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Caroline Spencer – enjoying the rewards of a grass-based system

Caroline Spencer – enjoying the rewards of a grass-based system

Somerset dairy farmer Caroline Spencer has turned the family’s tenanted mixed farm on its head over the past few years – making it a more profitable and sustainable business.

The 147ha farm used to run a high yielding, autumn calving herd of 140 Holstein cows, alongside arable enterprises. But, said Caroline at a farm walk organised by the British Grassland Society, the Royal Association of British Dairy Farmers and DairyCo this week, they were always busy and never made any money.

Taking advantage of the dry land (600mm rainfall) and given a free rein by her parents to try anything, she has since set up a simple grass-based system which includes out-wintering dry cows and youngstock.

280 Jersey x cows have replaced the Holsteins, yielding 5,000 litres of milk. The system is run by a rigid set of rules including strict block calving and serving periods, with a focus on producing milk from grazing. Grass growth is measured religiously with a platemeter so Caroline knows exactly how much feed she has growing across the farm every day.

Very little grass silage is made, and this from grass that has out-stripped the grazing rotation. This high quality conserved forage is fed to the cows during summer when grass growth slows, not in the winter. Cows are dry during December and January, outwintered on fodder beet.

The cows calve from 1 February and go straight out to grass. This week 95% of the farm had been grazed once and was nearing so called ‘Magic Day’ – when the cows’ demand for feed is the same as the amount of grass growing in the fields.

Cows have been grazing high quality swards since 1 February

Cows have been grazing high quality swards since 1 February

Once this point has passed – it is safe to take any excess grass growth for silage. The final grazing round starts on 1 October and fields are shut up in order – the first shut will be the first grazed by the freshly calved cows in February. Currently 90% of the grass grown on the farm is eaten by the cows.

The switch, while brave – has reaped many benefits. Fertility has increased dramatically to the extent there are surplus heifers to sell rather than having to buy in replacements, foot problems and mastitis are no longer a problem, and the family and staff have a six week break from milking in winter. While still very working hard at key times, they no longer chase their tails all year long.

More importantly costs have been slashed and the farm is making enough money to invest in a retirement fund for Caroline’s parents and for the future.

Caroline puts the success down to having the support of a fantastic team of people. Also the guidance of local discussion group members who encouraged her to turn the concept of making a profit from grazed grass into a reality.

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