On the 23rd of February the Arun to Adur Farmers Group was very lucky to be invited to a Grassland Event kindly organised by Southern Water and hosted by the Sompting Estate.
We had the pleasure of learning from Tim May from the Kingsclere Estate about his journey. After a transformative Nuffield Scholarship, Tim set out to build a farming business that goes beyond profit – one that restores soil health and biodiversity. The estate’s open-minded approach adopts a combination of livestock, rotation, and organic technologies, diminishing dependence on purchased commodities and addressing the issue of ‘Ag inflation’. Imagine a roaming dairy herd served by a mobile parlour, strategic calving patterns synchronised with spring grass, and a chicken enterprise working harmoniously though the fields. Tim accepted the challenges, from maintaining strip till cultivations for cereals to strategically re-introducing the plough, after years of no-till establishment, to support organic conversion. Kingsclere Estate doesn’t just farm it; it collaborates with like-minded entrepreneurs through the Pitch Up! Initiative, creating partnerships that add value to both parties. Tim emphasised the importance of mental health support and a holistic decision-making approach that considers people, livestock, land and financial rewards.
With AERWORZ LIMITED and OPICO Limited, we explored solutions to alleviate soil compaction in grassland. The Aerworx Aerator and Opico Sward Lifter showcased innovative ways to aerate and subsoil compacted soils, ensuring optimal water infiltration and grass ready for mowing. Thank you to Jason and Dean for their impactful presentations and bringing these incredible machines to light.
