The alternative farm show

Growers keen to learn more about the regenerative or conservation farming movement might want to bypass the big event at Ingliston later this month and head straight to Groundswell in Herefordshire.

The UK’s largest regenerative agriculture show will take place on June 22-23 where the Cherry family, who run Lannock Manor Farm, have opened their gates to demonstrate innovative technology at work in trials and share their experiences of improving soil health.

There will also be plots showcasing new varieties and blends as well as machinery, seminars and debates.

Among the questions being posed at this year’s event include asking how agriculture can decarbonise, how young people can get access to land, and where is the national food strategy one year on?

A wide range of herbal leys, cover crops, wheat varieties and blends will be on show, as well as one of the first comparative biostimulant trials.

There are sessions looking at managing swards in the context of climate change and increasing fertiliser prices, and an exploration of different approaches to grazing. Five grassland farmers – from a small part-time beef breeder to a large first-generation tenant dairy farmer – will share their experiences.

NIAB has sessions on agroforestry and exploring the opportunities within supply chains, and KWS has direct drilled in the cover crop six varieties of winter wheat – KWS Zyatt, KWS Extase, KWS Palladium, KWS Guium, KWS Dawsum and KWS Cranium.

Barenbrug, the secondlargest grass breeder in the world, will share knowledge on the different grass species and varieties, and the benefits they can bring to farming enterprises.

“We’ve got plots with individual species of chicory, plantain, burnet, yarrow, sainfoin and sheep’s parsley, all of which are commonly found in herbal leys,” said Yvonne Hargreaves, the company’s brand marketing manager.

“We’ve also got red clover, white clover, crimson clover, winter vetch and birdsfoot trefoil to highlight the different species that come in multispecies swards.”

Growers will find drills and machinery from 15 manufacturers, and bakers, chefs and food producers will make the link between soil and plate.

INNOVATION: The Groundswell event focuses on regenerative farming.