282: AHDB Beef & Lamb: Finding the balance between productivity and the environment

In this episode, AHDB’s Knowledge Exchange Manager Nicola Renison speaks to Tom Vickers, a hill and upland sheep and suckler beef farmer from County Durham about finding a balance between production and the environment. Tom is 26 years old and has been farming in partnership with his mother for five years since studying Agriculture with Environmental Management at Harper Adams University. The farm itself has been involved in agri-environment schemes since 1989 and Tom is keen to continue the emphasis on environment and land management to qualify for the new ELMS scheme.  

In their sheep system Tom runs Pedigree Swaledales and produces north of England mules. In the suckler herd he is looking at developing the breed to introduce hardier traits. Traditionally he has used a set stock grazing system but has recently introduced rotational grazing to try to improve grass growth and quality. Tom has also been working on improving his soil health on the farm through testing soil samples and comparing it to samples off farm as well.   

Tom says: “There is definitely space for us to be farming within an eco-system but it has to compliment the eco-system. We have to change our methods to suit the environment more; reduce fossil fuels, work with nature rather than against it and do this in a sustainable way that is beneficial for the environment, the communities and is financially viable for the business. 

“I am very conscious that everyone who passes through our farm footpaths is a customer and we would like to give them some information about what we are doing and why we are doing it. So we put up some signs along the footpath which explain a bit about what we do and where they can get more information from.” 

 

Follow Tom on Instagram: @northernnativeproduce
Visit the AHDB Environment page https://ahdb.org.uk/the-environment