Our Way 2/22 1
Markus Nilsson Professional Gamekeeper, Menhammar
MENHAMMAR HAS BEEN a small-scale meat producer for a few years now. Today, two animals are taken to a nearby butcher every five weeks. Meat from Menhammar is in high demand and practically leaps off the shelves at the local grocery store when it’s delivered. An oft-heard criticism of meat production is that the animals graze on arable land. In the case of the regenerative grazing carried out at Menhammar, no such land is used during meat production. “Today, we sell all the meat produced, and since ABOUT MENHAMMAR FARM 650 ha arable land and pasture 1,000 20 50 ha woodland ha restored land beef cattle customers keep asking for our meat, there’s a great potential for expansion. Our meat is no more expensive than others, and we ensure that the whole animal is used, not just a few selected parts,” Ulf points out. So, what made them decide to embark on this decades-long process? “We want to produce meat in a way that’s sustainable in the long run, while we also increase and maintain biodiversity,” says Markus. “It’s the core of everything we do. We strive for balance in the ecosystem – if we’re going to restore more land, we need more animals to graze it.” MISSION ACCOMPLISHED Three years after a phosphorus pond was created at Menhammar, the results on its efficiency are in – and they are above and beyond expectations. Aquatic plants are used in the pond to absorb phosphorus and nitrogen that is drained from the land, preventing them from leaking into Lake Mälaren and causing eutrophication. Recent readings show that the pond intercepts on average 70% of the leaked phosphorus, with peaks up to 80%. Usually, the average is 40-60%. “We’re very happy with the results, and we believe that the pond’s large size and its irregular shape are key factors here. In a few years’ time, we will dig out the slurry from the bottom of the pond and spread it over the farmland, thus beginning yet another cycle,” Ulf Segerström explains. WE STRIVE FOR BALANCE IN THE ECOSYSTEM – IF WE’RE GOING TO RESTORE MORE LAND, WE NEED MORE ANIMALS TO GRAZE IT. OUR WAY 2/2022 23