Loading

Riseholme Park News from the farm and estate

Welcome to our first Riseholme newsletter, rounding up news from across the park.

About Riseholme Park

Riseholme Park consists of 200 Ha of arable and grassland. A majority of the grassland on the estate is classified as parkland. The arable crops grown at Riseholme include: Winter wheat, Winter Barley, Spring Barley, Oil Seed Rape, Sugar Beet, Maize, Vining Peas and Cover Crops.

The diversity of crops allows for a large crop rotation which prevents the build up of pests and diseases in certain crops. All silage (conserved grass) is produced using the grass at Riseholme, this is then wrapped in black plastic to create a fermentation process which produces sugars in the bale.

All straw is baled from the arable crops on the estate to provide a bed for the livestock over winter, this is a mixture of wheat and barley straw.

Permanent pasture on the estate cannot be used for anything else except for grazing sheep and cattle or mowing for silage. It is also a vital carbon store, it is important it is managed well by the sheep and cattle.

Want to know more about how we're managing our land sustainably? Scroll down or click the quick link below:

Riseholme Park Farm is an accredited member of the Red Tractor Scheme which ensure all our animals are kept to the highest welfare standards possible.

Riseholme Lambing Sunday

Raising £1,112 for the Lincs & Notts Air Ambulance, our Riseholme Lambing Sunday event had over 800 attendees and received some brilliant feedback.

Attendees were given the chance to see a working farm in action, to witness lambing as it happened, learn about bottle feeding and more. Stallholders in our marquee included the Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust, the Lincs & Notts Air Ambulance, Lincoln Institute of Agri-Food Technology, Custom Bakes Lincoln and the our University Estates team. Cafe2U and Dough & Barley supported the event.

And it wasn't just lambing that those who came on the day were able to see, they were able to view our cattle roundhouse from the internal platform, take part in a hand painted nature trail, get creative in our marquee with craft activities, drive a robot (supplied by LIAT) and more.

Co-ordinating the day from left to right: Harvey Dowdy, Alex Foxley-Johnson, Lizzy Wells and Matt Bagley
“Enjoyed everything about your event so pleased I attended. I’ve never seen a lamb being born before. Thank you for the experience”

We look forward to bringing this event back next Spring and making it even better!

View some photos from our Lambing Sunday event below:

Award Winning Lincoln Red Cattle - Lincolnshire Show

After its hiatus for a couple of years, we were thrilled to take part enter the Lincolnshire Show and represent the University of Lincoln and our Riseholme Park Farm at a county and national level.

We were proud that our Riseholme Lincoln Red Herd were awarded the following in their classes:

  • Riseholme Astra was awarded First in Class 203, Bull born after 1st March 2021.
  • Brackenhurst Diana and Riseholme Bertie were awarded Second in Class 206, Cow and Calf.
  • Riseholme Bertie was awarded a Special Award of Best Lincoln Red Calf in show.
Speaking at the show, Matt Bagley, Farm and Estate Manager, said, "Absolutely chuffed to bits to see the Riseholme Herd winning several prestigious awards at the Lincolnshire Show, rewarding the efforts of the staff and students who have worked hard to prepare for today."
Matt and Lizzy with Riseholme Astra just after his win!

Students from Riseholme College were also supported in showing some of our Riseholme Sheep Flock.

Riseholme Lincoln Reds awarded Supreme Champion at Heckington Show

Matt holds up a rosette for Reserve Supreme Champion.

We're very proud to have won Lincoln Red Breed Champion and Interbreed Reserve Champion at Heckington Show with Brackenhurst Diana and Riseholme Bertie.

Matt and Lizzy with Brackenhurst Diana and Riseholme Bertie.

We had a fantastic time at the show and thank you to anyone who stopped by to say hello!

The Riseholme Lincoln Reds with their rosettes!

View a gallery of photos from Lincolnshire Show below.

Research at Riseholme

Making a Difference Through Innovation

The Lincoln Institute of Agri-Food Technology conducts much of its research at Riseholme Park.

With a clear focus on improving productivity, efficiency, and sustainability through innovation, LIAT’s researchers are engaged in international impactful research designed to make a difference across the food chain. Encapsulating an interdisciplinary approach, our research brings together crop science, computer science, engineering, robotics, AI, and data management application.

Regenerative Agriculture

Regenerative agriculture is important at Riseholme Park Farm, with one of our main aims to ensure a crop is in the ground as near to 365 days a year as possible.

Cover crops were grown on the farm for the first time in 2021, this provides winter food for the sheep which allows the permanent pasture to rest for the winter. The cover crops grown this year include Stubble Turnips, Phacelia, Vetch, Berseum Clover. By grazing sheep on the arable crops it helps to improve the soil quality using natural resources.

Crops are actively carbon sequestrating while they are growing, by replacing crops as soon as possible it promotes carbon sequestrating as much of the year as possible. This also prevents any nutrients being lost over winter in bare soil from previous crops.

Cover crops are used between harvested crops, these are quick growing crops which livestock can graze, this is important as we are providing an alternative feed for the livestock when grass is resting in winter and also providing nutrients straight onto the land from the sheep.

Biodiversity at Riseholme

We've been recording what's been spotted on the parkland over the last few months and are pleased to share that we've not only had successful Cygnets on the lake, but Green Woodpeckers, Buzzards and a Red Fox family made Riseholme their home this year.

Sections of the front lawn in front of Riseholme Hall have been left long over the last couple of weeks to support pollinators and native flora.

Other notable sightings include; Lesser Stag Beetles, a Silver Washed Fritillary butterfly, Hummingbird Hawk-Moths, Privet Hawk Moths, Grey Partridges, Muntjac Deer, Voles, Greater Spotted Woodpeckers and Kestrels.

A Greater Spotted Woodpecker perches on a veteran tree stump in May 2022.

Permissive Footpaths

Our team have created and signed another permissive footpath for public use. The route is a circular walk around the edges of the Pond and Bridge fields, adjacent to the Briary Holt.

A gentle reminder that dogs must be kept on leads at all times across the park, for the safety of our livestock and wildlife.

Supporting Local School's Cross Country

Please note, it is likely that the Estates team will have to close this new permissive footpath to support a local school cross country event on Friday 18th November 2022. We're looking forward to supporting local schoolchildren taking part in a sporting event that will lead on to similar althetic events nationally.

For more regular news, photos and upcoming events, follow our Facebook page.

Farm queries? You can now email us directly at our new address: RiseholmeParkFarm@lincoln.ac.uk

Like this newsletter? Please drop us an "appreciate" below!

Credits:

Alex Foxley-Johnson