Herbal leys in the White Peak - 2026

Tour of the White Peak Farm Trials focussed on herbal leys within forage based farming systems. Free Lunch - Booking Essential
About this Event

Join CSF and host farmers for a one day self-drive tour taking in 2 farms participating in the White Peak Trials; dairy and beef. The day focusses on herbal leys and the wider herbal ley farming system as an alternative to inorganic nitrogen fertiliser within intensive forage based systems.

We will consider the best ways to implement herbal ley actions in Agri-environment schemes, including:

• Identification of suitable improved grassland sites for herbal leys
• Avoidance of unsuitable sites; semi improved, unimproved and species-rich grassland, historic and archaeological features
• Establishment methods most likely to deliver success
• How to phase herbal leys into a forage based farming system
• How to manage and maintain herbal leys for productivity & reslience

Please share event details with interested parties but note that booking through Eventbrite is essential

Start location: Flagg Hall Farm, what3words detailed location: first.clearly.grafted

Lunch included. BASIS points applied for

Please check this page for updates prior to your booked date

Discover the benefits of herbal leys for farming & environment

• Good yields without nitrogen fertiliser, saving money & reducing carbon footprint – 100ha holding with 120 cows plus followers could save over £15,000/year on nitrogen fertiliser

• Quality forage, high in protein and minerals

• Wide grazing & mowing window

• Versatile and tolerant of different growing conditions & seasons

• Good for wildlife, soil & water

• See recent direct drilling and min-till trials

• learn about short term break crops for W**d and pest control

• See herbal leys working at whole farm scale as part of a mixed rotational system

Flagg Hall Farm

• Dairy - 320 cows, autumn block calving, paddock grazing

• Herbal leys introduced to grazing platform and silage fields

• Variety of establishment methods used including min till and direct drilling

Barkerfields Farm

• Beef - fully housed rearing and finishing

• Whole farm herbal ley based rotation including cereals for wholecrop

• Herbal leys cut for silage

• Variety of establishment methods used including min till, direct drilling and undersowing