A third generation farmer changing from conventional to holistic
High input costs were a driver for change
Sam is a third generation farmer from Hertfordshire in the U.K. He currently runs a mixed farm under Holistic Management. With implementing this management style for just over a year, Sam talks about the challenges and benefits of switching from conventional to Holistic Management.
After taking over the family farm he wanted to change from conventional practices as he no longer wanted the risk associated with conventional farming. He believed that the high input costs that were paid for years under conventional practices did not guarantee the expected profits. He felt this was too much of a risk for his farm.
Above is a video of Sam's cows walking through a drainage pond, that takes run off from a land drain from some fields that are historically quite wet. The fields that the ponds are in are only grazed when the weather is really hot, and the cows go in the ponds to cool down, as some of the surrounding fields don't have very good shelter.
Knowing he needed a change in management styles, he attended events, such as
Groundswell, where he met those implementing Holistic Management. This sparked his interest and his desire increased by watching talks by
Gabe Brown, who made him feel the results were achievable.
After deciding to change, Sam attended in-person training for Holistic Management two years ago which was held only 20 minutes away from his own farm. By being so close he felt this had a major impact on starting the training.
Changing grazing patterns and reducing herds were difficult at the start of implementing Holistic Management.
After completing his training in Holistic Management, Sam implemented the practice instantly. This led to some initial challenges such as changing his own mindset.
He found it hard to reduce from 2 herds, down to one herd. Sam also found it difficult to see that he could feed more cows with less land than before. Understanding the principle of rest and recovery of plants, and using this principle to its full potential was difficult. Above and below are photos of his cows enjoying their lush paddocks.
Holistic Management is inclusive for its users via online platforms.
Although he was met with challenges, Sam highlighted there was a better sense of community within Holistic Management which helped him overcome the challenges. He described holistic managers as more inclusive and helpful than farmers in the conventional system.
And because the same key principles are used worldwide, help comes from everywhere. The Farming Forum allows connections to be made all over the world using the internet.
Above are images that show the difference between grazed and ungrazed land on Sam's farm.
Changing management styles has allowed for more family time
For Sam, the main benefit is more quality time with his young family. He has found that using this system allows for him to set-up paddocks a week in advance and to spend less time spreading artificial fertilizers.
With healthier and happier animals he is working less hours and spending more time with his young children. This allows for a better quality of life. He also feels he is helping his children grow a love for nature which will stay with them for life.
Above is a video of Sam's cows enjoying grazing.
Although Sam is new to Holistic Management, in his second season of Holistic Planned Grazing, he has started to see ecological change. New species are growing, which had always been there but not given the chance to grow. This is due to longer rest and recovery periods for plants.
Sam’s view on certain species has changed too. What he once would have seen as a ‘weed’, such as thistles and docks, he now understands as beneficial plants with a specific function to restore and regenerate soil. He is positive about the future.
