Farm Smart: Nottinghamshire Sheep Farmers Boost Profitability with Animal Data at Their Fingertips
Andrew and Siobhan Beresford run a 70‐acre sheep and grass farm on restored open cast mining land in Nottinghamshire. With deep roots in agriculture, Andrew having grown up on a dairy farm and Siobhan possessing a degree in Agriculture along with extensive industry experience in both the UK and Australia, the couple has built a thriving operation focused on sustainable sheep farming. The farm is home to a closed flock of 140 commercial ewes, with Blue Texel rams brought in to add quality genetics.
Lambing is carefully managed indoors during February and March, with the emphasis on fattening lambs primarily from lush, grass-fed pastures. Alongside sheep, the Beresford’s also produce and sell hay locally, contributing to a diversified and sustainable farming business. Their journey in sheep farming began twelve years ago when they purchased their current farm, a decision influenced by the land’s suitability for sheep grazing.
The farm’s evolution is also marked by continuous improvements to the land. As part of the Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) Pilot scheme, the couple has focused on enhancing grassland and hedgerow management. Strategic investments such as adding legumes to the pasture and improving soil drainage with a flat lifter and aerator have not only boosted the productivity of their land but have also enhanced its ecological value. Their ongoing projects, which include laying new hedges using capital grant schemes, underscore a commitment to preserving the natural beauty and functionality of their environment for future generations.
Modernising Farm Operations with Herdwatch
Building on the strong foundations of their traditional farming practices, the Beresfords embraced modern technology to streamline their operations. One year ago, they began using the Herdwatch app to replace cumbersome paper records with precise, digital data. Initially set up during the busy lambing season, the app now serves as an indispensable tool on the farm. With Herdwatch, Andrew and Siobhan can easily record treatments, lambing events, deaths, and movements directly on their phones. This has significantly improved the quality and accessibility of their farm data. For instance, recording lambing details as they mark the lambs allows them to maintain accurate records over time, which aids in making informed decisions regarding management and breeding.
Siobhan emphasises the importance of monitoring health and performance:
“We know more about the health of individual ewes, which helps us make decisions about problems and treatments and breeding from them in the future.”
Breeding management and decision-making
Herdwatch has transformed how the couple manages their breeding program. By keeping detailed records of individual ewes’ performance, they can make better decisions about future breeding selections.
Lambs are weighed several times, and the information on weight gain is used to plan sending to sale and altering feeding regimes if the gains are not as expected.
They are also experimenting with using groups in the app to manage ewes by age and pregnancy status, optimising their flock management.
Preparing for inspections
Though they haven’t undergone a farm inspection yet, the app has already proven valuable for vet visits, particularly regarding medication reviews. The couple feels that having their drug records organised digitally enhances their preparedness for any regulatory reviews.
For Andrew and Siobhan, the biggest benefit of Herdwatch is the ability to instantly access the history and health records of their sheep. As they move forward, they remain committed to continuous learning and adaptation in their farming practices, inspired by the insights gained through Herdwatch.
The implementation of Herdwatch has significantly improved Andrew and Siobhan’s farming practices, enabling them to make data-driven decisions that enhance their operational efficiency and flock health. As they continue to explore the app’s features, they anticipate even greater benefits!
Join Andrew & Siobhan and over 20,000 happy farmers on the Herdwatch App.
