A farming business on the north Cornwall-Devon border has been appointed as a new AHDB monitor farm.

Rob and Liz Priest, of Kingsford Farm in Holsworthy and Scadghill Farm in Bude farm across the 290 acres of their Devonshire home farm and 220 acres over the border in Cornwall.

Having farmed organically for 15 years at home, Rob and Liz are now in the process of organic conversion of the farm in Cornwall, where the farm had previously been conventionally managed before they purchased it in autumn 2021.

A suckler herd of 80 stabiliser cows share the farm with 630 ewes made up of 130 mule crossbreds, 270 Highlanders and 230 Aberfields.

Liz and Rob said: “We are driven by the facts and figures, and we like to be honest and open with people.

"We’re quite happy to share our information – good and bad!

"We would like to increase profitability within the farm business, be better at selecting stock either for sale or as breeding replacements and continue to improve our pastures.

"As we take on our new farm, we’re open to new ideas and adapting our approach to improve the percentage of lambs and calves that we can rear and finish.”

They join a farm in Northumberland and one in Herefordshire in the Farm Excellence programme.

Leah Shanks, Knowledge Exchange Manager, added: “We are looking forward to welcoming attendees to Rob and Liz’s launch event on February 15 at Scadghill Farm.

"This is an open event so please register and come along, it will be a great opportunity to learn all about their farm business.

"We will focus on key areas including environmental matters, breeding, health, grassland management and financial performance.

"With Rob and Liz, we are especially excited to explore the opportunities that taking on a new farm presents.”

To book your free place at the launch event, visit ahdb.org.uk/events.

Liz and Rob join a farm in Northumberland and one in Herefordshire newly appointed to the Farm Excellence programme.