 |
| Nikky and David Field |
David and Nikky Field are in the unique situation
of starting again from scratch, something many of us would
cringe at the thought. Since taking on the management of
Burrytown Farm, on behalf of Nikky’s parents, who bought
the farm on their retirement, they have run 40 suckler cattle
of mixed indigenous breeds, which they put to the Simmental
bull and around 300 ewes for Tesco lamb production. The stock
were dispersed to make room for the incoming Simmentals.
The farm sits in the picturesque village of Blunsdon near
Swindon in Wiltshire and boasts an outstanding 18th Century
house which has been restored since being purchased by the
family. David had managed a Simmental herd in the past and
their passion for the breed brought them to consider a complete
change in farming policy. “We needed to reduce the
sheep to a more manageable level.” says David “A
more manageable level in my view, was none at all!” Other
factors came into consideration, including 10 grandchildren
who visit the farm regularly, some from the city, who like
to run around the fields and the fact that there are several
rights of way and paths across the farm, which are use regularly
by walkers. As the farm had already been organic since 2001,
consideration was given to choosing a breed which did well
on grass and needed little concentrate supplement. Their
past experience of Simmentals, told them that the breed ticked
all of their boxes, with its docility and finishing ability. “It
has been important that the heifers we bought are quiet and
we have had very few problems at calving time because of
their temperament.” Says Nikky.
The 54 heifer foundation
stock includes some of the oldest breed lines and with such
a diverse genetic base, there is a real potential to look
at the use of genetics and breedable traits in the future
development of the herd. David and Nikkys’ expertise,
goes back to before they met ,while working on farm in the
pig industry with the Genus pig genetics company PIC and
David has worked extensively in the supply of overseas genetics
in pigs.
With the decision making process complete,
the task ahead was to find 55 in calf or bulling heifers,
with which to start the new venture and their first calf
Burrytown Venture is testament to this. All of the heifers
must calf at least 12 weeks after they arrive on the farm,
otherwise their progeny can never be organic but all females
that go on to breed can be classed as converted as long as
they remain farmed organically. Therefore any organically
born calves in this situation must be marketed for breeding
or killing. Buying over 50 individual animals from all areas
of the country has had its trials but as we look through
the sheds of new born calves, Nikky agrees that they have
been lucky to keep them to a minimum and that they are generally
delighted with the quality of calves produced. The wet weather
has not allowed them to turn cattle out as quickly as they
would have liked and unlike some of us they have an abundance
of grass at this time of year, which brings with it its own
problems for new calved heifers. Delays in waiting for cattle
to be PD’d and covered for Blackleg has also caused some
concern that the cattle, which are still indoors, are milking
of their backs but that is what Simmentals do best. While
the cows will thrive on the good grass to come, the calves
are thriving already, thanks to their mothers. A staple diet
of hay, which was in abundance last year together with a
home grown mix of barley and beans has certainly ensured
a continued supply of good fodder and a ready supply of good
milk.
David and Nikky are convinced they can run
this Pedigree Organic herd as successfully as with the commercial
stock, which they originally carried on the 250 acre holding.
With no sheep, arable acres can be increased and although
some barley will be fed to the cattle, this will now be supplemented
with naked oats , which is also high in oils. The farm carries
100 acres of arable land including 34 acres of wheat, which
will be sold and the resulting straw will allow the herd
to be self sufficient in straw during the winter. The silage,
which was not required this winter, will be opened and mixed
with chopped straw for forage and fed using a feeder wagon
with barley, oats and pea mix fed according to weight and
gestation.
Health wise the establishment of the herd
has been of some concern but the Fields’ still believe
that the threat of Bluetongue will be the biggest single
test on the health of the herd and the industry for the foreseeable
future. “ We work closely with our neighbours” explains
Nikky, “which not only helps with the labour but allows
us to easily monitor the health status of the herds around
us. Bluetongue restrictions are a real worry to us, especially
if we cannot move bulls for semen collection before further
restrictions are put on this summer, nor can we inject for
Bluetongue prior to collection as the semen will then be
ineligible for export.”
Having purchased Dirnanean
Typhoon at the Perth Sales in February for a record equalling
22,000gns, the Fields are keen to take semen from the bull,
who is currently running with20 heifers and is working well
as we look around the field. With his breed lines in some
of the other females it is also important to look for another
two bulls, preferably with a proven record in their progeny.
To this end Corskie Radium has been purchased privately from
Penny Lally’s Chyanhal Herd in Cornwall. He has a proven
record not only in his progeny but also in the show ring
where he took reserve Champion at Royal Cornwall Show last
year. They have also purchased the Champion from the same
Show, Sterling Rochester from Boddington Estates, Sterling
Herd, who together with Typhoon makes an outstanding team
of Stock Bulls.
The cattle sheds, were originally designed
by David, specifically for handling cattle, with pens which
have the flexibility for movement which allows easy access
for working with the cattle and easier cleaning. These replaced
the originally stable blocks which were on the farm when
they arrived there in 1997. As we leave the cattle sheds,
it is obvious that despite the prevailing wind, the farm
is an ideal stock farm for growing grass. The “good” grass
is on the lower part of the farm with Cotswold brash covering
the upper half, making it easy to burn during a dry summer,
although there is almost too much growth on the bottom. The
management of the farm as a grass growing organic system,
will have its trials but with a Simmental base and the experience
from both David and Nikky, there is no doubt that there is
a great potential for this herd in the future. “Nikky
is in charge of pedigrees and mating” says David “and
I’m in charge of doing the work!” It seems like
a perfect partnership especially since the biggest problem
so far is learning to recognise 54 new individual animals
by sight and name! |
