Ragley Home Farms

Farmer: Andrew Keyte

Address: Ragley Hall, Alcester, B49 5NJ

Website: www.ragley.co.uk

Twitter: @RagleyHall

Certification: LEAF Marque

Member since 2004 and LEAF Demonstration Farm since 1996

The Farm

Ragley Home Farms is a 3,500 acre arable and sheep LEAF Marque certified enterprise and Jordans Farm Partnership farm. It is an integral part of the 5,600 acre Ragley Estate, which is one of the principle tourist attractions in the Midlands. Careful planning, accurate applications and appropriate selection of products and application equipment are all part of a fully integrated approach to farming at Ragley. Crops are rotated to minimise the risk of disease and seed varieties are important to protect the crop. The farm optimises the use of essential inputs, only using what is needed. Soils are tested regularly to measure nutrient and soil health. Crop cultivations have been reduced over the last five years using minimal disturbance and direct drilling. An increasing area of cover crops are grown, with seed mixtures tailored to different aims, whether that is soil structure improvers, to increase soil organic matter, to provide forage for the sheep or a combination of all three in some cases.

Correct and planned feeding, appropriate housing and responsible use of medicines is essential to the Integrated Farm Management approach to livestock management. The Suffolk cross mule ewes graze the parkland, Countryside stewardship herbal leys and increasingly cover crops on arable land. Our aim is for all our ewes to remain outside all year round and fatten lambs on grass and cover crops. A livestock farm waste management and nutrient plan has been drawn up to mitigate and minimise the potential risks associated with livestock waste.

Activities

A huge range of habitats are protected within the farm including habitats around the River Arrow, parklands, woodlands and ponds. Seventy miles of six metre margins have been established around all arable fields to provide suitable habitats to a variety of animals and insects. Hay is also spread on grass to promote the growth of native plant species within the farm.

Education

Ragley also works closely with LEAF Education to bring students onto the farm for field studies and farm tours, related to a range of national curriculum core topics. Pupils from local schools, and national training colleges have participated in a range of activities – from tree planting and soil analysis, to flour milling and cookery.

Our own farm team work alongside LEAF’s education experts, to build a greater understanding of commercial farming processes and their importance to the food chain and biodiversity. Ragley welcomes enquiries from education providers to come and experience the farm, and benefit from this valuable set of resources. Topics include:

Food provenance and seasonality: Looking at a range of products and how they end up in our stores

Farm to fork experience: From harvest and preparation to cookery with British produce

Bringing the nitrogen cycle to life: Efficient farming methods that can lead to positive environmental impacts

Super soils: Soil types and structures, and their impact on crops, water courses and the environment.

Biodiversity: Explore the range of wildlife on the farm including birds, insects, small mammals and aquatic organisms.

Visit this farm

Click here to arrange a visit to this LEAF Demonstration Farm.