Farm Smart: Revolutionising Dairy Farming: Inside the Thomas Family’s High-Tech Farm in Pembrokeshire

In Pembrokeshire, West Wales, the Thomas family carries a proud legacy of dairy farming. Sion Thomas, a fourth-generation dairy farmer, manages a 1,200-acre farm in partnership with his parents, wife, and two children.

Together, they oversee one of the largest registered Dairy Shorthorn herds in the UK, built on more than 70 years of dedicated breeding. The result is a progressive family dairy business shaped by strong genetics, practical systems, and a constant focus on efficiency.

A Dairy Shorthorn herd built for efficiency

The Thomas farm is home to 750 Dairy Shorthorn cows, a breed valued for easy calving, long production life, high milk output, and feed efficiency.

The herd is managed through a split calving system, with around 60% calving in spring and the rest in autumn. This helps maintain a consistent milk supply across the year while fitting neatly with the farm’s extensive grazing system.

By matching calving patterns with grass growth and herd demand, the family is able to make better use of pasture while supporting animal performance and health.

Investment in better facilities

In recent years, the Thomas family has made major investments to improve farm efficiency and animal welfare. One of the biggest upgrades has been a 70-point rotary parlour, which has transformed the milking routine.

Their focus on innovation also extends to calf rearing. A purpose-built calf shed can house up to 200 calves and is designed to give youngstock the best possible start.

Milk is pumped directly from the parlour to holding units in the calf shed through a transfer line. From there, a mobile milk tank heats, pasteurises, and dispenses milk accurately into a multi-teat feeder based on the age and requirements of each calf group.

This system not only improves labour efficiency, but also supports stronger calf health and better growth rates.

Health, fertility, and long-term performance

For the Thomas family, herd health and welfare are central to how the farm performs. Giving calves the best start in life is a key part of maintaining a productive and efficient system.

Close monitoring of individual animals also helps identify lower-performing cows, allowing for better-informed culling decisions and stronger herd standards over time.

Fertility is another major area of focus. In a dairy system of this scale, strong fertility underpins profitability, labour efficiency, and long-term herd performance.

How Herdwatch transformed dairy herd management

Sion and his family have been using Herdwatch for more than five years, and it has significantly changed the way they manage the farm. Before switching, they were relying on a combination of complex software and written records.

What stood out about Herdwatch was how easy it was to set up and use. That simplicity mattered, because they wanted a system the whole family and farm team could use confidently.

Recording births, deaths, and movements is now much more streamlined, saving time and improving day-to-day efficiency.

All the cow information in your pocket

One of the biggest benefits for Sion is the ability to access information instantly while out on the farm. Instead of returning to the office or checking separate systems, the key details are always close to hand.

Breeding and milk insights made easier

Herdwatch has also improved breeding management across the herd. Notifications for expected heats and repeats, along with lists for scanning and vet checks, remove the need to manually check cows one by one.

That saves valuable time and helps the family stay on top of breeding activity in a large herd.

While the farm still uses NMR Herd Companion for detailed milk records, the Herdwatch Milk Insights feature is especially useful for quick access to the latest SCC and yield data when checking cows in the field or shed.

Inspection-ready records and pasture management

Herdwatch has also made life much easier when preparing for inspections. Sion values the reports and action lists that help the farm stay organised and ready when needed.

On the grassland side, Sion has recently mapped the whole farm and now records paddock inputs including chemical fertiliser, manure applications, sprays, reseeding, and crop rotations.

He also plans to begin recording grass measurements in the near future. That kind of visibility is especially valuable with possible new Welsh regulations on the horizon.

A modern dairy business with strong family roots

As the Thomas family continues to embrace new technology, their focus on efficiency, animal welfare, and regulatory compliance remains strong. Herdwatch now plays an important role in their daily operation, helping them manage the complexity of a modern dairy system more easily.

By combining family farming experience with practical innovation, they have built a business that is well positioned for the future.

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