Wales Farmer June 2013 NEWS


Investing in afuturefor family farm


ACEREDIGION family has secured afarming future for the next generation by investing in new dairy facili-


ties. The Stanfield family–Simon, his


father Malcolm, wife Kim, and their 26-year-old son Christopher –had reached apoint wherethe business either needed to invest to remain in milk production, or consider other opportunities forthe farm. The existing 8/16 swingoverpar-


lour wasnot adequate forthe all-the- year-round calving herdof250 high- yielding cows,with each milking tak- ing morethan six hours. To help them in their decision- making, they signed up to the Farming Connect Whole Farm Plan, which entitled them to three days consultancy,funded by 80%. Working with John Crimes at


CARA Wales,they considered their options and concluded thatexpan- sion wasthe most viableoption for the future. They areinthe process of com-


pleting work on a24/48 herringbone parlour,housed in anew building with associated handling facilities. This system will dramaticallyreduce each milking to twohours and will give them the option to expand cow numbers in the future. “The subsidised advice wasessen-


By Debbie James


tial to the decision-making process, we got the best advice to be brave enough to move forward,”said Simon. The Stanfields farm160 acres at


Trefaes Fach, Beulah, Newcastle Emlyn, and rent afurther 340 acres of off-lying land. They currentlyrun 600 head of stock, including young- stock and followers,and 100 head of beef cattle. With rising input costs,fertiliser


application came under scrutiny. As a Farming Connect member,the busi- ness wasentitled to 80% funding for soil testing. This process resulted in significant savings on fertiliser costs. “By knowing exactlywhatwas in


the ground we areabletomakethe best use of our slurry,” Simon explained. “Wediscoveredthatwedidn’t need


to applycompound on the grazing ground because it had been getting sufficient nutrients from slurry.We nowonlyuse straight nitrogen and we aredefinitelysaving money.” The Stanfields inject all their slur-


ry and this will earn them valuable points towardsthe Glastir applica- tion they areplanning to submit. “Wehaveexpressed an interest in


joining Glastir so this is something we will look at seriouslyinthe next


couple of months,” said Simon. The farmcurrentlyhas a500,000-


gallon slurry store, butthe plan is to create alagoon in the future. In recent years paddocks and cow


tracks have been established, which means the herdcan makethe best use of grass.Last year the cows were turned out in March. The herdofHolstein Friesians,


which has acalving indexof414 days,iscurrentlyyielding an average of 9,600 litres at 4.4% butterfatand 3.3% protein. Milk is sold to Glanbia. The newparlour is expected to be


up and running in the next couple of weeks


and the


Stanfields will then start planning newcubicle housing forthe herd. “The newset-up should put us in a


good place as we move forward,”said Simon. Farming Connect provides one-


to-one support, knowledge,expertise, training and advisory services tai- lored to individual requirements. Manyservices arefullyfunded, and others aresubsidised by 80%. Forfurther information contact


your regional farming connect co- ordinator,visit


694116 or elliw.evans@menterabusnes.co.uk. www.


menterabusnes.co.uk/farming connect or contact Elliw Evans on 07772


email


FUTURE PLANS: Simon Stanfield is now planning to build new cubicle housing for his dairy herd.


PICTURE: Debbie James. 9


CHANCE TO GROW: Simon Stanfield’s new parlour will give him the option to expand cow numbers.


PICTURE: Debbie James. For the latest Wales farming news: walesfarmer.co.uk


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