Strategic Dairy Farm launch: Denbighshire

Join us for the launch of our latest strategic dairy farm, Bodysgaw Isa in Denbigh run by Arthur Owen and family.

Bodysgaw Isa is home to an autumn block calving herd of 375 Friesian crossbred cows. On the day you’ll get an open, honest and transparent overview of the farm, including farm background and tour.

We’ll also look at the farm’s technical and financial performance against AHDB’s KPIs and an insight into the long-term vision for the business, including a critical look at areas for improvement and future focus.

To book your FREE place please contact Farming Connect 08456 000 813 / farmingconnect@menterabusnes.co.uk

For more information regarding the event please call Richard Davies, AHDB on 07966 237841.Directions

From A55 – Take junction 27 for St. Asaph and take the A525 to Denbigh. At Trefnant turn right onto B5428 to Henllan. At Henllan turn by Church to Llannefydd village. Turn right after the church and village hall. Follow to the junction and turn right, Bodysgaw will be 1 mile on the left.

From Denbigh - Take B5382 to Henllan. Follow sign for Llannefydd and turn left by the Church. Follow road into Llannefydd village. Turn right after the church and village hall. Follow to the junction and turn right, Bodysgaw will be 1 mile on the left. 

Please ensure you register your attendance for catering purposes. If you have any special dietary requirements please contact us as soon as possible.

Please bring a clean pair of wellingtons to ensure good farm biosecurity.

About Bodysgaw Isa

Bodysgaw Isa is a 185ha (457ac), all grass tenanted farm on the Cefn Estate. Farmed by the Owen family since 1939. This is a family run farm, with Arthur, Marian, sons Guto and Gwion, daughters Beca and Siwan, and father in law Clwyd. There is also a team of part time milkers.

The autumn block herd is comprised of 375 New Zealand type Friesian Crossbreds, producing 6,788L/cow and 568kg MS/cow. All cows calve down on grass, with low incidence rates of milk fever. Calving begins on 1^st September, with 93% of cows calved within 8 weeks. Milk is sold through Arla.

Grazing platform of 103ha (255ac), aiming to graze February until late November. All replacements are home reared, with surplus livestock sold. The farm operates with minimal machinery and extensive use of contractors.

The business scored well against key performance indicators for block calving herds.

Over the next 3 years the challenges will be to fine tune the business and profitably raise milk production from forage (grass and silage), control and reduce Johne’s and Neospora and upgrade slurry storage and utilisation.

About Strategic Dairy Farms

Strategic dairy farms help farmers learn from each other through regular on-farm meetings where we will share key performance data and showcase what the best farmers are doing.

They form part of the Optimal Dairy Systems programme which aims to help dairy farmers lower costs and increase efficiency by focusing on either a block or all-year-round calving system.

The growing network of strategic dairy farms have calculated key performance indicators (KPIs) for their enterprises which are shared at meetings and published online. These are physical and financial performance measures that are critical to success. Farmers can benchmark their businesses against these KPIs and identify areas for improvement.

Dairy Pro Points are available for attending this event.