A Shropshire farm focussed on regenerative principles 

Sam Watson-Jones, who farms Howle Manor in Shropshire, operates a 300,000 broiler unit alongside 500 hectares of combinable crops. He has a clear passion for regenerative farming principles that improve the overall sustainability of his business.

Having been on a regenerative farming journey for the past decade, Sam was eager to see what additional opportunities the Soil Association Exchange assessment could offer to further improve the environmental sustainability of Howle Manor. 

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“The report we received following the on-farm assessment highlighted lots of things we should be pleased with, such as our 27km of hedgerows, wild bird populations, including species on the RSPB Red List, earthworm numbers, and animal welfare,” says Sam. 

“But it also pointed out areas where we can improve following our move away from more intensive management practices.”​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

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Improving soil organic matter and the role of poultry manure

Building soil health has been a core focus of Sam’s farming practices over the years. 

"We’ve transitioned from ploughing to minimum tillage, with land only ploughed every four to five years when required for weed control," explains Sam. 

However, the Soil Association Exchange assessment identified additional opportunities for improving soil organic matter (SOM), which currently ranges from 2.3% to 2.6% in some areas of the farm.

“Our soils are light and sandy, which makes them prone to flooding in winter and drying out in summer. By improving soil organic matter, we hope to increase water-holding capacity, enhance nutrient mineralisation, and improve biological activity, air and water infiltration rates.”

Sam has already adopted the practice of applying poultry manure to the land which reduces the need for bought-in nitrogen. However, he acknowledges that the high phosphate levels in poultry manure can sometimes cause certain nutrients to lock up, preventing them from being fully available to the soil.

"We’re regularly mapping our soils to keep a check on their nutritional value. We’re now looking into ways to apply manure in a different form to make the nutrients more readily available."

The report from Soil Association Exchange also recommended experimenting with a mix of at least five or six species of cover crops to help build SOM.

"We already grow multi-species cover crops like clovers, buckwheat mixes, and radishes to prevent bare soils, but I can see the benefits of introducing additional species," says Sam. 

These crops help maintain soil cover, enhance biodiversity, and improve soil health by increasing root diversity and encouraging beneficial soil organisms.
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Agroforestry​

One of the more forward-thinking recommendations in the Soil Association Exchange report has been to explore agroforestry as a means to further improve soil health and increase biodiversity. Agroforestry, which involves planting trees alongside crops or livestock, helps feed soil organisms, stabilise soils, enhance nutrient availability, and increase carbon storage.

Currently, only 3.7% of Howle Manor's land, excluding hedgerows, is woodland. However, Sam is considering planting avenues of trees or integrating fruit trees into fields to act as windbreaks and provide an additional income.

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​Environmental challenges and opportunities 

Our ‘From Data to Decisions’ report, draws insights from over 685 farms across the UK to provide an actionable resource for farmers seeking to enhance their environmental performance.
Howle Manor was one of 47 poultry businesses, including both layers and broilers, to participate in the pilot from which insight from this report is based on. ​​​