How farmers could fix Wales' polluted rivers and save money

A Lancaster University study of Pembrokeshire's Cleddau rivers—Wales' most polluted protected waterways—found that hundreds of dairy farms are implementing 'nutrient footprint' calculations to reduce phosphorus pollution; the research shows farms could save £1 million annually on fertiliser while reducing excess phosphorus surplus from 360 tonnes per year, with no need for current artificial fertiliser levels given existing animal manure phosphorus content.

The program is underway but results are not yet measured; effectiveness depends on farms adopting and sustaining the changes.