New opportunity for a motivated dairyman to enter a share farming opportunity. We are looking to appoint a Share Farmer for a 750 acre organic dairy farming in Wiltshire. This is a rare opportunity for the right person to acquire a stake in this organic dairy business. Initial capital is not important but experience of managing a herd to the highest organic standards is required.
Colleymore farm is a mixed arable, dairy and beef organic farm of 750 acres. Our herdsman of 30 years is retiring at the end of November and we are looking for a suitably motivated and experienced person to share farm the dairy enterprise.
This opportunity is ideally suited to someone who already has extensive practical and managerial experience in running an organic dairy herd and is looking to build their own business but has limited capital.
You will be responsible for all the day to day running and management of the dairy and also driving the development of the business; Colleymore Farm will contribute the land, buildings, plant, machinery and cows. We will be jointly responsible for setting the budget and the strategic decisions that underpin the dairy enterprise.
The share farming agreement will be a joint venture between two separate businesses and will enable a skilled person to build up their capital within the dairy enterprise, which will be separated out from the rest of the farming business at Colleymore.
The herd is 120 head predominantly British Friesian with some Brown Swiss. It is extensively managed with a lactation average of around 6500 l on 1½ T of bought in concentrate/cow. The herd has been organically managed for almost 20 years and calves all year round. The average annual SCC is 220 and Bactoscan 25. The parlour is a 40 year old 10×10 Herringbone, with ACRs, direct line and well maintained. We NMR record and use Interherd. The cows are loose housed on straw in the winter and we are currently putting up a new cow shed to supplement the existing housing.
Colleymore Farm is tenanted from the National Trust on an AHA tenancy; this share farming initiative has the support of the landlords.
Shortlisted applicants will be invited to a viewing at Colleymore and will be provided with the herd’s financial performance and access to NMR Herd Companion prior to the viewing date.
Please send application with CV, covering letter and references to Adam Twine Colleymore Farm, Coleshill, SWINDON, Wilts, SN6 7PU
colleymorefarm@phonecoop.coop 01367 700 616
Or for more details contact William Waterfield Tel: 01264 367900 or 07785 530048 or email w.waterfield@fcgagric.com
September 2016