13. July 2026

Agricology in the Field - Mike Mallett

This week's Field Note is an old one from Agricology. Mike Mallett is farm manager of Maple Farm Kelsale , a 138-hectare organic farm in Suffolk which is mostly arable with some permanent pasture, woodland, horticulture & laying hens. He talks about regenerative agriculture, beneficial weeds, intercropping, the extensive agroforestry on the farm & providing for the hens' health & welfare, with some fascinating insights; from breed selection to innovations in feed supply.

Listen here.

By growing heritage grains that are more vigorous and grow taller, they out compete the weeds and while the yields tend to be lower for such breeds, the impact on soil health of longer straw and the diversity of the sward has huge benefits for the soil. Similarly, by using smaller machines and not relying on chemical weed controls he reduces compaction. 

By integrating a neighbour's livestock as well as agroforestry and his chickens, he brings fertility back to the land. Even his chickens are selected for the ground and their hardiness. 

It's very much a systems approach which highlights some of the necessary pay offs but also the time aspect of implementing regen approaches.