https://ahdb.org.uk:443/topic/farm-excellence/strategic-farmsStrategic Farmshttps://ahdb.org.uk:443/news/rearing-the-next-generation-how-one-farm-ensures-rumen-development-and-good-calf-healthRearing the next generation: How one farm ensures rumen development and good calf healthThu, 10 Apr 2025 12:16:48 GMThttps://ahdb.org.uk:443/news/rearing-the-next-generation-how-one-farm-ensures-rumen-development-and-good-calf-healthhttps://ahdb.org.uk:443/news/planning-for-long-term-profitabilityPlanning for long-term profitabilityThu, 10 Apr 2025 10:34:45 GMThttps://ahdb.org.uk:443/news/planning-for-long-term-profitabilityhttps://ahdb.org.uk:443/events/somerset-utilising-lean-management-to-improve-farm-efficiency-colostrum-case-study<h6>Join us for an interactive workshop to discover how to unlock the potential of your farm team, enabling them to solve problems and provide sustained, long-term benefits for your business.</h6> <p>Using Dillington Farms as a case study, we will explore how the team have used&nbsp;<a href="https://ahdb.org.uk/knowledge-library/lean-management-for-farmers-and-growers">Lean management</a> to understand how to work with the the cows and calves to optimise the&nbsp;<a href="https://ahdb.org.uk/knowledge-library/colostrum-management-for-dairy-calves">colostrum management</a> and rearing system.</p> <p>Having used the principles of Lean as part of this review we will follow the process and discuss the changes made to system by the farm team.</p> <h2>This meeting will cover</h2> <ul> <li>The principles of Lean management</li> <li>How to work with your team to focus on effective, long-term solutions with buy-in from everyone</li> <li>Colostrum management and calf rearing protocols at Dillington Farms</li> </ul> <p>We will be joined by Dan Humphries, vet and consultant with Horizon Vets and Dairy Insights, to discuss how the principles of lean management can be used to review processes which balance the skills and experience of a farm workforce, while considering the requirements of livestock for healthy, productive and profitable dairies.</p> <p>As a dairy vet/consultant, trainer and communicator, Dan works with farmers, agri-businesses and throughout the supply chain to improve the future for cows and those who work with them.</p> <p><a href="https://ahdb.org.uk/farm-excellence/strategic-dairy-farm-dillington-farm">Find out more about Dillington Farms</a></p>Wed, 09 Apr 2025 08:44:57 GMThttps://ahdb.org.uk:443/events/somerset-utilising-lean-management-to-improve-farm-efficiency-colostrum-case-studyhttps://ahdb.org.uk:443/events/from-research-to-practice-strategic-cereal-farm-north-summer-open-day<h6><span>Join us for&nbsp;</span><span>an update on the third year of field trials at <a href="https://ahdb.org.uk/farm-excellence/strategic-cereal-farm-north">Strategic Cereal Farm North</a>.</span></h6> <p>Through presentations and a farm walk, you will learn about the&nbsp;ongoing on-farm trials at Strategic Cereal Farm North and have the opportunity to ask questions of David Blacker (the host farmer) and research scientists.</p> <p><span>Topics will include:</span><span>&nbsp;</span></p> <ul> <li><span>Micronutrient management and crop health &nbsp;</span><span></span></li> <li><span>Earthworms, living mulches and soil organic matter&nbsp;</span><span></span></li> <li><span>Field drainage&nbsp;</span><span></span></li> </ul> <p><span>Lunch will be provided.&nbsp;</span><span>&nbsp;</span></p> <p><span>This meeting is free to attend, but please register using the 'Book Now' button so that we can organise catering.</span><span>&nbsp;</span></p> <p><span>Please bring suitable footwear and clothing for a field walk.&nbsp;<span>&nbsp;</span></span></p> <p><span>BASIS and NRoSO points will be available for attending.&nbsp;</span></p>Wed, 19 Mar 2025 14:07:31 GMThttps://ahdb.org.uk:443/events/from-research-to-practice-strategic-cereal-farm-north-summer-open-dayhttps://ahdb.org.uk:443/news/how-to-use-wheat-varieties-to-reduce-fungicide-intensityHow to use wheat varieties to reduce fungicide intensityWed, 19 Mar 2025 12:05:48 GMThttps://ahdb.org.uk:443/news/how-to-use-wheat-varieties-to-reduce-fungicide-intensityhttps://ahdb.org.uk:443/news/grazing-outlook-for-2025-can-this-be-a-better-yearGrazing outlook for 2025 – Can this be a better year?Wed, 19 Mar 2025 10:33:14 GMThttps://ahdb.org.uk:443/news/grazing-outlook-for-2025-can-this-be-a-better-yearhttps://ahdb.org.uk:443/news/search-for-new-strategic-cereal-farm-extends-to-scotlandSearch for new Strategic Cereal Farm extends to ScotlandMon, 17 Mar 2025 10:07:46 GMThttps://ahdb.org.uk:443/news/search-for-new-strategic-cereal-farm-extends-to-scotlandhttps://ahdb.org.uk:443/events/hampshire-maximising-your-profits-and-performance-with-briony-burge<h6>Join us at Whitewool Farm in Hampshire for an interactive meeting with Briony Burge from Creedy Associates looking at what profit requirement is, how to work out your true costs and setting and tracking KPIs to plan for profitability.</h6> <h2>What to expect at the meeting</h2> <p style="text-align: left;">At the meeting, we will be guiding farmers through how they should be assessing their own business to calculate profit requirements and what KPIs could be used to measure business performance, while using Whitewool as a case study.</p> <p style="text-align: left;">Whitewool Farm is a diversified business with the dairy enterprise at the heart. The complex nature of this business means that planning for profitability is key. Since working with Jamie, we have looked at three KPI areas 'WOT':</p> <ul> <li>Wastage</li> <li>Operational efficiency</li> <li>Technical efficiency</li> </ul> <p style="text-align: left;">All these Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) link to sustainability, which is important to the Whitewool business. At the meeting, we will be working through how to decide what KPIs you should be focusing on, what will really be driving business profitability and how they can fit with the farm non-negotiables.</p> <h2>This event will cover</h2> <ul> <li>How to calculate profit requirements and targets, and how this can help increase profitability</li> <li>Understanding your true farm costs &ndash; how to identify hidden overheads and track them effectively</li> <li>Monitoring output &ndash; key financial performance indicators for your farm and identifying what the limiting factors may be on your farm</li> <li>The importance of defining and tracking key KPIs to ensure progress on your farm</li> </ul> <h2>About Briony Burge</h2> <p style="text-align: left;">Briony is a rural consultant with 15 years of experience providing management advice to agricultural businesses across the South of England.&nbsp;</p> <p style="text-align: left;">She coordinates and delivers training workshops for individual enterprises, discussion groups and national sector organisations, including AHDB, Defra, Natural England and Catchment Sensitive Farming. Her expertise spans farm business management, benchmarking, dairy farm management, nutrition, technical advisory services, grant applications, budgeting and cash flow forecasting.</p> <p style="text-align: left;">Briony specialises in practical and regulatory nutrient management, covering Nitrate Vulnerable Zones (NVZs), Farming Rules for Water and SSAFO regulations, as well as resource management, including renewable technologies.&nbsp;</p> <p style="text-align: left;">Alongside her work with Creedy Associates Ltd. Briony and her husband run an organic poultry business on their family farm.</p> <p style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://ahdb.org.uk/farm-excellence/whitewool-farm">Learn about Whitewool Farm</a></p>Thu, 06 Mar 2025 10:17:19 GMThttps://ahdb.org.uk:443/events/hampshire-maximising-your-profits-and-performance-with-briony-burgehttps://ahdb.org.uk:443/news/optimising-herd-genetics-insights-from-strategic-dairy-farmersOptimising herd genetics: Insights from strategic dairy farmersTue, 04 Mar 2025 10:11:03 GMThttps://ahdb.org.uk:443/news/optimising-herd-genetics-insights-from-strategic-dairy-farmershttps://ahdb.org.uk:443/news/do-you-have-what-it-takes-to-host-a-strategic-cereal-farmDo you have what it takes to host a Strategic Cereal Farm?Fri, 21 Feb 2025 13:11:58 GMThttps://ahdb.org.uk:443/news/do-you-have-what-it-takes-to-host-a-strategic-cereal-farmhttps://ahdb.org.uk:443/news/seedbank-studies-illuminate-weed-management-at-strategic-cereal-farmSeedbank studies illuminate weed management at Strategic Cereal FarmMon, 17 Feb 2025 13:27:11 GMThttps://ahdb.org.uk:443/news/seedbank-studies-illuminate-weed-management-at-strategic-cereal-farmhttps://ahdb.org.uk:443/news/how-monitoring-gadgets-guide-strategic-cereal-farm-northHow monitoring gadgets guide Strategic Cereal Farm NorthMon, 10 Feb 2025 10:20:57 GMThttps://ahdb.org.uk:443/news/how-monitoring-gadgets-guide-strategic-cereal-farm-northhttps://ahdb.org.uk:443/news/scottish-dairy-farm-sought-for-national-programmeScottish dairy farm sought for national programmeWed, 05 Feb 2025 10:24:59 GMThttps://ahdb.org.uk:443/news/scottish-dairy-farm-sought-for-national-programmehttps://ahdb.org.uk:443/events/cumbria-whole-dairy-system-review-with-owen-atkinson<h6>Join Owen Atkinson from Dairy Veterinary Consultancy at Moorhouse Hall Farm for an on-farm workshop on herd performance, the pros and cons of adapting systems, and how forage can impact profitability.</h6> <p>Since joining the&nbsp;<a href="https://ahdb.org.uk/strategic-dairy-farms">Strategic Dairy Farm programme</a> in 2023, Moorhouse Hall Farm has been looking at ways to increase efficiency and profitability.</p> <p>Originally tenant farmers in Lancashire, the Bailey family are now looking at what system works best on their purchased farm in Cumbria.</p> <p>Owen Atkinson will lead the discussion on Moorhouse Hall's current performance and potential, allowing them to make informed decisions about their farm. They will discuss whether to enter&nbsp;a stricter block system and maximise grazing or install a robotic milking system.</p> <p>The learnings and discussion will be shared among farmers to also weigh up the pros and cons of each system.</p> <h2>We will&nbsp;discuss</h2> <ul> <li>Whether your system suits your lifestyle</li> <li>The pros and cons of going to an autumn-block grazing focused herd vs robotic herd</li> <li>How to make your farming system work for you</li> <li>Setting up your farm for the future</li> </ul> <p><a href="https://ahdb.org.uk/farm-excellence/moorhouse-hall-farm">Find out more about Moorhouse Hall Farm</a></p>Wed, 29 Jan 2025 09:45:14 GMThttps://ahdb.org.uk:443/events/cumbria-whole-dairy-system-review-with-owen-atkinsonhttps://ahdb.org.uk:443/news/fertility-improvement-causes-challenges-with-the-control-of-mastitis-infectionFertility improvement causes challenges with the control of mastitis infectionThu, 23 Jan 2025 13:58:05 GMThttps://ahdb.org.uk:443/news/fertility-improvement-causes-challenges-with-the-control-of-mastitis-infectionhttps://ahdb.org.uk:443/events/dumfries-planning-for-the-future-of-your-business<h6>Join us for Potstown Farm's final Strategic Dairy Farm meeting looking at how to futureproof your farming business with Neil Wilson.</h6> <p>The recent Marcus Child event in Kilmarnock encouraged the Owen family to write down their goals for the future and think more constructively about strategic planning for the next 5&ndash;10 years.</p> <p>Succession is often a tricky subject, but the recent budget brings planning for succession into a much sharper focus and has put farming families under more pressure than ever.</p> <p>Many succession issues are the same. However, there are also some traditional views and assumptions about who is best placed to own or run a family business, and these can create barriers&nbsp;to progress.</p> <p>Neil Wilson, Executive Director at SAB Advisory Ltd has experience in agriculture and a wealth of strategic leadership, relationship management, banking and markets experience. His farming background&nbsp;means he can relate to the issues at the farm gate and his professional experience allows him to add significant value to any business he works with.</p> <p>Neil will lead the talk with his professional&nbsp;and personal experiences and&nbsp;discuss the Owen family's thoughts around strategic planning and future-proofing their family business.</p> <h2>This meeting will cover</h2> <ul> <li>Goal setting</li> <li>Succession planning &ndash; growth and vision</li> <li>Financial planning &ndash; budgets and cash flow</li> <li>Working with the wider team &ndash; your banker, accountant, etc.</li> </ul> <h2>About Potstown Farm</h2> <p>Potstown Farm is located near Lockerbie, Scotland, where Gareth and David Owen farm their all-year-round calving herd of 255 milking cows.</p> <p>Half of the herd at Potstown are Holsteins and half are Jerseys, milked on a robotics system. They joined the Strategic Dairy Farm programme in 2021, wanting to look at how to maximise their current infrastructure and increase farm efficiency.</p> <p><a href="https://ahdb.org.uk/farm-excellence/potstown-farm">Learn more about Potstown farm</a></p>Tue, 21 Jan 2025 10:47:29 GMThttps://ahdb.org.uk:443/events/dumfries-planning-for-the-future-of-your-businesshttps://ahdb.org.uk:443/events/derbyshire-how-much-profit-can-be-earned-from-a-farm-business<h6>Learn&nbsp;how to plan for profit within your business, by managing what is within your control.</h6> <p>Strategic dairy farmer Graham Worsey will be joined by Andersons consultant, Tony Evans, to dissect the farm&rsquo;s break-even milk price and understand the areas of risk and reward going forward with the unveiling of Arla&rsquo;s seasonality penalties.</p> <p>After this&nbsp;session, you will:</p> <ul> <li>Understand where the hidden costs lie in your business</li> <li>Discover the &lsquo;true&rsquo; value of your time to your business</li> <li>Understand how we establish a break-even milk price</li> <li>Understand how to create a budget and what makes it accurate</li> <li>Establish what you can forecast and how that relates to your business</li> </ul> <p>The farm runs a joint venture agreement and has invested heavily in infrastructure over the last 12 months. They run a split block system that had been working towards a more spring-based calving pattern.</p> <p>How will forecasting, scenario planning and risk management play out under Arla&rsquo;s new seasonality payment system?</p> <p>The event will be in a heated village hall and lunch will be provided.</p> <h2>About Rough Grounds Farm</h2> <p>Farmers Graham and Justine Worsey run a herd of 260 cows on a split-block calving system with their children, Tom and Jess</p> <p>The cows are crossbred with Jerseys and Friesians to help the cows benefit from better butterfat and protein while maintaining good overall health. They are yielding approximately 6,500 litres per cow, with 4,500 litres from forage.</p> <p>By joining the <a href="https://ahdb.org.uk/strategic-dairy-farms">Strategic Dairy Farm programme</a>, Graham and Justine want to get more litres from forage, continue to improve what they are already doing and look at some infrastructure changes, such as improving their parlour.</p> <p><a href="https://ahdb.org.uk/farm-excellence/rough-grounds-farm">Find out more about Rough Grounds Farm</a></p> <p><strong>To book your place contact Stephen West:</strong></p> <p>E:&nbsp;<span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a target="_blank" href="mailto:stephen.west@ahdb.org.uk" id="OWA6178181e-8aef-0b54-1149-3d03873c26d2" class="OWAAutoLink" title="mailto:stephen.west@ahdb.org.uk" data-linkindex="1">stephen.west@ahdb.org.uk</a></span></p> <p>M: 07816 159574</p>Wed, 11 Dec 2024 09:55:06 GMThttps://ahdb.org.uk:443/events/derbyshire-how-much-profit-can-be-earned-from-a-farm-businesshttps://ahdb.org.uk:443/news/lessons-from-strategic-cereal-farm-east-harvest-2024Lessons from Strategic Cereal Farm East (harvest 2024)Tue, 03 Dec 2024 08:29:34 GMThttps://ahdb.org.uk:443/news/lessons-from-strategic-cereal-farm-east-harvest-2024https://ahdb.org.uk:443/events/ayrshire-drying-off-dairy-cows-an-interactive-workshop-with-james-breen<h6>Join us at Millands Farm in Ayrshire to learn how to implement the most effective drying-off procedures and what key considerations should be made to ensure a successful drying-off period.</h6> <p>This will be an interactive workshop where James Breen (Map of Ag) will demonstrate the correct way to dry off cows and discuss the procedure and choices around dry cow therapy and how to avoid introducing infection into the teat.</p> <h2>This meeting will cover</h2> <ul> <li>Preparation for drying off</li> <li>What decisions to make when drying off</li> <li>Drying off protocol</li> <li>The environment required</li> <li>Things to consider after drying off</li> </ul> <p>We will also discuss the Mastitis Control Plan, which will lead into the evening meeting at The Ayrshire Food Hub.</p> <p>We will review the work that has been carried out with the Hendrie brothers and the team at Millands to introduce new protocols and what changes have been made to improve fertility and reduce mastitis in the Millands herd.</p> <h2>About Millands Farm</h2> <p>Millands Farm is located near Kilmarnock, Ayrshire in South West Scotland, where their family have been farming for over 250 years.</p> <p>The farm is home to 600 Holstein-Friesians on a spring block-calving system. They achieve 5,400 litres of milk per cow per year, averaging 4.2% butterfat and 3.5% protein.</p>Thu, 24 Oct 2024 08:47:33 GMThttps://ahdb.org.uk:443/events/ayrshire-drying-off-dairy-cows-an-interactive-workshop-with-james-breenhttps://ahdb.org.uk:443/news/an-update-on-the-living-clover-mulch-trial-at-strategic-cereal-farm-northAn update on the living clover mulch trial at Strategic Cereal Farm NorthTue, 22 Oct 2024 12:48:54 GMThttps://ahdb.org.uk:443/news/an-update-on-the-living-clover-mulch-trial-at-strategic-cereal-farm-north