I think the Resilient and Ready programme by Corteva and LEAF is the perfect fit for the Yattendon Estate. And the programme comes at just the right time for our business.
I’ve managed the farming enterprise of the 3,200ha estate on behalf of Velcourt since 2017.
We are large scale with other diversified activities but we’re embarking on new era of agricultural policy and there’s still a lot of uncertainty around farming.
This year alone has shown just how important it is to be resilient and ready. That’s why we were really pleased to be selected for the programme.
One of the key drivers for applying was working with industry experts to bring the most potential out of the land in an environmentally sustainability way.
I want to learn more about natural capital and see how this plays out in a profitable and sustainable arable system.
In particular, I see a big opportunity for carbon foot printing. I’ve spent a lot of time researching its potential and I think this is a really exciting prospect for the estate. I hope this programme will help us to fill in some of the gaps in our knowledge.
The estate is well placed to embrace new changes, but I also want to develop our team.
Specifically, we want to learn more about harnessing knowledge and technology in house. Insights and mentorship from LEAF and Corteva will be invaluable and we’re looking forward to learning from experts in these fields.
Community also plays a big part.
The farming enterprise is part of a diverse estate community and I want to use this as a platform to engage with the wider public. It’s a great opportunity to showcase all the good things we are doing as an industry.
It’s going to be an action-packed programme where we’ll be learning about ourselves and our estate as well as meeting like-minded farmers to share our experiences.
I’m really looking forward to being part of the programme. I have already met Andy Bason, another participant in the programme, and I think we will learn from each other as we go along.
There really is no better time to become resilient and ready for the future.
ABOUT
· Farming in Berkshire
· 2,000ha of combinable crops established in a min-till system, as part of the 3,200ha Yattendon Estate
· The Estate is also home to 130ha of Christmas trees and 160 let properties plus 40 commercial and light industrial units which have been converted from old farm buildings.
