The Farmers Mart Aug/Sep 2015 - Issue 41 | Page 66

Listing Mill Farm

The Fewster’s farm 100 acres
with a herd of 110 milkers and
followers producing 6000 litres
per cow. The herd are New
Zealand-style Friesians crossed
with Swedish Reds which has
meant the herd are less prone to
ailments and are good breeders.
The Herd has also benefited
from the continued support and
advice from Genus Breeding.
Malcolm’s inspiration for
this came about following
his experiences after being
granted a prestigious Nuffield
Scholarship in 2010 with
sponsorship from the Yorkshire
Agricultural Society (YAS).
He thoroughly enjoyed what
he described as “ a fantastic
learning journey” of some 10
weeks travelling to Chile, USA,
Australia, New Zealand, France
and Ireland, and witnessed
how different farms operated
in those countries. He said
this experience showed how

important smaller farms can
be and has nothing but praise
for the many opportunities
the Nuffield Scholarship* can
bring.
A GRASS DIET –
THE BENEFITS
Malcolm firmly believes
that he is adding value to his
milk by raising his cattle on
a strict grass diet. Some 70%
of their dry matter intake is
from forage following the idea
that “productivity begins with
the soil.” They utilise Albrecht
soil testing, using specialist
fertilisers and are now using
less nitrogen than 10 years ago,
making the soil work naturally.
Dairy products from grass
diets are widely understood
to provide health benefits
as they have been found to
contain a potent nutrient and
fatty acid known as conjugated
linoleic acid. He uses low-cost

rotational grazing techniques
to protect grass quality and
manage his herd’s diet.
The Fewsters are committed
to caring for the environment
and regard self-sufficiency as
being equally important, so far
as is possible.
As Malcolm Jnr says, “It is not
just a case of the price per litre, it
is making sure everything we do
contributes to the overall viability.
For example, a key profit driver
on the farm is utilising the pasture
in a spring calving system.”
Much of the work is done by
Malcolm and his father while
Malcolm Jnr’s Australian-born
wife, Cheryl, does the allimportant bookkeeping.
Far from abandoning dairy
farming, Malcolm and his
father positively enjoy it and if
they are doing long hours, it is
because they want to. Yet the
family manages to achieve an
ideal lifestyle balance of work

and time together as a family.
Malcolm Jnr and Cheryl have
three children Millie (12), Renton
(8) and six year old Trevor.
Malcolm Snr and Trees now
have 11 grandchildren so this
really is quite a family! But it
is obviously a very happy one
that functions well as a strong
team. This can only transfer
to the herd which continues
to flourish in this eco-friendly
Yorkshire countryside oasis that
successfully incorporates some
of the best ideas from around
the world.
*For 60 years, the Nuffield
Farming Scholarships Trust
has provided more than
800 people in agriculture,
associated industries and the
rural community, the chance
to travel and expand their
understanding. The latest
scholarship application deadline
closed on 31st July, but if you
would like to kno