Aberbranddu Farm Facts

Host Farmers

• Aberbranddu Demonstration Farm is farmed by Irwel Jones and his parents Eirwyn and Heulwen. 

Land

• Aberbranddu is a hill farm consisting of 850 acres, of which 650 acres are owned.
• The land rises from 650 feet to 1,250 feet.
•  Aberbranddu is in Glastir Advanced scheme.
• The land comprises 500 acres of grassland, 150 acres of rough grazing and 200 acres of woodland.
• The farm has grazing rights on Mallaen Mountain, where a hefted flock is grazed.

Livestock

Beef

• 50 continental cross suckler cows, using Limousin and British Blue bulls.
• Male calves are sold as weaned calves at 8-10 months old.
• Heifer calves are sold at 18 months, with some sold as replacements to other suckler farmers.
• Spring calving.

Sheep

• 980 ewes and 220 ewe lambs were put to the ram in 2015.
• 860 Tregaron Welsh ewes, lambing from mid-March.
• Tregaron Welsh and Aberfield rams are used.
• 120 Crossbred ewes, lambing in February.
• Tregaron Welsh rams sold for breeding.
• Aberfield ewe lambs sold off farm.
• All lambs are EID tagged at birth, recorded at eight weeks with weaning weight linking back to the sire and dam.

Cropping

• 10 acres of swedes grown to feed twin bearing ewes in January and February.

Additional information

• The family recently installed a 7KW hydroelectric system.
• Glastir Entry and Advanced.