Extreme weather is becoming a bigger challenge for many dairy businesses. In the session our farmers will discuss what changes they are making on-farm, what's working, common barriers, and how nature-based approaches can fit alongside commercial dairy production. Followed by questions from the audience.

The speakers will cover key topics such as:

• Soil Management

• Water Management

• Shade and Shelter Provision

• Animal Health & Welfare
  

This webinar is all about providing you with examples of how other dairy farmers are using real-world nature-based solutions to make the most of what they’ve got on the farm already with minimal outlay. We hope you leave the session feeling like you can try some of these approaches on your farm too.

Speakers:

James Robinson:

The Robinson’s have farmed at Strickley in south Cumbria for over 150 years and 6 generations. James & his family now have 300 acres of organic land with 130 pedigree Dairy Shorthorns and 130 followers grazing meadows, permanent pasture and herbal leys in small fields, surrounded by over 7 miles of ancient hedgerows. These hedgerows are managed in a traditional 20 year rotation of hedgelaying and link a mixture of diverse habitats such as wetlands, species rich hay meadows and ancient oak woodland.

They have recently begun pasteurising and bottling milk on-farm, using organic, nature-friendly milk as a selling point.

Ruth Grice:

3rd Generation Dairy Farmer Leicestershire

I’m a partner in our family farm near Melton Mowbray in Leicestershire, where we sell milk from 250 pedigree Holsteins to Long Clawson Dairy, a local co-operative comprising of 30 family-run farms. Ruth also works for the co-operative, helping them achieve their environmental targets.

Anna Bowen:

Contract Dairy Farmer/Consultant

Anna contract farms a herd of 550 organic spring block calving dairy cows in South Devon. Anna and her husband moved to Devon in January after eight years contract farming a smaller conventional spring herd in West Wales. Off farm Anna works as a Senior Farm Business Consultant for The Andersons Centre specialising in dairy.