News
Staff Member
PFLA NEWSLETTER SPECIAL EDITION MAY 2014
In This Issue:
The PFLA's Mission
The association promotes the unique quality of produce raised exclusively on Pasture and the wider environmental and animal welfare benefits that Pasture-Fed livestock systems represent
https://twitter.com/PastureFed
Special Edition Pasture-Fed Livestock Association Newsletter: Farm Walks and Study Tour
This is a quick interim newsletter to let you know about some exciting events coming up very soon which will be of interest to anyone wanting to find out more about making the most of pasture.
Russ Carrington, Executive Secretary
Pasture-Fed Study Tour: Nottinghamshire and Rutland
This will be taking place on the 2nd & 3rd of June, and there are limited places so it is first come first served!
This study tour will take a detailed look at the production of pasture-fed beef, with many aspects relevant to sheep and lamb production, organic or otherwise. It will also be a great opportunity to meet with fellow members, gain knowledge and share experience.
It is a busy time of year but also a good one to see grazing livestock and grassland management in action. The schedule starts and finishes during the middle of consecutive days, allowing time for travelling and minimising the time away from daily farm work.
It is aimed at existing PFLA approved suppliers and all members aspiring to become approved suppliers. The focus of the tour will be about how to succeed in feeding ruminant animals on a pasture-fed diet and what positive implications this has for a farm business.
The three farms we will visit are pioneers of the pasture-fed movement and are able to produce finished animals in commercial timescales and to commercial grades. We are grateful to them for offering to share their knowledge and learnings during these detailed farm tours. After the final farm visit we will have a brief facilitated discussion on next steps for your own farm business.
Click here to read the full itinerary
Click here to download the booking form
Pasture-Fed Farm Visits
There are a handful of farm visits taking place over the summer, some in conjunction with other organisations. They are for members to attend, meet and learn, and intended to inspire some critical debate translating into new ideas and knowledge for everyone’s gain. All are free unless otherwise stated.
We are also interested to hear from other farms who are willing to open their gates for a PFLA farm visit – if you are interested please contact Russ – [email protected]
14th May – Mob Grazing (Dairy), Manor Farm, Gloucestershire
This visit is being organised by the Soil Association and PFLA members are welcome to join. It will take a tour of Rob Richmond’s famous mob-grazing system on his dairy farm in the Cotswolds. To book a place and for more information visit: http://bit.ly/1nfl1Ux
25th June – Mob Grazing (Beef), Tom Chapman, Hertfordshire
This visit is in conjunction with the Grazing Advice Partnership and will provide the opportunity to see Tom Chapman’s beef suckler herd being mob-grazed within an arable rotation and on a mixture of improved grassland through to HLS parkland.
Tom’s mob grazing system is enabling him to stop using inorganic inputs and is seeing improvements to the species diversity of the improved grassland.
The farm is also experimenting with a 7-acre block of arable land which has been planted with a diverse mix of plants (Lucerne, sainfoin, chicory, red and white clovers, trefoil, cocksfoot, timothy etc).to improve the soil conditions.
Tom was the recipient of a Nuffield Scholarship that allowed him to investigate and report on mob grazing systems putting him in a good position to answer questions on this very topical issue. You can read his report here: http://www.nuffieldinternational.org/rep_pdf/1348746792Tom-Chapman-2011-report_.pdf
To book a place and for more information contact Tom directly: [email protected]
4th July – Conygree Farm, Gloucestershire
This visit is in conjunction with the Grazing Advice Partnership and will provide the opportunity to see another pasture-fed farm, from field to fork! Details as follows:
Meet at: Conygree Farm, Aldsworth, Cheltenham, Glos. GL54 3PW
Date: Friday July 4th
Time: Arrive 10.00 for a 10.30 start
A locally sourced and pasture-fed lunch will be served at 1.00pm
From 1.30 – 3.30 we hope to visit National Trust’s Sherborne Park water meadow restoration project (2 mile drive from the farm)
Outline:
Jonathan and Mel Brunyee are tenants of the National Trust on a 75ha organic mixed farm in the Cotswolds. Jonathan is also an agri-environmental consultant and a senior lecturer in farm business management at the Royal Agricultural College. Before taking on the farm, Mel was the grazing officer for Norfolk Wildlife Trust.
Members of the Nibblers web forum/Grazing Animals Partnership and the Pasture Fed Livestock Association are invited to the farm to look at limestone grassland restoration, grazing management with Traditional Hereford cattle and Cotswold sheep, the use of herb rich leys (for animal, soil and invertebrate health), the provision of farmland bird habitat, and the direct marketing of pasture fed beef and lamb. The financial implications of low input conservation focused farming will also be explored as will the effect of CAP reform and the new Rural Development Plan.
After lunch we hope to visit the National Trust’s Sherborne Park water meadow restoration project looking at water level management for breeding waders, water vole habitat and riffle creation.
Cost: The farm walk is free (under HLS educational access). A contribution of £7.50 is requested for lunch.
Further Info:
Email: [email protected]
Web: www.conygreefarm.co.uk
Mob: 07886 305508
Booking: Please book asap directly with Jonathan and Mel directly via email.
For other events being run by the Soil Association please see: http://www.soilassociation.org/farmersgrowers/events/farmwalks
And for other events organised by the Grazing Advice Partnership click here
Detail of study tour:
PASTURE-FED LIVESTOCK ASSOCIATION STUDY TOUR NOTTINGHAMSHIRE & RUTLAND ITINERARY
3rd – 4th June 2014
This study tour will take a detailed look at the production of pasture-fed beef, with many aspects also relevant to sheep and lamb production, organic or otherwise. It will also be a great opportunity to meet with fellow members, gain knowledge and share experience.
It is a busy time of year but also a good one to see grazing livestock and grassland management in action. The schedule starts and finishes during the middle of the day, allowing time for travelling and minimising the time away from daily farm work.
It is at the request PFLA members wanting to learn more and is open to existing PFLA approved suppliers and all members aspiring to become approved suppliers. The focus of the tour will be about how to succeed in feeding ruminant animals on a pasture-fed diet and what positive implications this has for a farm business.
The three farms we will visit are pioneers of the pasture-fed movement and are able to produce finished animals in commercial timescales and to commercial grades. We are grateful to them for offering to share their knowledge and learnings during these detailed farm tours. After the final farm visit we will have a brief facilitated discussion on next steps for your own farm business.
3rd June 12:30 – 13:00 – 15:00 – 16:00 – 16:30 – 18:00 – 19:00 – 20:00 – 4th June 07:30 – 08:30 – 09:30 – 10:00 – 11:30 – 12:30 –
Arrive for Pasture-Fed BBQ lunch at John Hill’s, Southwell Tour farm
Depart John Hill’s
Arrive Max Howard’s, Retford, and welcome
Tour farm
Depart Max Howard’s
Return to Southwell and check in to Hotel Supper at Hotel and free time thereafter
Breakfast
Depart Hotel
Arrive John Turner’s, Rutland and welcome
Tour farm and livestock, and hear about production figures Facilitated discussion on ‘What will you do differently?’ DEPART (or optional pub lunch)
FARM BACKGROUND
John Hill, Ashcroft, Southwell, Nottinghamshire
As one of the founding members of the PFLA, John understands the benefits of producing high quality meat from just grass and forage crops. He runs a traditional mixed farm of 108 hectares, of which 80 are in pasture. He sells vegetables and fruit, as well as organic 100% grass-fed beef from his 60 head beef shorthorn herd through his own retail outlet – the popular Hills Home Grown Farm Shop.
Max Howard, Little Morton Farm, Retford, Nottinghamshire
Max is a partner in the family farm business which produces a host of arable crops, chantenay
carrots, baby parsnips and pasture-fed beef. He supplies to a diverse customer base – from supermarkets to the catering trade. The farm is 2000 hectares and they have 600 head of beef cattle which are predominantly Aberdeen Angus. Cattle spend the entire year outdoors, and some will be finishing every month of the year. His son has also now entered the business and is developing a grass-based dairy enterprise. More info here: http://www.howardfarms.co.uk/cattle.html
John Turner, The Grange, Little Bytham, Lincolnshire
The Grange is a 100ha mixed farm run by brothers John and Guy Turner, together with their parents Anthony and Judy. In addition to the cereal crops produced for human consumption, the farm supports a beef suckler herd of around 100 animals comprised largely of Limousin breeding but based exclusively upon permanent and rotational pasture. The whole farm was converted to organic production in 1999. Although the greater proportion of the livestock produced at the Grange are currently destined for wholesale markets, an increasing number are finding their way into pasture- fed markets.
HOW TO SECURE YOUR PLACE
The standard cost for the full itinerary is £70 per person including accommodation and some meals. In order to keep costs low we will endeavour to organise lift sharing en-route to and from, and during the study tour. Please be prepared to offer contributions in the usual manner.
Please complete the attached booking form and return to Russ Carrington along with your payment ASAP. Places are limited and will be filled on a first come first served basis. If you have any questions please contact Russ on [email protected] / 07930 378413.
In This Issue:
- Special Edition Pasture-Fed Livestock Association Newsletter: Farm Walks and Study Tour
- Pasture-Fed Study Tour: Nottinghamshire and Rutland
- Pasture-Fed Farm Visits
- Other Events that may be of interest:
The PFLA's Mission
The association promotes the unique quality of produce raised exclusively on Pasture and the wider environmental and animal welfare benefits that Pasture-Fed livestock systems represent
https://twitter.com/PastureFed
Special Edition Pasture-Fed Livestock Association Newsletter: Farm Walks and Study Tour
This is a quick interim newsletter to let you know about some exciting events coming up very soon which will be of interest to anyone wanting to find out more about making the most of pasture.
Russ Carrington, Executive Secretary
Pasture-Fed Study Tour: Nottinghamshire and Rutland
This will be taking place on the 2nd & 3rd of June, and there are limited places so it is first come first served!
This study tour will take a detailed look at the production of pasture-fed beef, with many aspects relevant to sheep and lamb production, organic or otherwise. It will also be a great opportunity to meet with fellow members, gain knowledge and share experience.
It is a busy time of year but also a good one to see grazing livestock and grassland management in action. The schedule starts and finishes during the middle of consecutive days, allowing time for travelling and minimising the time away from daily farm work.
It is aimed at existing PFLA approved suppliers and all members aspiring to become approved suppliers. The focus of the tour will be about how to succeed in feeding ruminant animals on a pasture-fed diet and what positive implications this has for a farm business.
The three farms we will visit are pioneers of the pasture-fed movement and are able to produce finished animals in commercial timescales and to commercial grades. We are grateful to them for offering to share their knowledge and learnings during these detailed farm tours. After the final farm visit we will have a brief facilitated discussion on next steps for your own farm business.
Click here to read the full itinerary
Click here to download the booking form
Pasture-Fed Farm Visits
There are a handful of farm visits taking place over the summer, some in conjunction with other organisations. They are for members to attend, meet and learn, and intended to inspire some critical debate translating into new ideas and knowledge for everyone’s gain. All are free unless otherwise stated.
We are also interested to hear from other farms who are willing to open their gates for a PFLA farm visit – if you are interested please contact Russ – [email protected]
14th May – Mob Grazing (Dairy), Manor Farm, Gloucestershire
This visit is being organised by the Soil Association and PFLA members are welcome to join. It will take a tour of Rob Richmond’s famous mob-grazing system on his dairy farm in the Cotswolds. To book a place and for more information visit: http://bit.ly/1nfl1Ux
25th June – Mob Grazing (Beef), Tom Chapman, Hertfordshire
This visit is in conjunction with the Grazing Advice Partnership and will provide the opportunity to see Tom Chapman’s beef suckler herd being mob-grazed within an arable rotation and on a mixture of improved grassland through to HLS parkland.
Tom’s mob grazing system is enabling him to stop using inorganic inputs and is seeing improvements to the species diversity of the improved grassland.
The farm is also experimenting with a 7-acre block of arable land which has been planted with a diverse mix of plants (Lucerne, sainfoin, chicory, red and white clovers, trefoil, cocksfoot, timothy etc).to improve the soil conditions.
Tom was the recipient of a Nuffield Scholarship that allowed him to investigate and report on mob grazing systems putting him in a good position to answer questions on this very topical issue. You can read his report here: http://www.nuffieldinternational.org/rep_pdf/1348746792Tom-Chapman-2011-report_.pdf
To book a place and for more information contact Tom directly: [email protected]
4th July – Conygree Farm, Gloucestershire
This visit is in conjunction with the Grazing Advice Partnership and will provide the opportunity to see another pasture-fed farm, from field to fork! Details as follows:
Meet at: Conygree Farm, Aldsworth, Cheltenham, Glos. GL54 3PW
Date: Friday July 4th
Time: Arrive 10.00 for a 10.30 start
A locally sourced and pasture-fed lunch will be served at 1.00pm
From 1.30 – 3.30 we hope to visit National Trust’s Sherborne Park water meadow restoration project (2 mile drive from the farm)
Outline:
Jonathan and Mel Brunyee are tenants of the National Trust on a 75ha organic mixed farm in the Cotswolds. Jonathan is also an agri-environmental consultant and a senior lecturer in farm business management at the Royal Agricultural College. Before taking on the farm, Mel was the grazing officer for Norfolk Wildlife Trust.
Members of the Nibblers web forum/Grazing Animals Partnership and the Pasture Fed Livestock Association are invited to the farm to look at limestone grassland restoration, grazing management with Traditional Hereford cattle and Cotswold sheep, the use of herb rich leys (for animal, soil and invertebrate health), the provision of farmland bird habitat, and the direct marketing of pasture fed beef and lamb. The financial implications of low input conservation focused farming will also be explored as will the effect of CAP reform and the new Rural Development Plan.
After lunch we hope to visit the National Trust’s Sherborne Park water meadow restoration project looking at water level management for breeding waders, water vole habitat and riffle creation.
Cost: The farm walk is free (under HLS educational access). A contribution of £7.50 is requested for lunch.
Further Info:
Email: [email protected]
Web: www.conygreefarm.co.uk
Mob: 07886 305508
Booking: Please book asap directly with Jonathan and Mel directly via email.
For other events being run by the Soil Association please see: http://www.soilassociation.org/farmersgrowers/events/farmwalks
And for other events organised by the Grazing Advice Partnership click here
Detail of study tour:
PASTURE-FED LIVESTOCK ASSOCIATION STUDY TOUR NOTTINGHAMSHIRE & RUTLAND ITINERARY
3rd – 4th June 2014
This study tour will take a detailed look at the production of pasture-fed beef, with many aspects also relevant to sheep and lamb production, organic or otherwise. It will also be a great opportunity to meet with fellow members, gain knowledge and share experience.
It is a busy time of year but also a good one to see grazing livestock and grassland management in action. The schedule starts and finishes during the middle of the day, allowing time for travelling and minimising the time away from daily farm work.
It is at the request PFLA members wanting to learn more and is open to existing PFLA approved suppliers and all members aspiring to become approved suppliers. The focus of the tour will be about how to succeed in feeding ruminant animals on a pasture-fed diet and what positive implications this has for a farm business.
The three farms we will visit are pioneers of the pasture-fed movement and are able to produce finished animals in commercial timescales and to commercial grades. We are grateful to them for offering to share their knowledge and learnings during these detailed farm tours. After the final farm visit we will have a brief facilitated discussion on next steps for your own farm business.
3rd June 12:30 – 13:00 – 15:00 – 16:00 – 16:30 – 18:00 – 19:00 – 20:00 – 4th June 07:30 – 08:30 – 09:30 – 10:00 – 11:30 – 12:30 –
Arrive for Pasture-Fed BBQ lunch at John Hill’s, Southwell Tour farm
Depart John Hill’s
Arrive Max Howard’s, Retford, and welcome
Tour farm
Depart Max Howard’s
Return to Southwell and check in to Hotel Supper at Hotel and free time thereafter
Breakfast
Depart Hotel
Arrive John Turner’s, Rutland and welcome
Tour farm and livestock, and hear about production figures Facilitated discussion on ‘What will you do differently?’ DEPART (or optional pub lunch)
FARM BACKGROUND
John Hill, Ashcroft, Southwell, Nottinghamshire
As one of the founding members of the PFLA, John understands the benefits of producing high quality meat from just grass and forage crops. He runs a traditional mixed farm of 108 hectares, of which 80 are in pasture. He sells vegetables and fruit, as well as organic 100% grass-fed beef from his 60 head beef shorthorn herd through his own retail outlet – the popular Hills Home Grown Farm Shop.
Max Howard, Little Morton Farm, Retford, Nottinghamshire
Max is a partner in the family farm business which produces a host of arable crops, chantenay
carrots, baby parsnips and pasture-fed beef. He supplies to a diverse customer base – from supermarkets to the catering trade. The farm is 2000 hectares and they have 600 head of beef cattle which are predominantly Aberdeen Angus. Cattle spend the entire year outdoors, and some will be finishing every month of the year. His son has also now entered the business and is developing a grass-based dairy enterprise. More info here: http://www.howardfarms.co.uk/cattle.html
John Turner, The Grange, Little Bytham, Lincolnshire
The Grange is a 100ha mixed farm run by brothers John and Guy Turner, together with their parents Anthony and Judy. In addition to the cereal crops produced for human consumption, the farm supports a beef suckler herd of around 100 animals comprised largely of Limousin breeding but based exclusively upon permanent and rotational pasture. The whole farm was converted to organic production in 1999. Although the greater proportion of the livestock produced at the Grange are currently destined for wholesale markets, an increasing number are finding their way into pasture- fed markets.
HOW TO SECURE YOUR PLACE
The standard cost for the full itinerary is £70 per person including accommodation and some meals. In order to keep costs low we will endeavour to organise lift sharing en-route to and from, and during the study tour. Please be prepared to offer contributions in the usual manner.
Please complete the attached booking form and return to Russ Carrington along with your payment ASAP. Places are limited and will be filled on a first come first served basis. If you have any questions please contact Russ on [email protected] / 07930 378413.