Spring block calvers the Tucker family from Devon has been recruited as AHDB’s latest Strategic Dairy Farms.

Building upon AHDB’s recently announced optimal dairy systems approach, the farm will showcase best practice, host high profile events and openly publish benchmarking data with a focus across the different production systems.

Richard Tucker, together with his parents Nigel and Brenda, runs a spring block herd of 240 New Zealand Friesians and Friesian Jersey crosses on 450 rented acres at Dichetts Farm near Tiverton in Devon.

They’re currently achieving 1,060 kg milk solids per hectare, 3,661 litres from forage and their low herd replacement rate of only 17% is among the top end of performers. Mr Tucker is chairman of the Devon and Cornwall based Grassmasters discussion group and vice chairman of Devon NFU.

Speaking about the appointment Mr Tucker said: “Being able to discuss and implement current thinking and research on our farm would not only help us to develop as both people and as a business, but it would also be good to share this with like-minded people.”

All year round (AYR) calvers Tom and Karen Halton from Cheshire have also been recruited as a Strategic Dairy Farm. The appointments form part of AHDB’s Farm Excellence programme and complement the existing spring block Strategic Farm at Houghton Lodge in Leicestershire.

Jon Parry AHDB head of Dairy Knowledge Exchange said: “I’m delighted that we are able to appoint two such high calibre operations as our Strategic Farms. They’ll add strength to our portfolio and allow us to further accelerate farmer to farmer learning centred on two production systems.

“Ultimately we want to have nine farms spread across GB - three each of all year round, spring and autumn block calvers. We’re still keen to hear from autumn calvers so please get in touch if you think this could be you.”