Washfold Farm has seen more than a few changes since it was set up by Frank Metcalfe as a 20-cow dairy unit back in 1940. Steady expansion in the 20th century had seen the heard size grow to 900 milkers, with further modernisation over the past 20 years leading to the current milking herd of 1,300 pedigree Holsteins
Situated to the North West of Leyburn, North Yorkshire, Washfold Farm is close to 850ha in size. Forage for the dairy unit is produced from approximately 65ha of maize, 185ha of mainly wholecrop wheat and 325ha of grass. The latter is cut on a 28 to 30-day cycle, typically yielding five cuts a season with an The dairy unit, which employs 35 full-time members of staff, is part of a wider enterprise that includes running 900 mule ewes over the less favourable land and a full agricultural contracting business that employs 14 year round, swelling to 24 ‘in season’. To complete the picture, a haulage and commercial vehicle servicing operation is also run from the site, together with an outlet for New Holland dealers; Russells. All fall under the umbrella management of Metcalfe Farms.
The evolution of the Metcalfe dairy operation has enabled it to exploit the wide variety of specialist skills needed to optimise efficiency. A dedicated calving and young stock team look after breeding and the welfare of the followers. A separate team carries out the three times a day milking via a 72-stand rotary parlour.
The nutrition side of the operation is handled by another team, enabling a close eye to be kept on yields and rations, constant tweaking ensuring the cows have the balanced and nutritious diet demanded by a high yielding herd. On average, each cow in milk will consume 60kg of forage a day, with an emphasis on palatability ensuring optimised intake.
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