Located within the grounds of Dunham Massey National Trust, just outside of Altrincham, tenant farmer Stuart Royale runs Home Farm and the Dunham herd, a 213-acre award-winning farm. Stuart and the team milk the 130 Pedigree Dairy Shorthorns twice a day, with a rolling average of 6,800 litres, 4.6% fat and 3.25% protein. The herd is grazed between Spring and Autumn, with 110 acres used for grass silage and 40 acres for spring barley, which is reseeded after harvest in August ready for the following spring.
“Although I am happy with the current performance, I would love to hit 7,500 litres. Working closely with our NWF sales specialist, Abbie, who analyses our fresh grass and silage, along with tweaking our diet and feeding regime, we are steadily trending upwards and I am confident we will hit our goal. We are currently feeding baled silage, along with a daily average of 5.7kg of NWF’s Dairy Fusion 18 compound in the parlour. Originally feeding NWF’s Performance 18, we have swapped to a soya and palm kernel free compound due to Tesco milk-buying requirements and to improve our farm sustainability credentials. We have had excellent results with the Fusion diet, milk yields have continued to increase and herd health has not been impacted,” says Stuart.
The NWF Agriculture Fusion Dairy compound is a high-performing ration, containing high levels of NWF’s protected feed range, Ultra Pro-R and Ultra Starch-W. This ensures that high levels of bypass protein and starch are available to support production, fertility and the health of your herd. The NWF Fusion Range is free from HiPro Soya, soya hulls & palm kernel, resulting in less than half the Co2 equivalent (GFLI number) of other compound feed.
Making the most of forage & youngstock development
Stuart cuts approximately 110 acres, three times a year, choosing to bale rather than clamp due to farm layout and ease of feeding. Feeding a high-quality silage is not only key for herd health and performance, but it also plays a critical role in the farm’s bottom line.
Every year approximately 40 acres of spring barley is also grown, to be used as straw for bedding and bulking the youngstock diets, and used as forage extender in the milking herd. Whilst weaning on NWF’s Calf Starter Pellet, Stuart adds straw to the diet to provide roughage and help further stimulate rumen development.
“We are currently running at around 110 head of youngstock from calves to heifers at the moment, reared on a high-quality milk replacer and NWF’s Calf Starter Pellet. The calves look excellent; we have had excellent growth rates and the coats have a great shine. They are the future of our award-winning herd, recognising the importance of a great start has really followed through into maturity”, adds Stuart.
Award Winning Herd In 2024, Home Farm won the prestigious Cheshire Premier Dairy Herd Champion Trophy as part of the Cheshire County Farms Competition. An award given to the best in-milk and dry cow herd, inspected on breeding and replacement policies, health and disease manager and performance figures. “After winning the award in 2024, along with the 2023 North Midlands Breeders Champion Award, we were asked to host an on-farm event, which NWF Agriculture kindly sponsored. It was a real pleasure to be recognised for the hard work the team put in every day, I’m already working on plans for 2025 entries!” says Stuart.
NWF Agriculture would like to thank Home Farm for their continued support and business.
For further information on NWF Dairy Feeds, click HERE.