Enhancing regenerative agroforestry at Pencedni Farm: Investigating diverse species, mycorrhizal symbiosis, and insect biomass for improved soil health and animal wellbeing

Key results:

The project data proves the farm system is resilient and high value with minimal input.

  1. High-protein forage from leaf forage:
  • Black locust (27.85% CP) and Virginia fanpetals (24.70% CP) offer protein superior to most hays, reducing expenditure on commercial protein supplements (e.g., soy), leading to direct cost savings and an immediate Return on Investment (ROI) by feeding high-quality nutrition from your land.
  • Tulip tree on-farm provides a high Magnesium (4,650 mg/kg) source, offering natural prevention of grass tetanus, enhancing animal welfare and health resilience.
  1. Good soil health:
  • All fields scored the best possible Visual Evaluation of Soil Structure (VESS) score of 1, and 16 CHEGD fungi were detected. The high biodiversity, including a total of 455 Fungal OTUs (Operational Taxonomic Units), ensures good soil structure and nutrient cycling, protecting against drought and reducing the need for chemical fertilisers.
  1. Natural pest control & biodiversity:
  • The presence of 4 species (17 individuals) of Dung Beetles validates active grazing and natural pest management. A healthy ecosystem leads to reduced veterinary and chemical input costs (e.g., fewer anthelmintics). The farm supports high biodiversity (e.g., 50+ unique moth species), positioning their products for premium, eco-certified markets.

Background:

Pencedni Farm, a ten-acre smallholding near Crymych is managed by Tom Clare and Jacqui Banks, focusing on regenerative agriculture and agroforestry. The project aims to better understand the ecology and practical use of trees integrated with pasture. This includes investigating diverse tree and shrub species for enhanced animal nutrition through browsing and "tree hay," while considering their impact on biodiversity. Furthermore, the project will examine the crucial role of mycorrhizal fungi in soil health and nutrient uptake, alongside assessing insect biomass and its

contribution to ecosystem function and soil fertility. This on-farm trial aims to generate practical knowledge for Pencedni's management and advance regenerative agroforestry.

Purpose of the work:

It focuses on the following three key areas to promote biodiversity and long-term land viability:

  1. Nutritional benefits for livestock from diverse tree and shrub species, including "tree hay", optimising efficient nutrient cycling.
  2. Role of mycorrhizal fungi in forming symbiotic relationships with roots to improve soil health and nutrient uptake.
  3. Assess insect biomass and its contribution to soil fertility and broader ecosystem resilience.

What we did:

  1. To understand the nutritional potential of diverse species, a leaf tissue analysis was carried out on six non-native tree and shrub species. This focused on identifying alternative forage options that could enhance animal health, reduce feed costs, and provide resilience against climate change, including drought conditions. This will help inform future planting decisions and ensure tree integration to maximise opportunities for natural browsing, self-medicating for livestock, and conserved forage.
  2. Comprehensive soil tests were conducted to analyse and identify the DNA of mycorrhizal fungi, utilising natural biological processes to improve soil fertility and reduce the need for synthetic fertilisers.
  3. Insect pits and moth traps were employed to measure insect biomass. This recognised the importance of insects beyond their roles in pollination and pest control, aiding to understand their contribution to ecosystem function, nutrient cycling and soil fertility.

Outcomes:

  • Crude protein (CP) value: The forage analysis demonstrated a significant competitive advantage in feed quality of the two superior forages against a benchmark of typical hay and commercial feed (Black locust - 27.85% CP and Virginia fanpetals - 24.70% CP, up to 3x higher in CP than standard grass hay). This high natural protein content offers a direct substitute for purchased protein supplements, providing cost savings.
  • Soil health: 100% of the surveyed fields achieved the best possible VESS score of 1, indicating undegraded soil structure. 16 CHEGD (key fungi) were also detected.
  • Ecosystem services and input reduction: A biodiversity assessment indicated the presence of 40 unique moth species and 4 Dung Beetle species (17 individuals). This demonstrates active nutrient cycling and natural pest control. Effective natural processes reduce the reliance on costly inputs suchas chemical fertilisers and anthelmintics, creating a direct cost saving and enhancing the farm's eco-certified market appeal.

How to apply on your farm:

1. Start Your Feed Insurance: Strategic Tree Planting

  • Action: Dedicate a small area to planting diverse, proven non-native and native tree/shrub species that offer high nutritional value (like those identified via Pencedni's leaf analysis).
  • Mindset shift: View trees as a cost-saving, drought-resilient forage crop and a natural source of nutrients for livestock browsing and self-medication, not just as shelter.

2. Protect the Mycorrhizal Fungi

  • Action: Implement low-tillage or no-till practices wherever possible and adopt rotational or planned grazing strategies to minimise soil disturbance.
  • Mindset shift: Recognise that healthy soil is teeming with beneficial, invisible life (mycorrhizal fungi). By reducing mechanical disturbance and chemical inputs, this "factory" to naturally enhance nutrient uptake and reduce your need for synthetic fertilisers is nurtured.

3. Assess Your "Bugs as Biologists" Baseline

  • Action: Use simple methods, like placing basic pitfall traps or observing moth activity, to establish a baseline of insect biomass and diversity in different fields.
  • Mindset shift: See insects as essential workers in nutrient cycling, rather than just pests. Understanding your baseline allows you to manage grazing and select plants to actively support these beneficial populations, improving natural soil fertility.

4. Adopt Precision Grazing for Soil and Tree Health

  • Action: Adjust your livestock rotation to prevent overgrazing, ensure adequate rest periods for pasture recovery, and use temporary fencing to control browsing pressure on newly established or sensitive trees.
  • Mindset shift: Shift from continuous grazing to using livestock as a tool for soil health improvement and biological stimulus. This enhances the symbiosis between grass, trees, and fungi.

5. Monitor and Measure (Simple Metrics)

  • Action: Regularly observe and record simple metrics: livestock health (reduced dosing due to reduced worm burden), visual soil structure improvement, and the growth rate of your new forage trees.
  • Mindset shift: Embrace an experimental, data-driven approach to farming. Use your own farm's observations to continually refine practices and maximize long-term productivity and viability.

Please contact timtechnegolcff@mentera.cymru if you would like to receive a copy of the full final report for this project.