AHDB's Farm Excellence network expands into Cumbria

Brackenburgh Home Farm is the latest addition to AHDB’s Farm Excellence network as Penrith Monitor Farm.

James Turner manages the 800-hectare mixed farming enterprise with trainee manager Henry Scholefield. Alongside the 300-hectare arable enterprise, the farm has a dairy unit, sheep, hill cattle and pigs.

During the three-year programme, James and Henry aim to embrace new advice and incentives to become more sustainable. They hope to seek rewards from natural capital assets while also developing Henry into a strong successor to manage the business going forward.

With AHDB’s Farm Excellence programme being both farmer-led and farmer-driven, farmers in Cumbria will have the opportunity to discuss challenges and share expertise on topics that are of interest to the group. Topics to be covered by Penrith’s Monitor Farm over the next three years include soil health, integrated pest management and succession.

James said: “I’m really looking forward to the next three years in the Monitor Farm network.

“The programme will be invaluable for us and for the area as it will bring industry experts and specialists into Cumbria.

“As farmers, we need to balance running a sustainable enterprise with being a profitable food-producing farm and this programme will help us consider all aspects of our business.

“Local farmers should get involved because it is great for us to get together to share information and learnings.”

Michelle Nuttall, AHDB Knowledge Exchange Manager for Cereals & Oilseeds, said: “It’s great to have James and Henry on board for the next three years.

“The Monitor Farm network is a great way for farmers to get together and share ideas to help take their businesses forward.

“Having the first Monitor Farm in Cumbria is particularly exciting as it will allow us to reach more farmers and help them develop their enterprises.”

Part of AHDB’s Farm Excellence programme, Monitor Farms bring together groups of farmers interested in improving their businesses by sharing best practice around a nationwide network of host farms.

Although there will not be any meetings at Penrith’s Monitor Farm in the short term due to coronavirus, James and Henry will be taking part in the NW & NI Monitor Farm summer meeting on 25 June 2020. For more information on this webinar, Penrith’s Monitor Farm or the Farm Excellence network in the North West and Northern Ireland, contact Michelle Nuttall.