FARM SMART: How an Award Winning Cornwall Farmer Makes Life Easier While Keeping Tradition Alive
Wilkey Down Farm is a 700-acre family-run farm in Cornwall, managed by Christopher Neale and his family. The farm specialises in both suckler cattle and sheep, maintaining a strong reputation for quality breeding and sustainable farming. Christopher runs 150 suckler cows, consisting of 90 pedigree Limousin, 30 pedigree Angus, and 30 commercial cows. The farm also bucket-feeds 150 calves, either selling them as stores or finishing them on-farm. In addition to cattle, the farm supports 450 ewes, including 50 Texels, 10 Dutch Spotted sheep, and a mix of commercial ewes. An additional 1,000 hoggs are bought annually for finishing, making it a well-diversified operation
Christopher ensures high farming standards by participating in the Red Tractor Assurance Scheme and the CHECS Health Scheme. These programs demand rigorous record-keeping and compliance, areas that were once time-consuming but are now efficiently managed.
Success in the Show Ring and Beyond
Wilkey Down Farm has built a strong reputation in the UK livestock industry. Christopher and his team have won the Southwest Herd Competition multiple times, demonstrated strong performances at county and national agricultural shows, and secured successful sales at society bull auctions. These accolades underscore the farm’s commitment to excellence in breeding and animal husbandry.
With a vision for continuous improvement, Christopher is planning to enhance Wilkey Down Farm’s infrastructure. Upcoming projects include covering silage yards and expanding cattle housing facilities to improve efficiency and animal welfare.
Simplifying Farm Management with Herdwatch
Previously, managing farm records was a manual and tedious process, with handwritten logs used to track feed, treatments, and compliance records. Registering calves was done through the BCMS website, requiring significant administrative effort. Christopher first heard about Herdwatch when a customer, visiting to purchase a bull, recommended it as a way to simplify farm management. After trying the app, he quickly realised its value in improving efficiency and reducing paperwork.
With Herdwatch, Christopher now easily manages calf registrations, medicine records, weight recording, and farm compliance. The app provides instant access to essential data, eliminating human errors and making farm audits hassle-free. Weight recording has become a particularly useful feature, helping to track animal performance and optimise herd management. The ability to register calves through the app has also transformed daily operations, streamlining a process that was previously time-consuming.
Making Inspections Easier
Farm inspections have become significantly easier with Herdwatch. With cloud-based access, Herdwatch allows records to be updated and reviewed anywhere, whether in the field, at home, or in the office. Christopher also rates the Herdwatch customer support team highly, giving them 5/5 for their assistance.
“Passing farm inspections has been so much easier with Herdwatch mainly because the system is well managed. All the data is there whenever we need it, and we can show it to the inspector on the spot.”
A Highly Recommended Tool for Farmers
Christopher recommends Herdwatch to other farmers, emphasising how it keeps farm records organised, eliminates paperwork, and ensures compliance with ease. The simplicity of the app, combined with its powerful features, has made it an essential tool at Wilkey Down Farm.
You too can simplify your farm management like Christopher. Download the free Herdwatch app today & join over 20,000 farmers across the UK & Ireland!