Monitor Farms

A monitor farm is a focal point for a group of interested farmers and industry experts to work together and share their knowledge and expertise. Each monitor farm and group is assisted by a facilitator and sector specialists to monitor and measure business performance to help identify steps which can be taken to improve physical and financial performance with particular reference to animal health and welfare, nutrient management and resource efficiency.

Follow the image links below to read the latest reports, watch videos and learn about future plans from each farm from the farmers involved.

Dairy Farms

Hesket Farm, CumbriaFarmed by Matt and Sue Bland. Mainly all grassland with 25ha (62 ac) of wholecrop. 160 Holstein cows, currently expanding to 300 cows. Key aim to reduce annual overhead costs per litre.

Mason House Farm, LancashireFarmed by the Hartley family. An all grassland farm in a high rainfall area. 140 pedigree Holstein cows milked through two robots and housed all year round. Focus on quality forage and improving animal health.

Clive Hall Farm, CheshireFarmed by Phil Asbury. An extensive all grassland farm. 210 Kiwi Friesian Jersey crosses calving in a tight 10 week block between February and March. Key focus is maximum production from grass.

Beef and Sheep Farms

Fellside House Farm, CumbriaFarmed by Ken and Mandy Pears. Typical hill farm with in bye, plus common grazing rights. 50 Limousin x Belgian Blue cows x Limousin bulls, 560 ewes inc. 230 Swaledales. Improving forage production to reduce feed costs, whilst increasing cow numbers.

Lower Highfield Farm, LancashireFarmed by the Sanderson family. All grassland farm, 60 Limousin x and Belgian Blue x suckler cows and 420 breeding ewes. Monitoring the effects of trace elements on lamb growth rates, grassland improvement and utilisation.

Langford Farm, CheshireFarmed by John Gate. A lowland grassland farm, 130 Hereford X cows x Blonde bulls, 525 Mule ewes x Texel and Rouge rams. Using accurate records to identify where losses occur, allowing improvements to be made to increase production.