ReGenAg Chat

Jaime Elizondo from Real Wealth Ranching goes through the key points of his grazing approach

In this session, Bruce Thompson (dairy farmer and Nuffield Scholar) talked about helping other dairy farmers connect with different approaches, particularly around sustainable parasite control. We also heard from Stuart Johnson (mixed farmer, Northumberland) about how is has changed the practices on his farm to respect nature and himself

This is the first session from this year's Carbon Calling conference, which is held in Tim and Emma's shed near Penrith. 

This session is chaired by Martin Lines from Nature Friendly Farming Network, and features Sarah Langford (author of Rooted) and Matt Swarbrick (Henbant Permaculture). There were talking about the importance of communicating outside farming, and ensuring people connect to the land.

Michael Blanche spoke to Nikki Yoxall (head of research at Pasture for Life and regenerative farmer), Amy Hughes (podcaster and AHDB engagement lead for beef and lamb), Claire Writtle (regenerative consultant and vet) and Sarah Langford (author, lawyer and farmer) about their experiences within the agriculture sectors and being in leadership roles.

Nic Renison and Liz Genever - two of the founders of Carbon Calling - spoke to Bruce Thompson again. He is a speaker at the Carbon Calling conference in September. We last spoke to him in May 2020 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CBcsc8gJamM&ab_channel=CarbonCalling).

Bruce Thompson runs dairy farm in Ballyfin, County Laois. The farm which was traditionally a mixed farm is now a commercial dairy farm with a herd of 320 cows. In line with the Teagasc dairy roadmap, Bruce operates a grass based, high efficiency production system. We also loves dung beetles and has done a Nuffield Scholarship and various projects on how to farm alongside them, and he also encourages other farmers to change practices. See https://www.farmingfornature.ie/nominees/bruce-thompson-2/ for more info.

He will be speaking at Carbon Calling Cumbria in September. Tickets are on sale now - https://www.tickettailor.com/events/carboncalling/913577

Nic Renison and Liz Genever - two of the founders of Carbon Calling - spoke to Jaime Elizondo. He is the headline speaker for Carbon Calling conference in September.

He is a real rancher with over 30 years of experience on regenerating the land and significantly improving profits in his own ranches and with students in many different environments. His passion is helping ranchers regenerate their land the fastest while reaching maximum profitability! For information, see https://www.rwranching.com/

He will be speaking at Carbon Calling Cumbria in September. Tickets are on sale now - https://www.tickettailor.com/events/carboncalling/913577

Nic Renison and Liz Genever - two of the founders of Carbon Calling - spoke to Andrew and Sally Hatton. They are first generation farmers in Nidderdale, who have brought back seasonal cheese making back to the area. They are milking Northern Dairy Shorthorn alongside producing beef and some lamb. They are also focusing on regenerating their meadows. See https://www.stonebeckcheese.co.uk for more details

They will be speaking at Carbon Calling Cumbria in September. Tickets are on sale now - https://www.tickettailor.com/events/carboncalling/91357

Nic Renison and Liz Genever - two of the founders of Carbon Calling - spoke to Dr Donna Udall from the Centre of Agroecology, Water and Resilience at Coventry University about biochar. They also talked about attitudes to scientists within the regenerative movement and the need to look at how we are educating the next generation.

Biochar is a specific type of charcoal that is produced when biomass is burnt with very little oxygen.

Donna has been researching the benefits of biochar in UK and other temperate soils, plus tropical soils. She will talk us through how it is made, how it can lock down carbon and potential benefits for soils in the UK. She will also highlight some negatives of biochar and its potential impact on yield.

Donna comes from a beef and sheep family farm in mid Wales.

Nic Renison and Liz Genever - two of the founders of Carbon Calling - spoke to James Robinson, dairy farmer from Cumbria, and Neil Heseltine, beef and sheep farmer from North Yorkshire.

Both James and Neil are part of the Nature Friendly Farming Network and will talk through what they are doing on their farms to make space for nature while producing milk and meat.

https://www.nffn.org.uk/nffn-farmer-case-study-neil-heseltine-hill-top-farm-malham-north-yorkshire/

https://www.nffn.org.uk/rethink-farming-james-robinson/

Nic Renison and Liz Genever - two of the founders of Carbon Calling - spoke to Anna de la Vega, founder of Urban Worm.

The Urban Worm CIC is a social enterprise dedicated to raising the potential for vermiculture to provide solutions for regenerative organic waste management and agriculture. 

Anna has worked with a broad spectrum of industries from Wagamamas to the military encouraging and implementing the use of vermicomposts to help business become more circular.

Anna spoke about how to set up a wormery on farm and how to gain the benefits from vermicast on farm.