[O]n the 12th June 2018 The Farmer Network with support from Cumbria Community Foundation Flood Recovery Fund held two events on Cumbria farms with guest speaker, well- known grassland expert Charlie Morgan of Grassmaster.
The morning event was hosted by the Chester family of Brownrigg Hall farm, Allonby. The evening event took place at Langwathby Hall farm courtesy of Simon Peet and also Millriggs Farm with the permission of Chris Wilson. Both of these events were well supported with more than 30 farmers attending through the day. The feedback from the farmers who was very positive and found them to be very informative.
At the Allonby meeting Charlie discussed how poor soil condition and compaction is a major contributor to reduced pasture performance and the ways that farmers can improve it through carrying out regular soil and slurry analysis tests, liming, strip grazing methods and machinery that can help if there are issues with the soils structure. Rickerby’s machinery dealers and sponsors of the Farmer Network, brought along a subsoiler to demonstrate how it can be used in the right conditions to improve pastures.
The Langwathby event looked at similar soil issues as the Allonby and also the practicalities and economics of growing and harvesting willow and its role in Natural Flood Management. Neil Watkins of Iggesund discussed this with the farmers and we had a tour of Simon Peet’s willow crop which is situated close to the River Eden.