51AVÊÓƵ

#FarmingCAN - Nia Davies: 'A sustainable farming business is one which is making the most efficient use of the resources it has for production'

Nia Davies works alongside her partner Harry and his family on their dairy, beef and sheep farm, near Tregaron, mid-Wales.

clock • 1 min read
#FarmingCAN - Nia Davies: 'A sustainable farming business is one which is making the most efficient use of the resources it has for production'

Nia Davies works alongside her partner Harry and his family on their dairy, beef and sheep farm, near Tregaron, mid-Wales.

Land here ranges from hill to lowland, with the farm comprising a 120-cow Holstein Friesian herd and 1,200 Welsh Mountain ewes, with beef stores kept on from the dairy herd.

Nia also works full-time as an associate lecturer at Aberystwyth University where she teaches agriculture.

A sustainable farming business, she says, is one which is working with the environment, making the best and most efficient use of the resources it has for production.

She says: For us as livestock producers, where we are geographically means we emphasise on effective grassland, good animal health and genetics, nutrition and succession, which is crucial if we expect farms to carry on and future generations to take over.

With a view to better utilising grass and forage, the farm system incorporates a 73-hectare (180-acre) grazing platform split into paddocks.

The farm team has also started measuring grass this year with help and advice from the British Grassland Society mentor scheme and the GrassCheck GB network.Animal health is also a focus.

Nia says: We have always been a closed herd. We are BVD accredited and test for leptospirosis, Johnes disease every quarter and work closely with our vet on a health plan.

These are all things we naturally do but are becoming increasingly aware of. Farmers are already doing a lot, but it is these small things we incorporate into the system which add up and lead to better production.

Kickstart your apprenticeship journey with

£±Ê°¿´¡

DO YOU HAVE LAND?

£±Ê°¿´¡

BNG NNH2O Carbon | National Sale | Informal

£±Ê°¿´¡