The AHDB asked about the characteristics of running a succerssful dairy busienss and more in their recent podcast with @Rosy_Lane Holsteins’ Lloyd Holterman. Listen here.
General background:
This farm is a small to medium sized dairy unit running a herd of Holstein/Friesian cows. The livestock are grazed outside for as long as conditions allow and housed during the winter. Calving takes place throughout the year to maintain a level profile.
Project delivery:
Two farm visits were undertaken. The first visit established the key challenges facing the farm while the second visit considered how the challenges might be addressed using a simple linear approach. The key characteristics and challenges identified on the initial visit were:
Improvement plan:
On the second visit the key challenges were examined in more detail. This was done using a “walk the wall” approach where the key processes of the farm were described, mapped and examined. Solutions were identified and an improvement plan was developed which included:
Producer comment:
The supply chain project helped me reflect on a number of challenges which faced the dairy business. It was useful day and since the work was completed we have developed a business plan, changed the milking routine, stopped our cereal growing and tried harder to maximize our silage output and quality. The day helped me look at our farm in a new light and we have further changes to consider.
General background:
The farm is a family run dairy unit milking Holstein cows. The cows are grazed for as long as the weather and field conditions will allow. Calving takes place on a year round basis with milk output following a reasonably level profile.
Project delivery:
Two farm visits were undertaken. The first visit established the key challenges facing the farm while the second visit considered how the challenges might be addressed using a simple linear approach. The key characteristics and challenges identified on the initial visit were:
Improvement plan:
On the second visit the key challenges were examined in more detail. This was done using a “walk the wall” approach where the key processes of the farm were described, mapped on the wall and then examined. Solutions were identified and an improvement plan was developed which included:
Producer comment:
The discussion at the mapping day pulled loads of valuable information together and helped to refocus our attention into key areas. The report that came afterwards was a great summary and was useful in recent discussions with our bank, it made us look more professional. The exercise was also valuable to help develop the next generations’ overall understanding of the farm.
General background:
The farm is a medium sized family run dairy unit milking Holstein cows on an indoor based system. Calving takes place on a year round basis with milk output following a reasonably level profile.
Project delivery:
Two farm visits were undertaken. The first visit established the key challenges facing the farm while the second visit considered how they might be addressed using a simple linear approach. The key characteristics and challenges identified in the initial visit were:
Improvement plan:
On the second visit the key challenges were examined in more detail. This was done using a “walk the wall” approach where the key processes of the farm were described, mapped on the wall and then examined. Solutions were identified and an improvement plan was developed which included:
Producer comment:
The project helped to confirm that our direction of travel was correct and it was helpful to have an external opinion of our future plans. I have already implemented two of the key recommendations from the work undertaken at the farm.
General background:
The farm is a family run dairy unit milking Ayrshire Friesian cross cows. The cows are grazed for as long as the weather and fields will allow. Calving takes place on a year round basis with milk output following a reasonably level profile.
Project delivery:
Two farm visits were undertaken. The first visit established the key challenges facing the farm while the second visit considered how the challenges might be addressed using a simple linear approach. The key characteristics and challenges identified on the initial visit were:
Improvement plan:
On the second visit the key challenges were examined in more detail. This was done using a “walk the wall” approach where the key processes of the farm were described, mapped on the wall and then examined. Solutions were identified and an improvement plan was developed which included:
Producer comment:
The project really opened our eyes and it was helpful to have someone external to the business looking at what we did. Seeing all our costs written down was also very enlightening. We have been making changes in a number of key areas including feeding and will be using more management information in the future to guide our decision making.
General background:
The farm is a medium sized family run dairy unit milking Holstein Friesian cows on an indoor based system. Additional enterprises on the farm bring other sources of income. Calving takes place on a year round basis with milk output following a reasonably level profile. Forage production is a key area for the enterprise.
Project delivery:
Two farm visits were undertaken. The first visit established the key challenges facing the farm while the second visit considered how they might be addressed using a simple linear approach. The key characteristics and challenges identified in the initial visit were:
Improvement plan:
On the second visit the key challenges were examined in more detail. This was done using a “walk the wall” approach where the key processes of the farm were described, mapped on the wall and then examined. Solutions were identified and an improvement plan was developed which included:
Producer comment:
The discussion stimulated by the mapping day was very useful and helped to highlight a range of actions which provided an opportunity to improve performance. The subsequent report also helped to summarise some of the key actions which we have already started to implement. The whole exercise was extremely valuable and I would recommend it to anyone, particularly if you have a young family member joining the business.
The MSA has been able to access funds from the Knowledge Transfer and Innovation Fund to assist 30 MSA members. This project seeks to reduce cost and help members save money using a new approach which has been tried and tested in other industries. It has also been successfully piloted on two dairy farms in Scotland.