures. The Tittesworth project has also funded the purchase of a ‘Weed Swiper’ which facilitates large scale, low cost ‘spot spraying’ of glyphosate of docks and thistles on grazed pasture, using significant less chemical than would be required when using a boom spray. Farmers who have used the weed swiper have observed excellent levels of weed kill and reduced chemical cost. The project works closely with the Peak and Dales Catchment Sensitive Farming Initiative to avoid duplication of effort and so that the messages given to farmers are consistent and clear. Severn Trent Water has also funded a number of high priority capital projects on farm to tackle potential diffuse and point source pollution risks such as field drainage issues and yard infrastructure improvements. Visit the website - https://www.trentriverstrust.org/project/tittesworth-catchment-officer/ Tittesworth Catchment Project tittesworth catchment project http://www.ontrent.org.uk/site/tittesworth No Tittesworth Reservoir tittesworth reservoir Working individually with farmers to change their agricultural practices to benefit waterways Land use management - agriculture Water quality Weed removal machinery 2015-05-05T16:17:48Z 2457148.1790278 2019-01-04T11:01:50Z 2458487.9596065 Tittesworth Catchment Project