See below some frequently asked questions about farmland actions for pollinators and the Farmland Pollinator Tool. 

 

Q. What is the purpose of the Farmland Pollinator Tool?

The Farmland Pollinator Tool is an evidence-based scorecard which allows farmers to determine just how pollinator-friendly their farmland is, by assessing numerous ‘actions’ which you may implement on your farm.

We hope the Farmland Pollinator Tool will be a useful decision-making tool for any farmer interested in taking action to protect pollinators on their farmland.

 

Q. How long will it take me to score my farm using the Farmland Pollinator Tool?

The Farmland Pollinator Tool is quick and easy to use. You should be able to complete the scorecard in approximately 15 minutes. For the most part the scorecard will request information about your farm which you will already know or be easily able to calculate (e.g. area of permanent pasture on your farm).

 

Q. Is there funding available to implement actions for pollinators on my farm?

There is no funding available through the All-Ireland Pollinator Plan for the implementation of actions for pollinators. Many of the actions within the Farmland Pollinator Tool are low-cost actions which require you to do less rather than more, whether this be cutting your hedgerows less frequently, or allowing non-farmed areas to flower. Actions with associated implementation costs within the scorecard for the most part can be funded through existing agri-environmental schemes.

 

Q. What actions should I implement on my farm to increase my score and further support pollinators?

Many of the actions within the Farmland Pollinator Tool are lost cost actions and require you to do less rather than more, one of the best ways to support pollinators is to reduce the cutting frequency of hedgerows on your farm. Aim to cut hedgerows on a 3–5-year rotation, this will allow shrub species such as hawthorn to flower which will provide an important food source for pollinators in spring.

For more actions for pollinators visit: Farmland: Actions for Pollinators

 

Q. Is the Farmland Pollinator Tool part of an agri-environmental scheme, and will I get paid for using the scorecard?

The Farmland Pollinator Tool is not part of any agri-environmental schemes, and there is no payments associated with using the it. Instead the scorecard offers farmers with a means of assessing the pollinator-friendly actions implemented on their farmland. We hope the Farmland Pollinator Tool will be used as a decision making tool when considering actions for pollinators on their farmland. 

 

Q. I do not know the exact measurements for some of the actions within the Farmland Pollinator Tool, how do I complete the scorecard?

If you do not know the exact measurement for some of the actions within the scorecard, you can make an estimate of the measurement, to generate a score for your farm.

If you would like support calculating some of the measurements requested as part of the assessment, feel free to contact the Farmland Officers who would be happy to help by contacting: [email protected]

 

Q. Why is there score caps on actions within the Farmland Pollinator Tool?

Each action within the scorecard has a score cap which represents the maximum amount of points available for the action. Score caps vary for each action, there are more points available for actions which are more pollinator friendly.

To attain a high score using the Farmland Pollinator Tool, you will need to implement numerous actions for pollinators, this will ensure pollinators have numerous sources of food, shelter and safety on the farm.

 

Q. I scored 70+ using the Farmland Pollinator Tool, how do I apply for Pollinator-friendly Farm Accreditation?

Farms which score 70+ provide pollinators with the resources they need to survive and thrive within the landscape. If you are interested in receiving Pollinator-friendly Farm Accreditation please get in touch with the Farmland Officers by contacting: [email protected]

To be eligible for accreditation you will need to complete a short application and provide additional details to verify your score. This is to ensure that all those farms which receive accreditation reach the same high standard, and provide pollinators with the food, shelter and safety needed to survive.