You are invited to Madresfield Estate for an introduction to and comparison of different approaches to farming livestock as part of the Pasture and Profit in Protected Landscapes project, running in the Malvern Hills, Wye Valley and Shropshire Hills National Landscapes.

Madresfield is transitioning to a more regenerative way of farming their livestock. On this day we will have the opportunity to talk with Farm Manager Tim Hassell about how they are managing this transition and how different approaches to grassland management work (or don't work) in their system.

Through a farm walk and an informal discussion/Q&A session with a selected panel, we will have the opportunity to explore and discuss different approaches to grassland management. Including:

Hay meadow management with aftermath grazing
Utilising Herbal Leys in an arable rotation
Mob grazing/regenerative approaches to grazing
Ranching/extensive grazing
Flood meadow management
Set stocking

We will introduce the different systems and discuss their pros and cons including:

Profitability
Food sources – including herbal keys, grass and herb mixes etc
Environmental benefits
The latest funding options and rates available to support different approaches

You will have an opportunity to:

See some of these different systems in action during a farm walk
Talk to experts and others with experience of using these different systems
Chat with other owners and managers
Sign up to the Marches Pasture and Profit in Protected Landscapes Project and benefit from more events and one-one mentoring opportunities over the next 12 months (if you haven’t already done so)

Stew and dumplings for lunch, using estate produce!

Agenda:

9.45 - arrivals and refreshments

10.15 - introductions and information on Pasture and Profit in Protected Landscapes project

10.45 - farm walk

12 - informal Q&A and panel discussion

1 - lunch and chance to sign up to the project

2 - finish

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This event is part of the Marches Pasture and Profit in Protected Landscapes Project running in the Malvern Hills, Shropshire Hills and Wye Valley National Landscapes and funded by DEFRA Farming in Protected Landscapes (FiPL) fund.

Different Approaches to Grassland management