INCREASING the number of pollinator insects is the aim of new work being done at the Lothians Monitor Farm.

Working with researchers from SRUC on a three-year study, the team believes it could result in increases in crop yield.

Improving environmental sustainability is a key element of the programme – run jointly by QMS and AHDB Cereals and Oilseeds.

AHDB's Gavin Dick said: “This project is not just about ensuring our agricultural industry becomes more productive and profitable, it also about the long-term sustainability of our land and resources.

"All monitor farmers will be making environmental improvements on farm and sharing the learning with the wider community.”

The focus of SRUC’s pollinator project will be Prestonhall Farm, part of the Lothians Monitor Farm, an arable enterprise with approximately 120 ha of spring barley, 160 ha winter wheat, 70 ha winter barley, 70 ha oilseed rape and 60 ha oats.

SRUC agricultural ecologist, Dr Lorna Cole, said: “We are going to monitor how improving environmental performance of the monitor farm influences pollinators. We hope to see a greater diversity of pollinators, such as bumblebees, solitary bees and hoverflies, and of course an increase in their abundance!

"Improving their populations should improve and stabilise pollination in insect pollinated crops such as oilseed rape and field beans.

“Another benefit we hope to see is an increase in natural predators including ladybirds, spiders and parasitic wasps.”

Farm manager, Bill Gray, said he welcomed the chance to improve biodiversity on the farm, but is determined that any improvement to the environmental side won’t be detrimental to the business side.

He says: “While we want to see more pollinators on farm we also want to see a corresponding increase in yield, especially if we devote more land to field margins."

The project will see Prestonhall increasing wildflower numbers on farm, as well as growing more insect-pollinated crops such as oilseed rape.

The project is funded by the Scottish Government, with results reported on a regular basis through the monitor farm network.