EDF UK Lancashire / N.Yorkshire Meeting Efficient Family Farms and Succession to the Next Generation 7 th & 8 th March 2016

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1 EDF UK Lancashire / N.Yorkshire Meeting Efficient Family Farms and Succession to the Next Generation 7 th & 8 th March 2016 EDF-UK would like to welcome you to the March meeting in Lancashire and North Yorkshire. We will visit four progressive family dairy farms who are following different routes to efficient milk production and developing strategies to smoothly move the business to the next generation. Within these challenging market conditions, methods to control costs will undoubtedly be a leading topic of discussion and we are very grateful to all of our host farmers for allowing the group to visit. Following the evening meal, Rob Hitch will give an accountant s perspective on what makes a good dairy farmer. Day 1: Monday 7 th March 2016 Meet at Stirk House Hotel, Gisburn, Lancashire, BB7 4LJ 12:30 pm for a light lunch and then 1:15 pm start Visit to Joss Lancaster, Paradise Farm, Thornton in Craven, Skipton BD23 3JT Joss and Sally Lancaster are the 2 nd generation at Paradise Farm, continuing the family farming tradition that goes back 500 years in the area. They now farm 500 acres with son Daniel and milk 340 cows in a flying herd, with plans to increase to 400 this autumn once new cow housing and slurry store are completed. The herd averages 8,500 litres per cow, with milk sold to Arla and the calving pattern is moving from two blocks, to fully autumn calving a change that s easier to implement within a flying herd. Optimum use of grazed grass is a key focus to control costs, with cows grazing from March to November as much as conditions allow. The winter ration is grass and wholecrop silage based. Farm diversifications include a holiday cottage and a wind turbine. Joss s policy of avoiding unnecessary work helps focus the mind on finding the easy way to make money from cows. The flexibility of running a flying herd The value of grazed grass Increasing herd size on the current milk price Succession to the next generation Farm diversifications Page 1 of 5

2 Visit to David Newbould, Slack Farm, Newsholme, Gisburn, BB7 4JF David farms with his wife Pauline and son Michael on their 370 acre, largely owned family farm near Gisburn. Two years ago they invested in three Lely robots and the 180 pedigree Holstein / Friesian cows are now producing 11,000 litres per cow per year, on a feed rate of only 0.37 kg per litre. Cows are fed a grass and wholecrop Home n Dry based ration, supplemented with concentrates and since the robots were installed, milk yield has risen by over 2,000 litres per cow. The herd calve all year round and are fully housed in slatted accommodation, with the majority of the work is carried out with family labour. Milk is sold to Arla. Other investments include a small 20KW wind turbine. The value of robot milking and lifestyle improvements realised Potential for further cost savings The timing of further investment in another robot Evening Meal and optional overnight stay at: The Stirk House Hotel, Gisburn, Lancashire, BB7 4LJ 7.30 pm for 8.00 pm Evening Meal Evening speaker: Rob Hitch, Dodd & Co From an accountant s perspective, what makes a good dairy farmer Rob is a partner of Dodd & Co Accountants who work with farm clients nationwide. Having joined the firm in 1997, following six years as a Genus consultant, Rob specialises in farming businesses and is focussed on developing tax mitigation strategies for partnerships and companies, plus advising joint venture businesses, particularly in the dairy sector. His work also involves business planning and developing expansion and acquisition plans, as well as refinancing businesses. Rob s experience advising dairy farm businesses ranging in size from 35 to 2,500 cows, across all types of milk production systems, means he is well placed to identify the key traits of a good dairy farmer and lead what I m sure will be a very thought provoking discussion. Page 2 of 5

3 Day 2: Tuesday 8 th March 2016 Visit to Philip Ormerod, Pasture House Farm, West Marton, Skipton BD23 3UJ Philip farms in partnership with his wife Trish and sons Joseph & James on their 320 acre family farm. They converted from milking cows to goats nine years ago to allow the business to expand to support more than one family within the limited farm area. They now milk 1,250 goats, fed a wholecrop wheat based ration via a fully automated Mullerup feeding system. Milking is through a 30 point rapid exit parlour and the goats produce 1,250 litres per head at 4.0% fat and 3.2% protein, with milk sold to Delemere dairy for processing as fresh milk, yoghurt & cheese. The dairy effectively operate self-imposed quotas that helps maintain a relatively stable price. They have up to 1,000 youngstock on the farm and all animals are electronically tagged. A recent development is the rearing of male kids, with 1,000 to be reared over the next 12 months and sold into developing markets. They also have 200 lambing ewes, plus Phil converted some old farm buildings in a business park in partnership with his brother. Expanding to 2,000 milkers within the next two years Investing in technology Utilising genomics to bring goat breeding into the 21st century Key drivers to profit Succession to the next generation What the cow dairy industry can learn from goat milk production and marketing Visit to William Hartley, Greenbercroft, Greenberfield Lane, Barnoldswick BB18 5SU William & Glenys Hartley are 4 th generation farmers at Greenbercroft, and run the 400 acre farm with sons Richard & Steven. They currently milk 350 cows twice a day, with the herd producing 9,400 litres per cow annually, and milk sold to Müller on a core contract. Cows are complete diet fed a grass silage and fodder beet based ration, with later lactation cows also grazed as conditions allow. All replacements are reared on-farm, with breeding focussed on producing a robust, long lasting cow, with good legs & feet. 800 to 1,000 store lambs are also fattened each year. Recent investments include a 54 unit Dairymaster rotary parlour, which is part of an expansion to 400 cows. Cash costs are controlled with much of the silage production and some of the building work carried out with own labour. Areas of cost control What is the optimum calving pattern for the farm Succession to the next generation Finish with lunch at The Tempest Arms, Elslack, Skipton BD23 3AY (optional) For all farm visits, please ensure high levels of biosecurity are maintained, with disinfectable footwear worn. If you would like to attend, please complete and return the booking form on the final page. Page 3 of 5

4 Summary of Meeting Route Start at: Stirk House Hotel, Gisburn, Lancashire, BB7 4LJ Page 4 of 5

5 EDF-UK Lancashire / N.Yorkshire Meeting 7 th & 8 th March 2016 Booking Form To book you place(s), please complete & return the form below or rachel.stamp@kingshay.co.uk with your booking details by Monday 29 th February Booking as soon as possible would be much appreciated. I wish to book... place(s) on the EDF-UK Lancashire / N. Yorkshire Meeting. Name(s): Address: Postcode:... Tel: I wish to attend (please tick as appropriate): Full programme with single room at The Stirk House Hotel 228 per person ( 190 excl. VAT) Full programme with shared double room at Stirk House Hotel 192 per person ( 160 excl. VAT) Day visits & evening meal with no accommodation 144 per person ( 120 excl. VAT) Please advise of any dietary requirements Please return this form to: Rachel Stamp, Kingshay, Bridge Farm, West Bradley, Glastonbury, Somerset, BA6 8LU Fax: rachel.stamp@kingshay.co.uk Following booking, further details will be sent prior to the event. If you have any queries please call and speak to Rachel Stamp or Richard Simpson Payment either in advance or at the event: Cheques payable to Kingshay BACS payment: Sort code: Account No: Account name: Kingshay Farming & Conservation Ltd If a booking is cancelled, there will be a cancellation fee of 40. Kingshay, Bridge Farm, West Bradley, Glastonbury, Somerset. BA6 8LU Tel: Fax: rachel.stamp@kingshay.co.uk Page 5 of 5