Strategic Cereal Farm Midlands

Osbaston House Farm includes 650 ha arable land, 100 ha grassland and an indoor poultry unit (with about 150,000 birds).

The business has several other income-generating activities, including glamping, dog walking and a livery. It has two full-time arable employees.

The arable rotation comprises wheat, maize and winter beans (all sold for animal feed).

Oilseed rape is no longer grown on the farm, partly due to cabbage stem flea beetle (CSFB) pressures. Will is keen to test ways to bring it back, because of its value as a break crop.

The farm aims to make the most out of organic materials. The chicken manure from the poultry unit is used on the farm.

Cover crops (usually, rye, vetch and clovers) and catch crops are also grown, which are grazed by sheep (not owned by the farm). The farm has not used insecticides for over six years.

Will was named Cereal Grower of the Year in 2021 (National Arable and Grassland Awards) and Arable Farmer of the Year in 2022 (Farmers Weekly Awards).

In 2024, he became the vice chair of the Maize Growers Association (MGA). He also has various roles on NFU boards.

Keen to try new approaches and refine established ways of working, the farm is already engaged in research.

Will wants to take this to the next level through the AHDB Strategic Cereal Farm Programme.

Main trials

Maize residue management for the following wheat crop

The management of maize residues impacts soil health and has implications to following winter wheat crops (e.g. fusarium risks). This trial will investigate contrasting approaches to manage the break down of maize residues in a no-till system.

Optimising organic amendments

Standard average values, such as those published in the AHDB Nutrient management guide (RB209), provide a good indication of the typical nutrient content associated with organic materials. However, the best information is likely to be derived from the actual materials applied in specific situations. This trial will determine if poultry manure nutrient values can be optimised and explore the benefits and trade-offs of poultry manure applications versus inorganic fertilisers.

Testing technology for decision-making

To make the most out of fungicide and nutrient inputs, usage needs to be highly tailored to the farming system and situation (to account for seasonal factors). This trial will examine how to use in-season technologies to target fungicides and nitrogen.

Learn about the on-farm trials at Strategic Cereal Farm Midlands