Livestock Farming

Pierrepont Farm is our dairy farm in Surrey, where Mike and Bev Clear (our tenant farmers) aim to achieve a balance between the management of the farm for the success of the dairy enterprise and the welfare of the wildlife.

Within the boundaries of the farm there is a range of wildlife species reflecting the varied heathland habitats (wet, dry and verge heathland). The area includes the River Wey, the wet meadows, woodland, fairly intensive leys, less intensive permanent grassland, field margins and fodder crops. For example maize crop (for silage) is grown to reduce cost and quantity of external inputs brought onto the farm and to reduce methane emissions. Hay is also grown as it is cut later than grass for silage and so is less damaging to wildlife and in particular ground nesting birds.

The new wooden dairy is light and extremely spacious with the welfare of the 120 pedigree Jersey cows being paramount. It contains two Fullwood Merlin 225 robotic milking machines, allowing the cows to wander in from the lush meadows alongside the River Wey, to milk themselves as necessary. Spacious stalls, sand bedding, large feeding areas and wide aisles all add to their comfort.

In addition, the wooden construction is designed to be as environmentally-friendly as possible. For example, an underground tank collects the rainwater from the roof and it is used for washing down the cows and the yard. This saves both water, a precious resource in the dry South East as well as money. Any extra water will flow into a pond which will be constructed in front of the dairy and is designed to attract wildlife.