FARM WALK - Parkgate Farm
Thu, 27 Jul
|20-22 Hollybank Rd, Templepatrick BT39 0DL, UK
Francis and Edward Ellison farm a large area of mixed land including woodland and marsh. They manage a herd of 30 sucklers, mostly Hereford and Shorthorn with followers. On the evening we will focus learning all about how to create and manage a pond on farm to support nature.
Time & Location
27 Jul 2023, 18:00 – 20:00
20-22 Hollybank Rd, Templepatrick BT39 0DL, UK
Guests
About the event
The Ellisons farm 370 acres over 5 sites of which they farm 120 themselves, rent 150 acres to 2 other farmers and the remainder is woodland and a moss. On the farm they make hay as a cash crop and keep around 30 suckler cows a mixture of Hereford and Shorthorn and their followers. The cattle are grazed in a mob style, moving them between 20-30 hours depending on grass and ground conditions, and are outwintered as much as possible. They use minimal drugs on animals, treating only on individual animals as required. Chemical fertiliser hasn't been used on farm for 5 years and before that minimal amounts of straight nitrogen where applied.
The Ellisons farm is of huge conservation value, with rare birds and moths being recorded. They integarted a pond and believe it has added a lot of benefits to their environment. We will focus the evening on disccussing how to create and manage a pond on farm.