Strategic Dairy Farm Launch Webinar: Penllech Bach

Join us for the launch of our latest strategic dairy farm, Penllech Bach, near Pwllheli, run by Matthew Jackson and owned by David Wynne Finch.

Penllech Bach is home to a Spring block calving herd of 370 New Zealand type Friesian crossbreds.

On the day you will get an open, honest, and transparent overview of the farm, including its background, operations, and a virtual tour.

We will also look at the farm’s technical performance against AHDB’s KPIs and hear more about their long-term vision for the business.

This will cover a critical look at areas for improvement and future focus that include:

• Maintaining or improving their efficiency per milk solid produced
• Maximizing grass utilisation
• Creating and managing efficient multi-site farm businesses
• Optimising cash out of the business to capital repayments

Booking Details

Address:      Online webinar

Date:              Wednesday 30^th September

Time:             1.00 – 2.30pm (may finish earlier if time not needed) 

Register for your place at this online webinar today - 

https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/8596876217307853324?source=Website

 For more information regarding the event please call Teaghan Tayler Knowledge Exchange Senior Manager on 07776 660 811.

About Penllech Bach

Penllech Bach is a 100ha (247ac), all grass farm owned by David Wynne Finch and managed by Matthew Jackson in a 50:50 share-milking agreement since 2013. Alongside Matthew, Aaron and Bethan works on the farm fulltime.

The Spring block comprises of 370 New Zealand type Friesian Crossbreds, producing 5,500L/cow and 450kg MS/cow. Calving starts on 25^th January, with mid-point achieved 14 days later. Fertility is high, with only a 5.2% empty rate in 2019.

Milk sold to Yew Tree Dairy, all replacements are contract reared, leaving the farm at 80kg and returning in calf. The farm operates with minimal machinery and extensive use of contractors. Penllech Bach was a full greenfield conversion in 2013.

Growing 15tDM/ha grass through grazing Mid-February until Mid-November. The platform is usually stocked at 3.7LU/ha, but in this ranges up to 5.0LU/ha to build cow numbers for new farms.

Find out more about Penllech Bach’s story by visiting www.ahdb.org.uk/farm-excellence/Penllech-Bach (launching soon) or get updates on their latest news and events by visiting Twitter and searching for #SDFPenllechBach

About Strategic Dairy Farms

Strategic dairy farms help farmers learn from each other through regular on-farm meetings where we will share key performance data and showcase what the best farmers are doing.

They form part of the Optimal Dairy Systems programme which aims to help dairy farmers lower costs and increase efficiency by focusing on either a block or all-year-round calving system.

The growing network of strategic dairy farms has calculated key performance indicators (KPIs) for their enterprises which are shared at meetings and published online. These are physical and financial performance measures that are critical to success. Farmers can benchmark their businesses against these KPIs and identify areas for improvement.

Follow the programme and find other local SDFs at www.ahdb.org.uk/farm-excellence

This project has received funding through the Welsh Government Rural Communities - Rural Development Programme 2014-2020, which is funded by the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development and the Welsh Government.

Parts of our programme delivery in Wales is delivered in collaboration with Farming Connect.