Shelterbelts - opportunity for land resilience and productivity

Overview of global research in windbreak and shelterbelt technology, leading to the Optimal Shelterbelt (OSB). Discussing regulations and current ELM opportunities. Overview of importance of microclimate, soil humidity and temperature on Crop Degree Days (GDD), and potential to reduce impact of wind and low temperatures on grassland recovery. Benefits of shelterbelts for livestock, including reducing feed needs by moderating body temperatures. Observations on behaviour change between thermal comfort zones. Tree species selection in the context of farm and climate. Integrating fruit trees into agroforestry for farm productivity and resilience. Chair: John Davis is a landowner (Progressive Milk Producers Ltd.), a forester, nurseryman and contractor (Tree Shop Ltd); Co-ordinator of the Optimal Shelterbelt Trial (OSB) in the Cotswolds with 13 Farmers and 26 planted shelterbelts. Panel Speakers: Becci Berry runs a 365ha mixed farm on the beautiful Oxfordshire/Wiltshire borders. Approx. 200ha is tenanted from the National Trust. Long term advocate of regenerative farming, adaptive multipaddock (AMP) grazing and grassland recovery. Jim O ‘Neill is the Forestry Commission’s Agroforestry Development Manager, developing, promoting, and championing agroforestry. A student of Newton Rigg College of Agriculture and National School of Forestry graduating 1989. Now focussing on agroforestry as part of an integrated land management approach, using trees, woodlands, and forestry in the farmed landscape to help farmers do their “day job”, while delivering environmental outcomes alongside their business objectives.