The UK's top regenerative agriculture event for livestock producers is back this summer at one of the country's leading farming establishments.
Award-winning Grosvenor Farms in Cheshire will host RABDF's Down to Earth on Wednesday, 3rd July. Down to Earth is now in its third year and is designed to offer something for everyone interested in profitable farming and transitioning towards more environmentally acceptable systems.
Grosvenor Farms has been chosen as the host due to its ability to demonstrate firsthand the intrinsic benefits of a whole-farm approach. They were the 2023 overall winner of the UK’s premier dairy industry awards – the Cream Awards – where they were recognised for reducing the carbon footprint of their activities, improving carbon sequestration and enhancing biodiversity.
Grosvenor Farms produces high-quality, nutritious milk and cereal grains, adopting sustainable practices that benefit animal welfare and enhance the environment. The farm consists of an arable and 2,600-cow dairy operation and is spread across 2,340 hectares, including 800 hectares of arable, 450 hectares of three-year grass leys on a multi-cut system and 350 hectares of maize. Approximately 12% of the land is managed to support greater biodiversity and improve natural habitats.
Visitors will learn how Grosvenor Farm’s whole farm approach has driven their strategy for the past decade, benefitting the entire farming operation and the environment. They will detail how they have increased their soil carbon to an average of 3% - almost double the UK average for cultivated soils and an indicator of its health and quality.
They will also outline how their integrated arable and dairy operations allow regular inputs of organic manure before and during the growing season — promoting healthy soil and providing a valuable source of plant nutrients. This is demonstrated in the farm's average soil organic matter on cultivated land at just over 5.25%, a good indicator of a resilient system.
They will explain how they use conservation tillage to grow crops sustainably and stop soil carbon from escaping into the atmosphere. Their fields are planted year-round to help protect soils from erosion and recover nitrogen, an essential nutrient for growing.
By integrating farming systems, such as recycling manure into organic fertilisers to replenish soils, means more than 80% of their animal feed is grown without artificial fertilisers.
David Craven, Dairy and Infrastructure Manager at Grosvenor Farms, explained: "Our primary objective is to profitably produce safe and nutritious food while taking full account of the needs of our environmental, social and regulatory responsibilities.
"Investment in new technologies and renewable energy from solar panels on our sheds, recycling the sand which is used for bedding and using manures as organic fertilisers to grow our own feed, have already contributed to a reduction in our carbon footprint. It is no coincidence that having a profitable farming system also corresponds with us reducing our carbon footprint," he said.
As well as learning about Grosvenor Farm and having a farm tour, visitors to Down to Earth will also hear from industry experts on a range of topics, including biodiversity and animal health. There will also be practical machinery demos taking place throughout the day and a wide range of trade stands.
The event is unique as it is tailored specifically for livestock farmers and provides an arena where the whole industry can come together and address the opportunities, facts, and science surrounding regenerative farming principles and see them in action.
Show organiser RABDF's Managing Director Matt Knight said: "We are thrilled to be hosting Down to Earth at Grosvenor Farms this year. Their approach clearly demonstrates the benefits across the entire farming system that can be had by taking a 360 view. All farm elements are intrinsically linked; they can now demonstrate the benefit to their entire business and the environment.
"Due to the diverse nature of this operation, there are guaranteed to be light-bulb moments for all visitors, whether they are just starting on their regenerative journey or already some way down the route,” he added.
More information on the event, including speakers and ticket sales, will be available in due course at projectdowntoearth.co.uk
About RABDF
RABDF is the sole UK charity focused on the unique needs of milk producers. They are the only dairy organisation holding a Royal Warrant, with the influence and access to funding that brings.
More information
Sarah Alderton, farmgatemedia@outlook.com, 07739969198