Supported by:
Ten farmers in the North Yorkshire Moors want to challenge the normal approach to re-seeding with fertiliser hungry leys.
The farmers are working with independent grassland experts and researchers from the University of Leeds to better understand the value of an under-used option for leys - cocksfoot.
The groups will investigate:
Cocksfoot has often been highlighted as valuable from both a productivity and environmental perspective. However, its use in herbal leys is very limited – perhaps because it does not typically require reseeding and is therefore of limited commercial interest to seed companies.
In an effort to understand the value of cocksfoot within the ‘ideal ley’ and challenge the normal approach to re-seeding with fertiliser hungry leys, ten farmers in the Rye catchment will be taking part in the trial.
They will be supported by independent grassland consultants, advisors and the University of Leeds to analyse yield, forage quality, rooting depth and percentage coverage whilst keeping records on stocking rates, grazing and soil health.
FIPL with North York Moors National Park Authority & Howardian Hills AONB have supported the establishment of the trials, and Innovative Farmers will support the longer term monitoring. The aim is to deliver better environmental outcomes from re-seeding particularly in relation to soil health and water infiltration to slow run off.
Ten farmers will take part in the trials. On each farm field-scale treatment and control areas have been established.
An ‘ideal ley’ will be devised for each treatment site by Jonathan Holmes (independent expert – Lordington Agronomy), based on soil type and required use. These will be established at the appropriate time using the same techniques for both the trial site and control (these techniques may be different on each farm)
Assessments:
The trial has experienced a "challenging" beginning. Most of the trial sites were established in the latter half of 2023 prior to one of the most challenging wet winters and early seasons on record. The general observation was that in the first half of 2024 the ryegrass leys came through the winter better than the cocksfoot leys. The deeper the root, the more experience of waterlogging. The cocksfoot in Spring 2024 seemed to have a really unusual growth habit; seeding in the driest places such as under trees, whilst some seemed dormant, making harder to identify.
As we went into summer 2024 and first cuts were taken, we began to assess the plots in more detail and it became apparent all was not lost. A couple of sites required re-seeding of both Ryegrass and Cocksfoot. Cutting and baling seemed to stimulate growth, particularly of the cocksfoot, and by later summer we had some happier farmers and some less concerned project facilitators!
The group are not surprised with the results and are prepared for the benefits of cocksfoot to hopefully surface longer-term.
Leaf and fresh grass analyses were taken over the summer and forage analysis is to be taken from conserved forage this winter. Grassland consultant Jonathan Holmes is looking at these to see what initial conclusions we can make and how we can build on this data in future years. Researchers from Leeds University will visit the sites in December to assess rooting depth and mass as we begin to build a picture of the ecological as well as agricultural value of cocksfoot in our leys.
Jonathan commented, “Such a ridiculously challenging year for any new ley... Not surprising that plants are not functioning properly. With added altitude and topography, everything seems to be outcompeted, especially by Yorkshire fog. Frustrating, but probably learnt more collectively than if the weather had been benign”.
Anecdotal evidence included Fraser noticing his calves crossing over a herbal ley and ryegrass to get to the cocksfoot plot; possibly due to higher nutrient loading as indicated from plant tissue tests.
Each farmer has established treatment and control areas on their trial site. These are at field scale and extend to approximately 50ha over the ten farms. Some sites are split fields and some are adjacent. In each case the aim has been to agree as similar control as possible.
Soil tests have been taken from each of the ten farm sites (treatment & control) and submitted to LANCROP for BSE soil test. This work was funded by FiPL, and took place before the field lab officially began.
Field lab launched
Baseline soil testing and ideal leys for each farm agreed
All 10 farm trial sites established
Forage analysis collected for each farm; site assessment to determine bare ground, species establishment into winter
Farmers provided with year 1 records; end of season meeting to agree progress for next year
Site assessment to determine bare ground, species establishment post-winter
First forage/yield analysis for early season up to first cut, plus observations
Yield analysis to assess mid-season potential and observations re conditions, i.e. drought
Yield and forage analysis late-season plus observations
Leeds University researcher visit to assess impact of ley after first full season growth
End of season meeting and farmers provide written progress report
Repeat 2024 process. Final report/bids to continue the field lab as appropriate, to assess the longevity of the leys.
North Yorkshire
Fraser runs the family farm in North Yorkshire; a mixed arable and grassland farm with a pedigree herd of 50 pedigree Beef Shorthorn cows.
Alongside his farming experience Fraser worked as Head of Conservation Management at North York Moors National Park Authority. Upon leaving the NPA to take on the family farm he set up his own consultancy where key contracts have included acting as co-ordinator for Championing the Farmed Environment across the North of England, running a Countryside Stewardship facilitation fund group of 57 farmers in the North York Moors and has recently been assisting the Howardian Hills AONB deliver FiPL.
University of Leeds
