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 in Nottinghamshire. The farm sits on restored open-cast land and supports a closed flock of 140 commercial ewes.

They use Blue Texel rams to improve genetics. In addition, they sell hay locally, which helps strengthen the overall business.

With strong agricultural roots and a clear focus on sustainable sheep farming, the couple are always looking for better ways to manage performance, simplify records, and make informed decisions on farm.

A farm built on steady improvement

Since buying the farm twelve years ago, they have focused on steady improvements. For example, they have introduced legumes into pasture and improved drainage using a flat lifter.

They have also planted new hedges through grant schemes. As a result, the farm now performs better while supporting biodiversity.

These changes have helped improve the land while also strengthening the long-term productivity of the business.

Why a sheep farm management app made sense

They introduced Herdwatch during a busy lambing season. At that time, paper records were becoming difficult to manage.

Now, they use a sheep farm management app to record treatments, lambing events, and movements in real time. Because of this, their records are more accurate and easier to access.

That change has not just improved record keeping. It has also improved the quality of information they use to manage the flock.

Better records, better breeding decisions

The biggest improvement has been in breeding decisions. With better records, they can clearly see how each ewe performs.

As a result, they make stronger selection decisions. They also weigh lambs regularly, so they can track growth and adjust feeding when needed.

Instead of relying on memory or loose notes, they now have a clearer picture of each ewe’s history. In turn, that helps them identify patterns and respond faster to issues.

In practical terms, the move to a digital system has reduced guesswork and given them much more confidence in the decisions they make.

More visibility, less guesswork

Having everything in one place has made daily management easier. Instead of relying on memory, they can check records instantly.

This means decisions are based on real data. In turn, this reduces guesswork and improves confidence across the farm.

As a result, the whole flock management system feels more organised, more accurate, and much easier to stay on top of.

Staying prepared for inspections

Herdwatch has also made inspections easier. All records are stored digitally and can be accessed quickly.

Because of this, they feel more prepared and confident when dealing with inspections or vet visits.

With treatment and drug records organised in one place, Andrew and Siobhan can spend less time searching for information and more time focusing on the flock.

A simpler way to manage the flock

Overall, Herdwatch has helped make the farm more organised and easier to manage. By switching to a sheep farm management app, they now have better control of their flock.

As a result, they can focus more on improving performance and less on paperwork.

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