How GrassCheck GB boosted Thistleyhaugh Farm's grass management

Duncan Nelless, alongside his brother Angus Nelless, farms Thistleyhaugh Farm in Northumberland. This family-run operation spans 2,000 acres of diverse landscape, from riverside sand and gravel to heavy clay loams and peat soils.

This diversity presents both challenges and opportunities for the farm, managed by a dedicated five-member family partnership.

Duncan shares insights into their journey, highlighting the significance of their location:

“We're about 60 meters above sea level here, and the highest point on our farm reaches just under 1,000 feet.”

These variations in altitude contribute to a variety of microclimates and soil conditions, which require careful management to enhance productivity.

One of the primary challenges is managing the heavy clay soil.

“Clay soils retain moisture and take a long time to dry out.

"Even in dry summers, we can generally grow grass, but we receive about 800 to 900 millimetres of rainfall annually.

"The ground gets wet quickly, so we need to manage it carefully.”

Despite these challenges, the farm's diverse soil types also offer advantages, especially in grass production.

Grass growth is a critical component of Thistleyhaugh Farm’s operations.

The farm maintains both permanent pasture and more intensively managed temporary grasslands.

The temporary leys can yield twice as much as the marginal land, which includes hills and Less Favoured Areas (LFA).

The permanent pasture tends to be less productive but remains crucial for overall farm management and its resilience.

The farm’s approach to grass management has evolved significantly over the years, particularly after joining the GrassCheck GB programme five years ago.

“We have a history of measuring grass, doing so for the past 10–12 years.

"Being part of GrassCheck GB allows us to integrate data analysis into our system, helping us make informed decisions about forage and grazing management.”

This data-driven approach enables them to predict future grass availability and decide how much to conserve and manage deferred grazing effectively.

Grass management is not just about maximising yield but also ensuring sustainable practices.

“Measuring grass consistently helps us predict future growth and manage grazing more effectively.

"By maintaining appropriate residuals, we ensure better regrowth and avoid overgrazing, which supports sustainable stocking rates and overall farm health.”

This careful balancing act is crucial, particularly given the farm's organic status.

The transition to organic farming began in 2005 and was completed in 2007.

“We operate as a family partnership and decided to go organic to simplify operations across the farms.

"We've maintained everything under the organic management umbrella as we've expanded," Duncan explains.

This shift required a strategic approach to nutrient management, relying primarily on their own manure and regular soil sampling to monitor and manage soil health.

Stock management is another critical component of the farm's operations.

“We usually run about 2,000 ewes, though we're at about 1,850 this year, lambing around 350 ewes.

"Our cattle operation includes calving 266 suckler cows and we finish most non-retained stock. However, we're also flexible about selling store stock based on market conditions.”

This flexibility helps the farm adapt to changing market dynamics and optimise resource use.

Grazing practices have also had positive environmental impacts.

“We’ve seen positive impacts, particularly on marginal and hill ground. Plant species surveys show a rich and diverse ecosystem, indicating that our grazing practices support biodiversity.”

These findings highlight the broader benefits of sustainable farming practices beyond immediate agricultural outputs.

Winter and spring grazing present distinct challenges, requiring innovative solutions.

“Winter grazing has been well managed through deferred grazing practices, reducing the need for supplemental feeding.

"However, spring can be challenging due to wet conditions, affecting grass utilisation and requiring careful management to maintain animal health,” he explains.

This careful planning ensures that the farm can cope with the seasonal variability without compromising productivity or animal welfare.

Duncan’s most significant learning experience from being part of the GrassCheck GB project has been understanding the value of leaving appropriate residuals.

“It’s crucial not to graze fields down too hard. Maintaining some grass cover supports regrowth and sustainable grazing practices.

"Effective rotational grazing requires discipline and planning to avoid overgrazing and ensure consistent grass availability,” he emphasises.

Overall, the story of Thistleyhaugh Farm is one of resilience, innovation and commitment to sustainable farming.

By integrating data-driven practices, embracing organic methods and continuously adapting to environmental and market conditions, this Northumberland farm stands as an example of modern, sustainable agriculture.