Although Toby Ansdell's cows are currently indoors it will not be for long – they will be back at pasture within the next fortnight. KATIE ROEBUCK went to meet the self-proclaimed 'grass fanatic' whose milking stock graze for at least some of the day for more than 10 months of the year.
BEING recognised by the British Grassland Society at a regional level makes it clear Toby Ansdell knows what he is doing when it comes to grazing cattle – but he remains modest, claiming it is just as important as spending time with his wife and four children.
"I don't see myself as an expert," he said. "I'm a grass fanatic, but there are lots of things I could do better if I was a grazing buff."
Mr Ansdell has designed the system at West Plaistow Farm, Ilfracombe, North Devon to suit his land, cows and family life. He may not be out back-fencing but has installed a network of tracks round the farm so he can access every field without crossing through another one.
"This farm lends itself as a grass-based grazing farm," he said. "We are north facing and have a good variety of soils and good drainage.
"There are fields we can get on when it is wet and we can grow grass when it is dry. We never run out of grass, and it is not because we are under-stocked."
The farm, which is 170 acres with a further 150 rented in, supports just under 200 dairy cows including youngstock. Calving is in the spring so few cows are in milk towards the end of the year, with numbers rapidly increasing from February onwards when the heifers start to calve.
"All our cows are cross-breds – if it starts to look like something we cross it," said Mr Ansdell.
"We use New Zealand Friesians and Swedish Red blood, and also have a bit of Shorthorn blood. We want to breed a tough, hardy cow, a low maintenance cow. We are five or six years down that route and are hoping for nine or ten lactations.