Prize solution to problem of water pollution by manure
Farmers face tough new rules to prevent the source of drinking water supplies being contaminated by agriculture, such as the nitrates in manure.
The controversial move led to large areas of the region's farmland being designated nitrate vulnerable zones (NVZs).
Agricultural students from Bishop Burton College, near Beverley, have looked at ways in which farmers can comply with the legislation.
They worked out how much manure farmers could put on their land without causing pollution and advised them on the right time of the year to apply the fertiliser.
Lizzie Jennings, James Bentley and Olivia Stockdale have now won an Environment Agency cash bursary for the project.
Lizzie, 21, said: "The opportunity to explore the impact of NVZs with farmers gave us a chance to get our heads around the issue.
"It's surrounded by so much controversy, but I think the farmers appreciated having someone to talk to about their concerns."
The students, who have all just completed a foundation degree in agriculture, were asked by the agency to speak to farmers about how they could cope with the laws.
They had to produce a written report on their findings and draw up an action plan for each of the farms they visited.
James, 20, said: "It was hard work. We carried out detailed profiling and there was a lot of maths to work out things like maximum nitrogen limits.
"Once we had this information and a farm profile, we could then consider solutions for each farm."
Links
Bishop Burton College
Environment Agency
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