'Mower on the front, muck-spreader on the back'

A walk to the Beckford in 2024??

Its 'all change' on the land behind the Nadder Centre, from Weaveland Farm right across to the Beckford Arms.  Neil Harley, whose family have farmed on Salisbury Plain for generations, is moving some of his Aberdeen Angus cattle onto what has been arable land.

In our January talk, he explained the changes we may soon enjoy as an 'explosion of flowers' gradually emerges over the next few years thanks to the 'mowers and muck spreaders'.  Go to Talks/What you missed for the whole story and links to some of the stages in the development of the new 'regenerative' farming method Neil uses to produce premium-quality beef.

Andrew Graham adds, 'Another major change will be the fences needed to keep the stock secure and to manage the mob grazing. This will mean that some of the headlands along which many of us have become used to walking will no longer be available. We are fortunate to have a good rights of way network hereabouts and those routes which cross the area will of course still be open. The presence of stock means it will be important to keep dogs under control and ensure any dog dirt is taken home. The success of Neil’s new venture should greatly enhance the landscape to the north of the village in the years to come.'

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