Bayer CropScience

Bayer has two research farms, Little Shelford and Chishill Orchard, of around 20 hectares in South Cambridgeshire where some of their development and research is based. Farm activities are driven by R&D and personal interest of the farm team. The farms are very diverse and incorporate multiple biodiversity building activities;

• Countryside stewardship
  • Beetle banks
  • Nectar flower mix
  • Cultivated areas for arable plants
  • Flower rich margins and plots
  • Winter bird food and supplementary feeding
• Management of hedgerows
• Woodland management
• Pond management for the benefit of amphibian species
• Traditional orchard management for small mammals, birds, bats, arthropods, etc
• Flower rich meadows
• Rotational management of tussocky grasses in field margins, ditches and hedgerows
• Maximising planting of native hedge mixes
• Provide numerous nest boxes for songbirds, owls, doves and birds of prey
• Quarterly bird surveys carried out for 20 years

Remit:

To deliver world-class innovation, set new standards in sustainability, and drive digital transformation.

Activities:

Bayer offers extensive environmental stewardship activities, such as the Bayer Phytobac, and various Agri Services e.g. pest forecasting and agronomy apps. In collaboration with farmers and other partners, the Bayer Forward Farming initiative also enables knowledge sharing about modern and sustainable agriculture through first-hand experiences on independent farms around the world.

Bayer CropScience works in partnership with agronomists and wildlife charities to ensure appropriate use of crop protection and has a long-term commitment to education. The farm also holds 20 years’ worth of bird surveys. Their goal is to create a patchwork of habitats, biodiversity alongside production.

Research interests:

Bayer CropScience has leading research capabilities in biology, biotechnology, chemistry, and data science.