Cheshire beef farmer sees a boost in profit after completing a four-year strategic farm programme

Cheshire beef farmer, Ian Norbury, had a target of earning a £30,000 per year wage when he joined the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board’s (AHDB) Strategic Farm programme in 2017. Having received support and advice from a range of industry consultants, Ian has made a number of changes to his business to get him closer to his goal.

He said: “I was provided with a consultant who advised me I needed to significantly increase cow numbers and reduce my fixed costs.” This included improving grassland management to reduce feed costs and increasing cow performance with new technologies to reduce labour costs.

Ian set about doubling the herd size, moving from 60 to 120 cows over the four-year period. During this time, he also moved from crossbreds to pedigree Angus’s, setting up the Mobberley Angus herd. By reducing the herd’s calving period from 21 to 16 weeks, this made management a lot easier and reduced labour costs.

One of the most successful ways Ian has managed to reduce his costs is by reducing his wintering housing period. Ian says: “After weaning in November, cows were outwintered on kale and unwrapped bales of hay and were not housed until the end of February when they were bought in ready for calving.”

“The cows are healthier and much better outside, plus it’s cheaper for us. By reducing my housing period, I have managed to cut my wintering costs from £1.30 to £0.80 per day per cow, which when calculated across 120 cows soon adds up.”

Looking to the future, Ian wants to reduce his inputs further. “This year I am not going to apply any fertiliser. By using rotational grazing and making the use of mixed species swards, I am hoping I will be able to manage without it. When you do the sums, it just doesn’t add up, when I am only making a margin of between £100-200 per cow.”

The changes Ian has made to improve cow performance are clear and although he hasn’t yet reached his target of making a wage of £30,000 per year, he is a lot closer now than he was when he embarked on his mission. Ian was also runner up in the Farmers Weekly Beef Farmer of the Year awards 2021.

On-farm event closing meeting

As Ian’s time as an AHDB Strategic Farmer comes to a close, we will be hosting an on-farm event at Ian’s farm in Mobberley, Cheshire on Thursday 26 May, 10:00am – 3:00pm. The event is free for farmers to attend and will be an opportunity to hear about the changes he has made and see the results this has had on his business.

To book your free place on the event, visit: https://ahdb.org.uk/events/cheshire-strategic-farm-closing-meeting

AHDB’s Farm Excellence network of Strategic Farms and Monitor Farms open up their businesses to share best practice, practical demonstrations of the latest research and networking opportunities through regional discussion groups. To find out more, visit: www.ahdb.org.uk/farm-excellence/beef-lamb