Ten farmers in the North Yorkshire Moors are working with independent grassland experts and researchers from the University of Leeds to better understand the value of an underutilised option for leys - cocksfoot.
Cocksfoot has on multiple occasions been highlighted as valuable from both a productivity and environmental perspective, yet its use in herbal leys is very limited – perhaps because it does not typically require reseeding and is therefore of limited commercial interest to seed companies. In an effort to understand the value of cocksfoot within the ‘ideal ley’ and challenge the normal approach to re-seeding with fertiliser hungry leys, ten farmers in the Rye catchment will look at how to practically fit cocksfoot leys into the cutting/grazing platform, their tolerance to drought or boggy conditions and different approaches for establishment. They will be supported by independent grassland consultants, advisors and the University of Leeds to analyse yield, forage quality, rooting depth and percentage coverage whilst keeping records on stocking rates, grazing and soil health.
Baseline soil tests carried out
Each farmer has established treatment and control areas on their trial site. These are at field scale and extend to approximately 50ha over the ten farms. Some sites are split fields and some are adjacent. In each case the aim has been to agree as similar control as possible.
Soil tests have been taken from each of the ten farm sites (treatment & control) and submitted to LANCROP for BSE soil test. This work was funded by Fipl, and took place before the field lab officially began.
Field lab launched
Field lab launched
Group Coordinator
Fraser Hugill
North Yorkshire
Fraser runs the family farm in North Yorkshire; a mixed arable and grassland farm with a pedigree herd of 50 pedigree Beef Shorthorn cows.
Alongside his farming experience Fraser worked as Head of Conservation Management at North York Moors National Park Authority. Upon leaving the NPA to take on the family farm he set up his own consultancy where key contracts have included acting as co-ordinator for Championing the Farmed Environment across the North of England, running a Countryside Stewardship facilitation fund group of 57 farmers in the North York Moors and has recently been assisting the Howardian Hills AONB deliver FiPL.
Researchers
Dr Ruth Wade
University of Leeds