PROFILE M&L Dairying >>
had 83 cows and a trading record. But don’t think their progress has been a smooth ride. It hasn’t, they suggest. Mike explains: “Coming from Lincolnshire where (bovine) TB isn’t a big is- sue to Staffordshire has been an eye-opener. “We lost a total of 21 in-calf
heifers recently to TB. Taking into account statutory compensation of £530/head it’s cost the business around £12,000 (due to a dispar- ity between book value and actu- al replacement cost).” A pragmatic approach has been taken to mitigate future risk. This includes only feeding young-stock concentrates in the morning, using boluses instead of in-fi eld mineral licks, and raising all feed and water troughs off the fl oor to deter badgers.
Other strategic thinking has been applied to wider, more en- compassing issues. For example, a switch to milk buyer Arla has been made with the co-operative’s manufacturing contract suiting the herd’s milk profi le (4.6% but-
terfat and 3.6% protein). “As Arla has a nationwide presence it also means that should an opportunity come up to move to a larger tenancy (Lyn- wood is 83 acres) or share farming agreement there’s a milk buyer in place,” explains Mike.
Farming ladder
The next step on the farming ladder to a 200+ cow unit will allow the couple to employ la- bour – they are currently seek-
ing a placement student to join the business to share their knowl- edge and, possibly, create an op- portunity they’ve benefi ted from in the past - and are not afraid to suggest it will also help with their work/life balance. Laura says: “We don’t want our sons to grow up resenting the farm business. We are committed to dairying but don’t want it to im- pact on their enjoyment and fun while they grow up.” With energy and vision, the
Traytes have achieved much to date. Milk production runs at 6,600 litres/cow off 1.2t of cake (ef- fectively 4,400 litres from forage) for the autumn calving herd run on the rotational grazing system. Agrinet software is used to mon- itor and plan grass utilisation. Production cost – including use of contractors for fertiliser, spraying, muck spreading and reseeding – comes in at just over 20ppl. For the business mind- ed M&L Dairying is generating a 13% return on capital invest- ed at the current milk price, it’s suggested.
Laura adds: “We’ve been for- tunate to have had help from the people we’ve worked for and from those around us - whether family, neighbours or friends. People and businesses have put their trust in us and we’re now ready to take that next step.”
CONTACT W:
m-ldairying.co.uk
Cow comfort and nutrition
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38 MIDLAND FARMER • OCTOBER 2017
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