AHDB launches first three new strategic dairy farms

The Agriculture and Horticulture Improvement Board (AHDB) has launched particulars of the primary three of ten new strategic dairy farms.

The three farms are Lydney Park Farms, Dillington Farms, and Moorhouse Corridor Farm, which will likely be platforms for farmer-to-farmer studying by way of on-farm and digital occasions as a part of the AHDB strategic dairy farm community.

There will likely be a launch occasion for every farm which is able to embody a farm tour, and a chance  to search out out extra about operations, efficiency figures, and objectives for the farm.

The assembly dates for the three new strategic dairy farm launches are:

• October 12 – Lydney Park, Gloucestershire;
• October 25 – Dillington Farms, Somerset;
• November 7 – Moorhouse Corridor Farm, Cumbria.

AHDB senior information alternate supervisor for dairy, Doreen Anderson, is “strongly” encouraging dairy farmers to think about attending the launch occasions.

“Listening to farmers problem and assist one another whereas discussing concepts for bettering their companies is wonderful,” she mentioned.

“Concepts are continuously being shared each between the farmers individually and between AHDB and the farmers, driving constructive change for everybody concerned.”

Three new strategic dairy farms

Lydney Park Farms

Lydney Park Farms is a part of the Lydney Park Property in Gloucestershire. A crew managed by Gavin Inexperienced milks 850 Jersey-cross cows twice a day, producing round 4,750L of milk and calving in a 10-week block that begins within the spring.

The farm grows round 12.5–15t dry matter (DM)/ha most years, and as a part of the strategic dairy farm programme, plans to implement adjustments to its system to adapt to the rules of their consumer-conscious milk purchaser.

Dillington Farms

Dillington Farms is a combined farming enterprise in Somerset with dairying at its coronary heart. With tourism and an array of enterprises working on the property, farming that each enhances the atmosphere and drives revenue is a precedence.

This 870ha farm focuses on renewable vitality and homegrown feeds and is concerned in an intensive mid-tier scheme.

The herd contains a dairy herd of round 350 cross-bred cows, yielding roughly 10,800L/cow/yr and calving all yr spherical.

“The programme is a superb alternative to work with completely different individuals from across the business,” Ollie Blackburn, farm supervisor at Dillington Farms.

“The property and our farming insurance policies have modified massively over the previous few years, and we at the moment are very environmentally targeted and attempting to do issues in a extra sustainable means.

“Whereas we really feel that we could also be doing issues barely in another way to others, it’s at all times good to be challenged in a constructive means, and we are able to’t wait to share our experiences and be taught from others.”

Moorhouse Corridor

Moorhouse Corridor in Wigton is a household run farm with 100 Holstein cows following an autumn calving cycle. The herd is genomically examined for superior genetics, and the farm champions multi-cut silage practices.

The farm produces a powerful 3,500−4,500 L of milk from forage and is partnered with First Milk.