{"id":17866,"date":"2022-08-04T12:54:12","date_gmt":"2022-08-04T10:54:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbccountryfile\/?post_type=purple_issue&p=17866"},"modified":"2022-08-04T12:54:12","modified_gmt":"2022-08-04T10:54:12","slug":"regeneration-game","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbccountryfile\/2022\/08\/04\/regeneration-game\/","title":{"rendered":"Regeneration game"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\"\"
Claire and Sam Beaumont with their baby son Ike and a herd of shorthorn cattle at Gowbarrow Hall Farm in the Lake District. The family have transformed tired land that had been intensively managed with sheep into a healthy and biodiverse habitat<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n

Regeneration game<\/span><\/h2>\n\n

Under pressure to make ends meet, many farmers drive their land hard, which can take its toll on the health of the soil. But on their Lakeland hill farm, Sam and Claire Beaumont use less intensive, wildlife-friendly methods to raise livestock \u2013 and their earnings, writes Karen Lloyd <\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n\n

\"\"
Sitting on the shores of Ullswater in the Lake District, Gowbarrow Hall Farm includes fell land, ancient wood pasture, upland hay meadows and woodland<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n

It\u2019s a warm summer\u2019s day in the Lake District. I\u2019m looking across Ullswater\u2019s blue surface at the traditionally sheep-grazed eastern fells and walking through fields at Gowbarrow Hall farm with Anne Lloyd and daughter Claire Beaumont. As we walk, swallows and martins hawk overhead and peacock butterflies flit between flowerheads on patches of thistles. On this Lakeland farm, though, there is not a single sheep in sight. <\/p>\n\n

\u201cWe are turning hill farming on its head,\u201d Claire says. \u201cIt\u2019s traditional to put the animals on higher ground in summer and bring them down to the in-bye land [near the farm buildings] in winter. But we\u2019re putting the cattle and native fell ponies up on the higher land \u2013 we call it the Winter Block \u2013 to over-winter,\u201d she says, pointing uphill. <\/p>\n\n

\u201cThey graze in the rough or shelter in the woods and browse vegetation from the trees. The test comes when we see how they have fared come spring. What we are seeing is, the animals are not losing condition.\u201d <\/p>\n\n

Hill farmers are a hardworking lot, many of whom favour continuing the traditional way of farming sheep in the uplands. Others \u2013 including some farmers and environmentalists \u2013 are concerned that the lack of diversity of grazing animals, together with heavily compacted soils, means that the ground is unable to absorb heavy rainfall. Longer grasses and improved soils help the land to cope with extreme weather and to slow down heavy rainfall. Reducing sheep numbers is one way to reverse the pattern.<\/span><\/p>\n\n

\"\"
Hardy shorthorn cattle move into the hills over winter to graze in the rough <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n
REFRAMING FARMING <\/strong><\/h5>\n\n

Conservationists, the Government and others say that the end of hill farming subsidies in 2027, an outcome of Brexit, presents an opportunity to deliver greater public goods in the shape of habitats for pollinators, retention of upland soils and ameliorating flooding.Gowbarrow is at the centre of innovative regenerative farming. \u201cIt was a hard decision,\u201d Anne says, \u201cbut we sold the sheep on to make way for our new grazing system.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n\n

This gave the opportunity to rest the Winter Block from April to November, enabling flowering plants to return, providing food for pollinators and setting seed before being grazed by the cows again next autumn. <\/p>\n\n

In just one year of change, devil\u2019s-bit scabious, ragged robin, greater bird\u2019s-foot trefoil, sneezewort, harebell and even the uncommon marsh speedwell have begun to reappear in the sward. We pass through a gate and saunter downhill towards a herd of shorthorn cattle ruminating in the shade of a streamside bank of sycamore, oak and alder. Shorthorn cattle are a placid, hardy, native breed and have good disease-resistance and immune systems. The cows have calves at foot and the bull \u2013 Lionel \u2013 along with yearling bullocks, is dozing in their midst. It is an English idyll; a painting <\/span>by Gainsborough, albeit with added electric fence.<\/p>\n\n

\"\"
Left: A small white butterfly perches on a cuckoo flower; Right: Germander speedwells are now flourishing on the farm<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n

This is mob grazing, with cattle kept in one group in a reduced area and then moved on to a clean patch every few days. Mob grazing allows the ground to rest, allows grasses and wildflowers to set seed and helps to build the soil. In turn, this creates habitats for pollinators, voles and birds. It was evident how the ecosystem was working as we watched swallows and martins swooping over the herd and sparrows foraging for invertebrates among the cattle. Under conventional grazing regimes, the ground doesn\u2019t have this capacity to rest and repair and biodiversity is therefore greatly restricted. \u201cThey\u2019re always happy to move on to the next lot of fresh grass!\u201d Claire says. <\/p>\n\n

I notice the grass was strewn around the cattle like newly cut grass. Three days after they first began mob grazing, the family were horrified by this. \u201cWe wondered what on Earth we had done. It looked like mown hay. Our farm worker said it was no good, but we held our nerve.\u201d Four days later, the new growth began to come through. <\/p>\n\n

When the family significantly reduced haymaking and the use of fertilisers and heavy machinery, the farm\u2019s carbon output was reduced. <\/p>\n\n

\u201cEverything begins with the soil,\u201dAnne says, emphasising the importance of \u201cbuilding the microbial bridge\u201d. <\/span>Microbes form the bridge between soil and plant, making nutrients for plants and converting atmospheric nitrogen into a usable form.<\/p>\n\n

\"\"
\u201cWe\u2019re pleased with the results so far,\u201d says Anne Lloyd of the regeneration project<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n
SAVING THE SOIL <\/strong><\/h5>\n\n

So what do the neighbours think of this innovative way of hill farming? \u201cWhen we chat with them, they say things like, \u2018that grass has gone over\u2019. But they are looking from too far away; they\u2019re not seeing what we see.\u201d To illustrate, Claire pulls the grasses apart, revealing the close structure at the base of the plants. <\/p>\n\n

\u201cWhen we first dug holes to assess soil health, we\u2019d pour water in, but the water just sat there; the earth was compacted clay. Now when we do the percolation test, the water is absorbed straight away. It holds the rain.\u201d <\/p>\n\n

The family are beginning to see how different types of worms inhabit different levels in the earth. They have had an ecologist survey the farm, and can tell the pH of the soil by just looking at which plants are growing.<\/span><\/p>\n\n

<\/div>
\n

HEALING THE LAND <\/span><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Restoration projects are underway in several locations in Cumbria. At Lowther Estates near Penrith, wildflower meadows are being restored, large-scale wood pasture recreation is underway and beavers have been reintroduced to build biodiversity. Wetlands have been created and watercourses slowed.The estate is also commissioning studies to find out which species were once endemic in the landscape, such as the corncrake (pictured), in order to generate ideas about future recovery projects. Elsewhere, in the valleys of Rydal and Scandale, trees and scrub have been replanted; sheep have been replaced by longhorn cattle. The Restoring Hardknott Forest project is returning one of Cumbria\u2019s largest conifer plantations to native woodland, including planting rare aspen.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div><\/section>\n\n

\"\"
Shrubs, trees and longer grass in the uplands reduce the impact of extreme weather <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n
GRASSLAND GRAZING <\/strong><\/h5>\n\n

The inspiration to switch to regenerative farming came partly from Zimbabwean conservationist Allan Savory. Studying his work, the Beaumonts began to believe it was not necessarily livestock grazing that created problems for the environment, but the way they are grazed. Savory sees livestock management as the key to restoring the world\u2019s grassland soils, the major sink for sequestering atmospheric carbon and minimising the most damaging impacts of farming on the natural world. Keeping soils covered with healthy green plants and creating a diverse set of habitats also contributes towards carbon reduction. <\/p>\n\n

The family brought in agriculture consultant Caroline Grindrod of Wilderculture \u2013 an expert in regenerative farming \u2013 and, by aligning these processes, have shown that it is possible to farm sustainably and, importantly, to increase profitability. <\/p>\n\n

I wonder how regenerative farming differs from rewilding projects like that at Knepp in Sussex, subject of Isabella Tree\u2019s bestselling 2018 book Wilding: the Return of Nature to a British Farm?<\/em> \u201cWe don\u2019t use the term \u2018rewilding,\u2019 where nature gets to decide,\u201d says Claire. \u201cInstead, we\u2019re taking considered decisions for the different areas of the land; already we\u2019re seeing considerable differences.\u201d<\/p>\n\n

Anne is keen on the idea of reciprocity. \u201cWhen the cattle graze, there\u2019s a reciprocal relationship going on. They eat a third, trample a third, and a third is left behind; in this way the topsoil is developed and the grass is provided with the nutrients of success.\u201d <\/p>\n\n

Under current legislation, meat can be labelled as \u2018grass-fed\u2019 if cattle are fed on just 51% grass, the rest as grain or soya. When the Gowbarrow cattle are ready \u201cthey travel a very short distance to the local abattoir. The butcher there says the meat is fantastic quality \u2013 all fed on 100% grass and forage the cows find growing on the farm.\u201d The family now have a waiting list for the beef. <\/p>\n\n

\u201cWe\u2019re still fine-tuning the process,\u201dAnne says. \u201cWe\u2019re pleased with the results so far, both for the livestock and the land, but there have been a few sleepless nights trying to decide which is the right choice to make. We\u2019re the only certified Pasture Fed Livestock Association upland farm in the Lake District, and if we can do it, then we like to think that more can follow.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n\n

In the meantime, Claire tells me, the family never tires of those inspirational views. <\/p>\n\n

\n\n

FURTHER INFORMATION <\/strong><\/p>\n\n

Visit the farm\u2019s website to find out how to buy their meat and sign up to their mailing list: gowbarrow.co.uk<\/a> <\/strong><\/p>\n\n

\n\n
\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n

Karen Lloyd <\/strong>is writer in residence with Lancaster University\u2019s Future Places Centre. <\/p>\n\n

Books include The Gathering Tide <\/em>and her latest, Abundance: Nature in Recovery <\/em>(Bloomsbury, 2021) <\/p>\n\n

<\/div>
\n

KEY WILDLIFE SPECIES AT GOWBARROW FARM <\/span><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

1 SNEEZEWORT <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Blooming in July and August in damp meadows, this is a late source of nectar for pollinators after other plants have finished flowering. Its white pom-poms attract many insects, especially hoverflies. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

2 BETONY <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

This native perennial of open woods, grassland and hedgerows is an important food source for bees and butterflies. Red-purple flower-spikes crown long slender stems. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

3 WATER AVENS <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

A reintroduced species, water avens inhabits damp places. Its pretty, nodding, multicoloured and bellshaped flowers appear late into September, followed by feathery seed heads. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

4 BOG ASPHODEL <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

These yellow, star-like flowers bloom on peat bogs, damp heaths and moors in early summer, attracting a wide range of pollinators. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

5 RED CLOVER <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

The Beaumont family is trialling spreading certain wildflower seeds, such as red clover, selfheal and ribwort plantain, to reduce the dominance of grasses in the sward. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

6 RED SQUIRRELS <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

In contrast to losses elsewhere due to the more voracious feeding habits of grey squirrels, reds are doing well in the woodland at Gowbarrow. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

7 DUNG BEETLE <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Increasing numbers of dung beetles are playing a crucial role in natural and agricultural ecosystems. By burying dung, they provide an important source of food for decomposers. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

8 BUTTERFLIES <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Species seen in Gowbarrow include meadow brown (pictured), ringlet, green veined white, large skipper, small skipper and orange tip. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

9 VOLES AND SHREWS <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

These are in good numbers on the farm, providing food sources for resident barn and tawny owls. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

10 CURLEW <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Present in the breeding season, these birds have been heard alarm calling, suggesting that chicks have hatched. <\/p>\n<\/div><\/section>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Under pressure to make ends meet, many farmers drive their land hard, which can take its toll on the health of the soil. 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