P G Galbraith of Shebdon Farm, Shebdon, Stafford, was the winner of the 2017 Whitegrove Trophy competition, which is sponsored by the Staffordshire & Birmingham Agricultural Society. The family-run farm extends 164ha of arable and grassland north of Newport, in West Staffordshire. Arable cropping includes winter wheat and barley, along with spring oats. The grassland extends to approximately 48 hectares and is grazed by a commercial sheep flock. The farm is a busy and diverse business, which includes a small social shoot. Nick Galbriath is also the chairman of the Lonco Brook Facilitation Fund Group.
Natural habitats on the farm include two pools with good water quality, as demonstrated by the wildfowl and a variety of aquatic invertebrates recorded. Bird species recorded on the farm include Corn Buntings, which are a species that has declined substantially and is now extinct across large sections of the county. Large areas of game cover/wild bird mixtures have been planted to both enhance the shoot and help cover the ‘Hungry gap’ for the farmland birds. The farm watercourses are buffered with 6m grass margins and wildflower margins, which are strategically located around selected arable fields. The provision of game cover and wildflower margins help support the diversity of farmland habitats. The 2017 Whitegrove judge, Pete Lambert, said the farm was “A diverse and very busy mixed business that had given over substantial areas of land to manage for the benefit of wildlife. Successfully incorporating a wide range of wildlife habitats within a carefully managed commercial enterprise”. He praised the business’s willingness to undertake environmental management in the spirit of long-term stewardship. Chris Seabridge & Associates Ltd will be leading a farm walk around Shebdon Farm during June 2018, which will provide the opportunity to view this environmentally responsible farm business.