A Simple Guide To Regenerative Farming
Regenerative Farming is the key to a healthy future for us and our planet
All our farmers utilise ancestral methods of farming to improve the health and wellbeing of their animals, restore and enhance the health of their soil, promote biodiversity and nature on their farms, and do their bit contribute to sequestering carbon.
This approach means that livestock farming isn’t just 'sustainable' but beneficial to our planetary health.
That it’s possible to raise healthy animals whilst also improving the health of our environment and us.
The Key Principals Our Regenerative Farmers Farm By
How Rotational Grazing Works
Regenerative livestock farming involves rotational grazing, where animals are moved frequently between pastures to promote plant growth and prevent overgrazing of favoured plants.
This results in greater cover being built up over the soil from long rest periods of sometimes 120 days + before grazing again.
This helps to improve soil health, as healthy plants feed the microbes.
They also maintain warmth in the soil in the winter and moisture in the summer. Lenient grazing also promotes biodiversity as no plant is selectively grazed by livestock.
There is also reduced need for harmful synthetic fertilizers and pesticides as you rely on competition within the sward to repress weeds.
Managing Grazing
Our farmers livestock are managed in a way that mimics the natural grazing patterns of wild herbivores pressured by predators.
Grazing animals move regularly in a tight herd, which stimulates plant growth.
Trampling of the grass and heavy fertilisation in a short period of time benefits the health of the plants boosting growth after grazing and greater covers reduce soil erosion.
The periods these areas are left undisturbed are also very beneficial for insects and ground nesting birds.
Natural Inputs and Soil Biology
Our farmers focus on the use natural inputs like compost, seaweed, bokashi and animal manure to improve soil fertility.
These inputs are focused solely on introducing and feeding vital microbes and fungi rather than the plants themselves.
These fungi act in harmony with the plants. They provide nutrients for the plants who in return provide sugars for the microbes. The fungi also help to improve the structure of the soil by forming a complex network throughout the soil that binds it.
There is even evidence they can act as communications networks through which plants can communicate with each other and spread nutrients through!
Why Diversity Is Key
Diversity is natures greatest strength.
Each plant or animal has a role. Regenerative livestock farmers use this diversity to their advantage. Pastures are planted with a wide variety of plant species from trees, Forbes grasses and legumes.
The more variety the better.
This not only provides a varied and healthy diet for their livestock, but also helps to improve soil health, as each plant feeds the soil in a different way.
Diversity also reduces pest and disease pressure preventing epidemics.
Why Regenerative Farmers Avoid Chemicals
Our farmers aim to minimize or eliminate the use of synthetic fertilizers and pesticides.
These cause immense damage to the microbes in the soil, disrupt natural systems, damage plants health and the health of livestock.
Insecticides eliminate a vital food source for birdlife and herbicides are highly toxic to livestock and microbes.
All this in the end harms us.
Minimising and negating their uses helps preserve soil health, river health and our health.
