Hmmmmmm….. multi-species cover crops on heavy clay soils, that’ll never work!! A great example of how living roots help to improve soil structure. #regenerativeagriculture #farming #environment

Delighted to be attending the 100th Institute of Chartered Foresters conference in Edinburgh, my 5th conference since becoming a Professional Member in 2010. Looking at the history of UK forestry, but as importantly the future. Oakbank Game

Laying out irrigation #spuds24 and this functional field margin / floristic margin combo is humming with insects ⁦Oakbank Game⁩ ⁦Sustainable Landscapes⁩

Nightingales on the morning dog walk and Lapwing chicks during a CS audit on a glorious farm in Bedfordshire to end the month

Office “Lunch and Learn” session with Harry and Rory (Bodge!). Telling us about their learning from the ACRES Eco-Ag conference with AEA Understanding Ag White Oak Pastures John Kempf Fantastic event, huge learning, inspirational and some great new friends!

I’m hosting at farm tour with Agricology on 5th June looking at living mulches and intercropping, with Ian Roberson from Sustainable Soil Management in his natural habitat, in a soil pit talking soil health. Plus Oakbank Game on perennial bird cover. Come along! eventbrite.co.uk/e/living-mulch…

Check out my latest article: Unlocking the Power of Roots: How Root Exudates Can Transform Your Farm’s Soil linkedin.com/pulse/unlockin… via LinkedIn

If you are heading to the Suffolk Show on the 28th or 29th May make sure you visit the Oakbank Game stand (No 269). Buy a copy of Words From The Hedge there & you will be entered into a prize draw to win a Clare Negus ceramic farmland bird and bee friendly wildflower seed.

Mulch Matters! Wow! Only 5 months after planting & these super dry conditions, our large woodland creation in Suffolk is romping away! <1% loss, and on some species >12” of growth already! Soil water retention is essential! These sites are already lovely habitats! Oakbank Game

With proper rain forecast this week across the country, we are ready for your call to discuss AB9 seed options. 01480 890686 or [email protected]

See this Instagram post by @gamewildlifeconservationtrust instagram.com/reel/DJ_gXvxOB…

The Tories got a lot of things wrong, but their replacement of CAP with ELMS (esp SFI), whilst far from perfect, was a world leading ambition with remarkable farmer uptake. This government should be taking what the Tories started and running with it, not slashing its funding.

Great that Shad. Sec. of State for Envir, Food & Rural Affairs, Victoria Atkins, visited our stand at the Suffolk Show. We talked how the current Gov policies are undoing years of great work and how it will take many more to get it back to where we were 10months ago!@OakbankGame

A strong showing from Oakbank staff and offspring as Bodge and Jamie joined Will and James Gould in a Beds Farmers XV at Goldington Road, beating Beds County quite convincingly in the end 50-21. Great game on a warm Friday evening in Bedford 🍺

🚨 URGENT 🚨 Any farmer who was about to put in an SFI application just before the application process was shut please speak to National Farmers' Union CallFirst helpline and explain. We need more evidence to present. Alternatively send me a DM with your telephone number Thanks.

New arrivals

Innovative products and techniques being trialled in Dorset to support the drive to protect drinking water supplies and the wider environment. Productivity need not suffer and may even be improved, along with profitability. Corteva UK Wessex Water #farming

EWCO CANCELLED! The most generous woodland creation grant ever seen is to end next March. It is highly unlikely we will see another grant this generous for years to come. If you are considering planting a new woodland - speak to us now! Time is running out, FAST! Oakbank Game

This week we marked oak for felling as a result of AOD. This undermanaged wood has future potential, and a lot of public access, so tree risk is also being managed. Sad the oak is struggling, but future is bright and we will deliver the owner a significant income. Oakbank Game

Well we made it to Groundswell Show once again. Looking forward to a busy couple of days!!