Erw Fawr Farm Facts

Erw Fawr Demonstration Site is a 192-hectare (ha) holding farmed by Ceredig and Sara Evans in partnership with Ceredig’s parents, Ifan and Ann.

The family produces milk from a high yielding pedigree Holstein herd, run on an all-year around calving system.

The Branwen herd was established in 1980 when the farm converted from beef and sheep to dairy.

Cow numbers have gradually expanded from 120 when Ceredig returned to farm in 1995 to the 300 in the herd today. There are 250 followers.

Sexed semen in conjunction with genomics has been used to boost heifer numbers and additional income is generated from selling surplus heifers.

A Limousin stock bull is used to sweep up after AI.

The herd produces an annual milk yield average of 9,000 litres at 4% butterfat and 3.3% protein with milk sold to Arla.

Cows are fed a Compact TMR incorporating home-grown maize and wholecrop.

The herd is run as two groups - high and low yielders – when they are at grass between April and October with the highs fed a buffer to maintain yield.

Cows receive 3 tonnes of concentrates/year, fed in the 20/40 parlour.

Although intakes are based around TMR and purchased feed the business aims to maximise grass intakes during the grazing season; the grazing platform on clay loam soils is split into paddocks.