Roy Mayers' farm is around 70 ha, in Co. Fermanagh. This farm walk will focus on using clover swards to minimise inputs, farming on an all-grass system. Roy has Breeding sheep and finishes Wagyu Beef Cattle for which he has contract with the coop (lamb) and Marks and Spencer (Beef). He has weekly grass measuring for Grass check through afbi which is published in farming papers every week. He has been involved in ZeroNsile red clover trial farms for research in low input grass growth in Northern Ireland.
Join us at 10.30am for tea and coffee, with the farm walk running from 11.00am - 2.00pm.
Roy's farm is a Technology Demonstration Farm with CAFRE, one of 3 Environmental Technology Demonstration Farms in Northern Ireland. Mixed sward systems have been implemented to maintain low input grass system. They are also are looking at other grass types such as Tall Fescue cocksfoot Timothy and crimson clover (10 acres sowed June 2024). He has planted over 7 km of new hedge on the farm and around 10ha of Native woodland. They have a breeding Wader lake and 2 colonies of Red Squirrels on the farm. In a recent survey by RSPB we had over 30 species of birds on the farm.
This Farm Walk is part of a series that has been funded by the Shared Island Civic Society fund. The project is being delivered in partnership with the Nature Friendly Farming Network and Farming For Nature. We encourage farmers from Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland to attend.
WHAT ARE THE FARM WALKS:
This will be a 2.5 - 3.00 hour (approximately) visit to the farm and will include a walk around with the farmer/farm family, a look at some of the habitats and species present, as well as the livestock and/or crops, and a discussion with the farmer about how he/she/they manage the land in support of nature.
These walks are for farmers and people with an interest in farming for nature. They are meant to be an interactive knowledge exchange between people with a real interest in farming and nature. They are not suitable for children, or for people/groups looking for an ‘organised walk’ in the countryside.
These walks are non-profit but a booking fee is necessary to minimise the frustrating level of no-shows. It costs £10 to register and all funds are circulated back into the farming community.
Please wear suitable footwear for uneven and potentially muddy conditions.
We would ask that you please respect these farmers, their land and livestock when visiting. Dogs are not welcome. You will be turned away if you arrive with one.
The exact location of the farm walk will be sent via email to ticket holders on the week of the walk (keep an eye on your email & your spam folder as sometimes the emails end up in spam).
Please arrive at least 10 minutes before the walk commences.
Thank you to the Shared Island Civic Society Fund for supporting these farm walks.