• FEB / MAR 2023
CRATHORNE FARMS 45
Charnley Fertilisers
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📞📞01609 748 950 www . charnleyfertilisers . co . uk
Proud to support Joe Dugdale of Crathorne Farm
Ripon | Northallerton | York Thirsk | Pateley Bridge | Easingwold www . bishoptonvets . co . uk
24-hour emergency cover 365 days a year . Proactive approach to cattle & sheep health , welfare , production and sustainable farming . Cost effective herd and flock health schemes , tailored to your farm ' s needs . Practical farm-based training , delivered by vets and industry experts . Advanced cattle breeding service . Call us on 01765 602396 for more information .
Committed to long term partnerships supporting British livestock farming
The Dugdales don ’ t go for all-year round calving , preferring the block calving model .
“ We go for block-calving starting in mid-August and keep to a tight 8-10 week window . While our herd average is lower than it used to be , but we have improved cow longevity and the cows now average almost 6 lactations .
“ We AI the whole herd in a 5 week period , which takes us to just before Christmas . To accelerate our genetic improvement we select the top cows from which to breed our replacements and get about 110 replacements for ourselves . While we ’ re breeding our replacements , which happens during the first three weeks of service , we use Hereford because it makes them very identifiable during calving . Once we ’ ve finished serving for replacements we ’ re on with Aberdeen Angus for very easy calving . The bulls go in just before Christmas to give everyone a bit of a break .
“ Our dairy bull calves go to a rearer in Hull at two weeks and we have a similar relationship with a rearer up near Masham who wants calves out of a grazing system because he ’ s raising his in the same way . The Dugdales milking times are 5am and 2pm in a 36 / 72 swingover parlour . Joe says he has a great team on the farm .
“ We have a team of 3 full timers and 2 part timers . We focus a lot on training and we are members of the local discussion / benchmarking group and actively encourage the team to get involved .
The leading farming owned business in the North of England & Scotland
Specialising in :
• Grain Storage • Grain Marketing
• Seed • Fertiliser
‘ Pleased to be associated with Joe Dugdale of Crathorne Farms , wishing him continued success .’
Tyne Dock 01914 287700
Piercebridge 01325 728907
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