Restoring lost habitat
The vision
Our whole family feels deeply connected to the farm. It has been in Rupert's mother's family for generations and we want to manage it with a long term mindset. Prompted by a desire to take the farming practices in a new direction and changes in government farming support policy, in 2022 we decided to review what we wanted for the farm, the family and the community. Our decision led to a radical change in direction for High Braythorne Farm.
Being a relatively small farm with no modern buildings, we couldn't see a future in commodity production. Instead, our position in the landscape and the character of our land gave us an opportunity to let ecosystems be our guide.
The image above is a vision for the farm once the work in our habitat management plan has matured.
First steps
The first step into our transition was to join Defra's Sustainable Farming Incentive pilot. Where we had "improved grassland" adjacent to hedgerows, we left 4m margins to allow grass to grow long. This provides better conditions for small mammals (e.g. voles) and invertebrates.
The pilot ended in 2023. We learned many lessons, meeting other farmers with the same aspirations and challenges has been a great education.
Looking to the future, we are developing a system to integrate a livestock-based farming system with biodiversity enhancement .
Creating a habitat bank
In 2023 a new opportunity came up to be more radical. We agreed terms with Environment Bank to increase biodiversity by restoring and enhancing habitat across the eastern section of the farm.
The plan includes conversion of monoculture ryegrass swards to more diverse grassland, including some species-rich meadows. Over several seasons we are overseeding with a mix that includes Meadow and Red Fescue, Common Bent, Crested Dog's Tail and Sweet Vernal Grass. Flowering plants include Ribwort Plantain, Red Clover, Common Sorrel, Lesser Trefoil, Yarrow, Selfheal and Yellow Rattle.
Hedges that have been removed over previous generations are being replanted - 1000ms during the winter of 2023/24.
Areas with low productivity adjacent to the woodland and beck have been planted with a mixture of trees and scrub.
Several ponds have been created to expand habitat for invertebrates and hold water that drains off higher ground to the north and slow the flow down the catchment
Our Partners
