The main thrust of our business has always been to produce the milk from good quality grazed grass for as much of the
year as weather conditions will allow.In the past we have calved the majority of cows in the Spring but due to seasonality
payment changes we have moved to all year round calving.
We are fortunate to have a good team of reliable staff.Twelve
in total comprising Herdsmen,relief Herdsmen,Tractor drivers and a farm fitter.Without the professionalism and committment
of this team the business would not be where it stands today.
As far as possible all farming operations and maintenance
are kept "in house" including silage making, muckspreading and land work.Administration is totally "in house".
D.I.Y
A.I has been used for over thirty years on the milking cows although Hereford bulls tend to be run with the maiden heifers
for ease of management.
Rotational grazing is practiced and cows are turned out in early March if conditions allow.A
typical rotation lasts 21 days however when grass is in short supply this is reduced to nearer 14 days and when there
is an abundance of grass the ground is locked up for silage.
Silage is made in two to three cuts between May
and July and forms the basis of the winter ration. Grass is cut and wilted for 24 hours before being picked up and ensiled
in concrete bunkers.Dry matters should be in the region of 25 to 30%.
During Winter the silage is fed out down
a feed passage with a mixer wagon that also contains a blend to compliment the analysis of the silage and improve
intakes.Chopped straw is also fed at a rate of 0.5k.g/cow a day to promote rumen health .No other feedstuffs are used or grown
on the farm and we are largely reliant on the quality of our grass silage for Winter milk production due to relatively
low levels of bought in concentrates.
