Low input future for beef and sheep

A DESIRE to farm fewer livestock with reduced fertiliser inputs makes applying for the Entry Level Stewardship (ELS) scheme a natural progression for Rowan Napper.

The time has come to concentrate on other areas of the farming business, which include a pick-your-own fruit enterprise and farm shop, says Mr Napper. “ELS will mean I can reduce suckler cow and sheep numbers without incurring a financial loss.”

Inghams Farm, Clifton Hampden in Oxon, currently carries 80 suckler cows and up to 100 sheep running on 118ha (291 acres) of pasture scattered throughout the area.

A total of 3540 points will be required for acceptance into the scheme, says Farming and Wildlife Advisory Group adviser Corin Wilkins. “Based on pilot scheme points, this could result in ELS being worth 17,700 over the course of five years.”

With a variety of grass, arable and river ground, a range of options are available, says Miss Wilkins. “Due to the amount of grassland on the holding, low input grassland options were first considered.” With fertiliser priced at 150/t, Mr Napper believes low-input options will prove attractive to most livestock producers.

Mixed stocking is currently practised and even with reduced sheep numbers this option will gain points, Miss Wilkins explains. Low input and very low input options are available, both restricting timing of applications and quantities used.

“The low input option requires only 100kg/ha of total nitrogen livestock manure, or 50kg total nitrogen, each year be applied and not between April 1 and May 31. For very low inputs, only 12.5t/ha of manure must be applied each year and not between April 1 and June 30.”

In some areas of the farm, such as downland or rough grazing by streams, Miss Wilkins says no fertilisers are currently used, so very low-input options will be an ideal way to gain points.

Any unproductive, difficult corners can be left uncropped to regenerate naturally and provide a habitat and food source for a number of small mammals and farmland birds, says Miss Wilkins. “Wild seed bird mixes will also prove beneficial in areas linking existing habitats, such as woods and hedges, as well as provide a year-round food source for farmland birds.”

Pollen and nectar seed mixes will also encourage butterflies and bees, which in turn encourage other species, she adds. “This is best located in sheltered sunny locations.”

On intensive grassland, 6m buffer strips can be created to protect hedges and ditches.

“These grass fields could have a 6m buffer strip which should not be cut for silage, but can be grazed along with the rest of the field after the final cut.”

INGHAMS FARM OPTIONS * Very low input grassland * Field corner management * Wild bird seed mix * 6m margins on arable and grass