Reviving Rush Farm in a biodynamic way, England
Name of sustainable practice or practices Reviving Rush Farm in a biodynamic way, England
Name of main actor Rush farm: community-owned farming trust
Type of actors involved Pastoralists
Livestock Species Sheep
Livestock breed Lleyn sheep breed, Hereford cattle
Country United Kingdom
Agro-ecological region Temperate
Main feature of best practice Improving environmental sustainability including biodiversity conservation, Contributing to better animal health and welfare, Furthering grain-free strategies in animal feed
Key features of livestock farming system Biodynamic livestock farming
Year practice/management strategies started to be implemented 1990
Key practices implemented to improve sustainability of livestock management Certified as biodynamic by Demeter and organic by certification of the Soil Association, Rush Farm is a 150 acre family farm in Worcestershire. What used to be a wheat farm under a monoculture regime is now a diverse mixed farm. The wetlands of Rush Farm reach the borders of its ancient wood, and native Hereford cattle and Lleyn sheep graze on herb-rich meadows and pasture.
25 acres of the farm are classified as permanent pasture and are managed through a nine year rotation pattern. 20 acres of the rest land include clover, herb and grass mix. Hay and haylage making are also practiced on the farm. Cereal crops are grown as part of the rotation to provide straw bedding for the cattle during the winter while sale of grain provides some income.
For biodynamic preparations from cow manure and horns see the attached document.
Rush farm is working within the Higher Level Stewardship (HLS) scheme to encourage lapwings and curlews through the creation of suitable habitats including three scrapes. Grassland management hopes to encourage Linnets, Whitethroat, Skylarks, Corn Bunting and Barn Owls.
HLS is an element of the Environmental Stewardship (ES).
The aims of HLS are:
o Wildlife Conservation
o Maintenance and enhancement of landscape quality and character
o Natural resource protection
o Protection of the historic environment
o Promotion of public access and understanding of the countryside
Key aspects of the scheme include support for hedgerows. These provide shelter and food for many species of farmland birds, insects and mammals and also provide important corridors for wildlife movement across the farmed landscape.
To enhance the arable aspects of arable farming a strip of a corn field is left un-harvested and the whole field is left as stubble until the spring providing food and cover for bird and animal life.
Some fields are left as rough grassland to encourage insect and birdlife. The brown hare is an animal of the open country and is encouraged at Rush Farm by providing cover for them where they can hide. Hares are regularly spotted around the farm, particularly at dusk.
The wood has been brought back under management with a grant from the Forestry Commission and a permissive walk has been cleared. Every spring sees the wood carpeted in primoses, followed by bluebells and wild garlic.
Key impacts of the best practices on sustainability of farming system Diversity of vegetation and habitats of wildlife are supported by biodynamic practices so that landscape quality is maintained, environment is protected and biodiversity is preserved.
Constraints and opportunities observed during implementation of described practices Biodynamic farming on Rush farm uses a planting calendar based on the documented influences of the moon, planets and constellations on plant growth. It uses minuscule doses of plant-based preparations to enhance soil and plant health. And it has a stated spiritual belief in the interconnectedness of all living things. The farm’s soil fertility, plant growth, and animal welfare are interrelated, and seen holistically as an organism in its own right.
Contacts
Website: http://stockwoodcbs.org/rush-farm/
Text based on the article by Elisabeth Winkler. URL: http://www.permaculture.co.uk/articles/reviving-rush-farm-%E2%80%93-biodynamic-way
