BEEF & SHEEP, COUNTY FERMANAGH, NORTHERN IRELAND: Diane and her husband Oliver operate their farm over two separate locations within Co. Fermanagh rearing both beef and sheep. The first, of 250 acres (101 hectares), is near Garrison and is where Oliver’s family have been farming for three generations. The second, of 205 acres (83 hectares), is near Churchill, on the banks of Lough Erne, and was purchased recently in a bid to expand the farm business.

The farms rear around 120 Aberdeen Angus cattle which are sent to market when they’re over 24 months. The cows eat mainly grass, which is supplemented with spent grain from a local gin distillery. In the winter months, when they’re brought indoors, they’re fed a mix of spent grain and home-grown silage.

Diane and Oliver’s 140 breeding ewes are a cross between Suffolk, Lleyn and Texel, and lamb in the spring. Lambs are taken to market when they reach eight or nine months.

Looking after the farms’ soils is a priority, says Diane. The cattle help preserve their biodiversity, thanks to a system of ‘paddock grazing’ (also known as mob grazing) whereby the cows are moved onto fresh pasture every few days. This means the land they’ve grazed can recover, and soils are not compacted.

“We aim to farm sustainably,” says Diane. “Sometimes this means we don’t maximise every opportunity on the farm if it might harm something that follows. We’re aiming to operate a symbiotic system that places value on every element involved, whether that’s water, soil, biodiversity or animal health.”

As one farm focuses on protecting the soil and plants by keeping things low-impact and natural, while the other uses a smart grazing plan to feed healthy cattle mostly on grass. Together, these approaches help the farm grow good food, protect nature, and reduce pollution in a way that works well for both the environment and reducing costs on the business,

Diane is also keen to foster a deeper connection between people and their environment. “We want to stem the growing disconnect between agriculture and modern society,” says Diane.

Diane was not brought up on a farm, but quickly learned the ropes after marrying Oliver and raising their three children. “I grew up in the town, with my only farming experience being summer visits to a relative’s farm.” By being more involved on the farm Diane believes she has “gained a much deeper awareness of the stress, risks, and pressures of farming” she says. By being more involved I can provide better support to Oliver on many different levels including paperwork, finance and hands on roles.

She has loved seeing her children’s deep connection to the land. “Watching them grow up with hands-on farm experience has been incredible. I see it as a huge asset to their learning, resilience, and life skills.”

Diane also enjoys the connection with nature and the changing seasons. “I love helping with. the animals, learning new skills, and simply the breathing space of being outdoors. Every day is different, bringing fresh challenges.”

On the downside, Diane worries that farmers are vulnerable to government policies that fail to take a holistic approach to the sector. “Agriculture contributes to the economy and environment, plays a crucial role in food production, and has the potential to mitigate climate change. It can also contribute to tourism, and biodiversity. Yet the sector is consistently overlooked when it comes to financial support and strategic policy development. Without proper investment in infrastructure, innovation, and fair market conditions, farmers are left to shoulder the burden of sustainability goals while struggling to remain economically viable.”