Lan

DP Jones - Phillip Jones, Lan Farm, Cynwyl Elfed, Caerfyrddin, SA33 6JP

Lan Farm became a demonstration farm in July 2010.

Farm Facts

Labour 

The majority of the labour input on the holding is provided by Phillip Jones, with additional support from family members at peak times.

Contractors are utilised for major farm tasks such as silage making and manure spreading. Most other tasks are carried out by Phillip. Around 100 acres of 1^st cut silage is made, along with around 1000 bales of hay/silage.

Land

The business currently farms around 400 acres of land, based close to the village of Cynnwyl Elfed. This land can be split evenly between 200 acres owned and 200 rented. The farm started organic conversion in 2008, and the youngstock are now classified fully organic.

The majority of farmed land is productive and under full production, and around 5% of the ground is reseeded on an annual basis

Livestock

The farming policy is based upon 100 suckler cows calving in April/May and selling youngstock as stores at around 18-20 months of age.

Taking farmed area at 380 acres (clean) or 153 hectares, the farm has a stocking density of 1.20 livestock units per hectare. This is a reasonable stocking rate for an organic system.

The Suckler herd is approximately 100 cross bred cows, mostly black Limousin with some Hereford and Welsh Black influence. This year around 22 heifer replacements have been kept back. The cows are bred with 4 bulls, 1 Limousin and 3 Charollais. The Charolais have been purchased using the aid of Estimated Breeding Values from Perth Sales in February this year.

The calving mainly takes place in April and May. Most calves are sold as "strong" stores 18-20 months old depending on grazing conditions.

The calving pattern for the last 2 years is shown below. Note there are still 6 left to calve to date. There has been an issue with bull fertility causing the pattern to slip.

Objectives

Business Objectives

1. Maximise profits

2. Allow greater level of personal drawings from the business

3. To benchmark regularly against similar businesses

Technical Objectives

1. To improve health & welfare status of the stock

2. Maintained a mixed livestock farming system

3. To continue maximising potential of organic system

Current Projects

Active Health Planning

Surveillance work will is being carried out by Helen Scott  the farm's veterinary practitioner. Helen is conducting an initial animal health audit on the farm, including a comprehensive study of the previous year's Vet and Med expenses to help complete animal health plan. 

This will give a good indication of the current health situation on the farm. From this Helen and Philip will be able determine specific health issues that need surveying and/or managing. Helen will be carrying out regular visit throughout the year to help monitor the target areas.