Planning for Change: A whole farm approach to animal health, positive welfare and productivity
A whole farm approach can help to build resilience to economic and climate instability while producing high quality food and delivering public goods in line with government policy. These include reducing GHG emissions, increasing carbon sequestration and enhancing biodiversity.
Stuart and Giles Henry of Oakwood Mill Farm, near Selkirk, run an organic beef enterprise based on native breed cattle that are bred to thrive in their environment, suit an outwintering system, and require minimal intervention. Their whole-farm approach brings benefits far beyond high animal welfare.
The system
Oakwood Mill Farm is comprised of 110 Ha of in-by land and 110 Ha of rough hill grazing. The Henrys run 85 pedigree Luing cows, which are calved and rotationally grazed on in-by paddocks from April to November. All followers are kept on farm and finished between 16–20 months of age for supply to Dovecote Park. Breeding stock are either kept as replacements or sold privately. An additional 50 Aberdeen Angus-cross steers are also brought in at 12 months old and finished on-farm.
The cows are outwintered on hill grazing with no supplementary feed or forage. The hill ground is un-grazed from April to October, which allows it to grow adequate forage – rather like standing hay – for the winter months. Because plants are allowed to flower and set seed, plant diversity has increased over time, in turn supporting more numerous and diverse invertebrates, birds and mammals. This system has been in place for the 25 years that the Henry family has farmed here, and aims to take full advantage of the land available.
A whole farm approach to animal health
The Henrys have adopted a whole farm approach by aligning business goals with the land’s capabilities; choosing the right system for their environment, and a breed which can thrive in that system, has been essential to building a resilient, productive and profitable enterprise.
Going native, and breeding for resilience
Selecting the right breed to fit the system has been critical – and takes time. Luing are a native Scottish breed, created by crossing Beef Shorthorn and Highlands for the ability to finish off poorer grasses, thrive in harsh weather and be easy to handle.
Livestock at Oakwood Mill has always been low intervention by design, with strict culling of animals that don't thrive on the system. Running a closed herd and breeding only from the cattle that thrive has helped shape a more resilient and productive herd. A tight, six-week bulling period helps to maximise fertility, ensures only the most suitable cows remain in the system and naturally leads into having low intervention livestock.
How a livestock management plan can help with planning your strategy
Having a clear Organic Livestock Management Plan (the organic equivalent to the Animal Health and Welfare Plan, required for the new Whole Farm Plan) has helped guide the farm’s direction: “You can't manage what you don't measure!” – nothing can be managed without first having a goal. Key performance indicators such as weaning weights, growth rates, days to slaughter, and calving percentages are tracked and used to inform decision-making. For the Henrys, culling remains the most powerful tool for managing these indicators effectively.
Broader benefits of integrated management planning
A well-designed livestock management plan, or animal health and welfare plan, can bring wider benefits to soil health, biodiversity, and disease management – all of which are now measured as part of the new Whole Farm Plan requirements. Healthy, low intervention livestock, grazed in a system which supports increased floral diversity, need fewer medicines – which reduces pressure on soil-dwelling species. Diverse swards and species-rich permanent pastures can boost biodiversity above and below ground while building soil carbon through deeper, more varied root systems that incorporate organic matter, improve structure and stimulate biological activity.
The Henrys believe that holistic thinking allows the farm to operate as a well-balanced system. Better decisions in breeding and health management directly improve productivity. Understanding where input costs are highest and targeting those areas helps keep the farm aligned with its goals.
What to consider before transitioning to an outwintering system or an integrated management approach
If considering adopting a similar system, the Henrys recommend:
- Identify the right system for your land
- Select livestock breed or traits suited to your system, your land and your objectives/goals
- Create a clear farm plan, focusing on optimising what your land can offer
- Be patient – improvement can be continual but not always quick or easy
- Expect some failures, but stay focused – the outcomes are worth it
- Learn from others – visit farmers with similar systems to share knowledge and accelerate progress.
Farmers and crofters can find more detail on WFP requirements on our project page.