Winter feed budgeting with Liz Genever

Join us for a focused session looking into the practical and financial planning of winter feed, weighing up priorities and implications.

How do I work out a winter feed plan? How much conserved forage do I need? How often should I move my animals in winter? If I can build up a bigger grass wedge in the autumn can I reduce how much conserved forage I feed and how does that impact my bottom line?

These are all questions we will be exploring with facilitator Liz Genever, kindly hosted by Roly Puzey who manages Saddlescombe Farm. Refreshments and lunch will be provided.

About the hosting farm

Roly and his family have been tenants of the 450 acre National Trust farm for 10 years. Starting out with a sheep focused enterprise, they then built up their own herd of Sussex cattle. More recently they made the decision to reduce the sheep numbers in response to environmental, economic and personal circumstances. While balancing these factors Roly and his family are trying to adopt regenerative grazing techniques, seeking to restore the land and its biodiversity by minimising inputs and coppicing and laying hedges.

About Liz Genever

Liz Genever is a mixed farmer in south-east Lincolnshire. She is a sheep and beef consultant specialising in grass and forage systems. Prior to that she worked at AHDB for 13 years as a beef and lamb technical specialist. She has experience of managing research and knowledge exchange projects which include AHDB’s Ram Compare and Challenge Sheep projects.

Please note

This event is part of a two day visit by Liz Genever to the South Downs. The second event will look at . It is the following day, Thursday 3rd October at Courthill Farm, hosted by Paul and Madeleine Crawley. You can also book onto that event here on eventbrite by clicking here.

This event is organised by in the South Downs; a free events, mentoring and training programme available to all farmers and graziers in the South Downs National Park.

All farmers are encouraged to join, whatever your farming practice, whether making adjustments or seeking knowledge. Participation doesn't commit to specific practices; the initiative supports farmers at any stage in their journey.

If you are not already signed up to the project, there will be an opportunity to do so at the event, or you can do so here.

Funding provided through the Farming in Protected Landscapes (FiPL) programme from DEFRA.

The Farming in Protected Landscapes progarmme gives grants for England's special and unique Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONBs) and National Parks. It supports projects that:

-recover nature

-tackle climate change

-provide opportunities for people to discover the landscape

-support sustainable farm businesses

Host or Publisher Pasture for Life