Farm Smart: Stephen Davey’s transformation of Farm Management with Herdwatch

At Home Farm in North Cornwall, Stephen Davey runs a thriving suckler enterprise alongside his son Martin and wife Gill. He uses a cattle farm management app to improve performance and simplify record keeping.

The farm spans 380 acres and carries around 400 cattle, including 140 breeding cows. The system focuses on suckler cows through to finish, supported by arable ground for feed.

The herd is mainly Limousin and Hereford. Recently, Stephen has shifted more towards Herefords because of their temperament and efficient finishing ability.

A focus on simple improvements

Stephen focuses on practical changes that make daily work easier. Three years ago, he redesigned the cattle sheds to improve flow and handling.

He also believes in keeping things simple. Regular weighing and close monitoring help him track performance and make quicker decisions.

Why a cattle farm management app made sense

Four years ago, Stephen introduced Herdwatch. The setup was straightforward, and the app quickly became part of daily farm work.

Previously, he relied on paper records and Farm Plan software. However, these systems took time and increased the risk of missing information.

Now, the cattle farm management app allows him to record everything in real time. As a result, data is more accurate and always up to date.

Better performance through weight insights

One of the biggest improvements has come from Weight Insights. This feature allows Stephen to track daily weight gain clearly on his phone.

Because of this, he can spot issues early and make faster decisions. In turn, this improves efficiency across the farm.

Using a cattle farm management app also helps Stephen keep every important record in one place, which makes it easier to monitor the herd as a whole.

Stronger records and better planning

Stephen uses Herdwatch to record births, deaths, movements, heats, and services. He enters information as he works, so nothing gets missed.

In addition, he tracks pregnancy diagnoses and breeding cycles. This helps him plan ahead and improve calving outcomes.

Making inspections straightforward

Herdwatch has made inspections much easier. Instead of searching through paperwork, Stephen can access everything instantly.

Inspectors can clearly see the records, which speeds up the process and reduces stress.

The cattle farm management app also means records stay tidy and clear, which gives Stephen more confidence whenever inspection time comes around.

Better teamwork on the farm

Both Stephen and his son Martin use the app on their phones. This means they can update records at the same time, wherever they are on the farm.

As a result, communication improves and records stay accurate without extra effort.

A more efficient way to farm

For Stephen, Herdwatch has improved operational efficiency, strengthened compliance, and supported better herd management across the business.

By replacing paper systems with a cattle farm management app, Home Farm now has a simpler and more reliable way to manage a modern livestock enterprise.

You can read more real farmer stories on our farm case studies page.