The Alexander Family, Ballyboley Dexters 3/3
How do you monitor biodiversity?
We have learnt that we monitor biodiversity every single day, sometimes without even realising. On daily basis we take photographs on the farm and use wildlife cameras to record footage of flora and fauna during the seasons. We carry out soil sampling and worm counts on both farms. We have had green infrastructure surveys carried out across our farms with the hope to maximise future opportunities to improve hedges, trees, ditches, water quality and pasture for cattle and wildlife. Along with the National Trust we have completed more formal monitoring including transect lines to count pollinators as mentioned above as well as quadrat studies counting the species in our pasture as well as pollinators. We have used citizen science apps to record data such as ‘FIT count’ as well as recording the data personally. We also receive feedback from bird watchers and from the public. We intend to continue this monitoring in its various forms on an annual basis to build up a relevant data bank.
Testing out in the field
What are the benefits to the farm and is it increasing its climate and business resilience? If so, in what way?
The way in which we farm at both Greyabbey Farm and Orlock Farm has had huge benefits to the entire farm system.
The range of species in our grassland has benefits to soil structure, soil drainage, biodiversity and supports our stock health. The legumes fix nitrogen into the soil, grasses provides body and sugar content which aids silage fermentation, timothy is very persistent and also provides good sugar content and as it grows earlier and later it will extend the season. Herbs have deep roots and bring up minerals from the deeper soil. The varied pasture has proven to be drought resistant on both farms. The pasture is high quality and protein rich which is essential across the herd to improve productivity.
Cutting legumes at Orlock Farm
At Orlock the mob grazing system on the multi species sward/herbal ley has excellent conservation, carbon sequestration and animal health potential as well as reducing methane production by the cattle. It rapidly increases soil organic matter, allows plants to flower and seed while providing cattle with a high quality, diverse forage.
Our regenerative farm system has improved animal health and with the varied pasture-based diet our cattle browse on we no longer use routine anthelmintics, antibiotic use is extremely low and veterinary led as well as there being no need for boluses or vaccinations.
New Belted Galloways at the farm
Our system has also eased management of the farm, improved land resilience in relation to soil erosion, water quality, wind reduction, shelter, parasite reduction and biosecurity. It has also allowed us to maximise our outputs both financially and environmentally.
Our steps towards regenerative farming really came from a necessity to improve farmland with little budget, a desire to keep the farm financially sustainable with minimal inputs whilst optimising outputs and to have a positive impact on the environment and nature. Over the years we have learnt that the smallest of change can have big benefits to nature and the whole farm system. We would encourage all farmers to continue moving forward with any positive changes they can make. As a whole we have seen huge benefits to biodiversity and the wider surrounding environment. At our core we are a beef producing farm with a focus on producing the highest quality beef possible, a spin-off from this with a little thought and planning has been the biodiversity and nature benefits described. Our pasture reared cattle are an integral and essential part of our biodiverse farm.
They herd grazing diverse pasture
