6 minute read
Four new Monitor farmers join AHDB’s expanded project
AHDB’s Farm Excellence programme has been expanded again this year after ongoing success with its Strategic Farms. It has recruited four new Monitor Farmers who will join the 14 existing Strategic beef and sheep farms. These farmers will embark on an exciting four year programme, which will see them work with consultants, farmers and other industry specialists to make changes to their business which in turn will drive profitability. A key part of the programme is encouraging farmers in the region to be part of the Monitor Farmers journey. Sarah Pick, Knowledge Exchange Manager, said: “Each Monitor Farmer will host a number of on farm events over the four year project. It’s really important that farmers attend these events, we want them to share their experiences and discuss possible solutions to the challenges the Monitor Farmer – and they themselves face.”
Topics discussed during these events include making the most from grass and forage, improving animal performance and how to adapt to the changes in support payments. The topics discussed will be relevant to the Monitor Farm business and specific regional challenges. As well as on farm events, each Monitor Farmer will also deliver webinars and podcasts which you can listen to in your own time.
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Introducing AHDB’s new Monitor Farms
Harry Sordy, Northumberland
Harry Sordy farms at Alnham Farm, which has been in the Sordy family for over 90 years. Located within the Northumberland National Park and rising to 1350ft, the 1450ha mixed farm comprises 80ha arable land, 15ha of kale mix and approximately 100ha of temporary pasture with the remainder permanent pasture and temporary grassland. Harry runs a herd of 240 spring calving Aberdeen Angus x Simmental cows, with youngstock sold either as stores at 10-12 months of age or finished at between 18-20 months. The farm also has a flock of 3000 hill and upland breeding ewes. Sordy said: “I’m thrilled to have been chosen to take part in the project. Joining the programme offers my family business a unique opportunity to surround ourselves with like-minded farmers and industry experts, giving us the best possible chance to take our business forward. It’s a fantastic way to open doors to other farmers at a time when the industry is faced with an incredible amount of change and I look forward to welcoming guests to our on-farm events.”
Ian Farrant, Herefordshire
Ian Farrant, along with his family, finish 750 dairy beef cattle each year, sourced mainly from the family dairy business. Underley, is a grazing approved finishing unit, with calves purchased at between two weeks and two months old and finished predominantly from grass by 16-21 months of age. The Farrant family moved to Underley 15 years ago, separating the beef finishing from the family dairy business located in Oxfordshire. The 250ha farm lies on the Worcestershire/Herefordshire border and comprises grassland with a mixture of permanent pasture and ryegrass/white clover leys with 40ha of maize, 60ha of wheat and a hazelnut orchard.
Farrant said: “We’ve been involved with similar projects in the past and found it a great opportunity to get outside advice and opinions on our business. It’s slightly nerve-wracking to open your farm to others, but we’ve found it’s so valuable to share ideas and gain advice from other local farmers.
“The key focus for us is looking at soil health, a better use of mixed species leys and using our farmyard manure more efficiently. But we’re always open to new ideas and suggestions from others and I look forward to seeing it evolve.”
Rob and Liz Priest, Devon
Rob and Liz Priest do not stray away from a challenge and are currently in the process of moving to a new farm in Cornwall. However their aim will always remain the same, producing beef and lamb organically and from grass. They run a herd of 75 Stabiliser suckler cows, which will be moving with them to the new farm. All youngstock are finished from predominantly grass and forage at around 24 months of age. Rob and Liz are strong believers in the benefit of rotational grazing and have been carrying out the practice for the past five years. As well as the cattle, the couple also farm a flock of 480 ewes, split into two groups, indoor and outdoor lambers. Ewes consist of Aberfields, Highlanders and Mule crossbreeds with lambs sold deadweight. Liz Priest said: “I have been following the progress of the other Strategic Farmers over the past few years and watched what they have achieved and wanted to give it a go.” Rob Priest added: “We are very driven by facts and figures and like to be honest with people and share our information. We are hoping the programme will push us and push the business if we are answerable to other people.” The couple have recorded a podcast and is available at: https://ahdb.
org.uk/food-farming-podcast
Located within an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty in northwest Norfolk, David farms in partnership with his father John as tenants of Sedgeford Hall Estate. A closed flock of 900 ewes tupped by EasyRams run alongside multiple arable enterprises including barley, wheat, potatoes and sugar beet. Of the 360ha of tenanted land, 80ha of temporary grassland feature heavily within the arable rotation whilst around 30ha are sub-let to a free range pig operation. Cross said: “I am keen to develop a resilient farming operation that isn’t dependent on subsidies. This will allow me to viably integrate my sheep with the farm’s arable enterprises while ethically promoting the environment. Being an AHDB Monitor Farmer gives me and other farmers the chance to learn and discuss how we could achieve these goals and ensure our farming businesses remain compliant and robust for the years ahead.” Pick added: “We hope you are excited as we are about following these farmers’ journeys over the next four years and we look forward to seeing you at their events”.
Join a discussion group
Over the next couple of months a discussion group will be set up around each Monitor Farm. The topics discussed during these meetings will be solely driven by the needs of the members of the group. Sarah says: “discussion groups are a great way to share ideas and challenges in greater detail with other likeminded farmers. It also provides an opportunity to benchmark, if that’s something you’re interested in”. To find out more about the discussion groups please email: sarah.
pick@ahdb.org.uk
Dates for your diary
Nine of our Strategic Farmers finish the project this year. They are hosting final on farm events this autumn to discuss the changes they have made over the four year project and the impact this has had on their business. • Mark Jelley, Northamptonshire, 5 October • Bertie Newman, Dorset, 7 October • David Barton, Gloucestershire, 12 October • Ian Norbury, Cheshire, 14 October • Johnny Haimes, Devon, 19 October • Joe Howard, Nottingham, 11 November • Edward Dean, Cumbria, 23 November • Guy Prudom, North Yorkshire, 30 November To find out more and to book your free place at one of thea events, visit: www.ahdb.org.uk/events To find out more about the Farm Excellence program and to follow our new Monitor Farmers’ progress, visit: www.ahdb.
