INGLEBY GUIDELINES SUSTAINABLE FARMING Harvesting table grapes, Peru. Photographer: Robin Begg INGLEBY GUIDELINES INGLEBY FARMS & FORESTS INGLEBY GUIDELINES 7. edition, February 2019 Photographers: Andrea Sanz, Andrei Govoreanu, Armandas Naudžius, Douglas Sibbald, Hans Henrik Koefoed, Jeppe Støchkel Jeppesen, Martin Jackson, Mette Bøgeløv Erichsen, Mette Duedahl Høyer, Rafael Leguísamo, Rasmus Juul Christoffersen, Robin Begg, Sean Cameron, Sebastian Neag, Stephen Creese, Tom McPherson, Øjvind E. Krabbe In case of loss, please return to: Drawings: Julia E. Williams CC BY-NC-SA © 2019 Ingleby Farms & Forests ApS Ingleby Publications are licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Non- Commercial-Share-Alike (CC BY-NC-SA) License. This means you are free to copy, distribute, display, and make derivative works, but you are not allowed to use our materials for commercial purpose and all derivative works must be licensed under the same terms. For further information, please visit the Creative Commons webpage: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/ Editors: Mette Duedahl Høyer, Mette Bøgeløv Erichsen Layout: Mette Bøgeløv Erichsen www.inglebyfarms.com CONTENTS 9 PREFACE 11 OUR VISION & VALUES 12 INGLEBY GOALS 16 SUSTAINABILITY MEMORANDUM 22 ETHICAL POLICY 24 WHISTLEBLOWING POLICY 28 GUIDELINES FOR FENCING 32 GUIDELINES FOR MANAGING GAME 34 GUIDELINES FOR MANAGING WASTE 46 GUIDELINES FOR MONITORING BIRDS 52 GUIDELINES FOR PONDS, RIVERS & WETLANDS 66 GUIDELINES FOR SUSTAINABLE IRRIGATION 68 GUIDELINES FOR USING BENEFICIAL ORGANISMS FOR PLANT PROTECTION 72 GUIDELINES FOR TREES, SHRUBS & WOODLAND 80 POLICY FOR HYDROPOWER & WIND TURBINES 82 POLICY FOR MANAGING INVASIVE SPECIES 86 POLICY FOR USING AGROCHEMICALS 94 CODE OF PRACTICE FOR THE WELFARE OF BEEF & DAIRY CATTLE 128 CODE OF PRACTICE FOR THE WELFARE OF SHEEP 138 CODE OF PRACTICE FOR THE WELFARE OF HORSES 154 CODE OF PRACTICE FOR THE WELFARE OF DOGS 164 CODE OF PRACTICE FOR THE WELFARE OF POULTRY 166 PROTOCOL FOR REFERENCE SOIL SAMPLING 172 EARTHWORM ASSESSMENT 174 MY NOTES PREFACE Since Ingleby was founded in 1998, our long-standing vision of being world-leading sustainable farmers has continuously driven the positive development of our farms. Our goal is to produce sound, healthy food on thriving and living farms. With a 150-year perspective, our first 20 years are just the begin- ning of Ingleby’s story. To us, working with nature is the greatest benefit of being farmers. We aim to balance conservation and production, to increase the quality and health of the local ecosystem without affecting - or even while supporting - productivity. We want to farm with nature, but our ambitions do not stop there. To challenge ourselves even further, we have decided to become synthetic-pesticide free by 2030. Our way towards this goal includes elements from conser- vation farming and regenerative agriculture. To support this, we have created the Ingleby Guidelines, some- times referred to as the Ingleby Green Bible. Now in its 7th edition, this book contains Ingleby’s DNA; our vision, values and our Sustainability Memorandum. These policies and guidelines help all Ingleby teams ensure continuous protection of our farms’ environmental qualities, soils, biodiversity, animal welfare and people. We set high standards for both our work and our teams. This will support us in reaching our ever-evolving goal of sustainable farming. Mette Duedahl Høyer Hans Henrik Koefoed Chief Production & Chief Executive Officer Sustainability Officer Beech seedling, Romania Forests. Photographer: Sebastian Neag PREFACE 9 OUR VISION & VALUES Our vision is to be world-leading sustainable farmers, where we farm to produce sound, healthy food, but also to protect and enhance the environment for future generations. We want to combine the best practical, ethical and scientific know-how with good leadership and organisation. We want to be better farmers. OUR VALUES Hands-on Sustainable We are hands-on farmers. We spend most We believe in of our time in the fields sustainable farming. caring for our crops and This means protecting livestock. people, nature and profits in the long term. ble Ha a nd in s ta -o s n u S e F v i Family a t m a v i l o Innovative We are a family y n of farmers. Family In values are an We aim to T constantly be one integral part rust rthy of our farming wo step ahead. We operations and work with leading daily life. advisers to be on the forefront of the Trustworthy farming technology and practices. We respect rules and regulations. We deliver what we promise and on time. An Ingleby product is always of the highest quality. Blueberries, Romania. Photographer: Andrei Govoreanu OUR VISION & VALUES 11 ESTABLISH 10 METRE BUFFER STRIPS ALONG ALL MAJOR STREAMS, 5 RIVERS AND LAKES We create non-cultivated and unsprayed buffer zones of 10 metres around waterbodies. These help diminish nutrient leaching and pes- ticide run-off into the water. Buffer strips are best planted in locally- sourced, native meadow seeds. They can be cut late in the season in a varied mosaic, every 1, 2, 3 or 4 years. INGLEBY GOALS PLANT NATURAL, NATIVE GRASS WATERWAYS IN EROSION-PRONE 6 AREAS We plant belts of permanent grass in low parts of the fields where IMPROVE ANNUAL KEY PRODUCTION AND EFFICIENCY METRICS BY water runs during wet conditions. The grass waterways channel excess 1 1 - 2% water to larger waterways, and help reduce water velocity and the risk In a 10-year-spectrum, we want to increase our key crop production of erosion. Grass waterways are best planted and cut in a similar way as metrics by 1% per year, i.e. improving yields, as well as nutrient and described under goal 5. water use efficiency. Furthermore, we want to increase energy use ef- ficiency by 2% per year. While supporting financial results, this will also benefit the environment and climate. NO MECHANICAL SOIL TREATMENT ON EROSION-PRONE SLOPES 7 We keep erosion prone slopes under permanent grass/plantings to avoid erosion. These areas can be left for natural regeneration, or BUILD TOPSOIL BY 2 MM PER YEAR planted in native species. 2 It is our constant goal to grow the topsoil layer by 2 mm per year. Crops respond positively to soil with good structure, high water holding and cation exchange capacity. The better and deeper the topsoil, the larger CONTOUR CULTIVATION IN STEEP AREAS an area for the plant roots to find water and nutrients, and the stronger 8 To avoid erosion, we never cultivate fields straight up and down the the crop. hills. Instead we cultivate along the contours. KEEP AND PLANT SOLITARY TREES IN THE LANDSCAPE PROMOTE A “SCRUFFY” LOOK IN THE OPEN LANDSCAPE 3 We keep and plant solitary trees in the landscape to let them become 9 We avoid designing landscapes with manicured lawns and plantings in a general characteristic of our farms. If possible, we plant them where neat patterns. Instead we leave areas for natural regeneration. Also, we they historically stood. leave standing and lying dead wood, as they are important habitats. SPEND 2% OF YEARLY WORKING HOURS ON TRAINING GROW A MIX OF INSECT/BEE PLANTS ON THE FARM 4 Training is important to keep our farm teams updated and motivated. We grow a mixture of plants that blossom at different times of the Our goal is that 2% of yearly working hours is spent on training. This 10 season to provide pollen and nectar forage for bees and other insects. approximately equals one week of training per full-time team member We recommend permanent plants. This way we ensure feed for our per year. The goal of 2% training is an average for the whole farm team, pollinators throughout the season. and not an individual goal. 12 INGLEBY GUIDELINES INGLEBY GOALS 13 14 INGLEBY GOALS DEVELOP WELCOMING AVENUES ALONG FARM MAIN DRIVEWAYS 11 We want to provide a welcoming atmosphere when you enter our farms. Over time an avenue develops into a characteristic landscape element. Avenues are always two rows of trees and must be planted with high quality, hard wood species. SURROUND LARGER BUILDINGS WITH APPROPRIATE PLANTING 12 Planting greenery around buildings contribute to aesthetic value and create a “green touch” to our farms. CONVERT 1% OF EACH FARM’S AREA TO WATER HABITATS 13 Because waterbodies enhance biodiversity, we want water habitats on 1% of our farmland. These water habitats should have summer holding water, surrounding vegetation, trees for nesting, and natural borders, etc. Several small ponds are encouraged rather than a few large. Please find inspiration in the Ingleby guidelines for establishing ponds. CONVERT 10% OF EACH FARM’S AREA TO NATURAL HABITATS 14 We avoid cultivating small field triangles, convert obsolete or low yield- ing areas into habitats, or use several of the initiatives specified above. BALANCED GENDER DIVERSITY 15 In many countries, farming is a male dominated profession. However, we are equal opportunity employers, and we want to create equal and fair working environments welcome to all. Our goal is for the underrepre- sented gender to reach at least 40%. SYNTHETIC-PESTICIDE FREE BY 2030 16 We aim to farm with nature and promote healthy ecosystems and safe work environments. Therefore, we have decided to phase out the use of synthetic pesticides and become synthetic-pesticide free by 2030. 14 INGLEBY GUIDELINES Farm avenue, Argentina. Photographer: Mette Duedahl Høyer We believe in: Each farm must: > Continual improvement > Consult independent advisors > Exceeding local standards > Devise integrated strategies > Sensitivity to the local environ- > Develop indicators of success ment and larger ecosystems of the > Conduct regular environmental region surveys SUSTAINABILITY MEMORANDUM SUSTAINABILITY REPORTS INTEGRATED STRATEGIES We adapt our social and environ- We produce sustainability reports mental strategies to the needs and for all our farms. These help us retain conditions of each farm.