The Role of Cocksfoot in Diverse Leys: Field Lab Farm Walk

Since spring 2023, ten farmers in the North York Moors have been testing whether a bespoke cocksfoot ley is more resilient and requires less reseeding and fewer inputs than a traditional ryegrass-dominated ley. Cocksfoot is not widely available in commercial grass mixes but has many potential benefits; it is thought to last longer and have similar yields to ryegrass with fewer nitrogen inputs, and produces more complex rooting systems with benefits for soil health and water retention.

In this event, we will discuss the challenges of establishing leys in an upland scenario, cocksfoot establishment techniques, varieties and availability, and visit the two trial plots. For more information on the field lab, visit the Innovative Farmers website.

Farm Background

The event is kindly hosted by Stuart & Helen Beeforth who are one of ten farms involved in this field lab. Stuart & Helen farm at High Crookleith Farm a 375 acre tenanted farm in the North York Moors National Park, with additional land rented away from the main farm. Stuart runs a herd of 35 cows including bulling heifers and 450 ewes. The farm is in a Countryside Stewardship agreement, including some herbal leys.

Speakers include:

• Fraser Hugill, project facilitator and farmer
• Karen Stanley, project facilitator
• Jonathan Holmes, independent grassland expert
• Dr Ruth Wade, University of Leeds
• Alicia Martin, technical advisor at Frontier Agriculture

Agenda

10:30am: Tea & coffee

11am: Morning session

• Introductions to the High Crookleith, the farms in the field lab and overview of the project
• Visit the trial plots. Discussions on the interest in cocksfoot and its impact on soil health; monitoring undertaken in the field lab; cocksfoot establishment techniques and the experiences at Crookleith and the other farms in the trials; cocksfoot varieties and availability, and perceptions of cocksfoot in the seed sector
• Demonstration of rooting depth assessments

12:30 - 13:30 Lunch (free of charge)

13:30 - 15:00 Optional afternoon farm walk

To include discussion of management at other farms in the Bilsdale landscape, the bracken management methods at Crookleith Farm, and the Innovative Farmers field lab on bracken management.

Event address: High Crookleith, Chop Gate, Middlesbrough, TS9 7JW. Further information will be sent out in joining instructions.