At the end of the month, the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB) will unveil a new strategic dairy farm. On Wednesday, October 25, 2023, Dillington Farms in Ilminster, Somerset, will become one of the board’s key dairy farms. The event will take place at the mixed agricultural business’s 870ha property from 10:45 a.m. to 2:15 p.m.
The following will be included at the launch event:
- A farm tour with the chance to learn more about operations, performance numbers, and farm plans for the next three years;
- Insight into how the estate utilized mid-tier crops produced on arable headlands into the dairy and dry animal rations in order to obtain 3,700L of milk from forage;
- A summary of how the team selects replacements based on growth and performance statistics, with a calving age of 23 months;
- An investigation into how a three-way cross produced excellent fertility and health cows while yielding more than 10,800L/cow per year.
Dillington Farms
Ollie Blackburn manages the Dillington estate’s in-hand farming operations with the assistance of Lou Thorner, the herd manager.
Knott Oak Dairy now has a dairy herd of roughly 350 cross-bred cows generating approximately 10,800L/cow/year.
Every year, around 130 replacement heifers are grown, with the remainder offspring raised for meat in a separate company.
Except for dry cows and second season heifers, which graze for five to six months of the year, the herd calves all year and is entirely housed.
With six robotic milkers and room for calving cows, a purpose-built portal frame facility handles all milking. When not grazing, dry cows are kept in a separate cubicle shed.
Calves are raised in group pens with automated feeding before being transferred to weaning pens and, finally, cubicles.
Permanent grassland and parkland are used for grazing, and a variety of forages, including herbal leys and maize, are ensiled.
This farm concentrates on homegrown feeds and participates in a large mid-tier plan as well as renewable energy.
AHDB’s strategic farms use either an all-year-round or block calving system, allowing participating farms to see real-world demonstrations and get suggestions for farm improvements.
“The farms are solid performers who openly and honestly share their experiences and performance figures at on-farm and virtual meetings,” a statement from AHDB stated.
“You’ll hear about a range of topics from mastitis and managing calves to breeding and buildings.”
AHDB and the Betty Lawes Foundation are funding the Strategic Dairy Farm initiative.
AHDB is currently on the lookout for new key farms. The AHDB website has further information on how to become one.
