Events

Commercial Goat Farm Walk and Discussion

Location: Thorncombe, Chard, Dorset
Cost: Free to attend please register your place with RABDF

Opportunities and realities of the commercial goat farming sector will come under the microscope at a farm walk to be staged by the Royal Association of British Dairy Farmers (RABDF) at Forde Grange Goat Dairy, Near Chard, Dorset by kind permission of Tim and Will Frost.

The prospects for this fast growing £50m market for dairy goat products will be explored, along with a comprehensive discussion on technical, management and marketing aspects of goat farming, from nutrition, genetics, health and the latest technology for the sector.

The day will commence at 11.30am with an introduction to the farm by hosts, Tim and Will Frost, followed by a series of technical presentations and an opportunity to view the 2,000 milking goat unit. Lunch will be provided, and guests will have an opportunity to speak to the farm's key suppliers who are sponsoring the event.

Forde Grange Goat Dairy is thought to be the second largest unit in the country and operate under a contract farming agreement with their landlords, the Forde Abbey Estate. They feed a TMR ration, with crops grown on 400 acres of the Estate's land including crimped wheat, grass silage and maize. Recent investment has meant the farm has been able to expand and introduce new technology with an 80 point Fullwood rotary parlour boasting an impressive 800 litre/hour milking rate. The farm also uses a recycled water system whereby rainwater is collected from the farm buildings and used to cool the farm's milk.

RABDF chief executive, Nick Everington comments: “We are aware that the dairy goat product sector has increased by 20% year on year since 1997, and farmers are responding to that burgeoning demand by establishing large scale commercial enterprises ranging from between 300 and 2,000 milking goats. This open day is designed to provide information on a broad spectrum of issues to help all farmers in their decision making, whether they are prospective or existing dairy goat producers.”

If you are interested in attending the farm walk please register with Laura Dickinson at RABDF on 0845 4582711 or email lauradickinson@rabdf.co.uk. Directions and further details will be sent upon registration.

More Events

Farm Open Days/Farm Walks

The RABDF Farm Open Days and Walks have proven to be a popular diary date for our members. Host farms are selected to highlight specific management techniques which have proven successful and may be of benefit to other producers. We also ensure the farms visited cover a range of breeds and species.

Held throughout the country, these open days give visitors the opportunity to view the farm as well as speak to suppliers, which much like Dairy Event and Livestock Show provides an ideal forum for information exchange. Previous open days have included visits to Gold Cup winning farms.

Watch the events section for up and coming Farm Open Days and Farm Walks.