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The latest ideas, opinions and innovations from people working in sustainable agriculture
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Housing and Shearing Sheep in January
This month Richard is in the sheep barn talking about the sheep enterprise at Daylesford. Richard lambs 1,250 Lleyn ewes commercially and also lambs 250...
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Can you replace a tractor with a cow? No? I didn’t think so either, but…
Ok, so maybe not in the sense that you can hop on board, turn the stereo on and get stuck into the hay or silage...
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Rearing dairy cattle
Richard visits the dairy barn to talk about rearing calves on the farm. The farm has a long calving period; from September until the following...
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A balanced diet for the soil
The Soil Association, in collaboration with Catchment Sensitive Farming, will be running soil health workshops in February, where you will have a chance to learn...
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Rearing turkeys for Christmas
This month, Richard is in the turkey field, discussing rearing turkeys for Christmas. He explains that the main reason for starting a turkey enterprise was...
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Response to the State of Nature Report
The GWCT Allerton Project has nearly 25 years of applied science and practical farming experience. We recognise the issues raised in the State of Nature...
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Why traditional sheep farming is most sustainable for hills and uplands
For decades, upland farming has come under pressure. At one end accused of not being modern enough, and, at the other, of damaging ecosystems. Yet...
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Practical organic farming solutions for an uncertain future
Without question, the Brexit referendum result has opened up a significant debate about the future of agriculture in the UK, and the place of organic...
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Subsoiling, drilling oats and sheep dog training
In our October video blog, Richard discusses subsoiling, drilling oats and training sheep dogs to help you on your farm. Subsoiling Richard starts in a...
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Agroforestry and using woodchip to improve soil health
We all know compost is good, right? Most of us also know that it is almost impossible to get enough good compost from our own...
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Growing seasonal veg using energy efficient systems
I believe that an ecological and preferably local and organic approach is the only way to feed the world sustainably. Part of our quest in...
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Preparing ewes for tupping
Richard explains that the lambs at Daylesford Farm are weaned from mid-August and the ewes, having worked hard all summer to rear the lambs, are...
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The Future of Food
Patrick Holden (organic dairy farmer and Director of the Sustainable Food Trust ) recently gave a talk at Daylesford Organic Farm. This video is footage...
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Improving efficiency, profitability and sustainability through reducing farm emissions
In the general stresses that surround farming including making day-to-day business decisions, not annoying the Rural Payments Agency, looking after stock and crops, managing staff,...
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Benefits of growing red clover and the use of FECPAK to reduce reliance on anthelmintic drugs
Richard Smith visits a stand of red clover at Daylesford Farm and then demonstrates the use of FECPAK to reduce the reliance on anthelmintic drugs...
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What does sustainable farming mean to you?
As the newest member of the Agricology team, working as Communication Assistant, I am excited to have been thrown in at the deep end to...
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The role of livestock in meeting emissions targets and keeping carbon in the soil
What farmers face The Department of Energy and Climate Change is no more but the UK’s legal commitment to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from...
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Mixed swards, rotational grazing and happy bees: Open Day reflections
As Head Stockman at an ecologically sustainable business like Daylesford , I am lucky enough to graze my cattle on some of the best organic...
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EURAF: Celebrating agroforestry research in Europe
In late May 250 delegates from as far away as China and Brazil, with a large contingent from France and Europe, gathered in Montpelier for...
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Harvesting sainfoin
Richard Smith shows the sainfoin crop being mown at Daylesford Organic farm - a follow on from his previous video blogs . Mowing has been...
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