Tim and Louise Downes run a spring organic dairy farm with 250 cows in Shropshire, England, focusing on crossbreeding and agroforestry. They feed just under a tonne of concentrates to achieve a milk production of 6500 liters per year, with their milk going to a processor in Somerset for cheddar cheese export to the United States. The breeding policy includes Norwegian Reds, Irish Friesians, New Zealand Friesians, Fleckvieh, and shorthorn. They have a spring calving system and use a New Zealand calf feeder for replacements. They practice pasture management with a 12-hour paddock system and have incorporated trees for self-medication in cows. Visitors from NEFERTITI were impressed with their infrastructure and agroforestry integration, finding inspiration for their own farms.
Welcome to our Farm at Longnor in the beautiful countryside of Shropshire, England. We are thrilled to welcome the NEFERTITI cross visit today, with visitors from all across Europe coming to see what we do on our farm. Today, we will be exploring agroforestry in organic dairy farming, focusing on the practices of Tim and Louise Downes.
Milk Production and Market
At our farm, we have a spring organic dairy herd of about 250 cows that calve between February and May. We are a grazing farm, feeding just under a tonne of concentrates to achieve an average milk production of 6500 liters per year. Our milk goes to a processor in Somerset to be turned into cheddar cheese, which is then exported to the United States. While we receive a slightly lower milk price due to seasonality, we expect it to increase as seasonality helps us in July.
Breeding Strategy
Our breeding policy involves crossbreeding Norwegian Reds, Irish Friesians, New Zealand Friesians, Fleckvieh, and Shorthorn. This mix allows us to create a crossbred organic cow that will not require large amounts of extra feed, operate within antibiotic-free guidelines, and graze for ten months of the year.
Outdoor Calf Feeding
We practice a spring calving system, with all calves born between February and May. Utilizing a New Zealand style feeder with 50 teats, we feed the dairy heifers for replacements for the dairy herd. The outdoor calf feeding system has proven to be efficient, hygienic, and effective in ensuring the well-being of the calves.
Pasture Management
We follow a 12-hour paddock system, grazing rotationally around the farm and changing paddocks after every milking. Additionally, we overseed pastures as needed to maintain optimal growth.
Agroforestry
Inspired by the benefits of trees for self-medication in cows, we have planted trees on our farm to provide additional resources for our animals. The cows can self-medicate by consuming willow leaves, which contain salicylic acid. This innovative approach was inspired by an encounter with agroforestry pioneer Mark Shepherd in America.
Conclusion
Visitors to our farm are impressed by the well-organized infrastructure, excellent animal welfare, and the innovative integration of agroforestry into our practices. Tim and Louise have set a high standard for sustainable farming, inspiring others to consider similar approaches on their own farms and promoting the health and well-being of their animals.
At our farm in Longnor, we are dedicated to sustainable and innovative farming practices that prioritize animal welfare and environmental stewardship. Come visit us to see firsthand our commitment to organic dairy farming and agroforestry.
