Fresh perspectives and investment in robotic milking technology have aided succession for South West farming family

After leaving a career in medicine in London, she returned to her family’s 450-acre farm near Bideford, Devon, to work alongside her parents, Edward and Stephanie.

Merry and her two siblings were never expected to help on the farm growing up, instead taking school holiday jobs in hospitality.

Her parents encouraged them to pursue higher education. This led Merry to study Chemistry before working in a hospital carrying out bone density scans to diagnose osteoporosis.

But eventually the pull of home proved too strong.  

“I always enjoyed being at home, and after five years living in London, I felt like I’d done everything I wanted and wanted a new challenge,” says Merry, now 37.

Learning the ropes

Having had little practical farming experience meant returning to the farm was a steep learning curve, but her parents were supportive, and it gave Merry the opportunity to build knowledge from the ground up.

“Our herdsman, Steve, taught me how to milk and how to drive tractors. He was patient and didn’t mind all my questions,” she recalls.

Her time spent working off-farm proved valuable.

“Being part of a bigger team has helped me introduce processes and manage people.”

Within a year of returning home, Merry was made a partner in the business, making the farm eligible for the young farmer grant.

She quickly assumed responsibility for cow management and paperwork at the 175-cow dairy.

“Doing the bookkeeping gave me a great overview of the business. I know all our costs from month to month, which helped me get a good grip on things.”

Transitioning to robots to future-proof the business

Although Merry admits that change can sometimes lead to disagreements, she and her dad were in full agreement about switching to robots.

Parts for their 20-year-old swingover parlour were becoming difficult to source, and milking was labour-intensive, taking up to four hours twice daily.

Coupled with the challenge of finding milking staff and the availability of the 40% government grant towards the purchase, they decided to install three Lely A5 Astronaut robots.

They retrofitted them into their existing 200-cow cubicle shed five years ago.

Within three months, milk yield increased from 25 litres daily to 30 and is now averaging 32 litres.

Mastitis rates have halved, too, adds Merry.

“Mastitis detection is a lot better; you can monitor rumination and pick up cows when milk is dipping and treat them promptly. Each quarter is milked individually, so cows don’t get overmilked.”

Merry says one of the biggest benefits has been improved flexibility, which has been beneficial since the birth of her three-year-old son, Bernie.

For those considering returning to their family farm, Merry has one piece of advice:

“Do it! If you don’t have any experience [like me], learn every job on the farm.”

 

Farm facts: Cabbacott Barton, Devon:

• Farming 450 acres (182 hectares)
• Growing 40 acres of maize, 80 acres of wheat, 40 acres of oats and the remainder grass
• Milking 175 Holstein Friesians on three Lely Astronaut A5 robots
• Yielding 10,000 litres annually at 4.7% butterfat and 3.5% protein
• Somatic cell count of 100,000cells/ml
• Supplying milk to Parkham Farms.