This report outlines how the latest phase built on earlier rounds by combining one-to-one advice, farmer workshops, and targeted capital funding to improve nutrient management. It highlights key achievements, insights into phosphorus efficiency, and how tailored support is helping farms balance productivity with environmental performance.
2024-2025 update
The Triple Axe Project 2024-25 has engaged 19 dairy farms across the River Axe catchment to improve environmental compliance and build farm resilience with a focus on phosphate management and water quality. Building on three previous rounds, this phase expanded delivery through one-to-one advice, workshops, and small-scale capital funding to encourage targeted improvements in nutrient management.
Key achievements include:
- Completion of 14 farm soil and nutrient baseline assessments, including phosphate loading and balance calculations.
- Delivery of four farmer workshops covering soil health, manure management, phosphorus efficiency, and business resilience.
- Engagement of 11 farmers in further phosphate efficiency work, supported by bespoke capital funding.
- Development of an infographic showcasing local delivery and phosphate analysis, now gaining regional and national recognition.
Analysis revealed that stocking density is the most significant driver of phosphate loading, while phosphate balance is more influenced by feed imports and manure management practices. Milk yield showed only a weak correlation with phosphate metrics, suggesting that high production can coexist with strong environmental performance when nutrient inputs are well matched to land and livestock needs.
The project underscored the importance of:
- Accurate nutrient data (e.g. slurry testing, soil analysis, mapped spreadable land)
- Farm-specific phosphate efficiency strategies (e.g. tailored feed inputs, manure handling)
- Field-level nutrient planning for deeper insights
Capital support enabled farmers to begin implementing improvements, including on-farm slurry testing and nutrition assessments. Positive farmer feedback has led to interest in forming a Phosphorus Cluster Group to trial solutions, share learning, and contribute to wider research. This includes testing and helping develop the new Phosphate Loss Tool, offering a more targeted alternative to Farmscoper for modelling phosphate risk and mitigation.
During 2025-26 the project continues to scale up delivery by combining individual farm visits with group workshops, leveraging specialist networks and insights from earlier phases. Initial farm visits focused on baseline assessments and identifying opportunities for improvement, with a strong emphasis on phosphate management. These visits informed the design of workshop topics, capital investment guidance, and further specialist support tailored to each farm’s needs.
As phosphorus remains a complex but critical issue, the Triple Axe approach demonstrates how collaborative, tailored farm support can drive meaningful change from the ground up.