Sowing change for a sustainable future
Learning more about sustainable farming on the Sundorne Castle Estate with Ceres Rural
The Sundorne Castle Estate is diverse covering a range of business opportunities from property and leisure, to farming and conservation.
Last Monday evening, the Country Land and Business Association (CLA), along with Ceres Rural based in Shrewsbury, hosted a farm walk, BBQ and drinks reception giving members the chance to learn more about what the Estate is achieving from its farming initiative.
Sitting to the east of Shrewsbury and incorporating land and forestry surrounding the villages of Upton Magna and Uffington, well-known landmarks such as Haughmond Hill, Sundorne Castle and the banks of the River Severn and Tern are located within the Estate boundary.
Running its own innovative arable farming operation the Estate consists of 3200 acres, supporting tenanted farms as well as the in-hand operation, the aim is to practice conservation agriculture with land being involved in Countryside Stewardship Schemes, SFI, water management initiatives and long term woodland management working alongside organisations such as Shropshire Council, DEFRA, GWCT, Forestry England and many others.
Huw Williams, Estate Manager of the Sundorne Castle Estate said “It’s fair to say that in past decades the Estate has not made sustainable farming practices a priority. To that end the Trust has implemented a strategy to work to improve the sustainability of the farming business, whilst backing it with financially sound business decisions and fulfilling our collective duty to provide food security.”
The first stop on the farm walk was 80 acres of wheat contracted to Wildfarmed. Wildfarmed founder, Andy Cato attended the CLA Next Generation Conference in 2023 and has been featured on series three of Clarkson’s Farm.
Dan Matthews, Partner from Ceres Rural, explained how the field is sown with both wheat and beans which are grown on a low impact system. A popular form of companion cropping which has many benefits and as per the Wildfarmed protocol, is not treated with any herbicides, fungicides or insecticides.
The second stop on the farm walk was a sight to behold; A field of the herb, Borage (also known as Starflower) with its purple flowers looking beautiful in the evening sunshine. The Estate rely on bees to pollinate the crop and bee hives are placed at a corner of the field, also creating delicious honey. Once harvested, it has a variety of uses including in cooking and to create oil for health products and cosmetics.
The final stop was a field of poppies just coming into flower on a farm which has been bought back in hand in the last six months. This spring crop is competitive and has a low growing cost, leaving the land in good stead for crops that come after it.
We had great pleasure in collaborating with CLA Midlands co-hosting a farm walk at Sundorne Castle Estate. We looked at some of the more niche crops and were able to share and discuss how they all played a part in the farm's rotation, bringing in different elements to the estates regenerative approach to agriculture.
To finish off the evening, guests enjoyed a BBQ and drinks reception back at Haughmond Lodge where they could enjoy stunning views and ask various questions.
“It was a delight to play host to the CLA Midlands and Ceres Rural teams and I am glad that what Sundorne Castle Estate are doing is of interest. I hope that by sharing information on how the crops progress through until harvest will help us all understand, and learn a little more of the options open to arable enterprises” concluded Huw Williams.
Keep an eye on the CLA website for upcoming farm walks and events.