NSA Advantage Feeder prize giveaway 2014: Thomas Garland, Somerset
10th July 2014
The third of six 3in1 Advantage Feeders given away in the NSA 2014 membership recruitment campaign went to a sheep unit with a difference – winner Thomas Garland is a dairy farmer!
Mr Garland from Langport, Somerset, set up a sheep milking flock four years ago and is currently milking 500 Friesland and Friesland cross Poll Dorset ewes. Having kept sheep for many years in different systems, alongside a herd of milking cows for some time, he says the new set-up definitely suits his way of farming. He is also delighted to have a brand new 3in1 feeder to add to his business.
“I have looked at the feeders in the past and thought they looked good, so it was great to win something that looks like it will be really useful,” Mr Garland says. “I think the feeder will be handy to feed our replacement ewe lambs, as we supplement feed them at turnout right through the summer. Currently we just trough feed but this could save a lot time and backache! It will also be interesting to see how the lambs respond to it with a view of supplementary feeding our ewes at tupping.”
There are 100 replacements ewe lambs in Mr Garland’s flock, home bred from his March and April-lambing ewes. Two other blocks of ewes are lambed in November and January but these are sponged and put to terminal sires. All lambs are artificially reared from two days of age and anything not identified as a suitable replacement sold as young stores. Milk from the ewes is sold to five customers in the south of England.
“I farm in partnership with my girlfriend Helen and we’re tenant farmers with an FBT and various grazing agreements at Burton dairy farm in Langport, a private estate. Much of the ground is in HLS with a small proportion of new leys in rotation with the estates arable land. I used to be an NSA member years ago but rejoined to keep up to date with sheep related issues and new ideas in the industry.”
Bryan Griffiths, NSA South West Region Chairman, says “I was delighted to present Thomas with the feeder and welcome him into the NSA. His energy and enthusiasm for an imaginative sheep enterprise was compelling.”
