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Wyke Farms, the UK’s largest independent cheese producer, has unveiled a pioneering sustainability initiative aimed at enhancing biodiversity on its farms.

The new project, titled ‘Birdsong for Biodiversity,’ leverages artificial intelligence to monitor and improve wildlife health across agricultural landscapes, reinforcing the company’s commitment to environmental stewardship.

In collaboration with Chirrup.ai, a UK-based nature-tech firm, Wyke Farms will implement bioacoustic monitoring devices on its own farms and ten pilot farms that supply milk for cheese production.

This initiative will leverage technology to promote sustainable farming practices while supporting broader environmental, social and governance (ESG) goals within the F&B sector.

The pilot project, which is set to run for three years, will utilise Chirrup.ai’s advanced monitoring systems to analyse birdsong and generate actionable data on bird populations. Bird species are recognised as vital indicators of ecosystem health, and this initiative aims to provide farmers with insights into wildlife, soil quality, water health and overall biodiversity.

By establishing a baseline for biodiversity, Wyke Farms and its partners can track progress and make informed decisions to enhance their environmental impact.

Rich Clothier, managing director of Wyke Farms, highlighted the importance of this initiative, said: “This project gives us the ability to baseline the health of nature on our farms in a scientific and consistent way using the perfect blend of technology in nature.”

Clothier added that the insights gained will help demonstrate the effectiveness of their land stewardship practices over time.

The deployment of bioacoustic devices is set to begin next week, with annual reporting on metrics such as the Chirrup Rating, species richness and bio-indicator trends.

These metrics will directly support Wyke Farms’ existing sustainability strategy, which includes their award-winning Green by Nature programme, aimed at leaving the environment in better condition for future generations.

Andrew Gaskell, milk procurement director at Wyke Farms, noted that the initiative complements the company’s efforts to produce some of the lowest carbon footprint milk globally.

He added: “By adding year-round biodiversity monitoring to our toolkit, we can showcase the real environmental value our farms provide – not only in climate terms but in supporting wildlife and thriving ecosystems.”

Wyke Farms has long been recognised for its commitment to sustainability, having achieved 100% self-sufficiency in renewable energy. The company generates all its electricity and gas from renewable sources, including solar power and biogas derived from farm and dairy waste.