RE GENER AT IVE SYSTEM S
Beef Shorthorn fitting future regenerative systems Regenerative grazing systems are a relative new concept to livestock farmers, however they are finding they’re able to build greater resilience to fluctuations in weather patterns and market prices by working more closely with nature and reducing interventions. The system involves higher-intensity, short grazing periods with long resting times
in-between, using a system of paddocks. It keeps the sward height high and encourages regrowth and development of plant and root systems, which also improves soil microbiology and function. This type of management helps to improve soil condition, biodiversity and livestock health, and maintain steadier financial
margins against the backdrop of reduced support payments and increasing input costs. We explore two systems successfully farming Beef Shorthorn yet operating in contrasting regions - a mixed lowland unit in the Home Counties and a hard hill Lake District farm.
Farming for profit and sustainability
T
he Cherry family is farming a regenerative system for the future, one that is profitable and sustainable. “We’ve developed a simple regime with livestock which requires relatively little management input,” explains John Cherry who farms with his brother Paul and nephew, Alexander. “We are focused on making the cows do all the work, and we’ve found that our Beef Shorthorn have proved they can be integrated in to a profitable enterprise, they are able to deliver and make money. “They’re great natural grazers, they have that essential quiet temperament and the nice thing is they tend to look after themselves and go on to achieve above average performance.”
Beef Shorthorn herd KPIs • 92% calves reared per cows put to the bull • 90% calve in spring within the first six weeks • 100% within the first two months. • Calves weaned at 10 months having achieved an average 0.95kg DLG • Replacement heifers selected according to their dam’s performance, size, and temperament • Introduced to the bull at 13 to 14 months; average 370kg to calve at 24 months • Mature weight average 670kg The Cherry’s quest for a functional suckler cow led them to invest in Beef Shorthorn in 2001. “We used to buy in black Hereford crosses, however BSE put a stop to that; we moved on to Continental crosses yet they proved to be not the best mothers. We wanted to breed better replacements, so next up was introducing a Beef Shorthorn
Fact FILE Darnalls Hall Farm, Baldock, Herts 810ha arable 200ha permanent pasture and woods 130 cow commercial Beef Shorthorn suckler herd Variable soil type: chalky boulder clay
John Cherry
Yearlings, cull cows and calves mob graze the herbal leys 88
Beef Shorthorn Cattle Society Journal 2022
