Indie Farmer

03/04/2026

When David Cornforth first came back from New Zealand, he tried to follow the rule: graze a third, trample a third, leave a third.

In reality, he said it never quite worked.

What’s emerged instead is something less fixed. Cattle are grazed tightly for a short period, then moved on — and the focus shifts to recovery. Not rushing back in, but watching how the grass responds, and often leaving it longer than feels necessary.

There’s no set formula. Just observation, adjustment, and time.

And underneath it all, a recognition that what’s happening below ground matters just as much as what you see above it.

This film explores how David is thinking about grazing today — and what that looks like in practice.

Watch the full clip here, or head over to YouTube for the full film.

03/04/2026

At Falconhurst, there isn’t a single answer.

It shows up in the herd — bred to suit the land.
In the contract — open and workable.
In the shop, the events, the people — each playing a part.

And in the willingness to keep adapting.

“Everything’s different… and you’re forced to think differently to make it work.”

→ Read the full feature and watch the film:

https://www.indiefarmer.com/falconhurst-estate-holding-it-all-together/

01/04/2026

I've loved being a High Weald fellow and can highly recommend the experience to anyone considering applying - see details below and if you have any questions please give me a shout :)

01/04/2026

A system that works — but only just.

At Falconhurst Estate, everything depends on keeping multiple parts moving at once.

An organic dairy, a wider estate, and a growing mix of diversification — all needing to hold together.

But the real question isn’t growth.
It’s resilience.

Full film — 7pm today.
Indie Farmer YouTube Premiere.

30/03/2026

Spent a day at Falconhurst Estate recently, following George Talbot — trying to understand how a farm like this holds everything together.

An organic dairy, a wider estate, public access — and a constant need to adapt.

There isn’t a single answer here.

Just a willingness to keep adjusting.

Full film — Wednesday (over on YouTube)

30/03/2026

There’s no shortage of ideas in farming right now — but what actually works tends to be learned the slow way.

Out in the field.
Through conversation.
And by seeing it for yourself.

“Pasture and Profit: Learning from the Land, and Each Other” looks at the value of farmers coming together — sharing experiences, questioning approaches, and working through the realities of farming today.

Funded by the Farming in Protected Landscapes Fund (FiPL) and supported through the Pasture for Life network and the High Weald National Landscape

Read the full piece here:

Why farmer knowledge exchange matters in the High Weald and beyond On a cold morning in early spring, a group of farmers stand quietly beside a hedge in the High Weald, watching a group of young cattle move slowly across the pasture. Boots press into the damp ground as the

28/03/2026

A few hours in a field can change how you farm.

This reel is part of a wider story exploring the Pasture and Profit programme — and the value of farmers learning from each other.

Pasture and Profit: learning from the land and each other — now live on Indie Farmer.

Link in bio.

27/03/2026

When David returned from New Zealand, he tried to follow the rule: graze a third, trample a third, leave a third.

In reality, he says he never managed to make it work.

Today, cattle are grazed tightly for a short period, then moved on and the ground is left to rest. Rather than rushing back in, David watches how the grass recovers - and often doubles the rest period once it looks ready.

Longer recovery pushes more stable root exudates into the soil, feeding microbiology below ground and helping rebuild soil health over time.

Check out the full interview with Kent based Regenerative Beef Farmer David Cornforth over on our Website (Link in bio) and YouTube channel

19/03/2026

Behind the scenes with Dan Burdett — tractors, noise and all.
Wouldn’t have it any other way.

Full interview over on my YouTube channel ⏯️ - link in bio

18/03/2026

In the latest instalment of my twelve-part series, supported by the Lund Trust and the High Weald National Landscape , I visited Cockhaise Farm near Haywards Heath, in East Sussex to spend a day with organic dairy farmer Dan Burdett, to learn how he is managing a 240-cow dairy herd while balancing environmental stewardship and the long-term future of the family farm.

In the latest instalment of my twelve-part series, supported by the Lund Trust and the High Weald National Landscape, I visited Cockhaise Farm near Haywards Heath, in East Sussex to spend a day with organic dairy farmer Dan Burdett, to learn how he is managing a 240-cow dairy herd while