Sussex: cost-benefit analysis of upgrading farm facilities and new developments

Join us for an on-farm event with strategic dairy farm host Dan Burdett who is considering the long-term sustainability of his business.

Dan will be joined by business consultant Tony Evans from Andersons who will go through the cost-benefit analysis of upgrading farm facilities, as well as additional options to further develop the business.

You will learn what to consider when looking into farm investment, including how to decide which upgrades will be the most cost-effective in the long run and make sound business sense.

On the day you will hear from Dan on the projects he is considering at Cockhaise Farm, some of which were identified at his recent lameness meeting. These include:

• New cow housing or fixing a wooden batten to the kerb to retain straw and improve bed comfort
• Extending cow tracks and upgrading existing tracks to build camber
• Repairing or replacing floor surfaces in the self-feed silage clamps
• Roofing over yarded areas such as clamps, lagoons and passages
• Converting existing buildings for on-farm processing ventures

To assist with biosecurity and conform to government guidelines please ensure outer clothing and vehicles are clean and that clean boots that can be disinfected are worn. Please note children under the age of 16 and dogs are not allowed at the event, even if they are staying in the car.

Health and Safety guidelines for AHDB Events

About Cockhaise Farm

Cockhaise Farm in Sussex is owned and operated by Dan Burdett and his family. Taking over operations from his father in 2013, Dan now operates a tight autumn block calving herd of 240 Holstein and Friesian crosses.

Dan continues in his pioneering father’s footsteps in producing organic milk on a low input low output system of dairy production.  They also operate a dairy farm on contract located in Kent that has a higher education focus as well as an autumn block calving herd.

Read more about Cockhaise Farm.

About Strategic Dairy Farms

Strategic dairy farms help farmers learn from each other through regular on-farm meetings where we 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 farmer’s 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.

Explore our other strategic dairy farms