The Demonstration Test Catchments (DTC) project is a joint Defra, Environment Agency (EA) and Welsh Assembly Government initiative working in three river catchments – the Wensum in Norfolk plus the Eden (Cumbria) and Avon (Hampshire).

The overall objective of the project is to provide evidence to test the hypothesis that it is possible to cost effectively reduce the impact of agricultural diffuse water pollution on ecological function while maintaining food security through the implementation of multiple on-farm measures across whole river catchments using local expertise to solve local problems. [READ MORE]

Forthcoming Events

• SAT 19 MAY: Wild about the Wensum: An annual event hosted by Pensthorpe Conservation Trust at Pensthorpe Nature Reserve to inspire and highlight to members of the local community wat an amazing place the Wensum valley is. The event is aimed at families and there are lots of talks, stands and an activity trail. The Wensum DTC team will be taking part in this event. For more information visit Pensthorpe Nature Reserve website.
• WEDS 6 JUNE: Frontier Agriculture Gressenhall Demonstration Site Open Day: The UEA Team will again be attending this event. More information to follow.
• THURS 21 JUNE: The Arable Group (TAG) Open Day, Morley: The UEA Team will again be attending this event for members of NIAB TAG which will include information to help manage farm businesses. More information to follow.
• TUES 17 JULY: Third Annual Wensum DTC Conference: Once again this event will be held at UEA Sportspark and will provide an opportunity for members of the Wensum Alliance to come together to hear about how the project is progressing. More information to follow.

What's in the news?

• THURS 22 MARCH: World Water Festival in Norwich: The picture above shows Faye in discussion with visitors to our stand at the World Water Day event in Norwich. The poster features data obtained from our monitoring equipment during a recent (rare!) rainfall event and the resulting impact on water quality. See our Monitoring page for more information. Our stand attracted a steady flow of interested members of the public who saw our 'Google Earth' display of the project area and tested water samples for nitrate content.
• THURS 15 MARCH: Soil, Water and Precision Management: Prof Kevin Hiscock and Prof Andrew Lovett spoke at this Centre for Contemporary Agriculture (CCA) Technical Event at Easton College which examined these important issues. Soil and water management has been rising in significance in farming with the challenges of increasing productivity whilst reducing inputs and dealing with the unpredictable effects of climate - including the current drought. With the East of England being the driest region, farmers are particularly exposed to these challenges. The CCA event brought together farmers, advisors, reserachers, engineers and consultants to examine methods for managing water resources and soils.
• MARCH 2012: DTC TEAMS AND CATCHMENT SENSITIVE FARMING OFFICERS POOL EXPERTISEPractical experience and scientific research come together in the Demonstration Test Catchments project’s first policy and practice note "Creating and applying robust information resources for catchment management." Aimed at policy makers and stakeholders concerned with catchment management, it examines how different kinds of knowledge can contribute to addressing the problems of diffuse pollution, and suggests ways in which the DTC teams can feed their research results into the everyday practice of Catchment Sensitive Farming Officers. To download a copy [Click here]

To read more about what's been happening so far see our News page.