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Hard work, simple solutions and precision application make this year's three innovative Young Farmer of the Year finalists seem like they've been in the industry for years. Will Frazer reports
Major by name and nature
Rupert Major
Castle Hayes Farm, Tutbury, Staffs
Rupert Major has brought a level of management and leadership to a family dairy business, unprecedented for someone so young. Determined to be able to competitively produce milk and make good profits at world prices he has developed a military-style fanning operation.
In 2005 Rupert returned home from New Zealand to start the process of taking over the family business. His enthusiasm and meticulous approach to managing the farm's succession means he has now taken over nearly all aspects of farm management.
The business witnessed wholesale changes under this new leadership. The arable side was closed down, 164ha of arable land sown out in long-term grass leys and large amounts of machinery sold off. Ninety 3ha paddocks were fenced and tracks, feeders and water troughs were installed across the form. Thus he started the process of growing the herd of 200 dairy cows to the 500-strong herd it is today.
These were bold decisions to be taken so early in his farming career but they were all based on Rupert's analysis of the numbers, which showed that dairy farming would make five or six times the profit of the arable enterprise. He is yet to be proved wrong.
The cows are Jersey cross Friesians and while small and lowyielding, they are easy calving and can efficiently convert grass to milk. The average 500kg cow produces 400kg of milk solids, which makes these animals effective money-making machines.
Rupert benchmarks his business with the local discussion group - The Turf Accountants - using comparable farm profit. The focus is on growing output of milk solids a hectare, rather than the more conventional output a cow. This is achieved through rearing more cows, increasing the quality of milk constituents, stock sales and of course a stringent management regime. The result has been an increased profit of £327/ha and milk volume sold up from 1.46m litres to 2.32m litres over the course of five years.
Rearing heifers as efficiendy as possible is what fuels the farm's...