Established in 2018 in partnership with ABP, the ASDA Beef Group and is made up of 13 forward thinking British farmers. The aim of the group’s purpose is to support knowledge exchange between group members and encourage the uptake of sustainable farming practices across the supply base.
Members meet up on farm multiple times in the year, focusing on key topics including grazing and silage management, biodiversity and nature, carbon reduction and animal health and welfare.
Meet the farmer ....
Neil from Shropshire
Neil is a forward thinking mixed farmer running a grassland farm focused on producing high quality beef and lamb for an ever-changing consumer. With 800 breeding ewes and 35 suckler cattle, Neil rotationally grazes his grassland and herbal leys to ensure optimum crop utilisation.
He has embraced multiple opportunities through grants to enhance his farm, including:
- Creating ponds and planting in-field trees
- Fencing watercourses
- Installing a solar powered water supply system to a 40-acre rotational grazed paddock
- Providing habitats through bird, bat and dormouse boxes that has allowed biodiversity to flourish
Through ABP PRISM, Neil has measured his carbon footprint and participates in knowledge exchange events with likeminded individuals. Neil is also a previous Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB) strategic farmer in which he focused data collection to drive management decisions, his participation within the group shows his dedication to supporting the wider industry. He also uses digital mapping tools such as the Land App, Neil has been able to create a virtual twin of the farm for planning future improvements that he can use to build future plans to continue developing his farming system.
What’s their focus for the future?
Neil is focused on improving the sustainability and resilience through data-driven decision making and enriching biodiversity.
What value do they get from being in the ASDA group?
Neil has been a part of the Asda Beef Group for 5 years and says:
“The group has given me the opportunity to make connections across the country” and “gain knowledge and insight from other farmers.”