Celebrating sustainable farming
Matt Penny, dedicated manager of Oliver Grant’s Carters Lodge Dairy near Handcross in West Sussex was the winner of the 2024 VetPartners Sustainable Dairy Farmer of the Year award.
The award recognises farmers who excel in enhancing business efficiency, environmental sustainability, livestock productivity, and community relationships.
Recognising excellence in dairy farming
Nominated by farm vet Matt Dobbs of Westpoint Farm Vets in Horsham, Mr. Penny’s exemplary management of a 330-cow dairy herd has set a new benchmark in sustainable farming. His innovative six-week whole herd block calving system has achieved impressive conception rates of 65%.
Mr. Dobbs commended the farm team’s initiatives aimed at reducing input costs and minimising environmental impact while improving herd welfare. Key strategies include extending grazing periods and optimising pasture management to increase carbon capture.
The farm’s commitment to sustainability is further demonstrated by its reliance on home-grown forage, which significantly reduces the need for imported feed, lowering both external input costs and the farm’s carbon footprint.
Commitment to animal welfare and environmental sustainability
Not only is the farm successfully reducing input costs and environmental impact, it has recently been awarded a new Aldi Arla contract.
Mr Dobbs explains why he along with Westpoint clinical director Emily Phipps nominated this farm: “The team pays amazing attention to detail. In addition to having low-stress, happy cows, they’ve reduced antibiotic use, FEC routinely and have reduced worming treatments on youngstock,” he says.
The farm’s impressive achievements also include:
- No down cows
- Low cull rates
- Detailed transition management
- Regular vet visits during the breeding season
- Rigorous health planning and disease prevention.
The herd is free from diseases such as IBR, BVD, and Leptospirosis, with a decade-long Johnes control program showing no clinical disease for the past seven years.
Runner up focus
The two outstanding runner-up farms to Carters Lodge were:
- Ryan Dobson from Colley Farm in Somerset, nominated by farm vet Cormac White from FarmVets SouthWest
- Lucy Noad and her family from Woodhouse Farm in Wiltshire, nominated by Sarah Bolt, technical knowledge exchange manager at Kingshay.
The Importance of sustainable farming
Hannah James, VetPartners’ head of environment, social, and governance, highlighted the significance of acknowledging farmers’ contributions to environmental sustainability and livestock welfare.
She praised the close collaboration between farmers and vets and highlighted the importance of this award.
“It’s especially positive to see the nominees working closely with their vets to improve herd welfare and reduce anthelmintic and antibiotic use.
“With the volatility of input costs and milk prices, this is a win for both the business and the environment,” she added.