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When parameters on
yield,
condition and
stocking rates are met they move to a low-yielders group. The fresh
and high groups are milked three times a day, and the low group twice
daily through a 24/24-herringbone parlour. The aim of this is to
allow the cows to achieve their optimum productivity and milk quality
whilst not compromising on animal welfare.
All
cows are loose-housed on home-grown straw in winter and are on
rotational graze throughout the grazing season. The cows calve all
year round in order to achieve a level production profile demanded by
our milk buyer.
Feeding
is based on a mix of home-grown forages (grass and maize silage)
mixed with minerals and higher energy GM-free
‘concentrates’ such
as crimped cereals, pulse-grain blends and molasses. These are fed
through mixer wagon which creates a homogenized diet mixed to provide
the nutritional requirements of the specific group the animals are
in.
All replacement young
stock (125
heifers) are contract-reared on a dedicated unit at Skyers Farm,
Ramsdell. A separate rearing site provides quarantine away from the
disease pressure mature cattle would otherwise exert on the young
stock. Calves are removed from Tanners Dairy at 12 days of age
returning 6 weeks pre-calving to calve down between 24 and 26 months.
Bill Liddiard (an ex-M&S Dairy Farmer) grows the animals
according to a plan set out between the farms and their Veterinary
Practitioners. Beef and bull calves are also sold at 12 days old. As
policy, Farley Farms will not allow the sale of calves for export.
The Dairy Unit is
accredited under the
National Dairy Farm Assurance Scheme and actively supports the LEAF
Marque scheme.
The
Farm Manager and Dairy management services are provided by
Velcourt
Ltd.
To
find out about our arable farming and environmental enterprises, click here.
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