One of the panel sessions at Groundswell 2025
Think regenerative farming is just for arable? Think again. These sessions at this year's Groundswell Festival (July 1-2) will provide all the inspiration needed for livestock farmers aspiring to adopt a regenerative approach.
1. Mob Grazing Farm Trials – What Have we Learnt?
Wednesday, July 1, 12:00-12:55pm, Breakout Tent
Speakers:
- Claire Whittle, veterinary surgeon/farmer, The Regenerative Vet
- James Standen, farm director, Newcastle University
- John Cherry, host farmer, Groundswell
- Lizzie Sagoo, soil scientist, ADAS
Lessons from a Defra project investigating the impacts and benefits of mob grazing on nine farms across England and Wales.
2. Planning for the Dry Years: Drought Readiness in Livestock Systems
Wednesday, July 1, 5:00-5:45pm, PFL Tent (Stand A31)
Speaker: Zoë Charnock, research officer, Pasture for Life
Advice session on building drought readiness into everyday decision-making, rather than relying on crisis.
3. Farming well for the future: How grasslands can help meet sustainability challenges
Thursday, July 2, 10:00-10:55am, Root + Reason (Stand C28)
Visitors will hear all about the Grassland for Net Zero project, including trial results, ways of collecting on-farm data and insights from livestock farmers on the move towards net zero and more resilient grassland management.
READ MORE: Cornwall mixed farm achieves net zero after regenerative farming switch
4. The Nuts & Bolts of Adaptive Grazing
Thursday, July 2, 11:00-11:55am, Grass Tent
Speaker: Allen Williams, partner, Libertas Land
Expect demonstrations of practical, field-tested applications of adaptive grazing that improve daily management and long-term outcomes. The session will cover training livestock to temporary fencing and virtual fencing, designing effective paddock and water systems, and rigging UTVs/ATVs for efficient grazing operations.
5. Regenerative Livestock Management to Save Our Place on the Planet
Thursday, July 2, 1:00-1:55pm, Speakers Corner
Speaker: Jonathan Lundgren, executive director/owner, Ecdysis Foundation/Blue Dasher Farm
Insights into how regenerative livestock management methods affect greenhouse gases, soil health, biodiversity, and animal nutrition.
READ MORE: What are the benefits of regen livestock management to farmers?
6. Seeing the Grass Ahead: The Realities of Adaptive Grazing
Thursday, July 2, 3:30-4:25pm, PFL Tent (Stand A31)
Speakers:
- Chris Berry, farmer
- Dr Nikki Yoxall, technical director, Pasture for Life / farmer, Rottal Land & Livestock
- James Daniel, founder & CEO, Precision Grazing
An explanation of grazing planning and advice on how farmers can use adaptive grazing management to meet their objectives in a range of landscapes, climates and business models.
7. Beyond Fences: Land Management Skills That Support Livestock Systems
Thursday, July 2, 4:30-5:25pm, The Study
Speakers:
- Claire Whittle, veterinary surgeon/farmer, The Regenerative Vet
- John Atkinson, farmer, RBST
- Rachel Stratton, TheGlobalFarmher
A panel session exploring how hedgelaying, dry stone walling and natural stock barriers provide practical infrastructure that supports livestock welfare, biosecurity and climate resilience. The session will also cover livestock stockmanship and shearing, drawing on experience from farming systems around the world.
SEE ALSO: Road to regen: Silas Hedley-Lawrence - "You are what you eat, and so are your livestock"
