Further quota is leased in annually depending on need. Herd Management A change of policy for the dairy management systems at the Institute of Rural Studies has resulted in the herd at Penglais farm being increased to 100 cows. The herd is moving towards a high forage based system with an emphasis on improving the pence per litre margin over purchased feed. The grazing system is being extended by eight to ten weeks, from March to November, accompanied by a shift in the calving pattern towards spring, turning the cows out to grass as they calve. This means that less silage is required, but extra cow tracks and water troughs are needed and a more precise grazing programme has been adopted.
Paddocks vary from three to six acres and are strip grazed using a back fence in large paddocks.
Grass growth is measured throughout the spring and summer, and fences moved to match supply with demand. The aim is to produce 7,500 kg per cow, with 5,000 kg coming from forage. A 4,500 litre bulk tank was installed during October 1999 providing sufficient capacity to cope with the extra milk being produced on the farm and the collection of milk on an every other day basis . Silage Storage There are three silage clamps at Penglais, one of which was fully refurbished during 1998. The floors of the remaining two pits were re-concreted and sealed during 2000 to ensure that our silage storage facilities more than adequately meet the Environment Agency s requirements.