meating and milking the cream of cornish grassland bookle… · bill harper, cornwall grassland...

Meating and Milking the

Cream of Cornish Grassland

BGS Summer Meeting 2015

Hosted by Cornwall Grassland Society

12th – 15th July

Principal sponsors

Welcome

“On behalf of The British Grassland Society I would like to welcome delegates to the 2015 Summer Meeting in Cornwall, and to thank the organising committee for all their hard work. The programme looks very interesting and provides a stimulating insight into Cornish farming. Without a doubt, it will be an opportunity to learn from each other and catch up with friends from all over the country”.

David Lee (BGS President 2014/15)

“Welcome to the BGS Summer Meeting 2015! Many thanks go to the Cornwall Grassland Society for their hard work in organising an exciting programme of farm visits, social activities, guest speakers and a very interesting alternative tour. Grasslands of the many varied types are incredibly important to UK agriculture and are central to the production of meat and milk. Cornwall is blessed with a mild climate that makes for excellent grazing condition. The beautiful Cornish countryside, largely shaped by grassland farming over many hundreds of years, is also very important for biodiversity and tourism, and I look forward to experiencing Cornwall myself during the meeting. I wish you all a fruitful and enjoyable meeting”.

Jon Moorby (BGS President 2015/16)

BGS Annual General Meeting

Sunday 12th July

Lanhydrock Hotel and Golf Club, St Hydroc Suite 6.00 pm Drinks Reception 6.30 p.m. AGM 7.15 pm Dinner 9.00 p.m. Presentations from each of Cornwall’s four Grassland

Societies and entertainment from Launceston Male Voice Choir

The Hosts, Cornwall Grassland Society

Cornwall extends a very warm welcome to the British Grassland Society on their first full summer meeting in Cornwall.

The Cornish economy is very dependent on agriculture and tourism and we are hoping to show you some of the best of each for your summer break.

Cornwall is a very diverse county. In the west there is a large arable and horticultural presence of early potatoes and vegetables due to the warm climate, light soils and lack of frost. It is however predominantly a livestock county, there are many family farms dependent on growing good grass to feed their dairy, beef and sheep enterprises. I believe we have chosen some excellent farms for your visit and trust you will enjoy them.

David Stone (Chair of Local Organising Committee)

Image: Members of the Organising Committee with the Host Farmers. Far left; David Lee, BGS

President 2014/15.

“We hope you all have a great time”.

Introduction

Throughout the ages farming has been the mainstay of the Cornish economy and a major influence on the human-landscape. Towns only began to appear after the 12

th

century.

The quality of land, and hence types of farming, is variable across Cornwall, from granite uplands to heavy clays of the east and large areas of medium free-draining loams. The climate however is generous to Cornish farmers, with mild conditions, few frost days and an extended growing season compared to most other areas of Britain.

By the late 19th century Cornish farms, although mainly small family run affairs, had comparably more cattle, sheep and pigs per acre than the national average. During this period the market gardening industry began to flourish, particularly in the west. The growth in horticultural activity in Cornwall has continued to the present day, whilst the mixed effects of politico-economic policy, BSE and foot and mouth outbreaks have influenced the shape of livestock farming. Cornwall’s dairy herd decreased by 14% from 1984 to 1994, whilst horticultural activity increased by 67%.

From 2000 – 2008 Cornwall received ‘objective one’ status from the EU, through which funding was allocated to assist the strategic development of the agri-food sector. The sector as a whole (of which agriculture amounts to 8%) experienced buoyancy in this period, spurred by the popularity of the local food movement. More recently a decline in such funding has coincided with the global economic crisis, hitting premium food sales. Nevertheless, ‘brand Cornwall’ has proved a successful sales strategy, with many meat and dairy products choosing to promote their Cornish provenance.

Agriculture is responsible for about three times as much

employment in Cornwall as it is generally in Great Britain.

Cornwall’s contribution to the U.K. agricultural output is about

2%. (Lobley et al., CRPR report, 2011).

Given Cornwall’s advantageous climate for growing grass, livestock farming makes up 74% of its agriculture by economic value at the farm-gate.

Dairying alone accounts for 44%. In common with other areas, there has been a trend towards fewer dairy producers with larger herds and total output has remained fairly constant in recent years.

Beef production is second after dairying, amounting to 23% of Cornish agricultural value. There are two major beef abattoirs in Cornwall; however a significant proportion of animals are slaughtered out of the county.

Sheep production has seen resurgence in recent years, the Cornish flock now having similar numbers to that of 30 years ago. The impact of bTB and the strong lamb price have influenced dairy and beef producers to move to or incorporate sheep.

Useful Contacts

Elaine Jewkes, BGS (first aider) 07833 449245

Charlotte Evans, BGS (first aider) 07833 437974

Bill Harper, Cornwall Grassland Society 07831 099182

Lanhydrock Hotel and Golf Club 01208 262570

BGS website: www.britishgrassland.com

Acknowledgements

The British Grassland Society and Cornwall Grassland Society would like to thank everyone who made this event possible by volunteering their help and support.

David Stone, Chair of Organising Committee

Bill Harper, Lead Organiser

Local Committee Members

Brindley Hosken (2014/15 Chair of Cornwall Grassland Society) Colin Dymond

Philip Uglow James Coumbe Rob Monk Jeremy Daw Adrian Coombe Paul Ward

Glen Johns Mark Northcott Vivian Orchard Roger Vanstone Day Chairmen

Rex Ward, Bude Grassland Society – Monday

Colin Dymond, South East Cornwall Grassland Society – Tuesday

Neil Bradley, North Cornwall Grassland Society - Wednesday

http://www.britishgrassland.com/

Farm Tour Programme

Monday 13th 8.15 a.m. Coaches depart from Lanhydrock Hotel 9.15 a.m. Hendrawalls Farm, Davidstow 11.30 a.m. Elevenses 1.00 p.m. Rhude Farm, Holsworthy 3.00 p.m. Afternoon Tea 4.00 p.m. Trepoyle Farm, North Tamerton Monday evening: Supper on the Farm, at Trepoyle with Sea Shantys

from the Boscastle Buoys, starting at 6.00 p.m.

Tuesday 14th

8.00 a.m. Coaches depart from Lanhydrock Hotel 8.45 a.m. Duchy College 11.15 a.m. Light lunch 12.15 a.m. Tresallick Farm 2.15 p.m. Cream Tea 3.15 p.m. Trebarta Barton Tuesday evening Gala Dinner, with keynote speech from Cornish

Farmer and Nuffield Scholar Julian Ellis and music from Richard Trethewey and band. At the Lanhydrock Hotel, starting with a Drinks Reception at 6.30 p.m.

Wednesday 15th 8.15 a.m. Coaches depart from Lanhydrock Hotel 9.15 a.m. Treveglos Farm, St. Mabyn 11.30 a.m. Elevenses 12.30 p.m. Treswarrow Park and Carruan Farms, Trelights 2.00 p.m. Lunch at Treswarrow Park Farm, joined by delegates

on the Alternative tour for our final meal together. 3.00 p.m. Close, coaches travel back to Lanhydrock Hotel.

Farm Tour Map

Ref. Location Name Postcode

A Main Venue Lanhydrock Hotel and Golf Club PL30 5AQ

B Monday 1 Hendrawalls Farm, Davidstow PL32 9XF

C Monday 2 Rhude Farm, Holsworthy EX22 7JF

D Monday 3 Trepoyle Farm, North Tamerton EX22 6RL

E Tuesday 1 Duchy College, Stoke Climsland PL17 8PB

F Tuesday 2 Tresallick Farm, Bray Shop PL17 8QQ

G Tuesday 3 Trebartha Barton, North Hill PL15 7PD

H Wednesday 1 Treveglos Far, St. Mabyn PL30 3BU

I Wednesday 2 Treswarrow Park Farm, Trelights PL29 3TW

Alternative Tour Programme

Monday 13th 9.30 a.m. Depart from Lanhydrock Hotel 10.00-12.30 a.m. Lost Gardens of Heligan 12.30-3.30 p.m. Mevagissey 4.30 p.m. Trepoyle Farm, North Tamerton for Supper

Tuesday 14th 9.30 a.m. Depart from Lanhydrock Hotel 10.00-12.30 a.m. Lanhydrock House 12.30-1.30 p.m. Lunch at Lanhydrock House (or other) 2.00 p.m. Camel Valley wines 4.30 p.m. Return to Hotel

Wednesday 15th 9.30 a.m. Depart from Lanhydrock Hotel 10.00 a.m. Padstow- Lobster Hatchery 12 noon Ferry trip 12.20 p.m. Arrive at Porthilly Oyster Farm 1.30 p.m. Leave Rock Oyster Farm 2.00 p.m. Treswarrow Park Farm for Lunch

Hendrawalls – Risdon family Davidstow, PL32 9XF

Background Hendrawalls is situated on the edge of Bodmin Moor, experiencing high rainfall with areas of marginal soils. Russell and Sandra began farming in their own right in 1987 at which time they were milking 150 cows twice a day with summer calving. They now run it with their sons Andrew and Daniel. Son Richard has recently moved to take on a FBT near Exeter and daughter Julia lives in Scotland. Russell’s father bought the farm in 1970, it having been formerly owned by the Cow and Gate milk factory. Over the last decade the use of fodder crops for out-wintering has facilitated increasing cow numbers. The Risdon’s now operate an all grass system with New Zealand Friesian X Jerseys. Five years ago they moved to once a day milking and supply a high milk-solids contract to Arla-Milklink. Why are we here? Paddocks are grazed rotationally, being plate-metered once a week to aid grass budgeting. The rotation is 21 days in peak season. The grazing platform is primarily permanent pasture, sustained by over-seeding. Cows graze from calving starting 1

st February until drying-off at the

beginning of December. All young-stock are kept out on off-land most of the year. All calves are reared on a milk drum in groups of 15 before moving to a trailed feeder in the field. They are weaned at 85 – 100 kg.

Enterprise/s Dairy, Beef

Area 162 ha (400 ac) grazing platform and 111 ha (275 ac) off-ground and grass keep

Soil type/s Freely draining acid loamy soils over shillet sub-soil

Freely draining slightly acid loam soils, peat in places

Altitude 274 m (900 ft)

Rainfall (yr) 1778 mm (70 in)

Stocking 500 New Zealand Friesian X Jersey cows

110 followers (rising 2 yr heifers)

300 beef calves to be sold before first winter

180 dairy female calves

Calving 12 week block from 1st February

Cropping All grassland, long-term leys

Performance 1,900,000 litres sold in 2014 Butterfat: 4.88 % Protein: 3.9 % SCC: 135, 000 cells/ml Bactoscan: 27, 000 cells/ml Total milk solids: 275 kg/cow

Production from forage 3, 050 l/cow/an (100 %, year to date)

Milking regime, parlour Once a day, 50:100 swing-over herringbone

Labour Family: 3

Discussion points 1) Cow mineral health management: The Risdon’s are using liquid mineral supplements to manage the variability in nutritional quality of grazed grass throughout the season. This point will explore how the approach maintains production efficiency. 2) Grass budgeting for grazing system management: Matching grass supply and demand, to drive cost efficiency through grazing. 3) Crossbreds and block calving: Finding a suitable cow and calving pattern for maximising the production of milk from grass.

Rhude Farm – Vanstone family Holsworthy, EX22 7JF

Background Rhude Farm was acquired by Martyn Vanstone’s family in 1918, being sold again after WW2. In 1973 it was bought again by Martyn's father and brothers. Martyn has been milking there since leaving school, originally with a 3:6 milking-bale. They are now milking with a 24:24 Westfalia parlour installed in 2004. When Martyn’s father retired in 1991 the brothers farmed independently but continued with the family machinery syndicate. Martyn and Mandy’s son-in-law Liam and daughter Lucy are also part of the business. Why are we here? Meet the 2014 winners of the Cornwall Silage Competition and South West regional entry to the BGS Grassland Farmer of Year competition. Farming here is compounded by the soil type, which is clay soil over rock. Due to the high rainfall and heavy clay soils Martyn has managed to make the most of persistent pastures and utilise feed alongside seasonal grazing. Their regional winning 2014 silage results were; 31 % DM, 11.5 ME, 15.9 CP, 41.8 NDF, 2.8 sugars, D-value 72.

Enterprise/s Dairy

Area 172 ha (425 ac)

Soil type/s Slowly permeable seasonally wet acid loamy and clayey soils



Stocking 250 Holstein Friesian cows

80 replacements

Pedigree herd

Cropping 162 ha (400 ac) grass

Some pastures over 25 years old

142 ha (350 ac) cutting land

10 ha (25 ac) woodland

Milking regime Twice a day

Performance (2013/14) 9,000 l/cow/yr 2,245,000 l/an sold Butterfat: 4.04 % Protein: 3.36 % SCC: 136, 000 cells/ml Bactoscan: 14, 000 cells/ml Milk urea: 14 mg/l Margin over concentrate: 22.86 p/l

Production from forage 2,600 l/cow/yr

Housing 95% Cubicles, October - May

Calving August - February

Labour Family: 3 Staff: 1

Discussion points 1) Best of Both: maximising use of a mixture of housed feeding and grazing: In a situation where brought-in feed is relied upon, how can you optimise benefit from seasonally available grazing and preserved forage? 2) Managing permanent pasture to achieve results: Explore 25-year old pastures producing winning silage and hear Martyn’s top tips for achieving such results. 3) Calf rearing strategy.

Trepoyle Farm – Bill & Suzanne Harper North Tamerton, EX22 6RL

Background Bill and Suzanne purchased the Bedford Herd of Pedigree South Devon’s in 2002 whilst living at Way Farm where they had developed a herd of Pedigree Black Limousins. In 2011 the home of the Bedford herd, neighbouring ‘Trepoyle’, was purchased and Bill and Suzanne moved there incorporating Way and Trepoyle as one. Both the South Devon and Limousin herds have been retained. The main enterprises include a suckler herd, breeding stock sales, beef and lamb production and some arable. Current aims include improving genetic merit from bulls sourced globally and use of the historic breed performance recording system and overcoming vulnerability to wet summers and managing the grass budget through rotational grazing. Why are we here? Bill Harper is a keen advocate of the Cornwall Grassland Society having been secretary since 2010 and was Secretary of the Bude Grassland Society for 20 years. Bill and Suzanne are also involved with the South Devon Herd Book Society, contributing to the development and promotion of the breed. Trepoyle is an example of a rich pasture farm: It displays seasonally wet river-meadows requiring alternative management whilst providing a unique wildlife habitat, as well as 81 ha (200 ac) of productive cutting land. Bill has an eye on the figures, setting targets including, an average calf weaning weight of 330 kg; silage ME of 10.5, and limited fertiliser use of 58 t CAN and 20 t compound across the grassland and crops.

Enterprise/s Suckler herd, finished Beef, fat Lamb

Area 154 ha (380 ac) owned; 69 ha (170 ac) rented

Soil type/s Variable from slowly permeable seasonally wet acid loamy and clayey to freely draining slightly acid loamy soils



Stocking 200 South Devon & Black Limousin suckler

200 followers

All cattle finished or sold for breeding

200 Lleyn and Lleyn X Texel ewes

Cropping Grass; mainly long-term leys – 165 ha (410 ac)

Oats and Barley – 8 ha (20 ac)

Performance 150 finished cattle sold/an, bulls at 15 months, heifers at 20 – 24 months 45 breeding cattle sold/yr 300 finished lambs sold/yr Lambing % - Ewes 180% Hogs 120%

Calving 140 calve in spring-block, 60 in Autumn block

Labour Family: 2 Staff: 2

Discussion points 1) Feed conversion efficiency: Measuring total diet efficiency when feeding young bulls and heifers including silage, home grown cereals and concentrates. 2) Managing rotational grazing to deliver target live-weight gain per ha: Suckler cows plus their calves are rotationally grazed from April – November. Cows and Calves are stocked at 15/acre from April – August. 3) Distinguishing cost drivers: Cutting costs of inputs and how to retain profit through utilisation of on-farm resources.

Clockwise from top-left: Rising twos graze off-land, Hendrawalls; Martyn and Mandy

Vanstone, Rhude Farm; New developments, Duchy College; Patrick Barret and daughter

Kate, Tresallick; Philip Kent, Mike and Clare Parnell, Carruan Farm; Cows feeding, Treveglos

Farm; Cattle strip-grazing swift-rape, Trebartha; Bill and Suzi Harper, Trepoyle.

Duchy College – James Coumbe, Farm Manager & Paul Ward, Rural Business School Stoke Climsland, PL17 8PB

Background

Duchy College was established in 1984. With a few small farm buildings and some land leased from the Duchy of Cornwall, it has grown to become one of the UK’s largest specialist land-based education providers. Duchy College is part of The Cornwall College Group (TCCG) which has over 40,000 learners working towards a range of qualifications, including research masters and degrees; 2,000 of those students specialise in the rural economy, to include food, agriculture and horticulture. In May 2015 TCCG and Bicton College in Devon launched their ground-breaking merger deal to form the largest land-based college in the south west. Duchy College is perhaps best known regionally for its knowledge transfer, skills and training delivery involving some 14,000 farming and rural businesses across the six counties of the south west through its Rural Business School. This includes the groundbreaking ‘Healthy Livestock’ project which has so successfully utilised cutting edge research outcomes to achieve real change on-farm. Indeed, through this work, Duchy College was the first land-based college in England to receive the Queen’s Anniversary Prize, for “leadership of skills development across the region’s rural economy”. Why are we here? Duchy College’s aim is to ensure that a sizeable ‘world class’ knowledge hub is formed, which will not only build on the strengths in education and training, but also attract a significant applied research programme in dairying to the south west, centred round the £10m ‘Future Farm’ development. The farm currently operates as a commercial unit for the benefit of education, research and the wider community and the visit will provide insight on how this will operate as it is developed alongside an extensive regional knowledge transfer programme.

Enterprise/s Dairy, Sheep, Arable


Soil type/s Mainly silty-loam or clay-loam over shillet (sub-soil)

Altitude 140 – 200 m (459 – 656 ft)


Stocking 270 long-life Holstein cows

200 followers

100 Texel X Lleyn ewes

2 x Highlander and 1 x Teaser ram

6 Red Devon cattle

4 British Lop sows

Cropping Maize, 30.4 ha (75 ac)

Winter wheat / spring barley, 30.4 ha (75 ac)

Equine facility, 12 ha (30 ac)

College campus, 24 ha (60 ac)

Permanent and temporary grassland, 170 ha (420 ac)


Performance (12 month rolling) 8,300 l/cow/yr 2.15 million l/yr sold Butterfat: 4.15% Protein: 3.52% SCC: 132,000 cells/ml Bactoscan: 20,000 cells/ml

Production from forage 3,000 l/cow/an

Housing October to March (dependant on conditions), Cubicles with

sawdust. Dry cows on sand and straw in loose housing

Calving 50% mid-February and 50% mid-August

Labour Staff: 7

Discussion points 1) Future Farm: Developing a vision for the future of farming incorporating top-class teaching facilities of national and international significance. 2) Successful Knowledge Transfer for real change on-Farm: Making knowledge based agricultural development and training programmes relevant and effective. 3) Balancing commercialism, academia and applied research.

Tresallick Farm – Barrett family Bray Shop, PL17 8QQ

Background Patrick and Clare Barrett rent most of their land from the Duchy of Cornwall. They also own 56.6 ha, 140 ac and rent some from other landlords. They moved to Tresallick when they were 29, having previously rented from the County Farms estate. Their children, Jack and Kate are both keen to continue farming, and the farm is managed with robustness in-mind to leave to the next generation. The current infrastructure will support an increase to 500 cows. Why are we here? An example of a high-yielding herd with all-year-round calving and where continuous housing and intensive cutting contribute. Four cuts of silage are taken and cows are fed a TMR of grass and maize silage, straights, soya, rolled wheat and caustic wheat. Home-grown maize makes up 70% of the diet for high yielding cows throughout all of the year.

Enterprise/s Dairy, Beef, Arable

Area 246.5 ha (609 ac)

Soil type/s Medium loam over shillet, mainly freely draining



Stocking 400 Holstein cows

250 followers

250 beef young-stock

Stocking rate of 3.3 units/ha

Cropping Maize, 65 ha (160 ac)

Winter wheat 28 ha (70 ac)



Performance (year to May 2015) 10, 318 l/cow/yr 3.5 million l/yr sold Butterfat: 3.94% Protein: 3.26% SCC: 90,000 cells/ml Bactoscan: 18,000 cells/ml

125 finished beef animals sold per year


Housing High yielders and heifers housed all year round

Lower yielders and young-stock grazed May – September

All housing is cubicle, on mattresses and mats

Calving All year round

Labour Family: 2 Staff: 1 full-time, 2 part-time

Discussion points 1) Best use of forage in a high yielding herd. 2) Cost of production – pence per litre and the link between profit and cash availability. 3) Managing maize within a grassland rotation.

Trebartha Barton – Jono & Sue Cole North Hill, PL15 7PD

Background Jono and Sue rent the farm from the Trebartha Estate. They began renting 87 hectares (215 acres) at Trebartha in 1993, at which time they operated a contracting business as well as running 250 Dorset ewes and a herd of store fattening cattle. They started a suckler herd in 1996 and took on further land in subsequent years. They started organic conversion in 2005 and started breeding stabiliser cattle in 2007. Why are we here? As part of the organic management, Jono utilises clovers, other legumes and herbal leys. The stabiliser breed has been found to perform well in a grass and forage system. They breed from high genetic merit bulls and are part of the SRUC premium health scheme. Soil health is also central with aeration used as a matter of course and fungal inoculants introduced in rotated fields.

Enterprise/s Suckler Beef, Arable


Soil type/s Freely draining slightly acid loamy soils


Rainfall (yr) 1651 – 2235 mm (65 - 88 in)

Stocking 100 suckler cows

20 replacements

98 calves

60 finishing stock

Cropping Spring Barley, 16 ha (40 ac)

Winter Barley, 11 ha (27 ac)

Triticale, 5 ha (13 ac)

Hybrid kale, 6 ha (15 ac)

Temporary and permanent grassland, 127.5 ha (315 ac)

Some woodland

Performance (2014) 104 calves from 99 cows Steers wean at 315 kg and heifers at 285 kg 20 breeding heifers sold, 3 breeding bulls sold Finish 60 cattle at 18 – 22 months: Steers average 345 kg DW, heifers average 275 kg DW

Housing Out-winter dry cows housed end-January to calving

Heifers housed mid-December to post calving

30 – 35 finishing cattle are housed early October, all sold by early January to make room for cows

Calving 9 week block from 1st March

Labour Family: 2 Staff: occasional contractors or hired staff

Discussion points 1) Herbal leys, soil health and soil carbon: How can planting mixed leys of diverse root structures help promote soil health and increase soil carbon? 2) Soil aeration – the right tool for the job: Compare two techniques used by Jono at Trebartha. 3) Selecting beef breeds for production from grass: An overview of indicators for performance from grass and a review of some demonstrative research.

Treveglos Farm – Kellow family St. Mabyn, PL30 3BU Background Andrew and Sally Kellow bought Treveglos 17 years ago starting with 70 cows; since then they have undergone a period of expansion and consolidation. They recently acquired another farm, with the knowledge that their son Daniel would also like to continue in Dairy production/farming. Why are we here? Here we see an example of a family farm with a view to the future – sustainability and robustness have become key aims along with increasing production without more brought-in feed. Their feeding regime includes paddock grazing, concentrate in the parlour and a grass and maize silage TMR fed outside. They silage over 162 ha (400 ac) of 1

st cut grass each year, with a further

101 ha (250 ac) at both 2nd

& 3rd cut, and harvest maize yielding an average 18 – 20 tonnes per

acre.

Enterprise/s Dairy, Beef stores


Soil type/s Freely draining slightly acid loamy soils

Altitude 30.5 – 129.5 m (100 – 425 ft)

Rainfall (yr) 1270 mm, 50 in

Stocking 490 Holstein cows

130 in-calf heifers

130 replacement heifers

250 beef animals up to 15 months

Cropping Maize, 77 ha (190 ac)


Main grazing platform, 85 ha (210 ac)


Performance (2014/15) *Note that cow numbers have increased since the time period for data shown.

8,000 l/cow/yr 3.6 million l/yr sold Butterfat: 4.13% Protein: 3,38% SCC: 189, 000 cells/ml Bactoscan: 40, 000 cells/ml Concentrate use: 0.34 kg/l


Housing High yielding cows housed continuously November – March then grazed by day

Lower yielding group out by day and night March – October

Calving September – April

Labour Family: 3 full-time, 1 part-time Staff: 2 full-time plus relief milkers

Discussion points 1) Maintaining quality in grass silage: Here we will look at the management of silage from clamp to feed-out to minimise losses and maintain quality. 2) Herd improvement: Integrating genetic selection, herd monitoring, environmental adaptations and good practise for the benefit of herd health and overall performance. 3) Maize variety trials: See how new varieties have fared in on-farm trails; how do they compare with the farmers’ expectations and plans?

Treswarrow Park & Carruan Farms – Parnell & Kent Trelights, PL29 3TW

Background

Clare’s father moved to Carruan in 1966 having sold his veterinary practice in Plymouth. The focus then was on early lamb production. Cattle were added when Clare joined the business. Individual ID of ewes and monitoring of faecal egg counts have been used since the 1970s. On a visit to New Zealand in 1966 Clare’s father saw the benefits of rotational paddock grazing of sheep and tried to implement it at Carruan however, without the benefit of easy electric fencing options it proved too difficult and costly. Since Philip (nephew) has joined the business it has been implemented again. Philip has focused the farm more on grassland management to reduce reliance on bought-in feed and to overcome the challenge of drying up in summer. The beef enterprise has become increasingly important to the business. Why are we here? The farm demonstrates sheep and beef production driven by thoughtful grassland utilisation and management. Mike, Clare & Philip have been early adopters of new technology such as EID and have tried out different forages and emerging grass varieties to help maximise efficiency and the contribution made by grass.

Enterprise/s Sheep, Beef


Soil type/s Freely draining acid loamy soils over rock

Sandy and shallow in places, dries quickly

Altitude 74 m (242.5 ft)


Stocking 750 Romney X polled Dorset ewes

250 ewe lambs

14 Rams

140 British Blue X Friesian calves brought each year

Cropping Corn, 34 ha (85 ac)

Grassland, 132 ha (327 ac)

Chicory, 11.3 ha (28 ac)

Fodder beet, 5ha (12 ac)

Performance Aim for 300 kg beef carcases 165% lambs reared Daily LW gain from birth to slaughter 0.3 kg with no creep feeding.

Lambing All indoor lambing Ewes lamb in 4 week block from end-January Ewe lambs 5 week block from mid-March

Labour Family: 2 Staff: 1, additional help during main lambing

Discussion points

1) Managing grassland for early utilisation: With a lack of grass in dry summers there is a

need to maximise early grass. Ewes, lambs, yearling cattle and silage making all put pressure on

early grass requirements.

2) Variety selection and the use of other forages to cope with dry conditions: How has

chicory and deep rooting grasses helped enhance grazing and performance?

3) Using EID to improve flock and grazing management: Utilising EID technology to improve

the flock, its health and productivity status and to help manage grazing rotations.

Principal Sponsors

Gold Sponsors

Silver Sponsors

Bronze Sponsors

We would also like to acknowledge additional support for the Supper at Trepoyle Farm Beers and wines sponsored by Kivells Auctioneers and Cornish Tractors.

Beef was provided through sponsorship from the South Devon Herdbook Society. Fruit and vegetables were provided through sponsorship from Joe Button.

meating and milking the cream of cornish grassland bookle… · bill harper, cornwall grassland...

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