Make the most
of your slurry
this winter...
Before...
ABOVE Even on a grey day, the B&B cottage looks inviting.
This converted typair (Welsh salting shed) provides luxury
accommodation and additional income.
the bottom line.
143 cows are run through a 10 unit auto tandem which suits
Gareth’s attention to detail and his desire to observe cows on
an individual basis. The herd is kept in at night all year round, as
Gareth considers optimum dry matter intake essential, although
management of the predominantly clay land with restricted
accessibility and 65 inches of annual rainfall focuses on grass
which grows ‘forever’. High protein grass is the focus, and as
this is a marginal maize region, the jury is still out on whether or
not the last two year’s experimental maize growth has proved
After...
to be more economical than buying in quality starch. Gareth
feeds a lot of protected fat to maintain body condition, which
he considers the primary requirement of cows getting in calf and
uses milk protein content as a measure of energy – anything less
than 3.2% is considered low. A current herd average of 9,345
kg at 4.16%BF and 3.27%P is sold to First Milk with very few
alternative contracts available in South Wales.
Gelliddu Farm is still an entirely family based enterprise.
Bryan still plays an active role, albeit one as ‘general dogsbody’,
though on the day of my visit he had been promoted to ‘head
honcho’ on account of Gareth’s man-fl u. Mum Eirlys is head calf
feeder whilst Gareth’s wife Heather works as a supply teacher
to allow the fl exibility needed with a farm and two young
children. Daughter Hannah (6) is currently diverted by High
School Musical whilst you get the feeling that budding terrorist
Jac (4), who learns all his tricks from Ben 10, is just waiting for Less crust and less sediment
the day to arrive when he gets to chase the heifers round other
people’s fi elds! With expansion on the horizon, this self-reliance
may not last forever and one can only hope that whoever has
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the privilege to work alongside this family is of a high enough
calibre to compete with the standards that have been set by 8QLIRUPFRQVLVWHQF\ZKHQVSUHDGLQJ
example. Master Breeders indeed!
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FARM FACTS
 143 cows and 200 followers on 355 acres with the aim
All this and more for just over
of increasing numbers 8p per cow per week!
 Classifi cation breakdown; 60EX, 53VG and 30GP
 EX breakdown; 2 x 95 points, 3 x 93 points, 5 x 92 points,
17 x 91 points and 31 x 90 points. SOP LAGOONLVHDV\
TM
1 x 6E, 3 x 5E, 5 x 4E, 8 x 3E, 13 x 2E
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 Herd lactation average; 9,345kgs at 4.16% butterfat,
3.27% protein, SCC 225 DSSO\DWLQ\DPRXQWRI
 Service Sires; R. Design, Drake, Frontrunner, Goldwyn,
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Igniter, Jasper, Shottle plus Aintree Norlee, Denmire
Molton
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 Stock bulls running with heifers; Gelliddu Approval
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(Shottle x Outside April 7 EX92) and Gelliddu Fanatic
LAGOON
(Igniter x Bilsrow Emerson Fantee EX92-3E SP LP60
 Gelliddu families; Jane, Hazel, Present, Judy, Alicia,
Dairymaid, Penny, Ladybird
)RUPRUHGHWDLOVFRQWDFWRXUSpecialist Team RQ
 Recent families; Mint, Amanda, Fanta (Fawn), Miss
0870 900 1270 RUHPDLO enquiries@soplagoon.com
America, Kitty, Gail, Meg
e1-10 Gelliddu.indd 5 27/01/2010 19:50:11
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