Scientists from Rothamsted Research are asking farmers across the UK to send them GPS data collected at harvest.
The information will be used as part of a study to assess whether flower-rich margins, hedgerows or tree lines are helping to improve yield.
Participating farmers will then receive an easy-to-interpret summary of the findings, with tips from the organisation on how they might increase production.
The data will be integral to a study linking the biodiversity found just beyond the field with variations in yield in it.
Dr Helen Metcalfe is collating the data and said different field boundaries could help to reduce yield decline at field edges.
“Have you ever wondered what the true benefits of hedgerows, tree lines or flower rich margins are on your crop yield?” she asked.
“By linking the yield monitor data collected by GPS-enabled combine harvesters with the presence of different landscape features, we will try to determine whether yield decline towards the edge of fields is associated with certain types of boundaries.”
She added: “Likewise, we will also identify whether features known to support pollinators and other beneficial wildlife are having a positive effect on yield in the nearest parts of the crop.
“We’d be really grateful if any farmers with yield monitor data from their combines would share it with us.”
The EcoStack project is hoping that information on the location, quality and quantity of landscape features such as hedgerows or wildflowers linked to yield maps will give the clearest indication yet on the benefit of on-farm biodiversity.
Data from any sort of crop, from any part of the UK will be useful, she added, stressing that no farmer data will be shared beyond this project.
More information on how to take part in the study is available online
atbit.ly/2x6RzxC