CEREALS grown on a mixed farm in Herefordshire are being turned into high-quality animal feed as part of a diversification enterprise.

The Davies family at Upper Court Farm, Clifford, launched UC Feeds three years ago as an alternative to selling grain off the farm when prices were low.

Tom and Julie Davies, who grow wheat, barley and oilseed rape, have now entered their new business into the diversification category of the Three Counties Farming Awards.

They proudly grow, process and supply a variety of fully traceable animal feed for sheep and cattle.

About 70 per cent of home grown cereal is added to each blend, enabling the business to offer competitive prices and value for money.

The family also has an award-winning commercial suckler herd and finishing enterprise and has been able to prove the quality of its products through the success of the beef unit.

Tome said the business is committed to producing feed to the highest standards and is dedicated to achieving the best outcome for local farmers’ livestock.

“We began the feed business three years ago as an alternative to selling our grain off the farm when the prices were low.

“We are now able to add value to our grain and offer a service to the local agricultural community. The feed business has grown organically over the last three years, growing by 18 per cent each year,” said Tom, who manages the whole process from seed to feed.

He added: “We roll the barley and wheat before mixing with high-quality straights. The whole process takes place at the home farm in Clifford.

“In 2018 we invested in a new roller mill so we could become more efficient and a new store with dedicated bays for bulk tipping products.

“We are in the process of writing a long term sustainability plan for the farm, and we plan to work to this with all investments in the future. We recently invested in a Mzuri strip till drill to plant all of our crops, with a sole focus on conservation farming.”

He said that added to the home-grown feed blend are straights bought from local suppliers to keep food miles low.

Operations are kept as energy efficient as possible, which included changing the roller mill last year.

Customers are also encouraged to reduce waste and to reuse their feed bags or to buy bulk products.

Julie added: “As we are farmers ourselves, we appreciate the slim margins farmers are getting when selling cattle and sheep. We are able to offer cost effective high quality blends due to our low overheads. This enables our customers to maximise their profits in an industry where margins can be small.”

The family employs three local members of staff who work across the farm and the feed business. They also support their local rugby club and sponsor regional events.

“Our aim is to maximise animal performance for local farmers from our home grown feeds, we want to become the trusted supplier for quality nutritional products in the surrounding area.”

Our farming awards are open for entries until Wednesday, April 10, in 12 categories.

They are organised by Newsquest Media Group, publisher of the Three Counties Farmer, and its sister newspapers and websites the Stroud News and Journal, Gloucestershire Gazette, Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard, Worcester News, Hereford Times, Malvern Gazette, Ledbury Reporter, Evesham and Cotswold Journal, Tenbury Wells Advertiser, Kidderminster Shuttle, Bromsgrove Messenger, Redditch Advertiser and Droitwich Advertiser.

The headline sponsor is Harper Adams University.

Winners will be announced at a gala dinner at the Three Counties Showground on Thursday, June 13.

Visit www.stroudnewsandjournal.co.uk/awards/tcf to find out more and submit a nomination for the awards.