The Farmers Mart Aug/Sep 2016 - Issue 47 | Page 70

Farm NameDairy Farm Barkhouse Barkhouse Farm- A lesson in good dairy management » ON A SUNNY FRESH morning in Shelley on the hills above Huddersfield Ian Wilkinson met up with Janet Cartwright of Barkhouse Farm/Dairy and Dearne Lea Tearooms. Janet is the daughter of Gordon Dearnley who originally started Barkhouse farm from scratch some 55 years ago. Gordon had always wanted a farm of his own having done a variety of things from farming to driving to building work. Initially he started out with pigs then in 1968 he bought his first cow and two years later he had changed to dairy, something he had always wanted to do. As a young schoolgirl Janet remembers the smell of the pigs all too well! Barkhouse farm started life as a two up one down farmhouse with only five acres of land. The farm was built up gradually by acquiring land around the village which played havoc with the locals as he moved the herd around. Nowadays the farm is some 350 acres which is all grass and silage to support the herd. All the buildings, milking parlours etc have been built by Gordon using extra labour when required. The Herd initially started with Holstein Friesians then 20 years ago Gordon made the decision to swop to the lesser known breed of Meuse-Rhine-Issel cows primarily as he was sick and tired of lame cows amongst other things. This proved to be a great decision as the MRI cows have a superb temperament, good feet and much tastier milk. The cows are well looked after being fed primarily on grass and turned out from May to October. Sales of calves have proved a lucrative sideline such is their quality. Gordon is very keen on animal welfare and will not see them sold into the beef pens or veal market. Heifer calves that are chosen for replacements are carefully reared off farm and brought back to calve in the late spring. Herd management is important so as to maintain milk yields etc. Livestock Auctions • Fur & Feather Auctions Horse & Tack Auctions Holmfirth Auction Mart is proud to be associated with Janet Dearnley and Barkhouse Farm and wish them continued success Tel: [phone] Email: [email protected] Holmfirth Attested Auction Market Ltd, Riverside, Woodhead Road, Holmfirth HD9 2PR www.holmfirthmart.co.uk 70 Aug/Sep 2016 www.farmers-mart.co.uk