2021 Summer Farm Walk Schedule

Tuesday 20th July

• 6:30pm

Host farmer: Rheinallt Harries

Llwynmendy Farm, Bethlehem, Llandeilo, Carmarthenshire, SA19 6YE (Dairy)

Producing quality grazed grass and silage to produce cost-effective home-grown feed underpins the whole farm approach taken by Rheinallt Harries. Having tried one Germinal Aber High Sugar Grass mixture, Rheinallt is now using a range of mixtures to fulfil his production goals. Running a 180-head Friesian crossbred, spring block-calving herd, milk from forage is critical for Rheinallt, currently sitting just under 70%.

What farmers will see:

• How high-quality grass has produced better milk outputs
• Methods of increasing metabolisable energy (ME) yield per hectare using rotational grazing
• Use of multi-species leys within a high production dairy system

Wednesday 21st July

• 10:30am

Host farmer: Dave Marrow

Park Farm, Park Lane, Endon, Staffordshire, ST9 9JA (Dairy)

The Marrow brothers, Andrew, David and Peter, converted the traditional family farm in Cheshire to an all-grass, spring block-calving enterprise just over 10 years ago. They have now grown the milking herd from 350 to over 1,100 cows across three units in Cheshire and on the edge of the Staffordshire moorland. 

What farmers will see:

• How the brothers have developed and grown their enterprise through sound business planning
• The close attention given to finding the best high-quality grass mixtures to support their rotational grazing system
• The detail involved in setting up successful autumn grazing in preparation for starting the spring 2022 season well

Tuesday 27th July

• 1.30pm
• 2.30pm

Host farmer: John Goffin

Mauldslie Farm, Gorebridge, Midlothian, EH23 4TB (Sheep and deer)

Previously a ‘traditional’ hill farm 1,200ft above sea level, the now productive fields of high-quality grass are plain to see on the hillside of John Goffin’s sheep and deer farm. Despite the challenging situation, John is using brassicas and high sugar grasses to produce more home-grown forage for his 400 hinds and 400 breeding ewes.

What farmers will see:

• How challenging hill country can be transformed using high-quality grass
• The move from feeding ‘out of a bag’ to producing home-grown productive, high protein forage
• John’s Kiwi openness to share his failures as well as successes